Free Intimate Kiss (Bend To My Will #3) by Emily Jane Trent Page B

wealth of experience that belied his young age. His brown hair was buzzed on the sides, longer on the top, and his green eyes could be intimidating, if you didn’t know him. The man had a good build, and a strong jaw, his physical stature in line with his competence at his job.
    “Good morning, Mr. Rinaldi.”
    Jacob sat in the available chair. The office, including the desk, looked messy. But Walsh was sharp as a razor’s edge, and the busy appearance was just part of working at a furious pace. There was no need to ask for information, since the investigator was already fishing through a pile of papers.
    Walsh handed a folder across the table. “I’ve made some headway on our dilemma,” he said. “It’s all in there. I didn’t email, despite the internal security we have.” He looked directly at Jacob. “I think it’s wise to deal in person on this.”
    The implications weren’t lost on Jacob. “You think someone within the company is involved?”
    “Let’s say I haven’t ruled it out,” Walsh said. “We do have active opposition, and it only makes sense to have an inside man.”
    “What have you found out?”
    “What’s interesting,” Walsh said, “is that the encouragement to buy direct, to bypass our company as the importer, and cut us out of the transaction…is not coming from one source .”
    “That’s more alarming than I thought,” Jacob said. “I’d hoped to get to the man responsible, and rapidly shut the threat down.”
    Walsh rocked back in his chair. “My gut tells me that it is one man, using others as a smokescreen. It makes it more difficult to finger the right guy.”
    “So what next?”
    “Study the information in my reports. I think I’m on track here,” Walsh said. “It’s going to take some work, but we have friends out there. The other importers will co-operate.”
    “Of course,” Jacob said. “They don’t want the same thing to happen to them.”
    “Which brings up another point, one I’m sure you thought of,” Walsh said. “Rinaldi is the target of this underhanded operation. Why is that?”
    Jacob furrowed his brow. “I have thought about that, quite a lot.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The thing is…I don’t know.”
    “Well, that question is on my list. I intend to find out…because that may be the lead we are looking for.” Walsh leaned back in his chair, a sign that he was finished for right then.
    “Okay, Walsh. I don’t need to tell you how important this is.” Jacob stood up. “Losing distributors will impact us heavily. I don’t want to see those losses mounting up.”
    “Yes, sir. It’s my top priority.” Walsh swiveled his chair and went back to the computer.
    There was no more information to be had, so Jacob left. The issue was in competent hands. With Walsh directing the investigation and his capable team backing him up, the investigation would get the attention it deserved. Jacob had confidence in his staff, but he planned to look into the matter on his own, too. He had contacts and friends in the industry that Walsh couldn’t reach. But whatever it took, the threat had to be handled.
    Late that morning, Jacob texted his tech supervisor about brainstorming a new system, currently in the testing stages. Trace Farrington was also a good friend. They had known each other before working at Rinaldi. The man’s technical skill equaled Jacob’s, and that was saying a lot.
    Trace replied: On my way to lunch. I can meet this afternoon.
    That was Trace. He was skilled in his field, and Jacob trusted him. But he wasn’t married to the job. Trace invested his talent after hours, as much as during, and had no problem attracting women to entertain him. The man wasn’t one to work through lunch, and Jacob wondered if he had a date.
    But Jacob didn’t have to wonder for very long. While still holding his phone, about to answer, Trace swaggered into the office. He had his arm around Lana. Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders,