Final Deposit (14 page)

“Hey, Matt.”

“You sound distracted.”

“Just took a sip of cold coffee.”

“Yuck.”

“That's what I thought.” Matt couldn't pass by a gourmet coffee shop without stopping. He understood the disappointment of cold coffee.

“Any holes in the report I sent you?” Matt asked.

“Not yet.” Kyle didn't feel the need to mention he'd read the first page a dozen times before processing a single word. Honey-colored hair was on his mind again. This really wasn't good.

“Then I'm already two for two, and it's not even lunchtime.”

“Two for two?” Kyle said, confused.

“I think I found the connection between Jamie McDonald and Lindsey's father.”

“Really?”

“Jamie McDonald works for Vincent Lambert, who just happened to serve with George Taylor in the same squadron some forty-odd years ago. It could be just a coincidence.”

Kyle let out a low whistle. “I don't think so.”

“So you know the guy?”

“No, but Lindsey's father does. And apparently they've stayed in touch throughout the years. Vincent called last Saturday morning, claiming they were supposed to have met for breakfast, but George never showed.”

“Claiming?”

“The call sounded legit at the time, but with sixty-five grand at stake and a connection to Jamie, I'm beginning to have my doubts. More than likely, Jamie's nothing more than an errand boy for his boss.”

“So what's the next step?”

Another piece of the puzzle had just fallen into place. “Listen to this. Vincent invited Lindsey to some charity event at his house tomorrow night.”

“Looks as if you've just found the perfect setting to pull together a bit of firsthand info on the man.”

Kyle smiled. His thoughts exactly. He couldn't remember the last time he'd looked forward to a job-related social event. Too bad he'd had to return his tux last weekend.

“Seems like Lindsey and I are going to a party tomorrow night.”

I
f it wasn't for the fact that they were at the Texas Liberty Charter School fund-raiser to scope out Vincent Lambert, Lindsey would have found the atmosphere perfect. Perfect enough to make her wish she could call this a date. But as romantic as the ambience might be, this was definitely not a date. Kyle looked fantastic though in his black tux. The guy really knew how to dress when the occasion called for it.

Little expense had been spared to turn the elaborate gardens into an elegant night for charity under the stars. A small band played music with a Latino beat in the background. Two long buffet tables, running along the covered stone patio, were laden with everything from quesadillas and carved roast beef and turkey, to colorful fruit bowls and mouthwatering cheesecake. The enormous, two-story house, located in a wealthy suburb of North Dallas, added to the stylish setting. Whatever Mr. Lambert did for a living, he must do it well.

Lindsey's stomach grumbled as she placed a couple of chocolate-covered strawberries on her full plate. She might as well enjoy herself while she was here. She added an irresistible slice of cheesecake and then focused on balancing her plate, drink and purse as she followed Kyle down a paved walkway toward one of the many tables. It wouldn't be completely dark for another couple of hours, but already strings of white lights lit up the patio and a dozen of the trees in the spacious backyard. Beyond the green lawns, a lake sparkled in the distance, its boat ramp adding even more value to the high-priced property.

Kyle chose one of the smaller tables for two at the far edge of the pool. They sat down, close enough to be able to observe the guests, but far away enough to ensure a bit of privacy. Which was exactly what she wanted at the moment. From here she could observe their host mingling with his guests while they decided on their game plan.

Her mouth watered as she bit into a juicy strawberry. “Tell me everything you know about Vincent Lambert.”

Kyle grinned at her. “If I don't, will you dump cake on my shirt?”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” she said, cringing at the memory of chocolate frosting on his white tuxedo shirt. “Come on.”

“Okay. Here's what I found out about him. After graduating from high school, he went straight into the army and served four years in the same battalion as your father. When his time was up, instead of reenlisting, he moved to Dallas, where he married Rachel Prim and started working for his father's contracting company. Edward Lambert died six years later, leaving the entire business to him.” Kyle glanced up from his notes. “Apparently, the man has a bit of the Midas touch. Anything he puts his hands on turns out a nice profit. Let's see.” His gaze dropped back to the notebook. “Divorced ten years later with two kids still in elementary school. He married Priscilla Maxwell, with whom it's reported he'd been having an affair, but the marriage only lasted seven months.”

