Gotta Get Next To You Read online

  “Katy and I had to spend three twelve hour days sifting through files just to make up a patient list. No wonder food coupons went missing without anyone noticing.”

  “Those things are just like cash, untraceable.” Jamal rubbed his chin in thought. “What about the drug stock?”

  “I’m looking into an inventory system next.”

  “No, I mean have you found any missing?” Jamal stared at her intently.

  “I’m pretty sure we don’t have a problem there. But I’ve got to go over at least six months of purchase orders to be sure. Which is where that program comes in.” Andrea pointed to the computer.

  “What about equipment? You’ve got items around here that could be sold easily.”

  “Not anymore. Katy and I are on top of it.”

  “But if you don’t have a detailed list…” Jamal gazed at her.

  “Denny keeps a daily list for me,” she said, referring to the young man who functioned as a ward clerk and pharmacy assistant.

  “Lotta money at stake.” Jamal stared off as though talking to himself. “Bad management is one thing, but—”

  Andrea stood straight. “Excuse me, but I have managed a clinic before, thank you.”

  Jamal glanced at her sharply. “Just a few random thoughts.”

  Andrea felt a rise of aggravation. She’d had to fight sexism and racism for much of her career. Ellis had second-guessed her decisions, too. Her ex-husband had let Andrea know in subtle ways he didn’t think much of her ambitions or abilities. Jamal was behaving like the grand inquisitor. Being a man did not give him the right to assume he could instruct her on management.

  “I’ll run the clinic. Just take care of the duties I assign to you.”

  “Sure. You’re in charge. I’ve got it,” Jamal said in a curt voice.

  Andrea swallowed hard at the tight look on his handsome face. His brows were drawn together, making his handsome face look rugged, dangerous, and seductive at the same time.

  “I’ll let you know when I select the inventory application we’ll use.” She gave a crisp nod and walked out on rubbery legs.

  Andrea escaped to the safety of her office. Once the door closed, she took a deep breath. Being close to him was dangerous. She had almost given in to a stupid romantic flight of fancy twice in the space of only a few minutes. She’d have to be more careful to guard herself against that sexy smile and those smoky eyes.

  ***

  Lee sat at the front desk and pretended to be engrossed in the words on the computer screen. He listened to Andrea give instructions to the student nurses in an efficient tone. She seemed to be a very together lady. He smiled, remembering how anger made her eyes flash with fire. She had a habit of pursing her lips before she tossed out a smart answer. The soft rose-colored lipstick she wore most days made him think her lips would taste as sweet as candy. Her voice was like liquid silk. He supposed nurses should have a soothing voice. He wanted to run his fingers through her shoulder-length hair, which was the color of bronze with red highlights. Then his mind formed an image of the rest of her. Andrea’s curves, full breasts, firm hips that flared out deliciously, could not be disguised even under the prim outfits she wore. Her walk was smooth motion, a sensuous rhythm that hinted at hidden passion.

  As though in tune with his thoughts, Andrea laughed at something Katy said. The sound washed over him in a wave that set off a pulsating hunger that started at the base of his spine then spread to his pelvis.

  “You okay, Jamal? You’re sitting so quiet.”

  It was only then that Lee realized he’d closed his eyes, the better to picture Andrea. When he opened them, Troylyn stood only two feet away, going through a file cabinet. Thankful her back was to him, he inhaled and exhaled a few times to recover. It only took an instant to pull himself together, although he still felt a bit off balance. He’d let thoughts of a woman sneak up on him and rattle his concentration. That would not do. This was just another assignment: get the information the client paid him for and get out. He had to remember why he was working here.

  “I’m concentrating on all this work the boss lady has given me.”

  “Miss Noble is not one to mess around, huh? Came right in and took over.” Troylyn closed the metal drawer and walked over to him. She leaned against the desk.

  “Yep, all business, for sure. She’s got a lot to clean up.”

  ‘Tell me about it.” Troylyn’s voice dropped low and she looked around as though to make sure they were alone. “If you ask me, she’s riding on a sinking ship.”

  “What do you mean?” Lee now turned his full attention to her.

  “She’s still got some of the old staff left, like Miss Cresson.” Troylyn nodded when he glanced at her.

  Lee thought about the fifty-year-old registered nurse. She’d practically ruled the place before Andrea had come. Andrea had cut her hours until she was only part-time.

  “Miss Andrea can handle her, though,” Troylyn said.

  Lee thought back to his last conversation with Mandeville. As usual with clients who hired a private detective, he’d held back information from Lee. Mandeville had controlled the clinic through the last three directors. Now the board wanted him to clean it up. Despite his wealth and influence, several of the board members were just as powerful. In fact, they were challenging Mandeville’s power in other ways. Lee had no doubt there was more Mandeville was hiding. He seemed to get a strained expression whenever Lee probed about Andrea. Six years as a cop and five as a private investigator gave Lee a sixth sense when someone was holding back. Could there be some scam that involved Andrea Noble? If she was involved, then the wrongdoing could be more than petty employee theft. He definitely wanted to know more about her, strictly for purposes of the investigation, of course.

  “How long have you known Miss Noble?” Lee said.

  Troylyn blinked her wide eyes a few times. “Not long. Just since I came here for my fieldwork.” She shrugged and raised her eyebrows. ‘Tell you what, though, she’s got her favorites. And I’m not talking about the females either.”

  Lee felt an unfamiliar sensation in his stomach. “Who is he?” His voice held an edge that he hoped Troylyn did not notice.

  “Well, I’m not a person to spread gossip, but—”

  Denny Kincaid strolled in. The tall, lanky man wore an affable smile. At twenty-one, he was the youngest employee at the clinic. He worked as an assistant to the part-time pharmacist dispensing medication.

  “Hey. What y’all doin’ still here? It’s time to close up,” Denny said.

  Troylyn cut a significant glance at Lee before speaking. “You and Miss Andrea still here.”

  “There’s always something I’ve gotta do. She stays on me about keeping stuff in order.” Denny’s pleased smile showed he didn’t mind at all.

  “Oh yeah, it must be rough working late with Miss Andrea.” Troylyn cleared her throat and gathered up a set of notebooks. “See y’all tomorrow.”

  She gave Lee another meaningful look before walking out of the reception room. Lee got the message. He swiveled in his chair so that he was facing Denny. Denny was nine years younger than Andrea, eleven years younger than Lee. Denny went to a stack of files left on the end of the counter and sorted through them. He mumbled words to a rap song as he worked. Lee frowned. Why would she be attracted to this guy? He was barely out of training pants. His stomach roiled with displeasure at the thought of them as a couple.

  “Hey, Miss Andrea, I found that statistical report for ya,” Denny called out as he walked down the hall. “Fantastic, bring it to me,” Andrea answered.

  Lee drummed his fingers on the desk as he listened to their voices mingling together. When Andrea laughed, Lee’s frowned deepened. Maybe they were in on some game at the clinic together. It wouldn’t be the first time an otherwise levelheaded woman did something stupid because of a man.

  Lee fingers drummed harder and faster on the surface of the desk. Okay, self-examination time. He was letting himself get
distracted from his job when it came to Andrea Noble. But that buttoned-down, I-mean-business fine woman got under his skin. She … intrigued him. Yet he knew better than to let himself be fooled by a pretty package. Not to mention, the lady did not seem blown away by his charm. Lee did not think of himself as conceited, but he’d never had a problem attracting the ladies. Andrea Noble appeared to be totally under-whelmed. Smart lady, so forget about it, Matthews.

  When he heard the last employee call out a weary “See ya tomorrow,” he realized that now was his chance. Lee waited a few more minutes just to be sure, then quietly made his way down the hall to the file room. Four rows of gray metal shelves held patient records. A large copier sat in one corner and a long table in another. He glanced in to see if anyone was there. Finding it empty, he moved on to the small room that served as the clinic pharmacy. Lee tried the door. It was locked as he’d expected. The office the pharmacist used on the days he came was next to it. This door was not locked. It took him only a few minutes to find two drug logbooks from the past three months and a hefty bound set of computer printouts.

