“They’re hoping he’ll tell you something that will help them?” Mabel surmised.
“Yes.”
“We’ll keep it secret, but how frightening for you. No wonder you’re so pale. Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make you a nice soothing cup of tea?”
“No, thank you. But I would like to sit down and relax. The officer will be here soon.”
“If you’re certain, it’s no trouble.”
“Yes.” She was feeling a little steadier.
Having him call her at home was more unsettling for some reason. Thankfully, Detective Adams knocked on the door in under ten minutes. After Mabel checked his ID, Rachelle accompanied him back to her apartment. First, he tried the call back and was surprised when it went through. It was a pay phone number. The other surprise was that the recording had both sides of the conversation.
“Our guy is getting sloppy in his need to brag to you. We’ll get him.”
“I wasn’t able to get any information out of him.”
“You did well. Besides, every bit of information helps. We just have to figure out how.”
“Like her favorite song, he wanted me to sing,” she exclaimed. “That was the most personal information I’ve gotten so far.”
“Yes, it all ties in,” the detective said.
“I don’t think I’ve the patience to be a detective.”
“A lot of people don’t. It’s been glamorized on TV for too long, making it look exciting, but in actuality, it can be quite a long tedious process, putting together bits and pieces. Like the song, it was done by David Gates and Bread. That gives us a possible idea of age,” Adams pointed out.
“Unless they liked oldies or soft rock.”
“Still, it’s information,” he returned.
“Maybe they just like the name Aubrey. You know the song, and Aubrey was her name …” Rachelle sang the words, “I loved her …” she petered out. “That’s it.” Rachelle rose with excitement. “Aubrey is her name, the name of the woman.”
Detective Adams stopped, going over it in his mind. “Yes, you could be right.”
“I know I’m right. It’s like he said about the roses. She always got them from men. Like she was selfish, self-centered may be a better word for it. She didn’t care if it hurt him that she had flowers from other men. So it makes sense her favorite song had her name.”
“All right, you convinced me. We’ll check on it. See if Mr. Clairbourne knows any Aubreys, or if there have been any employees by that name. It sounds as if she’s dead. So we’ll even check deaths in the past year or two.”
Rachelle nodded. “You might want to tell Mr. Clairbourne the guy has his credit card number. He charged the roses to him. Who knows what else?”
“I’ll let him know immediately,” the detective agreed. “You might want to consider spending the night with a friend or a neighbor.”
“I’ll be fine,” Rachelle said, though inside she felt a quiver of fear. She walked him to the door, closing it behind him. It seemed eerily quiet in the apartment. Stopping to turn on one of her CDs, she went to the couch, sitting back so she could take in the comforting smell of the sweet peas.
****
Britt had only been in his apartment a few minutes when the doorbell rang. “Detective Adams,” he greeted the detective who had more gray in his hair then its natural dark brown. “Don’t tell me there are any more problems tonight.”
“Yes and no. Nothing bad to do with your company has happened, but there are some things you’ll need to take care of, and I have some questions for you.”
“Can I get you something?” Britt asked, leading him into the living room.
“No, thanks. Do you know or have you dated any women with the name of Aubrey?”
“Aubrey,” he paused to think. “There’s an Aubrey in the cafeteria. That’s the only Aubrey I can place.”
“You’ve never dated one?”
“No, I’m certain of that. What is it? Do you have a lead?”
“Just a hypothesis, but we might have a little more to go on. Our guy called again. This time at Miss Harris’ apartment, and though he muffled his voice, he didn’t use the scrambler. We were able to trace the call to a phone booth. We have a crew going over it as we speak.”
“Is Rachelle all right?” The need for the answer burned in him.
“Yes, it was a call to brag. He sent her a bouquet of roses. Two dozen, long-stemmed, red, impressive.”
Britt felt ill. The man had sent two dozen roses to his little sweet peas. Then next words hit him hard.
“He charged them to your credit card. So you’ll want to call right now and cancel that.”
He nodded. “Well, at least I hope Rachelle enjoys the roses.”
“Actually, she gave them to a couple of older widow women that are her neighbors.”
“She did?”
“Yeah, she had these two big bouquets of bright colored flowers. The way she fidgeted with them, I’d say she preferred them.”
Britt felt like letting out a whoop. She kept his flowers. Instead, he calmly said, “If you’ll give me a minute, I’ll call and cancel the card that was used and put a password on the other.”
“Good, the question remains how he got it. If you’ll check when he used it, it might tell us about when he got it.”
“I’ll get that.”
A few minutes later he turned back to the detective giving him the information. “Was Rachelle able to record all the conversation?”
“Yes.”
“Can you get me a copy?”
“Sure, I’ll stop by your office tomorrow about nine.”
“That’ll be good. Are you certain Miss Harris was all right?”
“She seemed so, though it upset her a little. She was quite concerned about you,” the detective added.
Britt ignored the words. “She doesn’t need to worry. I’ll have a security guard outside her building and one in her hall.”
