Читать книгу Mysteries Unlimited Ltd. - Donald Ph.D. Ladew - Страница 10

Sydney sat with his feet up on the dormer and looked off toward downtown Los Angeles. The smog was thickening. It had only been a couple weeks since the last rain, probably the last storm of the year.

Behind him the desk was piled with reports, data about the Heely case, and her most recent letter.

Charlie Lee sat on the couch and sifted through another stack of reports.

“This is the craziest one yet, Dad. There’s too much.” She dropped a sheaf of papers tiredly. “I don’t know where to start. She got railroaded, but I don’t see how we’re going to prove it?”

“Don’t you worry, Missy. We do it like the police: Method, motive and opportunity. Except we’re starting from a different premise. We think she’s innocent until proven guilty. That used to be how we did things in this country.

“We need the experts. First, someone who knows everything there is to know about computer banking. This person should also know a lot about programming, networks, that kind of stuff.”

Charlie Lee took notes as her father talked.

Sydney went on, oblivious to the scratching of her pencil.

“She’s quite a woman, you know. Youngest woman vice president of a major bank in the United States. Didn’t whine about her troubles either. She’s lost a lot of weight. I’ve got to get her to eat properly. Can’t have her losing her strength.”

Sydney twisted at his mustache nervously and whirled around in his chair.

“She’s smart as a whip, got a good sense of humor too.”

“Was she pretty,” Charlie asked innocently.

“Well, one doesn’t look one’s best in jail, but before all this, I’d say she was a damn fine looking woman.”

Sydney swung his feet off the dormer and spun around facing his daughter. He looked at her suspiciously. She leafed through the documents intently.

“Don’t be a smart aleck, little girl.”

She looked up. “Huh, me? Oh, I was just curious, Dad. Hmmm, I guess that means she was probably ten pounds over weight with a bosom out to here?” She tried not to grin.

“Hah, hah. Very funny. Her figure is of no interest to me, I’m simply interested in her stamina. This isn’t going to be easy.”

“Right. I’ve seen the pictures. She sure looked like a ‘D’ cup to me, Daddy. Just your type.”

“Laugh it up kiddo. but remember, I’ll never find out if we don’t get her out of that damn place.”

“Okay, Daddy, sorry. Let’s start with the employee bios. Golly, she sure has nice penmanship.”