The most Carson could hope for from Erin Donovan was friendship, and a little harmless fantasy. Something physical was out of the question. Even if Erin would consider being with a woman, there was no reason to think she would choose Carson. On top of that, how did she know that Erin wasn’t already involved? Just because Erin wasn’t wearing a ring didn’t mean she wasn’t seeing someone.
Carson pushed the thoughts away and began checking the offices with real interest. She finally settled on the fourth office on the left, away from the elevator banks. The office was also far enough away from the elevators and the conference room that she wouldn’t be bothered by people passing by outside. It was by far the largest office with a fantastic view of the skyline. It was still early, yet dark outside because of the season, and Carson happily took in the city lights below.
The lavatory was at the other end of the hall, but she didn’t mind the walk. Her office would be the closest to the actual lab where she had requested the additional power outlets and phone jacks. Satisfied with her decision, Carson went back into the hall and retrieved the cardboard box.
Desks came already furnished in all of the offices, as well as a large table and chairs in the conference room. Anything additional, like file cabinets and servers, they would have to install themselves.
After she sat the box on her desk, she ran her fingers lovingly across the mahogany desktop. She savored the feel of the expensive wood and wondered if Ray Eldridge had seen to the furnishings. If so, she couldn’t knock his taste in decor, or his taste in partners.
Damn it , she swore internally as her thoughts came back around full circle.
Carson thrust thoughts of the attorney away and concentrated on unpacking her personal belongings. She had to organize the new work area, and that included deciding which of the people on her staff would have what offices, as well as deciding how many sets of keys to have made. They'd have to install phones, set up servers, and put security systems in place. Overall, there was a great deal to do.
After she unpacked, Carson began to make a list of things to do. Sometime later, she realized that the sounds of construction overhead had ceased.
She looked at her watch and saw that it was already five thirty. Time had completely gotten away from her, but she wasn’t quite finished yet. She wanted to complete the list of tasks needed for her company to settle in and take some measurements before she stopped for the night and had some dinner.
For an instant, she wondered if Erin Donovan had gone home to a solitary meal or if she had someone waiting for her at home.
FOUR FLOORS DOWN, Erin had no idea that she had been the subject of intense concentration, but she did look up sharply when the overhead lights flickered on and off, and then returned to full power.
The flickering lights were a minor annoyance, but did make her look at her watch. She was surprised to find that it was already eight fifteen. It was long past the time she should have quit, but she wanted to complete the draft she was working on.
Her stomach was queasy from the cold, greasy sandwich she had eaten earlier, and if she had one more cup of coffee she would never get to sleep later. At least it was Friday and she wouldn’t have to get up early tomorrow, but it was late and she would have to call for a cab soon.
The chime that announced the arrival of the elevator sounded and Erin looked up curiously. She had left the door to her office and the outer door open into the hallway, as was her habit when she worked alone in the evenings. The sound was clearly recognizable, but she didn’t hear anyone get off. After a moment, she shrugged and turned back to the document on her computer.
A few seconds later, she heard the chime again...and then again.
“Who’s playing with the damned elevator?” She got up from her desk. Since it was after hours, it had to be security or someone with access to the sixth floor.
Just as Erin reached the outer door that led into the corridor, the overhead lights blinked again and went out. For a moment, she stood frozen in the darkness before the glow of the red emergency lights kicked in.
Well, that explains the elevator, she thought dryly. More problems I will have to report to Holcomb. I swear this place has gremlins.
Erin stepped into the hall where there was more light and she spotted the elevator standing open a few feet down. Brighter light from inside the car illuminated a patch on the carpet but there was something funny about it. She frowned when she realized that something inside the elevator was casting a shadow onto the floor.
Curious but unafraid, she wandered toward the lift. The whole building seemed eerily quiet and she realized that, with the exception of security on the first floor, she could very well be the last one in the building. Then her vision seemed to narrow down to the spot directly in front of her.
An arm and a hand lay between the elevator doors. The fingers were curled somewhat and the hand was palm up on the commercial grade carpet. Worried that someone was hurt, Erin rushed toward the hand and dropped to her knees. She recognized Ed Cupper, vice president of the corporation that owned the building, as the unconscious man on the lift floor.
At least she prayed that he was merely unconscious.
“Ed? Ed, can you hear me?”
Erin reached out to his face and suddenly noticed the blood that had pooled all around his head and shoulders. His eyes stared sightlessly at nothing, and she realized that somehow he’d suffered a fatal head injury. The wound had bled profusely, soaking beneath him into the elevator‘s carpeting.
Her brain refused to work. Surely, this had to be some kind of terrible accident, didn’t it?
She tried to believe that was what had happened, but the sheer amount of bloody handprints on the lift told her a different story.
Terror exploded in her mind and she whimpered unconsciously as she stumbled up and back before smacking into the wall. Erin shook her head in denial. Her mouth opened and her breath came in great shuddering gasps. She looked down and saw Ed’s blood covering her hands. Her knees were sticky and Erin saw that she had unknowingly knelt in the pool on the floor.
Erin retched and then clenched her jaws, refusing to throw up. What she needed to do now was think. It was just so difficult with all of the cotton that suddenly filled her head. The police. She had to call the authorities.
She ignored the red fluid on her hands, and rushed back into the main lobby to grab the phone off Amy’s desk. The handset was slippery in her sticky grasp. Erin punched in 911 and waited impatiently for the phone to ring on the other end. Instead, all she heard was static.
What the... The power outage shouldn’t affect the phone lines. Erin pushed the disconnect button several times and prayed that the operator would answer. Nothing.
Cell phone!
She ran into her office and dove into her briefcase. It was only after she had flipped it open that she remembered that she couldn’t get a signal from inside the building.
Damn!
When she finally conceded that phone calls were out of the question, something occurred to her with enough force to make her feel like someone had punched her in the stomach. Erin had wasted time trying to call the police and there was the distinct possibility that the killer was on the sixth floor with her. The elevator had stopped here and Ed’s body was part of the way out of the car. But how had the killer made the car stop on this floor when only someone with access could utilize the lifts after hours?
He must have used Ed’s pass card. Since Ed was one of the owners of the building, he would have access to everything.
Erin spun back around to face the open door. She couldn’t see anyone and the building was frighteningly quiet with the power off. The sound of the wind howling outside was loud enough that she suddenly heard it above the terrified pounding of her heart. She looked and saw snow swirling heavily outside the window. The annoying winter storm had finally become a raging blizzard while she worked.
Could that be the real reason for the power outage? Could Ed’s death merely
be the product of some tragic accident after all? In light of this new information Erin let her breath out in a relieved rush and felt her heart beat start to take on a more natural cadence.
Killers and murder, Erin thought berating herself silently for her overactive imagination. She really needed to get a grip.
Erin thought of the abject terror she had experienced when she found the dead executive and was glad no one had been around to witness her embarrassment. Nevertheless, a man was still dead and regardless of the power outage, she had to report it.
The first step she took reminded Erin of her blood caked hands and knees. A quick glance down confirmed that her skirt and hose were ruined. The sight almost made her gag, but there would be time to wash up after she went downstairs to report the accident to security. Now that her fright had receded, she began quietly to mourn Ed’s demise.
Tears stung the back of her eyes. Had it only been this morning that she teased her secretary with her dreams about him? Guilt hammered away at her when she thought of his sad attempts to hook up with any available female. He was just lonely and she had made fun of him. She had made light of his feelings in an attempt to ignore her own loneliness.
Who could possibly be interested in a middle-aged workaholic anyway, she thought mournfully.
Liquid blue eyes danced across her mind and Erin resolutely pushed the image away. The woman was irritating beyond words and Erin was most definitely not interested in Carson Tierney in any way. Besides, it’s too late for me anyway and it’s not important right now. I need to get downstairs.
After she spoke to security, she would go home to several healthy shots of Remy Martin. Even then, she feared that Ed’s empty eyes would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Erin stepped into the hall and deliberately kept her eyes directly on the carpet in front of her. That wasn’t enough and she saw more of the older man’s body than she wanted when she walked by. Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to step into the elevator. With the power out, she would have to take the stairs and she fixed her gaze on the red exit sign. Normally a six-story flight of stairs was a thing to avoid in high heels, but it was far more preferable than using the blood soaked elevator.
What could possibly have happened? Maybe he had taken a fall and gone in search of help before he succumbed to his injuries. It was common knowledge that Erin often worked late and it was possible he had been on his way to her office.
That didn’t make sense though. He’d obviously been hurt before the power outage, so why hadn’t he used a phone to call for an ambulance? Even confused and disoriented from a head injury, it was highly unlikely that he would crawl into the elevator. It made more sense that he would have wandered around on the first floor where his office was located. Security personnel were on the same floor and surely would have found him.
Erin frowned as she walked carefully down the narrow steps. Three-inch pumps weren’t ideal footwear and she was more concerned with staying on her feet than checking to see if she was alone in the stairwell. She went around the fourth floor landing and froze when she heard a thump from below.
She wanted to believe that the storm outside caused the strange sound, but caution made her wait a few moments on the stairs. A second later, she heard the sound again. It was the reverberation of metal striking metal. Below her, on the third floor and just at the edge of the handrail, Erin spotted a shadow. She shrank back instinctively and held her breath when she saw a strange man come up the steps.
Her first thought was that help had arrived and it was only by the thinnest of margins that she kept from calling out immediately. That was when she noticed his hands. Covered in blood, he clutched a huge hammer in his right hand. The head of it curved into two wicked claws and looked like some kind of rock climbing axe. What had given his presence away was the head of the axe striking the handrail as he walked.
He was a big man, easily more than six feet tall. A bushy thick beard and dark hair obscured most of his features, but Erin thought he looked like pure evil. Then the stairwell door closed without him noticing her. He hadn’t used any kind of pass card, and she realized it was because the power was out. All of the exit doors unlocked in the case of an emergency.
