If she was disturbed, nothing showed on her face when she stepped to the door and gestured the two women inside.
“Mr. Garrett is expecting you.”
“I just bet he is,” Lieutenant Natalie Templeton led the way, her features calm and controlled compared to her detective’s.
“Janet is my admin,” Gabriel began evenly, not rising from his chair. “When did I become aware that Bailey O’Conner worked for the company?”
“At lunch when you needed a tech person for the presentation,” Janet answered instantly, frowning from one to the other. “Mr. Garrett doesn’t know each employee and there are many he’s never personally met.”
“Before Friday night, you have never spoken to or met Miss O’Conner?”
“I already stated at the time, I didn’t know who she was, Lieutenant. And I would have placed the call to you as soon as I finished my last meeting,” he lied smoothly. “I can have Janet take you to her but I won’t have her terrorized because your detective doesn’t grasp her choices. I’m also asking Janet to remain with you when you speak with her.”
“Not you?” The detective sneered.
“My presence would certainly guarantee you answers, but that’s not all you’re after, is it, detective? You’re looking for something that isn’t there.”
“Go wait in the car, Casey,” Natalie said softly. “She isn’t a suspect and doesn’t deserve to be treated like one.”
“I’m your partner.” Stunned disbelief hinged with anger flared to life on her face.
“Who needs to learn that the lead does just that - lead,” Natalie looked at her without backing down. “I’m heading the investigation and I’ve decided you’re a little too bias for some reason. I’ll talk to her and give you the notes.”
“I’m sure you’ve already spoken to the driver,” Gabriel said when the detective stomped out of the office. “Whoever killed the girl would have had blood all over them.”
“She isn’t a suspect, Mr. Garrett. But the box she received is suspect.”
Gabriel winced slightly, one palm up and on his neck.
“I did speak with her quite extensively at the club that night. Bailey sees that as a memory, Lieutenant. Part of me thinks you’re not going to easily get it from her without a blood vow that she get it back, as is,” he explained carefully.
“And the other part?”
“When she learns of its involvement in someone’s death, she might never want to touch it again,” he said with a hint of regret in his voice.
“I keep telling myself I wanted to be in homicide,” she said and nodded. “Maybe I can get by with photos and examining it myself. Considering all the trouble the person went to, I doubt they’d leave me a gift wrapped DNA sample.”
“If you need anything else, I’ll be here until four-thirty. Janet, please take the Lieutenant to Bailey and remain until you escort her from the building,” Gabriel brought his palm to his face, rubbing over his jaw.
He thought about going with them. But he knew that his presence would only make Bailey more nervous than she’d be to begin with. He returned to his desk and the business of running the company until Janet returned with a report.
Bailey stared from the admin she knew by sight to the police lieutenant. She nodded and followed them into the private office, sinking into a chair when the door closed. She was glad it was almost quitting time and she could sit without wincing again. Or feeling the betraying sensations low in her body that he’d aroused. But there wasn’t anything she could do to stop the guilt of heat in her cheeks. Their lunch interlude would remain in her mind for a long, long time.
“You’re staying?” Bailey looked at Janet. How many people were going to know she went to the club Friday? She felt her stomach clench.
“Mr. Garrett asked me to. If you’d rather I didn’t, Bailey, it’s alright.”
“Oh, no. I haven’t done anything,” she said hastily. Well, she corrected to herself. “I haven’t done anything involving the police,” she announced with a gulp. At least she could sit comfortably again and even the thought of that had her focus far from the moment and lodged just where his cock had been two hours ago. Bits of her were still tingly.
“Can you tell us where you were on Friday night?” The detective looked her critically up and down.
“I went to a Halloween party. From about…eight until sometime after midnight.”
“Did you hear about the murder Friday night, Miss O’Conner?” Natalie Templeton sat behind the desk, her note pad out and pen moving over the surface.
“No. Well...I had the news on Sunday evening. But it was mostly to see the weather.” She cleared her throat. “Why...where was there a murder?”
“You visited Independence for the first time on Friday evening?” Natalie watched the color drain from the woman’s face.
“You know where I went?” Bailey nodded, holding her head up even as the flush of heat struck her cheeks. She couldn’t look at the admin and looking at the police lieutenant was almost as bad. But at least she wouldn’t be seeing her again. Personal life equals joke, she thought dismally.
“Why?”
“I…I was invited. And it was Halloween party weekend,” she said honestly. “It seemed like it would be...I was tired of drunk, stupid parties with kids too young to hold a decent conversation.”
“Who invited you?”
“I don’t know,” Bailey sighed. “I know it sounds strange, but I came home on Friday about quarter to five and this big box tied in a red ribbon was outside my door. There was an envelope on the top and a really, really nice costume inside. So I went.”
“You don’t know anyone who would give you such a thing?”
“Believe me, if you saw this costume…it’s extremely well made. I know. I make clothing,” Bailey told her sincerely.
“What was in the envelope?”
“Instructions,” she shrugged. “It said a car would pick me up and take me home. That it would be something new and different for me.”
“And was it?”
