PrivateSector

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Act Two of this charade was on the eighth floor of Culper, Westin, and Hutch. Elizabeth looked up with a cheery smile when I entered. “Morning, Major. Do I hear properly that you’re back to work?”

“Work? Ooops… I must be in the wrong place.”

She laughed. “The halls are adrift with rumors. Personally I was rooting for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Well, the place would be terribly dull without you.”

I leaned on her desk. “Those days are over. I’ve learned my lesson-I’m reformed and purified, another gray, lifeless suit.” I paused, and then asked, “Could I have the key for the ninth floor? I need to have a word with your fatassed idiot of a boss.”

She tossed me the key and laughed. “That’s the spirit.”

I looked up at the camera and stuck my tongue out.

More chuckles.

A few moments later I pushed the button to Hal’s office. It buzzed, I entered, and two nerdy-looking types were seated behind desks, focusing intently on their computer screens.

I explained, “I’m Drummond. I’m here to see Lord Hal.”

“In there,” one answered.

He pushed a buzzer and I pushed open Hal’s door. Merriweather was seated behind his desk, typing something into his computer.

He glanced up. “Oh… it’s you.”

“I thought I’d stop by and say no hard feelings.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

“My sentiments exactly.” We exchanged brief yet meaningful glances of mutual hatred. “Cy told you I’m back with the firm?”

“He told me.”

“That all the charges have been dropped?”

“I heard.”

“That I’m allowed to roam the halls at will, turn on computers, and so on?”

“I heard. And I’ll be watching you, Drummond.”

And I’ll be watching you, too. I leaned against his desk. “Hey, Hal, a question I’ve been meaning to ask. Do you recall my friend Lisa Morrow?”

“What about her?”

“Well, I have this really oddball theory that-oh, hell, you don’t want to hear it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, okay. I know this going to sound funny… weird, really. .. but, okay, here it is. I think her murder had to do with her work here.”

“You’re so full of shit. Try listening to the news. That serial killer got her.”

I leaned closer. “See, Hal, what I think is that the serial killer is a phony. He’s actually a hit man sent to get Lisa.”

He looked me dead in the eye. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“No?”

“I didn’t even know her,” he insisted. But his piggy eyes did get a little piggier.

“But she knew you.”

“It’s a big firm, Drummond. Are you accusing me of something?”

I chuckled. “Gee… Hal, you’re a hard guy to have a friendly chat with.”

“Think you’re a smart guy, don’t you?”

“It is a heavy burden having an IQ of 200. Am I letting it show?”

“You done, Drummond?”

“Definitely not with you.”

I could feel his eyes on my back as I walked out. The two guys in the outer office were still staring into their computer monitors as I passed.

I got a cup of coffee and then returned to my luxurious office. In fact, I had just flipped on my computer when there was a light knock. Sally Westin stuck her head in, saying, “I hope I’m not bothering you. Elizabeth told me you came in.”

“Not at all. How are you doing?”

“Fine.” She smiled and entered. “Tired and overworked.”

“The wages of sin.”

She shuffled her feet. “Uh, Barry asked me to stop by as soon as you got in.” She held up a black notebook and added, “The Morris Networks audit… your signature…”

She walked across the floor and laid the notebook in front of me. I flipped it open and reached into my pocket for a pen.

Sally said, “We’ve been hearing disturbing rumors.”

“Nasty ones, I hope.”

“Something about you assaulting Barry, or Barry assaulting you?”

“Ridiculous. We’re thinking of getting married. Anything else?”

“That you were having problems with the audit.”

“More nonsense. It was such fun, I just signed up for a CPA night course.”

“I mean, the accuracy of the audit. You’re sure you’re okay with it?”

“Would I sign it if I wasn’t?”

She pulled up a chair and asked, “May I?”

“Be my guest.”

“Thanks.” A moment passed, then she said, “Listen, Sean, I think you and I got off on the wrong foot.”

I finished signing the audit and glanced up. Sally looked like crap-saddlebags under her eyes, droopy-lidded, limp-haired. Excessive ambition is hard to hide, even with makeup.

“What makes you think that?”

“I know you think I’m stuffy, driven, and uptight.”

“You?” I smiled and she smiled back. I suggested, “You know, you might give thought to maybe jumping naked out of a cake at the firm Christmas party.”

She chuckled. “Would it get me a partnership?”

“You’ll get invitations to more parties.”

She grew serious again and said, “You need friends in this firm. I’ve been remiss. I was supposed to be watching out for you.” She stared at the floor. “I didn’t do a very good job.”

“I’m a tough patient. We’ll both try harder.”

She stood and collected the notebook. “I am your friend, Sean. Remember that. Confide in me. If you have problems, call me.”

“I will. Thanks.”

I checked my e-mail. A long line of firm correspondence was queued up, administrative crap, summaries of important cases-so many e-mails, in fact, that it took nearly five minutes to delete it all. Feeling better, I tackled my phone messages. Since there were none, that didn’t take long.

It was late afternoon, and having not slept for two days, I decided that Act Two had wound down, and I shut down the computer and left.

At the reception area, Elizabeth asked, “Sneaking out a bit early, aren’t we, Major?”

“Shhhh.” I pointed at Hal’s monitor and whispered, “Don’t tell anybody.”

She giggled. I leaned on her desk. “Elizabeth, how long did you say you’ve worked here?”

“Fourteen years.”

“Like it?”

“What I like is the paycheck’s not too rubbery.”

“Good point. Uh… what about Hal? When did he get here?”

“Two, possibly three years ago.”

“I see.”

“Do what I do… about Hal, I mean.”

“What’s that?”

“Simply pretend he doesn’t exist.”

I laughed and turned toward the elevator. Then another thought struck me. I turned back around and asked Elizabeth, “When I came in, did you notify Sally I was here?”

“No. Should I have?”

“Yes. And don’t ever forget to do it again.”

She laughed again. Why didn’t anybody take me seriously?