Page 8 of Behind These Four Walls
“Whole package here. I think Rey already told you what we found, but Leonard was in hot and heavy with Stephanie, the receptionist. She’sno longer at the company, but it’s been a pretty lengthy affair, which made him less diligent with his job and opened the company up to discrepancies in the accounts. They could say he was negligent, because between her and the pregnant wife, he had his hands full. Things he should have caught likely slipped through the cracks.”
“Good, good.” Michelle nodded. She peeked in the folder at the photos that left nothing to the imagination, flipping through them with gusto. “This is perfect. This makes the guy look ... desperate, sloppy. And cheating on a pregnant wife? I mean, what the actual fuck? We can run with this. He’s so gone.”
Isla debated. Should she mention her thoughts about how the whole affair seemed too convenient? That Stephanie, the receptionist—who was now gone, interestingly enough—seemed way out of Leonard’s league? In a city full of centerfold-looking men and heads of companies worth millions who’d love a sidepiece like Stephanie, why boring Midwest-born-and-bred Matthew Leonard? He had a great-paying job, but still. He was mid in looks and wealth at best.
Michelle’s freshly highlighted hair shimmered as she absorbed it all, smiling wider as Isla spoke. Every delicious detail seemed to imbue her with life, and she stared into the distance, already working out how they were going to use the information.
Michelle said, “Everything tracks. We can paint a picture of someone unreliable, entirely self-serving, a liar and a cheat. The head guy hates those the most. By the time we’re done, no one will believe a word he says. Even if he tries to talk again, it won’t matter. He’s done for.”
Done for, just as Rey had said earlier. The words made Isla even more uncomfortable now than before. It was like everyone was relishing the downfall of one dumb guy who’d let big tits and a small ass cloud his judgment. Why would this company care so much?
Isla took her shot. “Don’t you think it’s a little convenient that Stephanie and Leonard would have this affair? I mean, they were barelyin each other’s orbits. They worked in totally different departments. And not to say that beautiful people don’t date regular ones, but Stephanie’s history of lovers doesn’t fit Matthew Leonard. Maybe she was put in his orbit.”
Michelle froze mid paper flip. Her eyes rose to meet Isla’s, blinking rapidly as if the information didn’t compute. “How do you mean?” It sounded like a warning, not a real question wanting an answer.
Isla lost all bravado.Not my business,she reminded herself. She shouldn’t have said anything. Now Michelle was looking at her weird, as if to ask,Why are you thinking? You’re not being paid to think. You’re paid to produce.
“Forget it.” Isla waved it away, hoping she hadn’t screwed up too badly with her overstep. She deferred in apology.
Finally, Michelle said, “Hey, I get it. This seems like small stuff in the grand scheme of things. Like, who the hell is Matthew Leonard, right? Why give a fuck if he’s screwing some blonde or his bloated wife?”
Pregnant,Isla thought, keeping her face blank.The woman was carrying a damn child.
“Sometimes there is collateral damage. Sometimes there is the martyr. Whatever it’ll be is not for you or me”—she tapped the folder to her chest—“to figure out. It’s for the client to use as they choose. Your job is to investigate and find the goods.” She smiled. “And mine is to control the narrative per the client’s wishes. Leonard’s going to be that narrative.”
Chapter Six
Isla took it all in, properly reminded of her place. “Roger that.”
Michelle recentered herself, blowing out a long breath, eyes closed like she was in hot yoga class. “No worries. This has been stressful for all because of the fast turnaround, I know, and I appreciate you and the team for coming through like this.” Relief was evident on her face, and Isla was happy about another completed job and satisfied client. “This is perfect. The chairman will be thrilled. He and his team are actually due for an update and strategy meeting in fifteen.”
“Chairman of the accounting firm?” Isla asked, disappointed. “That doesn’t seem like a big enough deal for the five-star, top-floor treatment.”
Michelle laughed like Isla was an ignorant child, which Isla didn’t appreciate, but she held her tongue.
“No, the chairman of the Corrigan Group, which owns the accounting firm.”
The Corrigan Group was worldwide. Explained all the bells and whistles.
“For some reason, Leonard rubbed the company the wrong way. He’s pissed them off enough that the big man over everything is paying us a visit to get his update firsthand. Whatever Leonard did, they’ll make an example of him. Quietly, of course. Pushing him out with some pictures is light work, in my opinion.”
Isla remained stone faced, averting her gaze so Michelle wouldn’t see anything more than an agreeable contractor. This guy wasn’t going to just be discredited. How was he going to explain why he’d resigned to his wife? He’d lose everything. But Isla said nothing more.
“Fantastic,” Isla said with finality. She readied to leave, securing her bag over her shoulder. “Invoice has been sent electronically, I’m sure.”
Michelle beamed, hugging the file to her chest. “And already paid, with a bonus for such expedient work. You all are godsends.”
Or doing the devil’s work.
Michelle’s phone beeped. She was instantly nervous and fidgety again, and Isla had to wonder who these people were who made the too-cool-to-be-unnerved Michelle Jell-O on legs. “God, they’re coming up. You might want to head out now so you don’t interact with them.”
“Muddies the waters,” Isla replied, appreciating that Michelle remembered how Isla never wanted to be seen by the clients. What she did was in the dark. Not that Michelle was listening. She was already click-clacking down the hall to the large glass-encased conference room ahead, where other employees hustled to make last-minute preparations for the colossal meet. Michelle waved a hand up in the air as she retreated, calling over her shoulder that she’d be in touch soon.
“Insane,” Isla murmured, glad to be done with it all. She pivoted toward the four elevators for a quick getaway.
An elevator pinged an arrival. Isla stepped closer to the opposite side, attempting to make herself small and insignificant. She busied herself with the contents of her bag when the elevator door slid open and an entourage of suits disembarked from the car. She couldn’t help sneaking a peek at this “big man” chairman who had made Michelle’s knees tremble with fear and awe.
Isla nearly dropped her bag, because none other than Victor Corrigan stepped out first from the middle of the group, and at sixty-nine, the older man looked decades younger.