“What does this have to do with someone being murdered? Who was it? Do I know them?” Her voice had risen with each sentence as she mentally went over all her friends and the last time she’d spoken with them.
“Susan Phelps. She’s twenty-six,” Natalie waited but there was nothing in her features. “I can’t find anything in her past that had the pair of you crossing paths. I need to see the costume and box and all that came with it, Miss O’Conner.”
“I...it’s in my apartment,” she said slowly. “Are you taking it?”
“I don’t think it would tell me anything to put it in custody. But I need to see it, take a few pictures.”
“You can take the rest of the day, Bailey,” Janet told her confidently.
“I…well, I have dinner plans. Alright,” she stood up but looked at Janet. “Would you tell him I had to leave? Maybe he could pick me up at the apartment for dinner.”
“I’ll pass along the message,” Janet promised.
“Let me get my pack and keys. You can follow me home,” she said with a nod at the lieutenant who had risen and walked to join them. “I’m sorry someone died. But I still don’t understand why it involves me.”
The three women stood quietly inside the office. Natalie drew in a slow breath.
“The note you received was probably made on paper that belongs to Mr. Garrett. He says the coin you have, that got you into the club without questions…they were made and numbered. That number says it’s his coin,” she watched the information being digested. “The woman who was murdered was wearing a red wig and a costume similar to the one Mr. Garret described to us on Friday night that you wore.”
“Oh, god,” Bailey leaned against the wall behind her. She was good at puzzles. Very good. And those pieces slid so perfectly into place she couldn’t believe it.
“What time did you get to the club?”
“Just…a little before eight. The driver was a really nice
kid studying for some calc test,” Bailey blinked, trying to pull details from her night. “He picked me up outside my apartment, just like the note said. I didn’t pay attention to where we went. I think I was too excited about the party.”
“And you were inside all night?”
“I...yes…yes, I was exploring and…and talking to people. Gabriel was with me,” she shook her head slightly. “Most of the people were very nice. Friendly. Well, as friendly as they could be in the setting but…some had too much to drink. So he was taking me on a tour…Gabriel, I mean…showed me around…and we talked and…just talked…”
“He didn’t know who you were?”
“I had the mask. I kept it on all night. And…I didn’t tell him my name. Not my full name,” she winced slightly. “I’ve been called Bee in comp classes and by some friends for years and that’s the name I gave him. Just Bee. So...but I didn’t know who he was….I mean, I knew his name, he told me his name was Gabriel.”
“You didn’t know you both worked at the same company?” Natalie almost laughed at the stunned expression on her face and she could imagine the realization that she’d been with the owner of the company all night.
“Oh, god, no! I probably would have been too…I’d never have…no.” She finally finished with a little gulp. “I only found out yesterday when he needed help with a computer problem. I work IT and…I didn’t know.”
“What time did you leave?”
“Just a little after midnight. I...I was tired,” she lied, glad Gabriel wasn’t there to call her on it. “I went to the car. The driver had papers and books all over the front seat,” she recalled with a smile. “He took me straight home.”
“Alright. I’ll follow you to your apartment. It won’t take long and I don’t think I’ll need more than some photos,” Natalie, tucked the notepad and pen into an inner jacket pocket. “Thank you, Janet, and thank Mr. Garrett for his co-operation.”
“I certainly will, Lieutenant. Bailey, if you need anything, call me,” Janet pressed one of her cards into Bailey’s palm.
“Thank you. I’m okay. I’m sorry someone died but I don’t know why. I wish I did,” she said softly. “I wish I did.”
Bailey paced her apartment. She watched the lieutenant take photos and made a copy of the note using the scanner next to Bailey’s computer. By the time the woman left, she was a wreck and it felt like all the air in her little space was dry and stale.
Chapter Twelve
Gabriel had used his access to personnel files to get her address and the current phone number she had on file. And of course, there was no answer.
He pulled down the wide, once industrial street, the glaring sharp white lights overhead bouncing off the flurry of skirt that swirled around Bailey’s legs as she paced.
She was at the end of the building, on the concrete, pacing with her hands shoved into pockets on her skirt. She made it the full length of the large old building before she noticed him parking a few cars down from the entrance.
Bailey couldn’t remember ever being so glad to see someone before. She wanted to run and throw herself at him. That wouldn’t be very sophisticated, she told herself firmly. She’d had too much time working in the server room to think about the type of female he was accustomed to.
But then how did she know? She knew nothing about him. Well, almost nothing. But she knew the type. She listened to the girls gossiping in the cafeteria about men and position and money. Just like she knew she was out of her league in the club, she was feeling that way now and it wasn’t a comfortable place to be, she decided.
Gabriel stepped from the modest comfortable car, leaving his jacket and vest inside. He’d rolled his sleeves and grabbed a long black leather coat. He shrugged it on, watching her as he did. He could see what she wanted to do in her eyes, but she fought it, carefully keeping her emotions and all else locked inside.
“Bailey, what the hell are you doing out in the cold without a coat?”
“Pacing. I couldn’t breathe in there. It felt…I can’t believe someone died,” she breathed in a ragged rush of words. “The police said they spoke to you.”
