Free Punishing His Accountant: Caught Stealing by Alicia Roberts Page B

felt dry and she gulped. “Embezzlement.”
    “ Yes, that is the correct term.” He paced back and forth behind his desk. “You’ve probably wondered why InterPlus doesn’t use this practice. The reason is, I’m the other person watching the books. I know that as CEO, I’m meant to delegate this practice and spend my time on more important matters, but I told you when I hired you that I like doing things my own way.”
    Ella nodded and swallowed hard. She felt as if she was going to faint.
    Josh stopped pacing and looked at her. “And you know that if I become aware of suspected embezzlement at this company, then as the CEO I’m obligated to report it to the police?”
    Images of men in uniform and handcuffs flashed through Ella’s mind. Frantically, she turned over the possibilities in her mind and decided to come clean. If she confessed and promised repayment, maybe she could avoid criminal charges.
    “I only borrowed the money,” she blurted out. “I was going to repay it tomorrow, with interest.”
    Josh nodded. “Please continue.”
    “I’m sorry, Mr. McGould,” she said, willing herself to hold back her tears. “Please don’t report this as a crime. InterPlus will get all of its money back tomorrow.”
    Josh shook his head. “Even if that’s true, it will be impossible to hide. InterPlus moves a lot of money, Ella, and the auditors are top-notch. They’re trained to look for one-time transactions using phony business accounts. If I don’t report you to the police, they will.”
    Ella felt sick to her stomach. Of course he was right.
    She thought about Cook County jail and the horror stories. Even in the women’s unit, it was no place to be.
    Josh picked up a Chinese paperweight from his desk and turned it over in his hands, as if weighing her fate. Ella felt time slow down. Finally, Josh put down the paperweight and turned to her.
    “You used very bad judgment, Ella,” he said. “But I’m not interested in seeing you go to prison. You can keep your money. I assume you’ve cashed out your retirement account to cover the embezzlement?”
    Ella nodded, afraid to speak.
    “My job consists of brokering agreements,” Josh said. “I’ve thought of a possible agreement between us that will allow you to avoid embezzlement charges while allowing me to fulfill my duty as CEO of this company. Do you want to hear more?”
    “Yes. ” Ella’s voice was barely audible. She already knew she would do whatever he wanted. It was too much to hope for that she would be able to keep her CPA license and find another job, but at least she wouldn’t go to jail.
    “You will have to leave your employment at InterPlus, of course,” he said. “A voluntary resignation would be much preferred. If you agree, then there will be no complaint to the state licensing board for accountants.”
    “I agree,” Ella said. Her heartbeat was returning to normal.
    Josh held up his hand. “Wait, I’m not finished.”
    He went behind his desk and sat down. Ella liked this seating arrangement much better. She no longer felt quite so much like a naughty schoolgirl about to be chastised.
    “All of the foreign businessmen I meet with on my trips have personal secretaries,” he said. “And yes, these are all business men .”
    A hint of a smile played around his mouth, and Ella noticed, not for the first time, the fullness of his lips. His mouth was lush and yet forbidding, as if he was capable of both cruelty and kindness.
    “These secretaries,” he continued. “They ar e always attractive, as you are…” He stopped speaking and ran his eyes slowly down her body.
    Ella’s heart start beating wildly again. Even as his eyes brushed past her breasts and legs, his gaze was dark and contemplative.
    After a very long pause, Josh went on. “I’m sure there is a middle aged executive assistant in sensible shoes back at corporate headquarters making sure the files are organized and the personal calendar is kept current.” He