Climbing High (6 page)

****

Eight Months Later

In a high-rise in Toronto, Siree tapped down the marble corridor in heeled sandals. She stepped from an elevator, saw the view of the city framed in a wall of glass and wondered if Jake sat in some nearby office. Her filmy dress celebrated spring, swirling like a soft breeze around her legs. The black leather attaché she hauled everywhere looked incongruous against the pale yellow. She paused in front of a cantilevered reception desk and smiled at the buxom redhead who manned it. “Is he ready for me, Sandy?”

“Give me a second, Ms. Lorain.” Sandy returned the smile and spoke into her mouthpiece. “Go on in.” She nodded at the wide mahogany door behind her. “Mr. Stegner is expecting you.”

Siree peeked around the door, then pushed it open. A robust man rose from his desk and opened his arms wide. “Siree, good to have you back on this side of the Atlantic.”

His voice sounded like water flowing over a bed of gravel and never failed to soothe her. She stepped close to receive a bear hug, found she had to open her arms a little wider than the last time.

His hazel eyes shone with pride. “Aerostorm called to tell me what an excellent job you did for them.” He herded her into an armchair and eased his large frame into the one opposite. “You pour.” He waved at the coffee service on the low table between them. “I got Sandy to get some of your favorite sticky buns.”

“Uncle Ty, you spoil me.” She settled her attaché on the floor and reached for the white carafe. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the cup. The sticky buns left no room for elegance, but Ty Stegner had wiped jam from her three-year-old face. They didn’t stand on ceremony with each other. She loved him dearly. He’d been the only male she’d let close to her since her father’s death. She pulled off a piece of the warm roll, popped it into her mouth and wiped her fingers on a napkin.

They talked about her last job and his recent trip to Japan until mugs and plates were empty. He pushed forward in his chair. “Have you heard of Jake Ingles and JDI Inc.?”

The words punched into her core like a probe releasing pressure from an aqueduct. In this safe place, so many months later, her experience of Jake gushed out of her. She described their meeting, her close call on the mountain, her decision to avoid the media, and thus to walk away from the charismatic man who’d saved her.

She offered up her attraction for him, the respect, fear, trust, disappointment and sadness, for Ty’s loving scrutiny. When she finished the older man hunched forward, hands between his knees. Several moments passed in silence.

“That’s quite a story, Siree.” He heaved his bulk out of the chair. “It makes what I planned to ask you a little more complicated.” He settled himself in the huge chair behind his desk and swiveled it back and forth. His hands rested over a series of files. “I know Jake Ingles. We’ve been doing financial analysis for various arms of JDI since he started in business.”

Her heart tripped on the surprise of his words, stubbing her emotions painfully. “You know Jake, personally?” She leaned forward, willing him to answer.

“He came to me when he was about twenty, twenty-one, just sold his first patent for several hundred thousand and hired me to help him set up the financial structure of his company. Energy! The kid exudes positive ions. Brilliant mind, impressive business acumen.” Ty fixed her with a hard gaze. “He’s a risk taker. Used up half of his money on our fees alone, but saw it as an investment to grow in the right direction and it certainly paid off. I respect Jake.”

He held up his hand as she went to speak. “That being said, I also know he attracts the newshounds like golfers attract lightning. Anyone working with him might be exposed to media by accident. But whoever takes this job will be brought in under the radar and have no reason to be connected with him. Hmmm.” He ran his hand back and forth across his chin as he thought. “It could be done.”

She straightened in her chair. Ty planned to send her to JDI. Did the shiver running from her neck to her toes signal excitement or fear? As an employee of Stegner Financial Corporation she followed Ty’s orders. Since Ty had hired her while she’d completed her PhD, she’d taken every assignment he’d given her.

“I had Scott Priestly booked to go in there, but he’s been held up at Gotner’s in Germany. You’re my best troubleshooter and you’re free, so I want you to take over this job with JDI. It’s urgent and confidential.” He flashed Siree a look. “Jake approached me on the QT for this one, seems his company is hemorrhaging money, has been for months. He’s tried to track it, but with so many subsidiaries, contract workers, global locations, there’s too many sources overlapping for him to find the leak. He wants us to find it and get a finger in the dyke fast. He plans to sell public shares in his newest venture, and if the financials aren’t dead on and word gets out, it could ruin his reputation and blow JDI out of competition.

“He suspects he has a thief working in one of his offices, clever enough to move the money around, and siphon off huge amounts while he’s doing it.”

She had seen this happen too many times to question Jake’s judgment. A box of screws here, a dozen laptops there, a hundred thousand moved from the employees’ pension fund into offshore accounts and covered with false expenses. Sometimes done by an employee, sometimes by a greedy boss. But whatever the source, it could take down a company on which hundreds of people counted for their jobs. She’d read that JDI employed over three thousand people.

He’d saved her and Siree had no doubt he’d save his company. Her strong desire to help him do it stopped the air in her lungs. She took a deep breath to recover. “Is that the info?” She nodded at the files beneath Ty’s hands.

“I had Margie copy everything Jake had onto a flash drive then make hard copy for you.”

Suspicion bit through her trust in Jake. Had he tracked her down, set this up just to see her again? “Did he ask for me?”

“He never asked for anybody specific. He stopped in here on his way through to Chicago and explained the situation to me. He needs someone who can find the leak without sending up a flare, to either the media, shareholders, or whoever is stealing the funds.” He forestalled her next question. “Siree, your name never came up. I’d be surprised if he even knows you work for me. I’ve never mentioned it. As I said, I planned to send Scott and that’s the name I sent to him for the meeting tomorrow. Jake’s going to work out of his regional office in Vancouver until he has the answers he needs. He’s expecting Scott for a four p.m. meeting tomorrow. Do you want to do this or trade places with Scott?”

Satisfied Jake had not broken faith with her, she waffled. The thought of flying back across the Atlantic held no appeal. Taking over from Scott in Germany meant most of his work would be wasted. While she processed these practicalities, the heated blood flowing through her body clambered for attention. Yes, she wanted to help Jake. Yes, big time, she wanted to see him again. The strength of her desire to fight alongside him didn’t surprise her. She’d thought of him thousands of times in the past months. She could still feel his hand drawing her to safety. If he was in trouble now, wasn’t she honor bound to help him?
Justify all you want, but be honest. You want to do this because you want to see Jake.
But where could that lead? If she worked anonymously beside him to avoid the press, it would be all she could have. The minute she changed the relationship she’d be in the eye of the camera again. What was the point?
Well
,
forgetting him sure hasn’t worked.
Maybe you should choose another route.

With a soft groan, she emerged from her introspection to find Ty’s compassionate gaze bathing her face.

“Maybe seeing him in day-to-day circumstances would diminish his appeal. After saving your life, it’s natural he’d reach heroic proportions in your mind,” he suggested.

She opened her mouth to respond, hesitated. Her life felt so safe, so secure the way she had it set up. She had control.
But no one really has control. Look at what happened on the mountain
.
Could Fate be drawing us together for a reason?

She heard his voice in her head.

Jump, damn it.

“I’ll do it.” She jumped, refusing to let fear win, just like on the mountain.

“I’ll have Margie re-book Scott’s ticket in your name and inform Jake you’re taking his place.” Ty lifted the receiver on his landline.

“No, don’t tell Jake.” I want to surprise him. “I’ll explain when I get there.”

“We planned for Scott to go in undercover. The Vancouver office is advertising for a new high-level software designer. Your meeting will look like an interview. Of course you’ll get the job.”

She stood and walked to the desk. Shoving the pile of files into her case, she slipped the flash key into a side pocket with a grin. “Well, Mother will be pleased. I’ll be able to have a good long visit with her while I’m there.”

“Thought you’d like that aspect of it. How is Sharon doing?” His florid complexion darkened.

“She keeps busy with her nonprofits, but I can tell she’s lonely. She’s still trying to make up for all the times her work took her away when I was young. I can’t persuade her it isn’t necessary. You should’ve seen the over the top Christmas she put on for me. Why don’t you come out while I’m working this job and see her for yourself, Uncle Ty? We both missed you at Christmas.” She gave him her endearing smile. “Mom loves your company.”

