“Good, and we’ll have to go from that site to another,” she noted, then gave the name of the ex-boyfriend.
“Right, he’s on the day trader’s floor.” The security guard stopped, shrugged, and added, “The reception desk is right over there.”
“Good enough.” Kate bypassed reception and walked to the elevators; she glanced back to see the guard staring at her. “Did you get the feeling that he wanted us to sign in before going upstairs?”
“Well, we signed in verbally with security, so that should be enough.”
“I don’t think he thinks it’s enough,” she muttered. “He’s still watching us.”
Rodney nodded. “When the cops come, everybody wants to know what’s up. Remember. No matter what job you’re in, the minute you start bringing in the cops, everybody wants to know why.”
She smiled. “Well, depending on how this works out, I’ll be more than happy to shout it from the treetops.”
He shook his head. “See? Now that—going over the top—is what will get you in trouble.”
“Oh, come on,” she muttered. “Sometimes these assholes need to be taken down a peg or two.”
“Most of them do,” Rodney agreed, “but also remember how that’s not our job.”
“Oh, I remember.” She yawned. “It’s too bad too, by the way.”
He smiled. “I agree, but it doesn’t stop any of it.”
“No, maybe not.”
When they got to the fourth floor, they presented themselves at the front desk. Kate asked to speak to Cherry’s boss.
The woman looked up at her in surprise. “I’m sorry. He’s got meetings all day.”
“It’s important.” Kate flashed her badge again.
The receptionist hesitated.
“You can get him now, or we’ll check every office for him ourselves,” Kate demanded.
At that, the woman immediately shook her head. “No, no, no.… I just—I don’t want to interrupt him.”
“Well, the news I have will interrupt everybody,” Kate noted.
The receptionist frowned. “It’s just that we’re really short on staff.”
“I understand, and I know at least part of why that is, so let’s deal with this, shall we?”
The woman swallowed, then got up from her seat and walked over several office doors. She entered one, closing the door quietly behind her.
Kate turned toward Rodney. “Apparently it’s difficult to even talk to people now.”
He gave her a wry smile. “Just the sight of us is enough to set alarm bells ringing. And, if they’re short-staffed because Cherry didn’t show up for work, people will realize that something’s going on.”
When the door opened again, the woman came out, followed immediately by a tall man with sparse hair and a stern countenance. He approached, held out his hand. “I’m Tom Bergeron. What can I help you with?”
“May we speak privately?” Kate asked immediately.
He hesitated and then nodded. “Sure, come into my office.” Yet he led the way past his desk to a meeting area. When they stepped into the small room, he motioned the detectives toward the chairs. “Take a seat, please, and tell me what this is all about.”
Kate immediately spoke up, identifying their victim as Cherry, and he stared at her in shock.
“She’s dead?”