Erin’s heart pounded in fear that he would suddenly come back out. She needed to get to the first floor and alert security, but she had to be very careful. Sound echoed on these stairs, and that was what had saved her, but it could condemn her too. Erin reached down and quickly pulled off her shoes. She carried them clutched against her as she trotted down the steps toward the first floor.
Her footing was slippery from the pantyhose, and she thought it would be just her luck if she fell and damaged her skull with the concrete steps.
Shit, she thought and tried to be as quiet as possible as she ran for security. Shit.
HER BODY’S INITIAL reaction to seeing Ed Cupper was right. Someone killed him. Now it looked as though the killer was still in the building and systematically searching the floor for other victims. That meant he hadn’t been in the elevator with Ed. If so, he would have already searched that floor and killed her.
Panic fluttered at the edges of her vision, but Erin pushed it away. If she gave in to it now, she wouldn’t survive the night. She could fall apart later.
Erin reached the first floor landing, leaving the concrete steps finally, and pushed the heavy release bar across the exit. It resisted at first but grudgingly gave way when she insisted.
She had never used the stairs before and it took a second to get her bearings. Then Erin quickly ran as fast as she could in her slippery hose toward the security offices. So far, she hadn’t seen anyone else in the building, but she knew that security worked twenty-four hours a day and operated a bank of electronic surveillance cameras. With any luck, she and Ed had been the last two executives in the structure.
However, if she hoped to find rescue with the security guards that hope disappeared when she came around the corner outside their office. Erin wasn’t sure how many guards were on duty after hours, but one of them lay face down outside the door.
“Oh no,” Erin groaned and slumped for a moment against the wall. The pause was only for a few seconds before she straightened her back and pushed away from the wall.
All right, there’s a killer loose in the building. I’m probably going to see a lot more of this before it’s done, but I’ll be damned if he’s going to get me, she thought defiantly.
Erin was a child of the twentieth century and had seen her share of horror flicks. The cowering women in those films disgusted her when they always managed to trip right when the psycho killer was directly behind them. She didn’t intend to be one of those nimrods and even if she was the only one left alive, or this really wasn’t some nightmare, she wasn’t going to let him win.
She wasn’t stupid either and an unarmed woman against that great hulk of a man wasn’t much of a match. There had to be something in the security office she could use as a weapon.
Erin swallowed her trepidation and stepped across the dead guard. He was sprawled in such a way that her calf slid over his shoulder before she could reach the floor on the other side. Her imagination insisted that he moved, but her common sense noticed the coldness in his body. He was dead and not going to suddenly come to life and grab her.
She closed her eyes for a second then she grasped the doorframe and stepped over him. Nevertheless, when she was in the office, her stubborn optimism wavered in the face of the carnage before her. Two more bodies were in the room. One of them was a woman who had never even made it out of her chair. From the look of things, Erin guessed that her neck was broken. She remembered the size of the killer’s hands and knew that the thin woman in front of the security monitors never stood a chance. Sadly, Erin turned to the other man to see if there was a chance that he was still alive. One look at the fire axe buried in his skull was enough to convince her otherwise.
Erin turned away quickly and pressed her hand to her lips to stifle a hysteri
cal sob. Finally, she gathered her tattered courage and turned back to the dead security guards. The man lying on the floor had a gun in his hand, but Erin doubted he had ever fired it. The killer certainly hadn’t appeared to be injured.
There was no way she was going to pry the gun from his hand, but if he had one so did the female guard.
Sure enough a gun resided undisturbed in the woman’s leather holster. Erin was no expert with weapons, but she saw that it was a semi-automatic as she unsnapped the holster. She tucked her shoes under her arm and nervously wiped her hands on the corner of her blouse to blot the worst of the blood. Then she pulled the gun out of the holster to look at it more closely.
A few sessions on the firing range to be familiar with such things two years ago had given Erin just enough knowledge to shoot herself by accident. Very aware of that irony, she carefully inspected the weapon, and turned the safety off.
If she did suddenly have to defend herself, it would be better not to have to fumble with the catch at that time. After preparing the weapon to her satisfaction, Erin held firmly to the grip and kept her finger off the trigger. She reached up with the other hand to move the slide just enough to see inside the chamber. A round was already set to go and all she would have to do was pull the trigger. If absolutely necessary.
Erin swallowed nervously and wondered if she had suddenly lost her mind. She had never even pointed a gun at someone much less entertained the notion of shooting them. Still, if she had to, she thought she could defend herself.
Armed, the frightened businesswoman turned back to the security setup. The surveillance monitors were dark and useless to her. There was no way to know where the killer was now, but perhaps there was still a way to call for help. Erin thought of trying all of the phones in the building, and then saw that several junction boxes on the wall had been torn apart. No doubt, the lunatic had left nothing to chance and the electrical panels in the basement would have suffered a similar fate.
Now You See Me Page 4