Free Full Circle by Davis Bunn Page B

detective to see if they could find any evidence to back his assumptions. Joshua insisted it was too dangerous, that MVP has a spy in place and would love nothing more than to use news of an investigation to fire up a public scandal.”
    â€œWe could hire an independent detective agency. See what we can dig up.”
    â€œWith what?”
    â€œThe money you gave me.”
    The air slipped from her in a long sigh.
    â€œI don’t care what you say, Kayla. I haven’t earned it and I don’t like the idea of taking a handout.” Another thought hit him. “While we’re at it, we might as well hunt for your thief.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou said he was a banker, right? What was his name?”
    â€œGeoffrey Rambling.”
    â€œRight. Was his bank British?”
    â€œI already thought of that. The bank has never heard of him. It was just another lie. One of a billion.”
    â€œThis bank where he supposedly worked, where does it operate?”
    â€œIn the City. The financial district of London.”
    â€œThey say the most successful lies are those that parallel the truth. So we ask the same PI to see if Rambling worked some-where near that bank. Do you have a photograph?”
    â€œI burned them all.”
    â€œAnd the name he gave you is probably bogus.” He read her expression as serious incredulity. “Well, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
    Kayla reached one hand up and around the back of his neck. Pulled him down. And kissed him on the cheek. Soft, almost sisterly, a fragile touch, there and gone in an instant.
    But a kiss just the same.
    Adam breathed an astonished, “Wow.”
    â€œThat was a mistake.”
    â€œNot from where I’m standing.”
    â€œYou don’t know me, you have no ties to us or our problems, and here you are, doing your best to help.”
    â€œIt’s not much.” His heart was racing now, trying to deal with the aftershock. “Kayla, let me invest the money your father gave you for your project.”
    She headed back inside. “I need to talk this over with Daddy.”
    â€œDon’t take too long. Every day counts in this business.”
    â€œBelieve me, Adam, I know that all too well.”

chapter 10
    T hat evening, Professor Beachley’s entire household came out to see them off. Two of the lodgers, both older than Adam, complained that the professor should have asked them if she had wanted to go.
    â€œI did not ask Adam,” she replied, using her walker to make it down the front lane. “I merely accepted his invitation.”
    Mrs. Brandt placed the wheelchair in the taxi’s trunk, then watched approvingly as Adam helped the old lady settle into the rear seat. She took the walker from Adam and said, “She’s right, you know. You were a dear to ask her.”
    The town center was packed with students rushing to ser-vices. Their robes flapped behind them like broken wings. When they pulled up in front of Christ Church, Adam paid the taxi and settled her into the wheelchair. He maneuvered the chair beneath the towering college gates, doing his best to keep the chair steady as it jounced over uneven flagstones. As they passed through the broad college portal, a man in a dark suit and odd bowler hat emerged from the porter’s lodge, his weathered face creased in smiles. “Professor Beachley, as I live and breathe.”
    â€œSo nice to see you again, Lester. How is the wife?”
    â€œGrowing old before her years, Professor. Wishing she could serve up this latest crop of students in a stew.”
    â€œNo doubt the two of you will have them trained in time.” She reached back to pat Adam’s hand upon the handle. “This is one of my lodgers, Adam Wright.”
    The porter touched one chapped hand to the rim of his hat. “Sir.”
    â€œAdam works for Peter Austin’s firm. You remember his late wife,