“The other women gasped. “Ruth, we’re so sorry. We shouldn’t have imposed on you when you’re going through such a horrible crisis.” Shirley said.
Ruth looked straight at Alice. “We’re very close to getting them back—very close.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Alice said as she stood. She was wearing a black pantsuit with a deep red blouse.
It’s funny how much she looks like a black widow spider in that outfit.
Chapter 24
Same day--Bob Black’s office
Roger turned to Ann. “I’ll need those first two letters by lunch.”
“I can print them off right now, if you need them. The rest of the letters will be done by noon.”
“I can wait until all of them are finished. Don’t forget to do the envelopes.”
I never forget the envelopes. She thought mildly insulted.
An hour later, Ann was just finishing the last batch of letters when Marian March came in. Marian was a friend that worked down the hall. “You look like you’ve had one hell of a morning. How about getting away from the pit and going somewhere for lunch, unless you’ve got other plans.”
Ann sighed. “I’ll probably have to work through it. Marian, you have no idea how beastly this place has become.”
“I can imagine. We could hear his voice ranting and raving this morning. Everyone knows when his royal high-n-ASS is on the warpath.”
Ann sighed and pushed up the sleeves of her dark green dress. “He’s been a terror all week and he’s getting worse. He just got through throwing a fit because I entered his sacred sanctum without waiting for him to say, “Come in’.”
“What a jerk,” Marian said with emphasis. “Are coming to lunch or not?”
“Sure, why not. It’ll give me a few minutes away from here. But it will have to be a short one or I’ll be getting in trouble. I can’t afford to lose my job just yet.”
After Marian left, Ann thought, how can I monitor the office while I’m gone? She pulled out the recorder Mrs. A had lent her. I wonder if this is a voice activated one. She looked it over. Aha! It is. Now I just have to figure out a place to hide it and I’ll have to do it so he doesn’t know I’m doing it.”
The office intercom buzzed. “Would you come in and take some dictation.”
“Yes, sir.” Ann mentally shook her head at having to take dictation in this century, but picked up her pad and pencil. After she took down his letters for an hour, he said, “Will you be going out to lunch?”
“Yes, unless you want me to stay in. I could order something up and work at my desk.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. I would like you to stop by Clarington’s and pick up that order of office supplies. Their truck is out of order and we’ll have to wait another week if they deliver it. I’m running out of some of the things I use all the time.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll pick it up.”
“Don’t take time from your lunch hour either,” he added.
“Thank you, sir,” Ann said sweetly as she left the room.
Yeah right. Don’t take time from your lunch. If I wasn’t suspicious before, I certainly am now. I wonder what he’s up to.”
A few minutes later, Roger walked through her office and out the door. Quickly, she got up and stood watching him. He walked down the hall to the Men’s restroom.
As quickly as a cat, she hurried into his office. Looking around she noticed a big old vase that stood on the floor next to the desk. It hid the desk phone cord. She ran to the vase, made sure the recorder was on voice activate, set it among the flowers so that it was hidden from view. She was back at her desk, working on the computer when he walked back in the room.
As soon as he was safely in his office, she bent over gasping for breath. Two seconds slower and he’d have caught me.
She was typing the last of his dictation when the noon whistle blew at the factory across the street. Roger came to the door. “You can go now.” He looked at his watch.
“Yes, Mr. Drake,” she said formally. She picked up her purse and keys, grabbed her light weight coat and headed out the door.
Roger stood and watched her walk down the hall. She stopped at Marian’s office. Once inside the door, she turned and looked back. He was still watching.
Marian looked up, “What’s the matter?”
Roger is watching me. I think he’s waiting for me to leave.”
Marian grabbed her purse. “Let’s go. We don’t want to disappoint the man.”
When they got to the elevator, Marian pulled out her compact and powdered her nose, angling the mirror so she could see if he was still standing at the door.
“Don’t look now, but he’s still watching.”
They went to lunch at a nearby restaurant that catered to the people working nearby. Marian had reserved a booth. The waiter took them to one that was away from most of the people but fairly close to the kitchen.
“This is a lousy location,” Marian complained. “He won’t be getting much of a tip.”
“It’s a great location,” Ann said. “No one can overhear us and we can’t be seen from the front windows.”
“Why does that matter?”
“Because I’m going to tell you what’s going on. I need an unbiased perspective. I’m afraid I’ve been working on this so long that I’m missing something.”
When the waiter came, Marian ordered her favorite three cheese ravioli. Ann ordered Baked Potato soup and a chef’s salad.
“Okay, now tell me what’s going on. I’m dying of curiosity.”
Quietly, Ann told her what had been going on with Inspector Lepley, Mrs. Arbuthnot and Roger. “So you see, everything is pretty confusing.”
Marian said. “It is confusing. Is Roger doing everything himself or is he working with someone else?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure that Inspector Lepley is looking at this as one case or two.”
Marian said, “I hate to say this but you’re assuming that Roger is behind Bob’s disappearance, but there isn’t any evidence to prove it. It’s all assumptions.”
