Diamonds and Spurs [The Callens 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Free

FBI investigated, Candy would lose her job. “I’m so sorry, but it is. I’ve not wanted to believe it, either.” She bit into her cookie. “You know Bill Christopher, right?”
    “Sure. He’s one of Craig’s biggest investors.”
    She nodded. “ Was one of his biggest investors. He approached me at the club about four months ago.” She detailed how she’d spotted him on the sidelines pacing. “When I finished the set, he told me how he’d decided to cash in his investment. Craig told him he didn’t have the money.”
    “That’s ridiculous,” Candy said. “A while back, Amy let it slip that Indulgent Spa cleared over two mil last year. How could he not have enough money to give back to Mr. Christopher?”
    “You tell me. Bill demanded Craig call him back.”
    “What did Craig say?”
    “That it was a misunderstanding.” She sipped her coffee, which was finally cool enough to drink. “After the confrontation, I became curious. Over the next few weeks, I found e-mails incriminating my husband. Christopher was one of many who’d sent angry-grams.”
    Candy placed a hand over her heart and shook her head. “Does Craig know you’re onto him?”
    “Hell no. He thinks I’m upset with him because he works too hard. If he finds out I know anything about the Ponzi scheme, he’ll come after me.” If she divorced him, only she stood between him and jail.
    “What are you going to do?”
    “After I divorce him on Monday, I plan to disappear.”

Chapter Two
     
    Monday turned out to be the worst day of her life. Not only did it represent the day she left Candy, Beth, and Lisa, but the divorce hearing turned ugly, too. Craig came to the hearing dressed in a two-thousand-dollar suit. His lawyer had the same smug look as Craig.
    When they met with the judge, Craig tried to give her a hug, but she’d pulled away. His lawyer must have told him to act contrite and all lovey-dovey. She’d whispered that it wouldn’t work.
    For six hours, he told lies to the judge about how happy they were. Mandy explained there were irreconcilable differences, and that she wanted absolutely nothing from the man.
    In the end, the judge granted her the divorce. She had no plans to even step foot in the house again to pack or take anything.
    As thrilled as Mandy had been to be free of the scheming ass, she had no doubt that Craig would come after her if and when his Ponzi scheme was exposed. He’d eventually learn that she knew all about his illegal activities and would testify if need be.
    Knowing the tenacious bastard, he’d search for a way to get the divorce nullified. She prayed there wasn’t a loophole her lawyer had overlooked.
    Her total focus right now was to make sure he never found her. That meant she needed to leave the state—go somewhere he’d never even think she’d end up. Then she’d find a job. It had been five years since her last employment, which would make the search hard.
    Once she decided on Wyoming, she knew that without a teaching certificate, she wouldn’t be teaching. Besides, the school system would be the first place he’d look.
    After she had made up her mind she liked Wyoming, she spent a lot of time on the Internet looking for jobs. Two weeks ago, she spotted one position in particular that sounded wonderful. It was a job at a ranch that catered to women. The ad said the Circle Bar was looking for a woman interested in leading other women into the wilderness. The requirements were an ability to ride and have outdoor skills. That worked for her. She grew up not only riding, but also rock climbing and camping.
    The ranch was in a town called Intrigue, Wyoming, a mere two-hour drive north of Denver. While it was a little close for her, the fact it was in a different state gave her some solace.
    Despite a state line between her ex and her, she made sure not to be followed. Because she didn’t have to be at the new job until Friday of that week, she was able to spend three days driving around,