  After closing the blinds and turning on the desk lamp, Lee spent the next half hour studying the records. The logs were handwritten, with a list of drugs dispensed, with quantities and dates. The pharmacist initialed each entry, with Andrea or Katy signing at the bottom each month. The computer sheets were a record of drugs ordered and received. He would need to find time at least once a week to really dig deep.

  Lee glanced up to find it was almost six o’clock. Evening shadows lengthened as the last light of a Louisiana summer day faded. He stretched, and then turned off the lamp. As he stepped into the hall, he heard a rustle and the sound of soft music. Only the fluorescent lights of the hallway were on. Light spilled through the open door of Andrea’s office. Lee walked to it and looked in. Andrea sat in one of three chairs arranged in a semicircle around a small table near the window. A blues song came from the clock radio on her bookcase. She’d taken off her comfortable shoes and propped her feet up on another chair. Her skirt hitched up one thigh and she rubbed it absentmindedly as she read. He gazed at the way a thick lock of her hair kept falling across her forehead. She pushed it back three times.

  Andrea shifted a bit and raised one leg, bending it at the knee, foot at rest on the chair. She looked so different now that she was at ease. The softness of her came through. Gone was the crisp, efficient, in-charge career woman. In her place was a beautiful, relaxed temptress. Her shapely legs were an expanse of smooth caramel. She stretched, her back arching, the buttons on her blouse straining against the ripe fullness of her breasts. Lee breathed in sharply and felt heaviness in his groin. He took a hasty step back away from the tantalizing sight. Lust pounded through his body. It took all his self-control to fight off the arousal that made his jeans too tight. Several minutes passed before he could collect himself. He rubbed a hand over his face and entered the room.

  “Excuse me,” Lee said, stopping short.

  Andrea jumped up and dropped the folder she held in the process. “Good God!” she yelled.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay.” Lee held up both palms to reassure her.

  “You scared the crap out of me! What are you still doing here?” Andrea put a hand over her heart.

  “I was working late, like you. I looked around and everyone was gone. Or so I thought.”

  Lee walked farther into the office. The fear in her pretty eyes faded and was replaced with growing suspicion.

  “Working late on what? You don’t have any dead-lines.” Andrea bent down and picked up the report.

  “I only meant to work for fifteen more minutes. An hour had passed before I realized it.”

  “Oh.” Andrea seemed uneasy about being alone with him.

  Lee pressed his lips together tightly. “I don’t bite.”

  Why had he said that? He looked at her and knew the answer. She stood still in her stocking feet. The top three buttons of her blouse were undone. He could see the outline of a lacy bra beneath the white cotton. She was an enchanting blend of bewilderment and sensuality. The desire to taste her bit into him with the ferocity of a pit bull. Then Andrea’s expression hardened as she smoothed and buttoned her blouse.

  “I was just leaving. You should, too.” She put on her shoes and crossed to her desk as she spoke.

  “I’ll walk out with you. It’s not a good idea for you to be here alone.” Lee leaned against the doorframe while she straightened her desk.

  “It’s still light outside and the exterior doors are locked.” Andrea used her fingers to brush her thick hair. She glanced at Lee and stopped.

  “Yeah, but then you’ve gotta walk behind the building to your car. Only one part of the parking lot is visible from the street.”

  “I don’t take stupid chances. There’s a security patrol and I never stay later than six.” She gathered up her purse and a stack of files. “But thanks for your concern.” Her voice dripped icicles.

  Lee’s eyes narrowed. The woman was being argumentative for the sake of it. Andrea Noble was stubborn, frigid, and high-handed. The warm, sultry vixen he thought he’d seen moments ago did not exist. To hell with her.

  “Forget I said anything,” Lee tossed back.

  He spun around and strode down the hall. Andrea came right behind him. Part of him wanted to jump in his Acura Integra and peel off. Yet despite the anger stretching his last nerve, Lee waited at the back door while she set the alarm.

