“Rachelle,” he said, and she turned his way, reaching out. The crowd parted, letting him through. Ignoring all the other people, he caught her, pulling her close while wrapping his other arm protectively around her.
For a moment, she sagged against him, as if soaking up his strength. “We need to keep you out of crowds, then again,” he felt the pressure of her against him, “maybe not.”
Unfortunately she didn’t stay close long. Pushing back, she tilted her head up. “He’s here. He’s here in the lobby.”
“What?” It took a second to shift his thoughts from her pressed against him.
“He’s here, in the lobby. I heard his voice.” Panicked filled her voice.
“You’re certain?” His head shot up, looking over the crowd of people.
“Yes.”
“Todd,” he drew the detective’s attention, bringing him close.
“He’s here, Rachelle heard his voice.”
“Is she certain?” The detective started scanning the lobby. “Where?”
“I was over by the elevators. I’m not certain where. People kept bumping into me.”
“There must be a hundred men in here.” Todd didn’t hold back his frustration.
“Yeah, but that’s a lot less than we had earlier.”
“Right, I want you to walk around and try to talk to everyone, and have Rachelle see if she can identify the voice again.”
“Can’t you just have everyone held here?” Rachelle asked.
“Too many people, too many places he could duck out before we could get it closed off, and about half the crowd has thinned out already. Odds are he left already but it’s worth a try. We also don’t want to tip our hand. You might get lucky and find him,” Todd answered.
“But if we can get him.” Rachelle tried to protest.
“Then we will but I’m not sure I can arrest him just on the sound of his voice through a telephone. I’ll need more proof, solid evidence that will hold up in court.”
“But it was him, I know it.”
“All right, I believe you. Let’s cover the lobby the best we can.” The detective patted her hand.
Fifteen minutes later most of the people had left, and Britt had talked with all that remained.
“Well, that’s it,” the detective said.
“None of them were him,” Rachelle said dejectedly. “But I know he was here.”
“It’s all right, Rachelle.” Britt tightened the hold he had on her hand. “It’s not over. We can get copies of all the film then identify all the men here.”
“Then I can talk to them all,” Rachelle agreed.
“Well, in time we’ll work it out so you can hear them all, but I don’t want it to be face to face.” Britt tried to add.
“But then … I can help. I know I can identify him.”
“I know you can,” Britt assured her, “but for now why don’t I walk you upstairs?”
She was quiet a second. “It’s not necessary to see me up. If you just show me to the elevator I’ll be fine, and you can see about the video. I’m sorry I can’t give you a description.”
“Now, don’t do that. You’ve given us the only leads we have.” Britt knew he sounded stern, but he didn’t want Rachelle feeling inadequate. Most people in her position wouldn’t want to get involved, even if they weren’t blind.
“You know, we could have you go around and talk to all your employees, on the pretext of reassuring them, and take Rachelle to see if she can find the person,” Todd suggested.
“No,” Britt said quickly.
“You think it’s an employee?” Rachelle asked.
“It’s a possibility. Whoever it is seems to know his way all over Clairbourne. It’s easy to blend in when people aren’t expecting someone not out of place.”
“I could talk to people.”
“No,” Britt repeated.
“Maybe spend time in the cafeteria?”
“No!” This time his voice was sharper.
“But why?” Rachelle was becoming frustrated.
“What I said before, I don’t want you near him. I don’t want you to become a target.”
“But what difference would it make? He already knows who I am.” Rachelle tried to point out. The man could be so stubborn.
“I don’t want to give him any reason to come after you.”
“But.”
“That’s final, why don’t I escort you upstairs now.”
“Don’t bother, just show me to the elevator. I’m quite capable of getting myself there.” Her steely tone said as much as her words.
As soon as the elevator doors closed behind her, Todd turned to him. “I think you made someone angry at you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s for her own good.” Though he tried not to let it show, it bothered him. Britt was unable to take his eyes off the elevator doors. He didn’t want Rachelle upset with him. He just hoped he would be able to fix it in the future, because he was certain now, he wanted a future with her.
“Most people would welcome all the help and support they could get at a time like this, especially wrapped in such a nice package.”
“With what that guy said, people around me could get hurt.” Britt turned with a shake of his head.
“Bad timing.” There was sympathy in the detective’s voice. “That’s quite a lady.”
“Tell me about it.” Brett looked back at the elevator Rachelle had just stepped into. “Real lousy timing.”
****
Rachelle was fuming as the elevator rose. Britton Clairbourne was impossible. She could find the man’s voice, she knew she could. It made sense for her to talk with everyone she could. The elevator arrived at her floor. She got off and made it through the main area, still abuzz with talk of the press conference. Rachelle followed the hall on the right. The farther from the secretarial pool she got, the quieter it became.
Rachelle welcomed the calm. Her insides felt anything but. Turning down the last hall she heard someone say ‘good morning Rachelle’ and automatically returned the greeting as she passed the doorway. Five more steps down the hall, she bumped into someone.
“Excuse me,” she apologized, her thoughts not leaving the man downstairs that infuriated and attracted her.
The man she bumped into said nothing, stepping aside to let her past.
“Sorry,” she looked back reflexively but couldn’t see the arm that came around her. One hand clamped over her month holding back her scream, as his other arm locked over her arms pinning them to her body. Taken totally by surprise, she was dragged across the hall before she could begin to struggle. Rachelle heard the door close behind them and began to fight. Kicking out, she twisted her head from side to side trying to dislodge the hand which tightened, pulling her head back. His fingers bit into her mouth.
“No talking, Angel Voice.”
The voice sent fear straight through her. He lifted her off the ground and gave her a shake that would have rattled her teeth if his hand wasn’t there.
Stay calm, she said over and over again in her mind and forced herself to relax.
“You were very foolish. I warned you, and you went to Clairbourne. I saw you go to him. You have to stay away from him.” He gave her another shake. “I can’t protect you if you don’t stay away from him.”
Rachelle tried to hold back a whimper as the hand squeezed down. The arm on her waist was hard muscle and felt like it would snap her in half. “You have to stay away from Clairbourne!” The voice growled in her ear then the arm was gone. With all the air squeezed out of her and the support gone, Rachelle went down. Her arms went out to catch her but it was her head that caught something. A sharp pain knifed through her head, then faded as she dropped into nothingness.
Chapter Six
“If you’re done with me, I think I’m going upstairs,” Britt said, as they ended their discussion on what to do next.
“We’re done. I’ll let you know when I get copies of all the reporters’ photos and stills from
the video.” Todd held up the surveillance tape they’d just picked up. “Are you going to stop and see someone on your way upstairs?”
Britt looked to the elevator one more time. “I think I might.”
“Good idea,” the man said.
“Match making, detective?”
“Just a man who’s learned not to let a good thing slip away.”
“Sounds like experience.” Britt looked to the lawman.
“You could say. I met the right woman, but I pulled back. I was worried about dangers of my job, worried about leaving a widow.”
“I have a feeling there’s more to this.”
“Yeah, she was killed when she stopped to get gas and walked into a robbery. The kid was so strung out he didn’t even know he shot her.”
“Man, I’m sorry.”
The detective nodded. “Just be careful what you let slip away.”
Britt entered the elevator with the thought going over again in his mind. Stopping on the fourth floor, he greeted several people as he passed.
“Good morning, Lois.” He stepped in the office, glancing to Rachelle’s empty desk. “Where’s Rachelle.”
“I’m not sure, and I’m worried. She’s never been late before. I’ve called her home but there’s no answer.”
“She was downstairs and got on the elevator a good fifteen minutes ago.”
“But,” Lois stood, “let me try the ladies room.”
Britt followed her out of the room. He stopped at a room with an open door down the hall. “Have you seen Rachelle Harris this morning?”
“She passed here at least fifteen minutes ago.”
“Thank you.” He turned back as Lois came toward him.
“She’s not there.”
“She passed here but didn’t make it,” he paused in the middle of his sentence. There were only two doors between where they stood and her office. Lois moved to the closest to check while Britt stepped across the hall.
He pushed open the door to the supply room but wasn’t ready for the sight of Rachelle lying motionless on the floor. Fear like he had never experienced hit him. “Rachelle.” He dropped beside her, feeling a burst of elation as she stirred slightly. “Rachelle,” he brushed back her hair, stoking a finger over her silky cheek. He heard Lois gasp behind him, and figured the woman would call for help.
Rachelle stirred again, her eyes fluttered open. She blinked as if to focus them, confused. With a groan, she lifted her hand to her forehead.
“Lay still.” He caught her hand. “I’ll get the paramedics.”
“Britt,” she tried to push up.
“Don’t try to move.”
She ignored him, pushing her way into a sitting position. “I’m okay,” she said, but reached for him for balance. Britt slid his arm around her, urging her body against his.
“It’s my head.”
“Let me see.” Placing a hand under her chin, he tilted it up, gently sliding his hand into her hair. When he touched a bump, she flinched.
“You have quite a bump. Lois has someone on the way.” He was certain that was where the woman had disappeared to after he heard her at the door.
“I’m okay, if you’ll just help me up.” She started to rise.
“You should stay still,” he objected, but again it didn’t stop her.
“I’m fine.” She kept a hold of his arm to steady herself. “Where am I?”
“In the supply room just down the hall from your office, you don’t remember where you were?” he asked concerned.
“I wasn’t sure where he dragged me, though it didn’t seem far.”
“He?” Britt asked, feeling his stomach muscles tightening again.
“He was here. The caller. I was coming down the hall and bumped into someone, when I moved to pass, he grabbed me. He put his hand over my mouth so I couldn’t scream, and pulled me in here.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, I bumped my head when I fell trying to get away from him.”
“Come on. Let’s get you out of here, so I can call security.” He lifted her into his arms, bringing a squeal and her arms around his neck. He went down the hall to her office, settling her into her chair next to the astonished Lois.
“Medics and security are on their way.”
“Thank you.” Britt sat on the corner of Rachelle’s desk.
“Just rest a minute then you can tell me what happened. I’ll get you a drink.” He left the room.
“Rachelle,” Lois started, but her phone cut her off. “Just a minute.” Lois answered the phone. A few seconds later Rachelle’s phone rang too. She automatically reached for the headphones, sliding them into place.
“Clairbourne Industries, executive answering. May I help you?”
“You’re all right. I was afraid I hurt you.”
Rachelle flinched at the voice. “You did.”
“I didn’t mean to. I just wanted you to understand that you have to stay away from Clairbourne.”
“But you were the one that hurt me, and you hurt the gardener too after you said no one would get hurt.”
“He was in the wrong place and I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“But people are getting hurt. You have to stop this.”
“No! Clairbourne’s got to pay.”
“Why? What does he have to pay for? What did he do to you?” Rachelle pressed then paused when he didn’t answer. “If you want me to stay away from him you have to give me a reason.”
“He took her away.” The voice yelled in the phone.
“Who? Who did he take away?”
“I loved her but she couldn’t see me because of him.” The voice quieted. “She was so beautiful. You’re beautiful. You have a beautiful voice. She had a beautiful voice too. I used to listen to her sing when she was in the shower. Do you sing?”
“Yes, at my piano. I like to sing. What was her name?” She tried again, desperately searching for words to keep him talking.
“Will you sing for me? I promise not to hurt you again.”
“I don’t want you to hurt anyone. If you promise not to hurt anybody, I’ll sing for you.”
“Do you know the song Aubrey. That was her song. I memorized it.”
“I know the song. I’ll sing it to you if you promise not to hurt anyone.”
“I have to. Clairbourne’s got to die. Then she can rest and not feel bad. He has to die.”
“No!” Rachelle cried out, but he was already gone.
“It was him.” Britt’s voice sounded behind her.
Rachelle nodded, too choked up to talk.
“You shouldn’t have answered the phone.”
“I didn’t expect it to be him.”
“You should’ve been resting. I’ll take you home.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“You were attacked.”
“I’m trying not to think about that. Do you want me to go home and keep thinking about it over and over all day?”
“No, I don’t want anything happening to you at all.” He took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.
“Well, it did, so face it,” she said bluntly, pulling back. The next instant she felt his arms around her and tears slipped free.
“I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to let him beat me.” Still, she pressed her face into Britt’s shoulder, unable to let go. It felt too good to be in his arms.
“Mr. Clairbourne, the medics would like to check her over now.” Lois’s words reminded Rachelle where she was and she pulled back, embarrassed.
“I’ll make … you a copy of the last conversation.” She turned to the keyboard before he could stop her. It only took seconds to call up the print, and transfer it to his file to get herself back under control.
The medics then checked her out and pronounce that she should be okay, but she should take it easy. With advice that if she felt any dizziness or nausea to see her doctor they left.
“You sure you wouldn’t like me
to take you home?”
“No, I think I’ll just go to the ladies room to freshen up.” She ruined her self-composed image by wobbling a little as she stood.
“I’ll go with her,” Lois volunteered, moving beside her.
Britt tried to focus on the paper he’d just taken from the printer, but his thoughts were on Rachelle. The caller had attacked her, ten feet from her office, in the middle of his building, and no one had seen anything.
“Come on,” he said to his security chief, who had come in a minute earlier. “I want to check with everyone on the floor to see if anyone was hanging around who wasn’t normally supposed to be here.”
Five minutes later they were back in the still empty office. No one had seen anything.
“This guy is like a ghost who comes and goes as he wants,” Britt exclaimed in frustration.
“Or a figment,” Laslow said.
“What do you mean?”
“No one else has talked to this guy. No one’s heard him and he has attacked only Miss Harris.”
“What are you saying?” Britt got his drift but didn’t like it at all.
“Maybe she’s making it all up.” The security man waved the paper he was holding.
“Why?”
“A number of reasons. Attention. She gained a lot of attention, from you especially.” His voice was full of scorn.
“And I suppose she made the bombs.”
“Maybe they’re a coincidence, or maybe she has someone helping her. She’s pretty enough to lead some poor sap astray. A lot of men would do anything for what she has to offer, and when the lights go out, it doesn’t matter if she can’t see.”
The gasp at the door jerked Britt’s attention that way. He could tell by the expression on Rachelle and Lois’ face that both women had heard everything that was said. And while Lois looked angry enough to take both men apart, Rachelle looker paler, more broken than when he found her on the floor of the supply room.
Britt straightened from where he leaned on the desk as she started talking.
“Why would I do this?” Her words were muted and rough. As if they had to be forced out.
“Rachelle.” Her name was drowned out by Laslow’s answer.
Blind Witness Page 6
