Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [20]
Moments later, Mr. Montgomery returned with a document in his hand. “It seems our records are correct, Miss Dunbar, although you weren’t the one who withdrew the money from your account. This shows the transaction was made by Erol Carlson, and he is named on your account as an authorized user.”
Sage was momentarily taken aback by Mr. Montgomery’s statement. Of course Erol’s name was on her account; but he had never used it, and he definitely would not have withdrawn money without telling her. “That can’t be possible, Mr. Montgomery. Although my fiancé’s name is on my account, he would not have taken any money out of it without telling me first.”
Adam Montgomery glanced down at the document in his hand before meeting Sage’s gaze again. “Would you recognize your fiancé’s signature if you saw it?”
“Yes, of course.”
Mr. Montgomery handed the document to her. Sage recognized the signature immediately. It was Erol’s. But how … Why? She held her breath while a million questions raced through her head. For the longest time she didn’t say anything. She just continued to study Erol’s signature in near shock. Her concentration was broken when she heard Mr. Montgomery clear his throat.
“Evidently your fiancé forgot to mention this to you, Miss Dunbar,” the older man offered as way of an excuse.
Sage nodded, accepting his words but knowing that wasn’t possible. No one could have that much of a memory lapse. What she was seeing didn’t make sense. Erol had his own checking account, and her name was on his account as well; but neither of them used the other’s checking account. And then there was the savings account they had together. Although both their names were on the account, it was mainly hers. She had made a pretty hefty deposit into it last year with the life insurance money her grandmother had willed to her.
Sage frowned as an unpleasant thought began forming in her mind. “Mr. Montgomery, would you check the balance of my savings account as well? In my estimation, I should have over fifty thousand dollars in it.”
He nodded, then quickly left his office again.
Sage’s hand trembled as she reached into her purse for her cell phone. She had to talk to Erol immediately. There had to be a reason he took the money out of her account without talking to her first, or even telling her about it. According to Mr. Montgomery, the money had been removed from her account over two weeks ago. As far as she was concerned, he’d had plenty of time to tell her about it.
She breathed in heavily when the phone to Erol’s office was answered by his secretary. “Hi, Joan, this is Sage. Is Erol in?”
“No, Ms. Dunbar, he had a meeting with a client, but he should be on his way back to the office. He indicated he would be working late tonight. You may want to try him on his cell phone.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.” She then tried reaching Erol on his cell phone but got his recording instead. Deciding not to leave a message, she had disconnected the call and placed her mobile phone back into her purse when Adam Montgomery returned. She could tell by the look on his face that he was not about to deliver good news.
“It seems, Miss Dunbar, that all but one hundred dollars was taken out of that account as well, on the same day, and again by Mr. Carlson, who is listed on your account.”
Sage’s blood immediately went cold. She didn’t want to believe what Adam Montgomery was saying. It couldn’t be true. There was no way Erol would have touched her money without first discussing it with her. There was no way.
“Are you sure?” she asked, in a voice that trembled so bad she could hear it.
Sad, apologetic eyes met hers. “Yes, Miss Dunbar, I’m sure. Here is the document for that transaction if you would like to see it.”
Sage took the second document he handed her. She had to see it for herself. When she did, a part of her wanted to believe it was all a mistake and this couldn’t be happening. She tried to think of some explanation, some excuse, but couldn’t come up with anything. She took a deep breath, forcing herself not to panic, not to jump to conclusions. There