Treacherous Business

By Lynette S. Jones

Found innocent of Kari Sutherland's murder, Gennie immerses herself in running the employment agency she and Kari had established. Her best friend's death, Tim's betrayal, and the ensuing accusations had almost destroyed her. Gennie still carries a torch for Kari's fiance, Tim, now her silent partner in the agency. When history appears to be repeating itself, Gennie and Tim are forced to sort through their past relationship as they work together to discover the truth about Kari's death before Gennie becomes the next victim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynette S. Jones
• Release date: Jun 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310448607

Lynette S. Jones

I was born in Tucson Arizona, but never really lived there. We moved to Washington State and stayed there until I was five. We then moved to Simi Valley, California where I stayed until I was 19. I was encouraged to pursue writing by a few of my English teachers in high school. I took their advice and began to write. I took creative writing and literature classes throughout my college years and after. I have been writing for many years for pleasure and have just recently released my novels as e-books. The Saga of Preterlandis series is now available in paperback. See my website for details. I hope that my readers enjoy reading my offerings as much as I enjoyed writing them. I live with my husband, and family in Eastern Washington, where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers merge. When I'm not writing I make my living by writing computer applications, designing small customized databases or working as a designer on industrial construction projects. I am looking for people to review my books and submit the reviews to Smashwords.com or to Amazon.com. If you are interested contact me at [e-mail]

Book preview

TREACHEROUS BUSINESS

Lynette S. Jones

Copyright © 2014 Lynette S. Jones

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

PROLOGUE

Gennie stood, her clenched fists the only visible sign of any emotion on her part. A cold-blooded monster, that was what the papers called her, and maybe she was. It had been so long since she'd felt anything. She'd been numb since the day Kari had been murdered.

Nothing from the trial had touched her. She'd sat day after day watching the Deputy District Attorney parade witness after witness up to the stand to testify about her business dealings with Kari Sutherland and Daniel and Joseph Jacobson. She'd sat unmoved by the sinister slant he put on her every action, by the horrified expressions of the jury when they saw the pictures of Kari's battered face. She had felt the hatred coming from Keith and Sharon Sutherland as the Deputy District Attorney laid out his case of intrigue and conspiracy that finally led to Kari's death, but it swept over her without leaving a mark.

Idly she wondered if she would ever be capable of feeling anything again. If one day she would wake up and discover this nightmare was over and she was free to live again.

Kari would never live again. A twinge of pain centered around Gennie's heart and she pushed the thought away. There was nothing she could have done to save Kari. Kari had shut her out of her life, as had her parents. Tim Jeffries, Kari's fiancé, was no different than the Sutherlands. Tim was no different than anyone who had held a special place in her heart.

She forced herself to unclench her fists and listen as the judge asked the jury if they had reached a verdict. She stole a glance at Joseph and Daniel Jacobson as they stood waiting, too.

It was strange to be so closely linked to men she'd barely known before the trial, men whom she believed to be involved in Kari's death. To know that for the last six months their lives had paralleled hers, that they shared her fear and uncertainty. To know that their lives had been as irreparably changed as hers had been. She was closer to them than she was to any of the people she called friends before the trial. Her 'friends' had all deserted her, preferring to believe she was guilty. Even Tim had deserted her. She'd been so sure that at least he would stand beside her.

The numbness seeped deeper into her soul. She'd been such a fool, falling in love with a man who could never love her back, loving a man who was engaged to her best friend. A man who could believe she was capable of killing her.

But Tim hadn't stopped at desertion. No, he had already condemned her. He was so certain she was guilty he hadn't even attended the trial. The papers had happily printed his scathing condemnation of her in its entirety.

Not that his attitude or opinion had ever mattered when it came to her loving him. If she could have controlled her feelings for Tim, maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe Kari would still be alive and she wouldn't feel as if she were dead, too.

Her lawyer, Larry Carter, touched her elbow, bringing her back to the matter at hand.

How do you find?

Gennie's eyes strayed to the face of the foreman as he opened the paper containing their decision and read her fate. In regard to the first charge, grand larceny, we, the jury, find the defendant, Gennie Randall, not guilty. We find the defendant, Joseph Jacobson, not guilty. We find the defendant, Daniel Jacobson, not guilty. A ripple of reaction swept through the courtroom at the decision, and then the room fell silent as the spectators awaited the jury's decision on the second and more serious charge.

Gennie's knees began to shake and Larry tightened his grip on her arm. She blinked several times and took a deep breath. It wasn't over, yet. She had to be strong for a few more minutes. It was surprising, really, to realize she still had the capacity to feel.

And in regard to the second charge, conspiracy to commit murder. How do you find?

We, the jury, find the defendant, Gennie Randall, not guilty.

