Chapter 61 I Need Your Help
Eden's POV:
He doesn't kiss me. Even though I really want him to. He doesn't do it after dinner or before he leaves and I'm left reeling with disappointment. I wash the dishes and get ready for bed, reminding myself that I'll see him in a few short hours.
I decide to get an early night because I want the morning to come quicker. It's silly and childish.
Frustratingly, my body doesn't seem to agree with me. I might want an early night but my body doesn't. I'm wide awake and unable to sleep. Partly because I'm too excited about seeing Noah again tomorrow but also because I'm considering our options.
I don't think I have much choice but to call Martin. Without his help, I can't see a way for us to find the answers we're looking for. Glancing at my clock, I note that although it's late, it's not too late. Martin would forgive me. I've called him at worse times than five minutes to midnight.
Grabbing my phone, I place the call and wait for him to answer.
He sounds groggy when he answers and I immediately feel guilty.
"I'm sorry for waking you, Martin."
"I'm sure you have good reason," he replies politely, trying his best to hide the sound of his yawning.
"I need your help."
"I imagine so if you're calling me."
"Noah received some files," I begin. "They contained what looked like the company's accounts."
"I see."
He doesn't sound particularly surprised. Perhaps it's just because he's still foggy from sleep.
"They don't add up."
"I would think not," he agrees, confusing me again.
"Huh?"
"What do you need from me, Eden?" he asks.
"I need the official accounts."
"I'll have them for you first thing tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Why what?" he grumbles.
"Why are you agreeing so easily? Grandma didn't want me to worry about the finances..." I pause. I don't want Martin to know about my argument with my grandma about James Artie.
"Your grandma is an amazing woman," Martin says calmly, "but that doesn't mean she's always right."
I can hardly believe my ears. Is Martin saying that my grandma is actually wrong about something? Does he not trust James Artie either?
"I'll have the information you need first thing," he says once more. "Obviously, if your grandmother asks, it wasn't me."
"Of course," I agree without hesitation.
Just as he's about to hang up, I ask him, "was it you who sent the documents to Noah?"
He chuckles slightly. He doesn't confirm or deny it.
"I've always liked him. He's got a good head on his shoulders."
"Was it you?" I ask again.
"Eden, it doesn't matter who sent the documents. What matters is that you and Noah prove what's inside them."
"So, it's true? That someone is embezzling money from the company?"
"I've been suspicious for a while," he tells me seriously, "but your grandma doesn't want to believe it."
"Why didn't you just give them to me?" I ask quietly.
"Honestly kid, it wasn't me. I have no idea who sent them to you guys."
"Oh... if it wasn't you, then who...?"
"I don't know."
"And why Noah? Why not send them to you or grandma?"
"I really couldn't say. Unless they think we might be responsible."
"Who would think that?" I ask, horrified.
"Plenty of people. When it comes to money, people make terrible choices more often than they do good ones."
"You sound like grandma."
"I've spent a lot of time with her." He says it with a surprising amount of softness. There's no doubt that Martin is deeply fond of my grandma.
"I'm surprised you haven't rushed in there screaming bloody murder," Martin says gruffly, "demanding to see the accounts for yourself."
"I can't do that. I'm not Eden Clancy right now, remember."
"Like that would stop you."
"I'm sorry for calling so late," I say after a moment, preparing to end the call.
"Eden, as much as it pleases me that you're looking into this, you really must be very careful. I'm afraid this runs a lot deeper than it first appears."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll learn soon enough," he tells me. "Just promise me be careful."
"Of course."
"And don't act alone."
"Alone?"
"Do this with Noah," he says. "It's essential that you work as a team on this.
I don't really understand why it's so important that I work with Noah but I'm hardly going to kick up a fuss about having to work with him, so I find myself agreeing easily.
It's not like working with Noah Grisham is a burden. It can be quite enjoyable or at least it would be if he'd damn well kiss me.
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