“What floor?” Gabriel gripped her upper arm, pulling her toward the outer door and quickly getting her inside out of the winds.
“Top,” she said quickly, stabbing at the elevator button and shaking her head. “The police already talked to you.”
“They were at the club an hour after you vanished on me,” he answered flatly.
“I am not apologizing for that again and I’m sure there’s a double jeopardy thing so I don’t get punished for it again,” she informed him sharply, blinking at the deep laughter from her side. She had her key out when he shoved the freight elevator door wide.
“Now there’s the fire I knew went with that hair,” Gabriel said with a lingering chuckle.
“I’ll get my jacket and be right out,” she said, trying to step around him and go into her apartment.
“You’re not inviting me inside?”
“I...” Bailey sighed in frustrated defeat. “Do you get everything you want?”
“Usually. If I want it badly enough,” he said honestly, following her inside the apartment immediately. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“No. It’s...” Bailey shrugged.
“It’s you,” he answered simply, letting his gaze take in the large open space. Each corner seemed to have a theme. A dining area just outside the compact kitchen; a computer area and a large hobby area. He went straight toward that. “You sew?”
“I sew and design things for me and sometimes for friends involved in role playing,” she answered, lifting her jacket from the sofa and dropping her keys into the pocket. She squirmed a little when he stared at her. “Well, very different role-playing…the Renaissance Faire type things.”
“You made that?” He really liked that outfit. Mostly he liked the leather bustier.
“The dress. Not the vest. A friend makes those. He’s very good,” she said with a nod.
Gabriel wasn’t sure how he felt thinking about a man’s hands on Bailey to get her fitted into the thing.
“Why didn’t you want me to come inside?” He met the suddenly evasive eyes, turned and leaned against the heavy cutting table. His arms folded over his chest, patiently waiting.
She gave a little growl.
“It’s smaller than your office.”
“So? Believe me, I lived in places smaller than this while things were building.” Gabriel shook his head and rose to take her palm, leading her from the apartment before the urge to take her clothes off overwhelmed him. The place smelled of candles and Bailey and it was swamping his senses to be around her.
“Was it worth it?”
“To have what you dream about? Hell yes. Without a doubt. I slept on friends couches until I found people willing to invest and get paid back double their investment,” he confided comfortably.
“No, we can walk,” she said when he started toward his car. She slid her palm down to his and led him down the well-lit street. “It’s right over here.”
“You should have gloves, woman. Your hands are like ice,” he tucked her hand into his pocket.
“Oh, I have them somewhere. At least one. I end up losing them fiddling with keys and stuff,” she didn’t want to think how simple it all felt just talking about stuff. After what they’d done. This was just a date, she told herself. A guy-girl date. With Gabriel Garrett. “Did you always want to make games?”
“I knew what I wanted in a game. I knew what I wanted to see and hear. I knew it wasn’t being created the right way,” he answered with an innate arrogance that made her smile. He pushed the door open to the small, dimly lit restaurant. The smells instantly tore straight to his stomach.
“You have the patience to write game code but not figure out the presentation software,” she teased with a laugh.
“That’s why I have an IT department.”
“Mah Chow!” Bailey grinned brightly when
the small older woman came instantly from behind the desk.
”Little red! It has been days!” She scolded and hugged Bailey tightly. She stepped back, the slim line of the traditional Vietnamese dress almost touching the floor. Her long black hair was pulled to the back in a gathered bundle and very dark eyes looked Gabriel over critically. “He belong to you?”
“Gabriel,” he said, offering his palm. He listened to Bailey speak and found himself staring opening. “You speak Vietnamese?”
“Some...I told her to behave. You’re a friend who has never had her delicious soup before,” Bailey winked boldly at him. “So you like beef?”
“Absolutely,” he answered, curiosity sparked at what else he would uncover about his little sub.
“Two large with rib eye, Mah Chow, please. No green onions or cilantro in mine, please.”
“Please, leave the onions and cilantro on mine,” Gabriel said quickly.
“Water or drink?” She kept looking at Gabriel, leaning closer to Bailey and whispering to her.
“Water, Mah Chow!” Bailey felt her cheeks burst into flames. “We’ll take a table over here,” she turned and led Gabriel away from the chuckling woman.
“What did she say to you?” Gabriel took her jacket and hung it with his on the rack behind them. “Miss O’Conner, you’re blushing. I haven’t seen that shade of pink since…well, since this afternoon in my office.”
“I’m sorry. If you want something else to drink, they have other stuff,” Bailey worked to clear her throat and ignore his chuckle. “The broth with the soup is amazing. I usually drink it like water. Oh, wait...be right back,” she was up and over to the counter, bending forward and on her tip toes as she made the request.
Gabriel watched the rounded behind and the single foot she raised while she was talking, some with her hands and some with words that had her laughing and nodding before turning and rejoining him.
“Missing something?” Gabriel leaned back in the chair as a large rolling cart was heading their way. He watched the plate filled with fresh basil leaves, bean sprouts and thinly sliced jalapenos.
Next came two very large wide bowls of fragrant broth, beef and rice noodles.
Bailey: Independence #1 Page 9