Strange Encounter

Chapter 5

        Monday came too soon. Riley sat at her desk after spending most of the morning comparing multiple bank statements and financial statements. She was sure last year the company made a huge profit but the papers she had in her hands claimed a loss.

Her phone rang. "Come into my office," Mr. Wilson ordered when she answered.

Barbara Harris stopped Riley before she had a chance to go down the hallway towards Mr. Wilson's office.  She just started two weeks ago, replacing Mr. Wilson's secretary, Marcia Lewis who was dismissed after twenty five years of service and then mysteriously disappeared.

"I believe the auditors are in his office. I just wanted to warn you."

"Thank you, Ms. Harris. I do hate surprises." Riley continued towards his office.

A gruff command answered her knock.  Riley entered to see 2 gentlemen sitting in front of his desk, backs facing her.

"This is my comptroller Riley Grier, she can help you with anything you need." The gentlemen rose and faced her but it was the blue eyes staring at her that made her gasp.

"Riley?"

"William?"

They both said in unison.

"You two know each other?" Mr. Wilson asked suspiciously.

"We just recently met," William answered calmly, eyes focused on Riley.

She just stared, speechless. He looked quite sexy dressed in a black suit and tie. He was clean shaven, curls slicked back and looked even more handsome than this weekend. She hadn't seen him yesterday but he did text her. Seeing him now, she realized how much she missed him.

His partner snapped her out of her trance. "I'm Benedict Ward." He extended his hand towards her.

She shook his hand but kept staring at William. "Pleasure" was the only response she could give.

"Well now that the pleasantries are over, you can get back to work," Mr. Wilson said gruffly.

"Yes, sir." She turned and walked out. William quickly caught up with her. "Was this weekend a happy coincidence or was it carefully planned?" Riley asked not even hiding her annoyance.

"How devious you think of me? I had no idea you worked here. We never spoke of work."

Rewinding the weekend in her head, she realized he was right. Of course her traitorous mind decided to stop on the most intimate moments, making her warm and tingly all over. She practically power walked to her office, William giving chase.

He couldn't believe his bad luck. It was bad enough his assignment had him posing as an auditor but now the prime suspect of this case was his girlfriend. He hadn't wanted this assignment. He was content working in London until his Captain called him into his office last month telling him about an assignment that would move him to the States for awhile to investigate an international money laundering scandal involving a well known home builder in New York. Unfortunately the prime suspect was the comptroller.  They had received a tip from Marcia Lewis, Mr. Wilson's secretary but instead of meeting with her like they had planned, she had mysteriously disappeared.  

He couldn't let Riley know he was not an auditor but an inspector of Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service. Once the case was opened, an arrest was made on another case but the suspect made a deal naming 3 companies in the States involved in a money laundering case. One of the names was Wilson Enterprises.  William had always wanted to visit the States but only on holiday, not on assignment.

They arrived at her office.  "I already pulled some files and have them on that desk over there." She casually gestured to the corner table which indeed had papers and files piled up.  Her voice was full of authority, nothing like this weekend.