“You should tell her. It might make her feel better.”
****
The phone rang six times, and he was about convinced she wasn’t going to answer when she picked it up. Her voice was strained with obvious tension when she said, “hello.”
“Are you all right?”
“Mr. Clairbourne.” Her formal address caught him off guard.
“Britt,” he said firmly. “Now answer me.”
“I’m just fine. His voice can’t hurt me. He wasn’t here.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about him. There are two security guards at your place. So don’t panic. You’ll probably never know they’re there.”
“But,” she started to object.
He cut her off. “It’s that or a hotel room.” He left no leeway in his voice.
“All right, as long as they stay back.”
“They will,” he promised.
“I thought you weren’t going to have any contact with me. It’s too dangerous.”
“This phone can’t be tapped or traced. I’m using my own technology back against him, but I’ll keep this short. I just wanted to check on you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t want you to worry, but if you need anything, call.”
“I’m fine.”
“Yeah, well, good night.”
“Thank you for the sweet peas.”
“You’re welcome. Rachelle, I’m trying to do what’s best.”
“I know. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” He heard the line cut off.
****
Rachelle picked up one of the bouquets and took it along with her to her bedroom, placing it on the nightstand. She readied for bed then laid back, letting the sweet, gentle smell comfort her as she drifted off to sleep.
****
Britt sat at his desk with the two detectives and his chief of security, staring at the small listening device they had located.
“I want this room, my outer office, and the executive answering checked twice
a day. This guy has too much access. I can’t believe it.” He felt more frustrated than ever. “We have to tighten security.”
“The guy is clever and he’s smart,” Todd put in. “He knows his devices. We’re checking the ex-military records in the area. We’re still running the name Aubrey. Personnel gave us three names that worked for the company in the last two years. Our psychologist figures it’s not any further back than that. So far, the only weakness he’s showing is Miss Harris.”
“She seems to be our best connection, but Dr. Lewis is getting concerned this guy might swing. She thinks your decision to stay away from her is wise but also says it may not matter. If he takes it in his mind she’s helping us, or you too much, he could flip.”
“And then?” Britt was afraid he already knew the answer.
“Then, he’d want to punish her. Miss Harris would become a target with you. The only problem is she is still our best source of leads. I think it would be a good idea if she talked with as many people as possible, if not with you, on her own.”
“No, I’m not giving him any reason to turn on her. Especially, if Dr. Lewis thinks he’s getting volatile.”
There was a knock on the door and it opened. “Mr. Clairbourne,” his personal assistant stepped in. “I think you’d better see this? Darrell held out the morning newspaper, folded open to the society section. The set of photos caught Britt’s attention before the caption. The first was in the lobby after the press conference when he had pulled Rachelle to him. The next was when he caught her at the bus stop. His hand cupped her face. Looking at the picture, it looked like he was about to kiss her. The last showed him helping Rachelle into his car, her hand in his. Again her face turned up to him. The picture was classically beautiful even in black and white.
His eyes shifted from the pictures to the caption. ‘In Times of Trouble, Life is Going Good for Clairbourne.’ The first line read, ‘Who is the new woman in Britton Clairbourne’s life? Could, in the midst of all the turmoil, one of the most eligible bachelors fallen? If it’s true, Mr. Clairbourne looks to be a lucky man.’
“A lucky man,” he repeated out loud. “Come on.” He came out of the chair and around the desk with the newspaper still in hand, letting the men follow. He knew Rachelle was in. He had already checked with security. They had followed her from the bus to her office.
Not waiting for the elevator, he ran down the two flights. “A reporter put some pictures of Rachelle and me together in the paper,” he said to the men behind him.
The noise in the large office room stopped as he came through the door, but several people had newspapers on their desk, and he knew he and Rachelle were the topic. Ignoring them, he headed down the hall.
Chapter Eight
“I told you, I wasn’t seeing things,” Lois said again. “It’s right here in black and white. No one’s going to doubt there’s something going on between you two.”
“He doesn’t even want to see me.” Rachelle couldn’t keep some of the pain she was feeling from slipping out.
“It’s not that he doesn’t want to, he’s protecting you.”
“Part of me believes that, but part of me−” She let it hang, but Lois finished for her.
“Thinks, he can’t possibly want you. That’s the jerk you were engaged to talking.”
“Maybe, but−” the phone rang halting her answer. “Clair−”
“You lied!” The words came sharp as daggers in her ear before she could finish the greeting. “You lied. You knew the flowers were from me. That’s why you gave them away. You lied.”
“No,” Rachelle gasped, terror filling her, but he wasn’t listening.
“You love him! You lied to me. Made me think you were innocent, but you’re not. You’re not an angel. You’re with him. You love him,” he yelled in the phone.
Rachelle couldn’t deny what she knew was true. “Please, you have to stop this.”
“I’ve just begun,” the man growled out cruelly, and then slammed down the phone in her ear.
“Rachelle.”