This time Gennie's knees did give way and she sagged against the desk in front of her. She didn't hear the jury's decision concerning Joseph and Daniel. The only verdict that mattered was hers. It was over, finally over. The numbness, which had seen her through, began to give way to feelings. Feelings that threatened to overwhelm her.

Congratulations, Larry whispered in her ear, as he gathered her into his arms and hugged her. You're a free woman again.

Free, she echoed, relief mingling with guilt. She knew she hadn't killed Kari, but she would always wonder how much her feelings for Tim had contributed to Kari's death.

CHAPTER 1

Gennie stepped out of the elevator into the functional reception area of the Sutherland Employment Agency. The agency now covered the entire third floor of the Hendrix Building, one of the most prestigious office buildings in Taylor, Washington. It was a far cry from the three rooms she and Kari had called the office before Kari's death.

Usually, seeing the progress she'd made with the agency in the years since Kari had died gave her a sense of accomplishment, of purpose. But there was no such feeling today. Even the enjoyment she derived from her weekly breakfast meeting with Larry was eclipsed by the complaint lodged against the agency by Nick Colson.

It was a problem she didn't need and one she'd spent the last six years trying to avoid. Nick Colson's complaint about James Talbert's unsuitability as an employee could destroy all the hard work she'd put into making the Sutherland Employment Agency the most trusted agency in the area for providing applicants with impeccable backgrounds, a feat not so easily accomplished when her own colored background was considered.

Gennie set her jaw in determination as she contemplated her newest problem. She wasn't sure how she was going to do it, but she wasn't going to let Nick Colson destroy all the hard work she'd put into rebuilding the agency. Her agency didn't send out unqualified personnel. Somehow, she had to convince Nick Colson of that fact.

Sorry I'm late, Shari. She stopped in front of the long, beige Formica counter serving as her secretary's desk, a hint of a smile touching the edges of her mouth, lighting her blue eyes and then quickly disappearing. You know how Larry is once he gets started. Shari's maple syrup colored eyes twinkled merrily, transforming her thin, angular face into a softer, more pleasing picture at Gennie's apology. Gennie knew Shari was more than aware of her lawyer's penchant for talking. Did I miss any appointments?

One or two, replied Shari, tucking one side of her brown, shoulder-length hair behind her ear. I let Rick handle them. A frown pulled at her thin brows as she continued. Jason French is waiting in your office. He says it's very important.

Gennie's stomach muscles tightened and a feeling of impending doom overrode her resolve to face the day cheerfully at Shari's unexpected news. Jason French only showed up at the agency when there was trouble. She hadn't seen him more than half a dozen times since Tim Jeffries' company took control of the agency five years ago. It had come as a surprise to learn Kari left controlling interest of the agency to Tim. To him as much as to her, she suspected. He'd immediately turned the operation over to Jason French, not wanting anything to do with Kari's business or with her. She dealt only with Jason and then only occasionally, when there was trouble. Otherwise, they left her alone. What Tim did with his life after Kari's death was something of a mystery? A mystery she didn't want to solve. He was a part of her past now, along with Kari and the Sutherlands and everything she once held as special in her life. Only when Jason turned up at the agency did the painful memories re-emerge.

Did he give you any idea what it's about this time?

Gennie hoped it wasn't about Nick Colson. Reaching for the pile of applications in her box, she added them to the mail Shari handed her.

No, but he has a gorgeous man in there with him, said Shari, giving Gennie an appraising look. It wouldn't hurt if you tidied up a bit before you see them.

Don't you ever give up? said Gennie in exasperation, before she threw her secretary a brief smile to ease the harshness of her reply. I'm not interested in gorgeous men.

You're not interested in any men, replied Shari with a sigh.

So why do you keep pushing them on me? Despite her protest, Gennie's hand reached up to smooth a stray strand of her black hair back into the unflattering French braid she habitually wore.

Because I care about you and I hate seeing you still alone.

A smile touched Gennie's mouth at the less than subtle reminder from Shari that she wasn't getting any younger. If she wanted a husband and a family, she'd better start looking at men, and soon. The message came across loud and clear.

Tim's face came unbidden to her mind. She knew he crept into her thoughts only because Jason French was waiting in her office. Most of the time, she successfully squelched the fantasy of him reappearing in her life and declaring his undying love. But she also knew he was the reason she couldn't drum up any enthusiasm for other men, even if they were gorgeous. Shari's hopes for her finding true love and settling down as she had with Ryan were destined to be disappointed.

I'm happy the way I am, Shari. I don't need a man to make my life complete. Gennie was content enough with her life. If occasionally she felt an overwhelming urge to howl about the unfairness of life, that was her private affair.

