A Disappearance Among Thieves

By Amanda Diane Ward Standish

In life, truth and imagination walk a fine line. The truth may fade away in time, my friend, but imagination will never end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984525208

Book preview

PROLOGUE

As intimidating as possible, the mere windows overlooking Downtown Phoenix would cause anyone to feel overpowered. The shear expanse of the office, as well as the scenic view, would cause anyone to stop and take notice. Welcome to the law office of Peterson and Riley.

Dwayne Peterson had picked up Amy Evans at the Phoenix airport around one o’clock that afternoon. They drove to his law office where a deposition was to take place. Dwayne escorted her to the conference room where she was in total awe of her surroundings. It was so that it literally took her breath away. Dwayne offered her a seat and asked if she’d like something to drink. She nodded and said, Any diet soft drink you have would be fine, please.

A few minutes later, he returned with a glass of ice and a diet drink. Amy poured her drink over the cool ice. She immediately took a big gulp. Anyone who has ever been to Phoenix in the summer knows how quickly the heat can parch your throat dry.

As they waited, Amy tapped her pen on the conference desk. Dwayne turned to her and gave her the stop that look, and she quickly put the pen down and decided to twiddle her thumbs on her lap instead. It wasn’t very ladylike. However, it was much quieter. Hell, she was nervous.

She and Dwayne made small talk while waiting for the next group of visitors to arrive.

About ten minutes later, another party arrived. It was Mitch Dallas and his lawyer friend, John Devine. You could literally hear a pin drop. The two of them sauntered in like they owned the place.

Mitch was dressed in his usual attire of a blue pinstriped suit with a matching shirt and tie. His cockiness and demeanor said he was dressed to impress. John, on the other hand, was much more casual. He sported an off-the-rack suit over a polo shirt. He felt like he didn’t need to impress anyone.

Mitch shook hands with Dwayne upon introducing himself and then turned to Amy and said, Nice to see you again. You’re looking stunning as ever.

Amy smiled back and replied, Hello, Mitch.

She felt somewhat intimidated in her Nordstrom’s green suit. She wasn’t rich and had to save two paychecks just to buy this darn outfit, but she wanted to look especially nice today. Yeah, she knew she looked good. Money well spent, she thought.

John Devine extended his hand to Amy, which she grasped firmly as the introductions were made.

How the friggin’ crap did she get into this mess? She was just doing her job. So here she was, preparing to give a deposition … just like Mitch was going to have to do.

CHAPTER 1

The reason they were here today was Mitch was not paying his bills. He had been given a line of credit from Planasonic by mistake. Now Planasonic was the company Amy worked for.

When Mitch started buying product, he paid cash in advance. Somewhere along the line, this mistake happened, and he was granted a line of credit. Before the mistake was discovered, he owed Planasonic $5.2 million. Was the mistake a computer error, an accident? Or did someone change this status purposely? Was someone taking a