"Not that I'm aware of." Jim paused to think for a minute too. "I see everything coming in and going out, and I've never spotted a problem."
"What about the deposits?"
"Well, I record them, and then send the money to a separate bank account. That's the last I see of them."
"So you wouldn't know if someone got into that account?"
"True, I wouldn't. That must be it."
Maggie was worried. "Can they really blame the shortage on you?"
"Probably." He closed his eyes and once more ran his fingers through his hair. "I may have to take up drinking."
"Don't be silly, you can't afford it."
"That's true." He started them walking back toward the building they worked in. "If Nicole asks what we were talking about, tell her we're having an affair and needed some time alone."
Maggie giggled. "Should I say I'm pregnant, and I want to know what you're going to do about it?"
"Why not, that would explain our dismal mood lately. I hate this job."
"So do I," Maggie moaned.
Neither looked at Nicole as they walked past, climbed the steps, and went inside.
*
Maggie spent half the night tossing and turning in her ridiculous excuse for a bed. She finally sat up and turned on the light. It was almost one a.m. and morning was bound to come way too early, but her mind kept racing and wouldn't let her sleep. It was just as well she got up; she forgot to hide her laptop. On a whim, she opened the chat room.
Sissy3211: Bronco, are you still up?
Bronco8881: I'm here. Why are you still awake?
Sissy3211: I can't sleep.
Bronco8881: Is something wrong?
Sissy3211: Maybe. Remember those spreadsheets I told you my boss wanted me to go over?
Bronco8881: I remember.
Sissy3211: A hundred thousand dollars are missing.
Austin set the legal papers he was working on aside, and stared at the words on the screen.
Bronco8881: Are you sure?
Sissy3211: I checked everything twice.
Bronco8881: That's a lot of money. Did you tell your boss?
Sissy3211: I was afraid not to, but now I wish I hadn't. I should have let her think I was too stupid to find it.
Bronco8881: She probably thought if you couldn't find it, the auditors wouldn't be able to find it either. It's the price you pay for being smart.
Sissy3211: I don't feel very smart right now.
Bronco8881: You need to find a new job.
Sissy3211: I know, it's just not a good time for me to do that.
Bronco8881: I can't think of a better time. Let me help you. I know people and I can recommend you.