  It was hot even at this time of day. Late afternoon sunshine beat down on the cement surface. Lee was boiling for a very different reason.

  “Goodbye, Miss Noble.”

  “Goodbye,” Andrea said, her tone composed. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Lee ground his teeth. The woman was mocking him, and he deserved it. He had no business letting her get under his skin this way.

  “Get a grip, man,” he muttered to himself as he drove down the highway. He switched the radio on and turned to a hip-hop station. Turning up the volume, Lee tried to drown out thoughts of full, luscious lips and soft, brown thighs.

  Chapter 5

  It was four-thirty and Lee noticed that Andrea’s car was not parked in the staff spaces. She was at another meeting at Public Health headquarters in New Orleans. For the past few days, Lee had worked in the afternoons so Andrea and Katy could use the computers. With three of their programs now operating, they needed to access archived records.

  Lee sat down at the computer and turned it on. Up until now his work had been pretty routine. He’d spent most of his time scanning records from years back when the clinic had been virtually a one-room shack. Now he was getting to the current records, which would tell him more about the clinic operation and any attempts to hide shady activity. First he needed to start out with a good basic idea of how the clinic was supposed to run. To do that he had to pour through state and federal guidelines. This simple job was turning into a tangle of complications. He’d wanted to be in and out fast. That was the way he handled most cases. Still, it was possible. He just had to put in extra hours, work late. It was probably only a matter of tracking down poor record keeping, bad organization, and maybe some petty pilfering of supplies. So far he’d not come up with more.

  Lee pulled up a report on funding. The budget was a maze of money coming from the state, the parish, and the federal governments. No way could the money be misused. Too many eyes were watching and dozens of forms had to be completed to track every penny. Then he noticed something. A section on professional contracts listed names he’d not come across before, with substantial checks being issued quarterly. He printed out the page so his partner, Vince, could run a background check. During a quick run through the rest of the document, nothing caught his eye, so he moved on. Only a small part of the pharmacy records had been entered.

  Lee stared at a stack of invoices from pharmaceutical companies and drug administration records. If anyone was fiddling with the drug supply, it was Denny. Lee did not trus
t that wide smile as much as Andrea did, he thought sourly. Denny was sure of himself. Or did Lee dislike the young man simply because he could make Andrea smile? The thought of this possibility poked at him in the most bothersome way.

  “I’m back, Katy. I see you’ve been holding this place together,” Andrea called out down the hall.

  Damn it, he’d hoped she wouldn’t be here. Her presence was a distraction. Lee didn’t want to think too deeply about why. Immediately his mind conjured images of softly swaying hips and caramel brown legs, smooth thighs moving in a sweet harmony of motion. Focus, damn it!

  After thirty minutes, Lee got a sense of minor discrepancies that he definitely wanted to research. These small blips might not be noticed by a less careful or suspicious examination.

  “Hi, Shandra.” Andrea walked down the hall, talking to a young mother. “How is little Kendrick doing today? He’s getting so big. Come here, sweet boy,” Andrea said right outside the door.

  Lee could imagine her working wonders to soothe an irritable toddler. He’d watched her with patients young and old. Her caring and dedication to making a difference in their lives seemed quite genuine. There was no doubt that the cool, distant nurse was not the only side of her. Her eyes lit up with true compassion for those most in need. It would be a shame to make the clinic look bad. Andrea had put a lot of work into the place; at least that was his preliminary impression so far.

  “Get back on track,” Lee muttered to himself in a firm voice.

  He set up a special pass code that would allow him to access data only available to Andrea. Then he configured a connection to the mainframe that linked the clinic system to state records. There was a possibility that deliberate wrongdoing might extend beyond the clinic. This way Lee would get more information to help in his investigation. It was a painstaking process and required all of his concentration. Lee became lost in the minute detail of learning how to enter the right codes. He would have to set up a temporary password for himself. Except that it would not be temporary. Then he could enter the system at will. As his fingers moved, his mind ran through the ways he would invent reasons to work late. He thought of several means, such as proposing that reports be submitted electronically. They also needed a tape backup system in case the computers crashed.