He sent her an exasperated look. “It’s a waste of time if you ask me.”
“I’m not asking you, Matt.” She was getting nowhere with clearing her name. She had to do something. “If you could put Megan to bed, I’d appreciate it.” This once she would have to miss seeing her daughter. Heck, the main reasons she was doing this was for Megan.
He scowled. “What time will you be home?”
“I don’t know. Eight, perhaps. I’ll catch a taxi.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Really.”
“I’ll come back and get you at seven. Ruth can look after Megan.”
“But—”
“No buts. I’ll be here at seven.”
She took one look at his hard features and knew he wasn’t going to budge. “Okay, but not before seven. I want a chance to actually get some work done.” She didn’t mention anything else out loud, in case the walls had ears.
Matt turned and left, and Lana took a deep breath. Right. Now she could concentrate without his skepticism in her face.
An hour later the whole floor was quiet, and after doing a check that everyone had gone, she was focusing intensely on the reports on her computer screen when Evan popped his head around the door.
“What are you doing here so late?” he asked, making her jump.
“Oh, Evan! You frightened me.” She caught her breath. “Anyway, I could ask you the same question.”
“I had to go see someone on the next floor.” He stepped into the office. “Can I help you with anything?”
Inside she was panicking, but outside she casually clicked on her screen saver, then leaned back on her chair. “Not, not really. I’m just catching up.”
He frowned. “You were always on top of things before.”
“These days I’m a married woman with a child.”
He looked at her strangely, then he smiled a false smile. “Let me know if you need any help.”
“I will.”
Like hell.
“I’m going home now. Good night, Lana.”
“Good night.”
He left, but she didn’t move for long moments. It wasn’t until she heard the whisper of the elevator door closing that she let herself relax. Then she unlocked her computer screen and started searching the reports again.
At seven, Matt returned. “Find anything?” he said from the doorway.
“No.” She hated to admit it.
“I told you.”
She couldn’t let herself be beaten. “I’m close to finding something. I can feel it.”
He eyes said he didn’t believe it. “Grab your things and I’ll take you home.”
His attitude shouldn’t have disappointed her, but it did. She tidied her desk and picked up her handbag. “By the way,” she said on the way to the elevator. “I’ve decided to work tomorrow. Ruth won’t mind looking after Megan for the day, too.”
He raised a brow, his eyes hardening. “Don’t you think this is going too far?” “No.”
He shrugged. “Your choice.” “Yes, it is.”
“Can you send this out by courier please, Irene?” Lana said, holding out some paperwork.
Irene picked up her ringing telephone, but nodded at one of the trays on her desk. “Just put it in that pile so Matt can check it first.”
Lana frowned as the other woman turned away to deal with the person on the other end of the line. Her heart sank. Was this procedure something new? Or was this just for her?
She waited for Irene to finish her call.
“Does Matt check everyone’s work now?” she asked as casually as she could.
Irene bit her lip. “Oh dear. Lana, he’s just looking out for you. I told him he was being overprotective, but I guess it comes with being married now.”
How she managed to keep a straight face right then, Lana didn’t know. Here she was, working hard to clear her name, and all he cared about was keeping an eye on her in case she stole his precious money. Oh, how she wished she could come clean about Dan buying the apartment. She’d love to see the shock on Matt’s face.
She grimaced inwardly. Unfortunately, then he’d be asking her where the fifty thousand dollars went. And when she couldn’t tell him—she was innocent, after all—he’d start investigating her background more than he’d evidently done already. And then Dan’s private life would be at risk of being leaked to the newspapers.
No, she couldn’t let that happen.
“You may be right, Irene,” she said, and went back to her office, running into Evan along the way. The man had a knowing look in his eyes that set her blood boiling again. For Irene to know that Matt was checking her work was totally humiliating. But for Evan to know, and possibly the others—it made her want to sink right through the floor.