Rachelle jumped when Britt called her name from behind, and she turned reaching for him. She was caught, lifted out of the chair and into his arms. Shudders swept through her as she clung to him. “He saw the picture in the newspaper,” she mumbled against his neck.
“It’s okay,” Britt soothed, and she felt his lips brush her cheek.
“No, he’s crazy,” she cried, pressing tighter to him. “I think he’s going to do something. He didn’t say it, but I know he is.”
“Shhh.” Britt rubbed his hands over her back. “We’ll face that when it happens.”
“Where’s the transcript?” Laslow barked out, making her jerk. Britt sent him a glare over her shoulder, but she still pulled back.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t. When he yelled, I … I.”
“It’s all right.” Britt pulled her back to him. “Just tell us what he said.”
“He kept saying I lied. That I knew the roses were from him. And that was why I gave them away. That I was helping you, that I loved you, and that I wasn’t his angel. He said that he had just begun. I know he’s going to do something.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll stop him. From now on you stay with me and we’ll try to find his voice, if you think that you’re up to it.”
“Yes.” There was a quiver in her voice but no doubt in her resolve.
“Then let’s give you a tour of Clairbourne Industries.”
“I thought that you didn’t want me with you.”
“I want you with me. I just didn’t want you in danger. Now, I’m afraid you’re not safe no matter what. My first instinct is to send you away.”
“I won’t go.”
“I know, so I would rather keep you close, so I can look after you. I know that sounds egotistical and domineering, but it’s how it is.”
“All right,” Rachelle said simply, laying her head back down on his chest, while Britt continued to coordinate with the officers and security chief standing at the edge of the room.
Britt turned to the officers. “Where do you think we should start, here at the main office or where the first explosion was?”
“I’d say here. First, print a list out of all the male employees then mark them off as you eliminate them,” Todd suggested.
“With your permission,” Adams cut in, “We’d like to bring the dogs into check this building. I think Miss Harris is right. He’s going to do something, and he’s moving closer toward you.”
“Should we evacuate the building?” Britt asked, almost losing his train of thought when the hand that Rachelle had resting on his chest, slid down and around his waist.
“No, let us check it out first. If there’s something to worry about, we’ll let you know.”
“All right, Harlan can take you around.”
The security chief nodded and all three men left the room.
“I think I’ll get some fresh air,” Lois said, following the men out, leaving Rachelle and Britt alone.
“That woman deserves a bonus.” Britt’s voice dropped low, with a husky tone.
“What?” Rachelle tilted her head back.
“You didn’t even know what you did.” Seeing her confusion, he continued. “Maybe I can show you.” He moved one hand from her back to place it on her rib cage. He could feel her breathing pick up and it excited him. Letting his hand slide down, he let his hand linger there. Her breath caught as he slid it around her waist. A small gasp escaped her, and she trembled.
“Yes,” Britt tightened his hold.
“I’m sorry,” she said breathless. Her head rested back down. “I just wanted to feel …” She broke off as his other hand came up to cup her face. Tilting it up, he lightly kissed her lips.
“You don’t have to ever apologize for that. There’s this connection between us. It’s special.”
“Do you believe that?”
“Yes, I do.” He kissed her again. “We’d better stop this. We have people to talk to.�
�
Rachelle knew they caused a stir when they came into the cafeteria together. Most everyone had seen or knew about the newspaper, but obviously no one ever really put them together seriously. Now there was no way to miss how Britt kept in constant contact with her, either holding her hand, elbow, or his hand on her waist.
Britt stopped at each table greeting people and talking casually. Rachelle thought of what a diplomat he made. Unfortunately, none of the voices were the one they wanted to hear. After eating, they started going through the rest of the floors again. Rachelle was surprised how easily Britt talked to his employees and how many people he knew by name.
As the afternoon wore on, frustration set in a little. “I really thought this would work,” Rachelle said to him.
“Give it time.”
“I guess I just didn’t realize how many employees work here.”
“In this building, we have approximately seven-hundred and eighty people, but in the whole company, at this location there’s approximately two-thousand.”
“You know, I think I knew that, but it just didn’t seem like that many until I was trying to listen for one voice.”
“Do you still think you can pick out his voice?”
“Yes, but so far no one is even close.”
“Well, we’re done with the first and second floor. Do you want to head to the third floor or are you ready for a break?” His cell phone rang before she could answer.
“It sounds like you’re needed elsewhere,” she said, waiting while he answered the phone.
“I’ll be right there,” he said, a second later. “I’ve got to go upstairs.” He took her hand. “I’d like you to go downstairs and wait by the security desk in the lobby for me.”
“What is it?” She held him back as he started to go. “Britt?”
“The police found a bomb upstairs.”
“You can’t go up there.” She clutched at him, fear coursing up her spine.
“It’s all right. I won’t be near it. They’ve started evacuating the building. I want you downstairs before there’s too much confusion.”
“But?”
“Don’t worry.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be down for you in a few minutes. Just wait there at the security desk.” He saw her to the elevator and then headed up as she headed down.
Blind Witness Page 9