“Now, that's really sad.”

“I agree. Five years ago, he married his current wife, who happens to be fifteen years younger than him. She has a daughter from a previous marriage who is currently enrolled at Harvard.”

“With stepdaddy picking up the bill?”

He flipped the notebook shut, then tapped on the cover. “That I don't know for sure, though it does seem likely.”

“So, barring his failed marriages, he seems to be quite the model citizen.” She waved her hand toward the dozens of partygoers who seemed to be enjoying themselves. “Including hosting charity events.”

“I wouldn't go so far as to call him a model citizen.” Kyle brushed the notebook against his leg. “Five years ago he was investigated for attempted fraud. Nothing was proved, so the case was dropped, but now there seems to be financial doom hovering on the horizon.”

Lindsey leaned forward. “Really?”

“Most of what I found out were rumors, but some of them came from pretty trustworthy sources. Mr. Lambert seems to be losing his touch. About four months ago, he was sued and he lost. Since then, he's laid off almost thirty percent of his employees.”

“Wow. Sounds pretty serious.”

“It is. And while sixty-five thousand dollars might seem small in the light of a huge company, if he's cash-strapped, he's not going to be in the mood to extend a personal loan.”

Lindsey organized everything in her mind. In Vincent Lambert they had a suspect, a motivation and a possible link to the crime all wrapped up in one package. Now all they had to do was prove it.

“It seems like the perfect time to search the man's office for a link to my father—”

“Whoa.” Kyle held up his hand, shaking his head adamantly. “Slow down. First of all, I'm no P.I., and even if I was, that wouldn't exactly be legal.”

She frowned. He might be right, but she refused to sit around and do nothing. “So this is it? We stuff ourselves with hors d'oeuvres and dessert and then leave?”

“It could be worse.” He shot her a grin. “The food is fantastic. There's romantic music in the air. I've got a beautiful woman beside me.”

“Kyle.”

“Seriously. Give people a couple hours of good food and alcohol, and it's amazing what you are able to pick up.”

“That's a plan I can work with.”

“But enough about Mr. Lambert for now.” Kyle took a sip of his lemonade while gazing at her with his deep blue eyes. “We have all evening to study the man firsthand. In the meantime, I have a question that's been puzzling me for a while.”

“Okay.” Lindsey's stomach fluttered.

“You're single, intelligent and beautiful, but there doesn't seem to be a Romeo in your life. If there were, I'd insist you dump him because he certainly hasn't played the role of valiant hero this past week.”

“A chauvinistic remark?”

“Not at all. I just think you deserve someone who will go out on a limb to ensure you're okay.”

She sat back, surprised at the directness.
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride…
No. She wasn't going there again. But was he asking because he was interested, or because he felt sorry for her?

She cleared her throat. “What can I say? Romeo was always highly overrated in my opinion. The whole dying-for-love thing turns me off. One can't exactly savor bliss while dead.”

Kyle laughed. “Touché. But you still didn't answer my question.”

“At the moment? No. There is no Romeo, or Prince Charming, or any other fairy-tale character at my side.”

Though you, Kyle Walker, certainly could pass for a knight in shining armor.

“Ah…at the moment.” He cocked his head, eyes twinkling. “So that means there has been someone…or maybe there's someone specific you're hoping for a relationship with?”

She grabbed a square of cheese and stuffed it in her mouth, wondering if he could read her mind. Her thoughts were filled with far too many daydreams about him lately.

She swallowed. “I've dated a few people, but nothing ever became serious. My mom got sick, I left school, and now there's my father. I don't know. There always seems to be someone else to care for.” It was time to turn the tables. Quickly. “What about you? Any woman waiting for you to return home?”

He smiled, showing off the dimple in his left cheek. “I guess I asked for that.”

“You certainly didn't expect to ask me without having to answer yourself, now, did you?”

“Of course not.” He wiped his mouth with a cocktail napkin, wadded it up and tossed it onto the table. “My job keeps me busy, and I admit I enjoy it, but my career has caused a bit of strain on my dating life.”

“That is sad.”

“I guess I've been waiting for the right woman to show up.”

Like I've been waiting for the right man.