“Who else could it be?”
“Unless you get into his files and really dig, trying to find others who might be responsible, you won’t know.”
“I know what’s in the files. Lepley has them and is following up on those leads. Roger is the only lead I have.”
“You’ve got enough on him to put him away for a long, long time.”
“I don’t want evidence to put him away, I want to find Bob.” Ann said fiercely.
“Easy. I’m not trying to upset you. I’m pointing out flaws that could sink your case.”
“Sorry. I’m feeling a little stressed.”
“A little,” Marian laughed. “What about Mrs. Arbuthnot? Is she doing anything to find Bob? He was working for her. Could she be behind the disappearance?”
“She put out a five-hundred-thousand-dollar reward for information on Bob so I don’t think she’s behind Bob’s disappearance. But I know she’s more concerned about her granddaughter than she is about Bob.”
“Which she should be.” Marian thought for a moment. “Have you thought about tailing Roger?”
“Tailing him?” Ann said.
“Yes, following him. He might lead you to Bob.”
“That’s a good idea. It might be hard because he knows my car.”
“True, but he doesn’t know mine and two sets of eyes are better than one.”
Ann began to smile. “I like it. How will you work it if he leaves early?”
“I’ll just tell Jason that I might need to leave early. He won’t care. I’m caught up.”
“Great.” Ann looked at her watch. “I’d better get back. I have to pick up that package.”
Chapter 25
Mrs. A’s apartment—same day
Martin said, “How did your meeting go?
“It went well. In fact, it went much better than I thought it would. I volunteered the food through our restaurant chai
ns in exchange for advertising in the program as sponsors. Suzanne Rowley was hired as our event planner so I need to get with her about that. I’m thinking maybe some buy-one-get-one free coupons. We could sell pages on the program which would help defray the costs. The mayor wants a big celebration but the budget he gave us won’t even pay for the building.”
Ruth looked at Martin who was smiling like a Cheshire cat. “What are you grinning about?”
“I have my old employer back. Since your husband died, I felt like I was working for a ghost. The real Mrs. A is back.”
She was glaring at Martin when they were both startled to hear her private land line ring. She looked at Martin as he turned to answer it.
“Mr. Max, how are you?”
She reached over and put the phone on speaker. “Hi, Max.” She said.
“Listen, we may have a break in the Bob Black part of your case. A tip came through the mail—special delivery, no less. The informant gave you some information sort of anonymously.”
“How can he be sort of anonymous?” Ruth asked.
“In a very clever way. He or she sent the half of a ticket. You know the kind that they use at a raffle. The ticket has two halves with the same number. You place one half in the box and you keep the other half. I’m having one of my team courier over everything. I doubt if there are any fingerprints, but I wanted you to see the information. It might be something you want to follow up on.”
“What about my granddaughter?”
“We’ve received about a thousand tips. I’ve got practically everyone I can spare following up on them. Have you received any more information on the ransom drop?”
Ruth shook her head even though Max couldn’t see it. “I still want to go through with it.”
Max said, “The bank sent over the money. I have the type of bag specified in the note. It’s not marked and the bag isn’t bugged. My driver has been briefed and knows what to do.”
Ruth sighed. “Since you’ve told me that the odds are against the ransom working, I’ve almost forgot about it. We’re been concentrating of finding who has the girls.”
Max said, “Don’t give up. If some of these leads work out, we’ll be able to get the girls back, if they are still alive.”
“They are,” Ruth said. “I can feel it. I think we’re going to get them back soon.”
.
Chapter 26
Bob Black’s office—same day
Ann waved at Marian as she walked quickly to her office. She stopped suddenly. The door was slightly open. “Marian, I’ve got a problem.”
Marian tossed her purse on her desk and ran down the hall. “What is it?”
Ann pointed to the door. Marian pulled a clean tissue from her blazer pocket. Handing it to Ann she said, “Push gently. We don’t want to ruin any fingerprints.”
Using the tissue, Ann gently touched the door. As the door swung open, she gasped. The office had been trashed. Her monitor was on the floor, crushed by the filing cabinets that had been flung around the room. There were file folders and papers everywhere.
She took one step into the room. Bob’s office door was open and it too had been trashed. Roger’s door was closed. She took a step toward it when Marian grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”
“Roger’s door is closed.”
“Then leave it. You don’t want to contaminate the crime scene. Call the police.”
Taking a deep breath, Ann eased out of the room, the she grabbed her cell phone and touched the screen.
“FBI, Inspector Lepley’s office. How can I help you?”
Ann swallowed. “I need to talk to Inspector Lepley. It’s an emergency. Please hurry.” She said desperately.
A moment later, “Lepley.”
“Inspector, our offices were trashed while I was at lunch.”
“I want you to walk away from the door. Is there a safe place you can wait while watching your office?”
“Yes. I can wait in Marian’s office. It’s just down the hall.”
“Stay there. I’ll send a squad car cover until I get there.” Lepley paused. “Did you go inside?”