Her secretary lifted her eyebrows skeptically at Gennie's reply, but refrained from making any reply. Instead she pointed to the office door. You'd better get in there. They've been waiting a half hour as it is.

Gennie groaned, knowing she was already at a disadvantage. Tim's consulting firm was famed for its efficiency and promptness. Jason approached all the Sutherland Employment Agency troubles with the same attitude. Making him sit on his heels for thirty minutes wouldn't win her any points in the competency department. Hurrying to her office, she stopped momentarily at the door to smooth a non-existent wrinkle out of her midnight blue skirt before turning the knob and stepping inside.

Her office was spacious, enclosing a cluttered, oak desk and two leather chairs arranged in front of it, along with a sofa pushed against the wall. Jason stood staring out of one of the three wall-length windows, which looked out over the rooftops of Taylor toward the rocky foothills surrounding the town. He turned away from the view at the sound of the door closing and strode across the room to greet her. Gennie, it's always a pleasure to see you.

I'm sorry I'm late. If I'd known you were coming I'd have arranged to be here to meet you. Gennie wished she could say it was good to see him. Under other circumstances, she could see herself growing to like the older man. He reminded her of a cuddly bear, big and strong and dark. Even at fifty, his hair was a solid red-brown. Only the whiskers around his mouth were beginning to show signs of gray. Unfortunately, she associated his coming with problems and his reasons for being here diluted the pleasure of seeing him.

I haven't heard any rumors of trouble yet, so you beat me to it this time. A hint of a smile played at Gennie's lips, softening her allusion to why Jason was in Taylor. Her statement wasn't quite true, there was the trouble with Nick Colson, but she offered a quick prayer Jason hadn't heard about James Talbert or the attempted theft, yet.

Her eyes sought out the man Jason brought with him as she motioned for him to be seated. The stranger was lounging against the wall at the back of the room. Her gaze traveled over his dark brows, pulled down into a straight line over whiskey-colored eyes. It took in the thin, straight nose before moving on to his square jaw and generous mouth, which was thinned into a white line. Then, her eyes moved over the strong musculature of his neck, shoulders, and chest, roamed over his flat abdomen, and came to a stop at his narrow hips and muscular thighs before her eyes returned to his all too familiar face.

Jason followed her startled expression to the rangy, raven-haired man who was returning her stare with evident disapproval. She recovered quickly, the implacable mask of cool assurance she’d learned to wear from bitter years of experience taking the place of surprise. You remember Tim Jeffries, don't you?

How could she forget him? She almost blurted out to Jason, catching herself before she made such a serious blunder.

Tim, Gennie acknowledged his presence coolly, not bothering to offer him her hand, afraid he might notice how it was shaking. Nor did she trouble herself with any other niceties. He wasn't here because he wanted to see her or to apologize for the way he'd deserted her.

It's been a long time, Gennie. Tim's eyes swept over her, taking in her unflattering hairstyle, which emphasized the dark circles beneath her eyes and the thinness of her face. Then, they dropped to survey her slender curves. A slight frown distorting his features made his disapproval clear.

Despite his obvious dislike, Gennie felt herself responding to the blatant sexual regard and for a crazy second wished she had taken Shari's advice and tidied up a bit before facing these men. Color rising in her cheeks, she cursed her stupidity and turned her attention back to Jason.

This must be quite serious if you had to drag Tim along. Are you getting ready to fire me or something? Slipping around the desk, Gennie dropped into her chair, wishing she could drop through the floor. She wasn't up to facing Tim just now, not with everything else that was happening. She had never successfully banished her feelings for him, as his presence here and her reaction to it was unfortunately confirming.

It was funny how fate twisted life sometimes, she thought. Why was this man, a man it was clear she could never have, the only one she found even remotely appealing?

Jason's broad, open expression became serious at her teasing inquiry into the reason for their unexpected appearance. Our visit falls into the 'or something' category. He shifted on his feet uncomfortably. We've received a complaint from Nick Colson of the Gardiner Company about some of the personnel the agency has placed recently.

Adrenaline pumped into Gennie's system. So much for her hopes that they hadn’t heard about the trouble. But why had Nick Colson gone over her head to Tim? She'd assured Colson she would look into it. The answer was apparent. He didn't trust her. Neither did Tim, if his presence here was an indication.

Nick Colson's mistaken about the people we've sent to his company. We checked their backgrounds thoroughly. They are all qualified. She didn't try to hide the fact she knew about the complaint Nick Colson had lodged against her.

Between Rick Davies, her recently established Vice President, and herself, every application was reviewed before it was approved. There was no possibility an undesirable applicant slipped by them.

There's some talk the Jacobson brothers are using the agency again, said Jason.

Coming to the real reason for his visit, Gennie suspected. This incident was too similar to the Tectron Industries thefts of six years ago to be a coincidence. She knew that as well as anyone.

