Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“What about the janitor? How was his interview?”
“He was mysteriously sick. Just couldn’t make it in today. He didn’t know when he’d be well enough to talk. I offered to ask my questions over the phone, even though I prefer in-person sit-downs so I can read body language. But he told his boss that he’d lost his voice, so it would be a while before he was available.”
“Well, that’s awfully convenient.”
“Absolutely. The third target who escaped, Caitlyn Gale, was really helpful. She described her incident. It was close to closing, and she decided to hit the restroom after meeting a girlfriend for an evening of shopping and some dinner at the food court. The friend had just left, and she made a pit stop before heading to her car.”
“I’ll bet she wishes she hadn’t.”
Nash nodded. “She says she still has nightmares, and she’s in therapy. But she also added some very interesting details no one else provided. She’s convinced there are multiple people involved because someone grabbed her from behind, the way the others described, but she claims another man held the door open for him as he dragged her out.”
Shock seared Haisley. “We’ve suspected it was an organized ring, but I didn’t think we’d get confirmation that quickly. Did she tell the police?”
“When Detective Haskins found out she had only been dragged as far as the curb before she managed to escape and that she couldn’t describe her assailant, he declined to interview her. Said she didn’t have any information he’d need.” Nash shot her a cynical stare.
“Is this guy lazy or crooked?”
“That’s my question. Could be either. Or both. But we’ll put a pin in that and come back later.”
“How did Caitlyn get away?”
“Clear thinking under pressure and luck. Before the guy could take her purse, she yanked a can of pepper spray from inside and shot both him and the guy holding the door. While they were howling, she darted back inside and found one of the security guards, who waited with her while the police showed up. Of course, by the time they arrived, the assailants were long gone. So was any evidence of the scuffle.”
“Did Caitlyn mention seeing the janitor that night?”
“She did. When she came out of the bathroom, the hallway was roped off to traffic from the stragglers in the food court. As soon as she walked out, he disappeared inside the ladies’ room, leaving her alone in the hall.”
“So the janitor couldn’t have seen anything?” Haisley frowned. “But does that mean he didn’t know anything?”
“Great question. Since we haven’t talked to him, I don’t know, but my assumption is he must have some idea what’s going on. How much is the question. Him disappearing into the women’s room gives him plausible deniability, but with the frequency of women sighting him just before someone grabs them from behind? I’m not buying it.”
“I’m not sure I do, either. In fact, it seems to me that he could have been the one to clean up after Caitlyn’s failed abduction. Who else could it be?”
“Right. It was almost closing time, and not that many other people were around. It’s possible someone else was waiting to mop up, but Caitlyn didn’t remember seeing another mall employee in the area.”
“So what are our next steps?”
“Is Benedict here?”
Haisley sent him a reluctant nod. “He’s been holed up in his office all afternoon. But something pissed him off earlier today, because I’ve heard him shouting way more than usual. I can’t tell what he’s saying, even when I tried to loiter outside his office. But whatever’s going on, he’s furious.”
“I only know of him what I can glean from a few brief interactions. What does your gut say?”
“You mean, is he involved? We talked about this once, but I’m thinking it’s a strong maybe. I’m a little worried I’m biased because he’s such a dick to work for, but logically, I can’t rule out him being involved.”
“I’m wondering if he’s knee-deep in it, too.”
What a crazy, tangled mess. “Where do we go from here?”
“We’re only seeing part of the picture. Yesterday, Ethan said he snagged a new lead and wanted to follow— Hey!”
Haisley looked up to find Ethan Garrison in the doorway with mussed dark hair, a five o’clock shadow, and ink strategically placed to drive women wild. Oddly, she wasn’t affected, but she knew that everywhere he went, women flocked to him.
“Hey.” Ethan entered and shut the door behind him, then settled into the seat next to her, bumping her shoulder. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Back the fuck off,” Nash growled, his posture threatening to come across the table.
Was he jealous? Of Ethan? He didn’t need to be, but if he was…
Hiding a grin, she bumped his shoulder back. “Hey, yourself. What’s up?”
He looked down at his lap, then back up with a sly grin. “You wanna see?”