“Where’d the money go?” Felicity asked, voice cool. “Enough evasion. There’s no vet-tech program. If there was, Cooper would know about it. You’d have consulted her. And your other vets, too.”

“That program is not ready to implement just yet.”

“Not ready? Dr. Cooper already costed it out in exhaustive detail for you months ago. I’ve seen her paperwork. It was thorough. You don’t need to do any further research to know whether the program’s viable. So what’s going on?”

“This is most inappropriate.” Anger flickered into Harvey’s eyes. “I don’t answer to you. You have no business—”

“I do, actually. That was Elena Bartell’s $1.4 million donation you vanished into thin air. She wants to know what you did with it.”

Harvey’s mouth dropped open. “That money was from Ms. Bartell?” he croaked.

“Yes. Before I involve the authorities, I’m now asking you one more time: where has her money gone?” She glanced around. “It’s clearly not on infrastructure. I’m sure I saw you still have Windows 98 on your computers.”

“Yes,” Cooper confirmed.

“So it makes me wonder,” Felicity said silkily, waving at a picture of Harvey standing in front of a BMW with his daughter, “if the money went somewhere closer to home.”

“What?” True outrage filled his features. “You think I’d steal from my own charity?” He shot to his feet. “I love Living Ruff.” His voice was shaking now. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. And you”—he turned to Cooper—“I can’t believe you’d side with her on this. Over me! You know me!”

“Harvey,” Cooper said quietly, “if it’s all aboveboard, just tell us where the money is.”

“A new program,” Harvey snapped. “Now leave. Both of you.”

Felicity left the office, Cooper on her heels, and they came to a stuttering halt near the round table in the center of the room.

Mrs. Brooks looked up. “I heard yelling. How on earth did you get Harvey to yell? He hasn’t done it in all the years I’ve been here.”

“Mrs. Brooks,” Felicity said, “I have reason to believe your boss has done something untoward with Living Ruff donations. What exactly, I have no idea. I’d like to have a thorough look at the books. I believe you can access them. I’m especially interested in seeing the Form 990 for the current financial year that’s not been submitted yet.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her business card. “You don’t have to agree. Just send it here. No questions asked.” She slid her card onto the table, pointing to her email address.

Mrs. Brooks made no move to take it, and her eyes narrowed into slits. “Mr. Clifford would never do what you’re saying.”

“And if he has?” Cooper asked.

“How can you possibly believe that? He would never!” Mrs. Brooks said, darting a glance to the corner office. “I would stake my life on it—he’d never steal for his own ends.”

“What if he’s stealing for other ends? Ends he thinks are good?” Cooper asked.

“He wouldn’t.” Mrs. Brooks folded her arms. “He’d never steal.”

“Then prove it,” Felicity said, tapping the card. “You can find the answers.”

Harvey stalked to the door of his office. “I told you to leave, Ms. Simmons. Go! And Dr. Cooper, get out of my sight. Do rounds. Now.” He spun on his heel, slamming the door behind him.

Mrs. Brooks gasped. “You’d better go. I’ll calm him down.”

“Will you look into the finances for me?” Felicity pressed.

“He’s no embezzler, Ms. Simmons,” she replied. “I promise you that. You’ve got the wrong idea about him. You can show yourselves out,” she added frostily.

Outside the building a moment later, Cooper sighed. “I hate this. I feel sick to my stomach.”

“Do you think Mrs. Brooks will do what I asked?”

“Maybe. She is loyal, but even she can tell Harvey’s not acting himself.”

“I truly don’t see what he hopes to gain by shouting at me and ordering me out,” Felicity said. “He must know the next step I have is calling in the fraud squad. They’ll go through his records with a fine-tooth comb anyway. So why not just be honest now?” She paused. “Unless”—Felicity inhaled—“he’s buying time. Scrambling for a solution, betting I won’t call in the authorities immediately.”

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe Mrs. B’s right. But can I remind you? He’s rich. He doesn’t need to steal a dime.”

“A dime, no. But what about $1.4 million?” Felicity sighed. “Honestly, I’m not sure what to do now. I need to think about my next step.” She glanced up at Cooper. “What will you do?”

“Well, I can’t do rounds. Harvey was so flustered he’s forgotten Gabe has the van out doing them already.”

“Come home with me, then. Maybe some genius solution will present itself. We can’t stand on the street for the rest of the day. I’ll call for my driver.” She reached for her phone.

Cooper’s expression was pure surprise.

“What?” Felicity asked.

“Sometimes I forget you’re who you are. Someone who has an actual fancy-pants car and driver.”

“You…forgot.” Felicity huffed out a breath. “Well, at least I know you like me for me, then.” She punched in Amir’s number and reeled off her location.

“What makes you think I like you?” Cooper teased once Felicity had hung up. “I might just be in this for the sarcastic commentary.”

“Well, I can see the appeal of that. Sarcasm is one thing I certainly offer in abundance.” Felicity pocketed her phone.

“I like to think you’ll miss me, too,” Cooper said with a smile, “when this is all over and you’re at the top of your glass tower at Bartell Corp and I’m still…”

“Rummaging around dog bottoms?” Felicity suggested sweetly. “Well, I can’t deny you are memorable. You and your ridiculous, affection-seeking dog.” Suddenly a wash of sadness filled her at the thought of seeing neither again. “You know, my apartment allows pets. Would you like to bring Brittany with us, too?”

“I knew you loved her.” Cooper beamed.

“Please. I’m only thinking of you. Me, I tolerate her.”

Cooper snorted. “Be right back. And of course you love her.”

“Delusional, too,” Felicity told the woman’s retreating back.

The town car pulled up. She informed Amir to expect a woman and a dog. If the news surprised him, he showed no sign. Always such a professional. She truly would miss him when he left for Sydney, despite his snail-like idea of a top speed.

Felicity turned away from him to catch the sight of a lanky Cooper striding with Brittany dancing enthusiastically at her side. It was a stunning image.

Was it pathetic she was committing the sight to memory?

No, she told herself. Do not answer that.

CHAPTER 9