You mean there's some talk the Jacobson brothers are using me again, Gennie corrected him bitterly, closing her eyes to ease the tension building between them. She recognized the signs that she was getting a migraine. Recently, it was a feeling that came much too often. But, the ache in her head wasn't as painful as the despair welling up inside. She couldn't go through this again.

And are they?

Tim's quiet question cut straight into her heart. He hadn't changed. He still believed she was guilty. He believed she was guilty of dragging Kari into a life of crime and guilty of causing her death. Opening her eyes, Gennie let them linger on Tim's unyielding face, trying to replace the friend living in her memory with the enemy standing before her now. Then she moved her focus back to Jason.

I'll be out by tomorrow. You should be able to placate Nick Colson by assuring him I'll no longer be in charge. There was no use attempting to defend herself to Tim. He hadn't listened six years ago. He wouldn't listen now. Rick Davies was capable of handling the agency. She would cut her losses and run. Before Tim destroyed what was left of her life.

A noble gesture, replied Tim, intimating he didn't think it noble in the slightest degree. But it's not what we want from you. As Jason said, this falls into the 'or something' category.

Gennie rankled at his attitude, but was careful not to let it show. Never let him know he can hurt you, an inner voice cautioned. She felt fear snake down her spine. She knew she was vulnerable where Tim was concerned.

We want to find the person responsible for allowing the Jacobson brothers to use this agency, Jason rushed on, trying to dispel the animosity, which was thick in the room, without them suspecting what we're doing.

Turning her cool regard back to Tim, Gennie lifted the corner of her mouth in a mocking smile. I thought you already knew who they were using.

Ignoring her taunt, Tim moved away from the wall and sat next to Jason, directly in her line of sight, making it impossible for her to ignore him. It doesn't really matter what I think, does it? What we need is proof. He crossed his ankle over his knee and relaxed in the chair. Gennie knew he was aware of her eyes following his movements, but she couldn’t stop herself from watching.

Tim smiled grimly. He wanted her to notice him, she told herself. It proved she wasn't as indifferent as she appeared. Damn the man for making her want to respond. Damn those feelings she couldn’t control. How many years had it been? She thought those feelings were dead. But now she knew they weren’t.

If the evidence implicates you, he continued, staring back into Gennie's eyes as they came back to his face. Then Jason will be wrong. He believes you're innocent.

Gennie’s eyes narrowed as she tried to determine what he believed. Six years ago, he’d believed she was guilty. She doubted that he’d changed his mind. She knew he was enjoying having put her into this situation. For many years now, his one enjoyment where she was concerned was to do his best to upset her. He wanted to inflict pain and then watch her suffer. The more she let him see he had the power to hurt her, the more he would try.

Stiffening her spine, she forced her eyes away from Tim, letting them rest on the watercolor hanging on the far wall. If you think I'm going to lead you to evidence pointing to me, you're in for a long wait.

Tim's face remained impassive, although his eyes narrowed at her comment. Jason stepped in before a full-scale argument broke out. What we want to do, with your cooperation of course, is to misdirect the Jacobson brothers a bit. We want them to believe we suspect you're involved. In the hope they'll get careless when attention is diverted away from the real perpetrator. He held his hands out, palms upward and shrugged his shoulders. Maybe they'll make a mistake.

Gennie had to wonder why Tim would go along with this plan, when he believed she was guilty. Her eyes darted to his face, hoping to find the answer. But there was nothing to be found there.

Then it came to her. He was hoping she was the one who would make the mistake, not some phantom employee. The person he was trying to misdirect was her, not the Jacobsons. Jason could implement his plan, set out to find the guilty party, while Tim sat like a cat waiting to pounce on his unsuspecting victim. Her. No wonder he didn't want her to resign.

But two could play that game. He could wait as long as he wanted and he still wouldn't find her guilty of anything. And while he was patiently waiting for her to make a mistake, she was going to prove her innocence to him once and for all.

CHAPTER 2

Why would the Jacobson brothers think you suspect me, if I stay? Gennie struggled to bring her attention back to what Jason was saying, away from the dangers of dwelling on her feelings for Tim.

Because we're going to make it appear as though Tim has taken command of the agency away from you.

At least Jason had the decency to look ashamed when he said it, the thought filtered through Gennie's numbed mind. They were taking the agency away from her. Not allowing her to leave gracefully, but forcing her out. How could they do this to her?

Swallowing thickly, she took a deep breath to regain a semblance of calm before she spoke. You're going to take control of the agency away from me? Without giving me the option of resigning?

If you want to look at it that way, agreed Tim easily, despite Jason's fierce glare in his direction. "But primarily, I'm going to