Lindsey stared out across the crowded patio and tried to sort out her thoughts. Women in black cocktail dresses and high heels mingled with men in tuxes. The music drifted into a soft ballad. Above her the stars were beginning to shine. The breeze was gentle. But what made the night perfect was the man sitting across from her.

What did she honestly think about Kyle Walker's unexpected entrance into her life? With all that had happened the past few days, she'd been able to avoid picturing herself in a relationship with him. But it was getting harder and harder to do.

Kyle was kind, handsome and dependable. The truth was, he was all the things she'd ever imagined in a husband.

But the timing is all wrong.

All wrong? Hadn't that always been her excuse? If she kept looking for the perfect time to fall in love she'd never have the chance to enjoy marriage and a family.

The very idea knocked her for a loop. She'd never thought about why she cut off relationships. It seemed right at the time. Her mother's illness, too many cases at the adoption agency, her father's prostate cancer…

So what did that make her? Lindsey Taylor. Perpetual rescuer. No time for love. Single. Being single wasn't a bad thing. She had plenty of single friends who were perfectly happy with their identities as aunts, uncles and godparents. And up to this point, she'd honestly thought she would remain in that category.

But her excuses no longer seemed valid. Had she, like Kyle, simply failed to make finding love a priority? She'd assumed that when it was the right time, love would hit like Cupid's arrow straight through the heart. But why was a relationship any different from anything else? Sometimes good opportunities came at bad times.

She'd tried not to let herself think about what she could have with Kyle, but that hadn't stopped him from showing up in her dreams.

“Lindsey?”

She glanced up, catching his grin. “Yeah?”

“You look as though you're a thousand miles away.”

“I'm sorry. I…” She hesitated.

What was she supposed to tell him? That she'd started to wonder if he was the one? That she'd just realized that her heart wanted her to take a chance even though he lived a thousand miles away and a relationship between them would be hard and complicated?

She took a bite of cake. More excuses. All relationships—no matter how good—were hard.

“Lindsey. And Kyle, I believe.” Vincent Lambert stepped up to their table with a drink in one hand. “I'm so glad the two of you decided to come.”

Lindsey looked up at their host, trying not to choke on the piece of cheesecake in her mouth. Pricey tux…Italian shoes…expensive gold watch flashing on his arm…If the man was having financial problems, she couldn't tell by the way he dressed. She swallowed, held out her hand and smiled. It was time to play ball. “We appreciate the invitation, Mr. Lambert. It's a wonderful party.”

“If it raises money for the kids, I'll be happy.” He shook their hands, seemingly enjoying the social obligations of making the rounds at his party. “Is your father better?”

“He is. Thank you for asking.” Lindsey fumbled with her napkin, realizing that the man made her uncomfortable. “He sends his regrets, but I'm sure he'll be in touch once he's home from the hospital.”

“Please tell him I hope he feels better soon.”

Lindsey glanced at Kyle. Mr. Lambert's apparent sincerity nearly erased her belief that he was involved in breaking and entering, or intimidation—nearly.

Lindsey licked her lips, nerves drying out her mouth. “I understand you have an employee by the name of Jamie McDonald?”

Mr. Lambert's brow twitched. “Jamie McDonald?”

“Do you know him?”

“Not personally, but he is on my payroll.”

“I believe my father was involved in a business transaction with Jamie, and since my father is in the hospital, I need to find him. Can you help me with that?”

Taking a swig of his drink, Mr. Lambert shook his head. “I'm sorry, but I don't normally keep tabs on the personal business or whereabouts of my employees.”

“I'm sorry, I just thought since you're a friend of my father's…” Lindsey struggled with what to say. “My father's in some trouble, Mr. Lambert. I'm just trying to find answers.”

“I'm sorry to hear that. I'd hate for anything to happen to your father. He always was a good friend.”

“Was?”

Mr. Lambert frowned. “If you'll excuse me, I need to see to my other guests. It was really great to see you again, Lindsey. Do have your father call me when he gets out of the hospital.”

I'd hate for anything to happen to your father.

Lindsey leaned forward as Vincent Lambert walked away. “That was a threat.”

“A threat?” Kyle asked.

“And he was polite. Too polite.”

“Meaning?”

“I don't know.” Lindsey stabbed at a strawberry with a toothpick. “I don't like him.”

“You're biased,” Kyle said.