“I opened the door with a tissue and I only took one step inside so I could see into Bob’s office. Roger’s door is closed.”
“Don’t let anyone in, not even Roger.”
“Okay.” She pushed the off button. “I’m supposed to wait in your office and not let anyone in.”
“Hey, ladies, what’s wrong. Ann did you forget your key?” Jason Sommers, Marian’s boss strode down the hall.
“I wish it was something that simple,” Marian said. “Someone’s trashed Ann’s office. The FBI want her to wait in our office.”
Ann grabbed Marian’s arm. “What about Roger’s back door. We can’t see it from here.”
Jason looked in the open door. “Wow. What a mess!” He reached behind his jacket and pulled out a pistol. “I’ll walk down to the corner. I can see the door from there. You better do what the FBI said.”
He waited until they were in his office doorway before he walked down the hall. He could feel their eyes on his back. He stopped at the corner. “I can see Roger’s door. It’s closed.”
Although it seemed like forever to Ann, two officers in uniform hurried from the elevator. They stopped when they saw Ann. “Are you the one who called in the alarm?”
Ann nodded. “Inspector Lepley said I should wait here.”
“We’ll secure the site, but we’re not to go in.” The officers took their positions in front of the office door. Jason called to them and motioned. “There’s another entrance.”
One of the officers hurried toward him. Jason pointed out Roger’s back door.
A few minutes later, Roger stepped out of the elevator. He stopped when he saw Ann in the doorway and the cop in front of the office. Then he walked to Ann
“What happened?” He snarled.
“Our office has been trashed. Lepley said no one was to enter until he gets here. That’s why the cops are stationed at the doors.”
“How bad is it?” He sounded like an angry bear.
“I think a tornado would have caused less damage.”
“Damn. It would have to happen when we are understaffed and very busy.”
The elevator doors slid open. Lepley stepped from the elevator, followed by Duncan and his crime scene techs. When Lepley saw Roger and Ann, he said, “Stay here. I don’t want you contaminating the crime scene.”
He walked to the door, showed his identification to the police officer who stepped aside. Lepley pulled on latex gloves, then gently pushed open the door. He stepped just inside the door and slowly looked around.
He motioned for one of his techs who carried a big camera. Get shots of the outer office first, then Black’s. Once we have a visual record, we’ll open Roger’s office door.”
Roger strode to Duncan. “I want to see what’s been done to my office.”
“You’ll have to wait until the crime scene techs finish with the outer office.”
“There’s a back door to my office.”
Lepley held up his hand. When the photographer had finished taking pictures, he motioned for his crime scene techs to begin their investigation. He watched them work for a moment, then said, “Show me the back door.”
When they reached the corridor, Lepley said, “Duncan, send me the finger print tech. I want this door printed before we open it.”
Roger glared and paced up and down the hall until the tech was finished. Lepley held out his hand. Angrily, Roger handed him the key.
Lepley inserted the key into the lock and started to turn it. He felt an unexpected resistance. “Get down,” he yelled as he tackled Ann, forcing her to the floor. There was a loud explosion. Everyone lay on the floor stunned. As the dust settled, Lepley got to his feet, then helped Ann to hers. As he turned to help the cop, Ann said, “I don’t know what sliced your jacket, Inspector, but you’ll never wear it again.”
Lepley nodded. He knelt next t
o the officer who was bleeding around the face from small cuts. There was a large shard of wood embedded next to his eye. Lepley looked at Duncan. “Call an ambulance and tell them to have an ophthalmic surgeon available.
Roger had been blown against the opposite wall before he fell to the floor. Lepley knelt beside him and felt for a pulse. Roger pushed his hand away. “I’m alive.” He groaned.
When he went to sit up, Lepley pushed him down. “Stay down. You may have a concussion.”
Roger turned his head to look at the hole where the door used to be. “It looks like whoever was after Bob decided that I might know what he knew and decided to put me away.”
“Have you received any threatening letters lately?” Duncan demanded.
“Yes. Several.”
“You should have reported them.”
“My dear inspector, in this business, threatening letters are a part of life and I don’t pay any attention to them.”
One of the crime scene techs motioned. “Down here,” he said. A moment later, paramedics hurried down the hall. One of the paramedics put a neck brace around the officer protecting his face, then he started an IV. Once they had him stabilized, they lifted him on to the gurney.
Another paramedic began checking Roger. When Roger tried to push him away, the paramedic said, “Sir, you’re in no shape to sit up. You’ve got a concussion and it looks like your leg is broken.”
After Roger was taken to the hospital, the paramedic said, “Sir, I need to see your back.”
Lepley looked at him. “I’m okay.”
“Sir, your jacket and shirt have been sliced. It looks like the skin has been sliced too. I need to clean it and check for shrapnel.”
Lepley frowned, but before he could say anything, Duncan said, “Paul, let the man do his job. I can see blood running down your back. You may need stitches.”
“That’s funny. I can’t feel any blood and I don’t feel any pain.”
“You’d better let me take a look at it.” The paramedic said. He led Lepley down the hall.
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