“Your dad and mom had a wonderful love between them, and you were just the icing on the cake. It was hard to be around that and not want it for myself.” His sharp scrutiny met hers. “I came up short, but I hope to see you get it, that kind of love.”

She registered the same loneliness in his eyes she saw in her own at times. “Why don’t both of us go after it? You’re not too old to make some woman supremely happy.”

His neck reddened. “I’ve been a bachelor way over my expiration date. No woman would put up with me. I’m a wreck.” He hoisted his bulk out of the chair and moved forward to wrap her in his arms.

“All you need to do is hit the gym a few times a week.” She pressed a kiss to his youthful cheek. “Seriously though, if you have the time, come out.”

“Seriously though, if you need out of this job, let me know.”

****

Siree arrived in Vancouver on schedule the next afternoon. She claimed her luggage and wove her way to the airport exit. A queue of drivers held up signs near the exit and she saw Scott Priestly’s name written boldly on one.
Not too shabby, Jake. No wonder your company has such a prestigious reputation. You don’t miss a detail
. She approached the young limo driver. “Are you from JDI?”

He tapped the raised logo on his chest. “That’s right, miss. Can I help you?”

“Scott took a job elsewhere and the headhunter sent me in for the interview instead.” She played out her cover story. “I really hope Mr. Ingles doesn’t mind,” she murmured, sounding just anxious enough that she had the driver on her side in a second.

“I’m sure it will be all right.” He took the luggage cart from her, led the way to a dark town car. She let out a breath of relief when he didn’t question the excess of luggage she’d brought, knowing she’d get the job and be here for some time. In minutes he had her settled and on the way to JDI’s downtown offices.

She sat back and tried to control the circus rehearsing acts in her stomach. She always felt excited when she approached a new company.
A different analysis
. She loved digging for the answers, finding them buried in streams of spreadsheets and bank statements. However, the heat warming her cheeks and her accelerated breathing didn’t allow her to hide from the truth. She couldn’t wait to see Jake.

The expression on his face when he looked up and saw her framed in his doorway confirmed he hadn’t even considered her a possibility. Disbelief raced across the shapely planes and hollows of his face, before pleasure lifted them into the world famous smile. She felt her knees shake.
My God, he excites me. Talk about a challenge.

She stepped further into the room. The corner of his mouth quirked up. Her focus leapt higher to discover the devilish twin sparks lighting his eyes.

“My four o’clock?” He tapped on the keyboard of his mobile phone and gave her a long, measuring look that took in the tendrils of hair slipping free to dance on her forehead. His eyes traced the V of skin emerging from the gold silk of her tailored blouse; her nipples thrust into prominence. He went still. His eyes lifted and locked on hers, the devilish smile a little strained. His gaze dropped lower, taking in the cream wool skirt, her slender legs encased in silk stockings. By the time he’d finished studying the intricate strapping on her heeled sandals her lungs begged for oxygen. They drew a deep breath at the same time.

“You don’t look like Scott Priestly to me.” His face blank, he played out the game. “Ms?”

“Siree Larain, Mr. Ingles. Mr. Stegner asked me to come instead.” She decided to play along and see how far he’d take it.

He rose from behind his desk and paced toward her like a lazy jungle cat, toying with the idea of hunting. “A replacement? I wonder why I wasn’t informed of this”—he brushed his lower lip with his thumb, then bracketed his lips with his thumb and forefinger as he paused—“hmm, change in position.”

She tore her gaze from the tempting fullness of his bottom lip and pivoted to follow his progress across the room. “I don’t consider myself a replacement for anyone, Mr. Ingles.”

He moved past her at an angle. She felt the heat of his eyes on her back. Her bottom tightened as if stroked by a warm hand. She cleared her throat.
Let him have his fun
. “Mr. Stegner considers me the best of his troubleshooters and due to your circumstances he wants you to have the best.” She stifled a groan, guessing he’d lob her accidental double entendre right back at her.

He completed his tour of her nether regions and came around the other side to face her, an unholy gleam in his eyes. “The best you say?” He drew out the words in a voice like a warm bath until she all but quivered. “Yes, I do want the best.”