“Not unless you count primping,” Hannah retorted. “They brought in a desk for her, right across from me. Now I look at her all day. She spends most of the day applying lip gloss and fixing her hair. The woman didn’t bring framed photos for her desk, she brought a makeup mirror. She looks at that more than the computer screen.”
Sloan and I both groaned in sympathy.
“So far, she’s been completely useless in learning how to handle things.” The frustration in Hannah’s voice was growing. “I haven’t been able to teach her much of anything. So I’m essentially still doing both jobs. Only she’s getting paid, too.”
She pulled out her phone and flipped through before handing it over. The screen showed a woman in a low-cut leopard-print top. At first glance she looked young, with bleach-blonde hair and striking features. But upon closer examination, I realized her long eyelashes were fake and her full lips were clearly surgically enhanced. A thick coat of makeup was concealing a face at least a decade older than I first thought, probably two. The woman posed flirtatiously with her hands on her hips, her ample cleavage in plain view.
“I had to get a picture to show you guys,” Hannah said. “I told her I needed a photo for a company bulletin board. And this is how she posed for it.”
Sloan and I shared another look. This was indeed a little strange.
Sloan turned back to Hannah. “So what does Walter seem to think of her?”
“He’s just been coming to me when he needs something, so I have a feeling he has a similar opinion. But he always just goes with the flow. He doesn’t like to argue, especially with his brother.”
We both studied the picture for another minute.
“You said you’re worried about the company,” Hannah continued. “ I know this tart didn’t get the job for her experience. Could she be, like, a spy or something?”
Sloan sighed. “Or something. This does seem fishy, but I’m not sure how yet. Any chance Richard is sleeping with her?”
“Not that I can tell. They really haven’t interacted any more since the first day. Around me, anyway.”
We were all quiet for a moment, considering. I tried to come up with a plausible explanation for the introduction of this new player into the scenario. If this was Richard’s doing, only one possible explanation came to mind. And I had a feeling Sloan was thinking the same thing.
Finally she spoke and confirmed my suspicions. “I think there’s a chance Richard has planted this woman for some reason. And I can’t come up with a noble reason for doing so. Do you think we could come poke around the offices again?”
“To check out this woman?”
“The woman. Richard. Whoever. Like you said, something’s not right.”
Hannah looked between us, a hint of suspicion taking root. “Wait, I thought you were working for Richard. Trying to find a problem in the company. But you keep investigating him instead.”
“We are working for Richard,” Sloan replied. “And the company could definitely be in trouble. But unfortunately, it’s looking like Richard may be a source of some of the problems we’re finding.”
Hannah did not look mollified. “I don’t know. I want to help, but I don’t think I should go behind my boss’s back any more. This is starting to feel not right.”
“I understand,” Sloan said, her voice gentle. “You don’t have to tell us anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
Hannah still looked wary.
Sloan continued. “But please, just keep what we’ve talked about so far between us. I’m not sure what’s going on yet, but I have to follow everything to the end, good or bad. If he fires me first, we can’t figure out how to fix things.”
Hannah considered her words. She finally nodded in reluctant agreement. “Okay. I certainly don’t want to tell him I’ve been going behind his back, either. But I think I should go.”
She gathered her things and slid out of the booth, stopping at the foot of the table. “But Richard and Walter will both be away at the conference for a few days, so I’ll have some time alone with the bimbo. I’ll see what else I can dig up about her.”
Hannah gave us a knowing smile before turning toward the door. Clearly she was not cutting us off completely. And we still had our secret ally.
Nineteen
At least my real job was a good excuse not to have to attend the banal-looking conference. Though after a particularly frustrating day with my coworker, I wasn’t so sure. While I was busy taking non-stop jabs from Grant, Sloan was handling the long slog through seminars and presentations on up-and-coming investment techniques at a downtown hotel. If there was anything juicy to be uncovered at the event, we figured it would be in the dinner meetings that Richard had demanded be observed.
As I made my way into the hotel after work, I was beginning to question the likelihood of the night’s events being worthwhile. I just wasn’t much in the mood to waste my evening, and my nerves were fried. I checked in with Sloan via phone. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”
“Whoa, better restrain that enthusiasm. What crawled up your butt?”
“Sorry, just had a long day. My fellow fourth-year is sort of driving me crazy.”
“Rude, or just incompetent?”
“Neither, officially,” I replied. “But he has a knack for saying things that seem nice on the surface, but are really just insults if you look closer. I don’t know how he does it—but I get it all day long.”
“Ah, backhanded compliments. I know them well.”
“And the worst part,” I said, fuming, “is that if he’s saying these things to me, I just know he’s slipping them into conversations with my coworkers and supervisors. Subtle sabotage.”
“I’d bet you’re right. Sounds like he’s playing dirty.”
“Yeah, I know we’re in competition, but seriously. No need for mind games.”
“How about if I check this guy out, get a little dirt on him?” Sloan sounded a little too excited by the idea. “Never know when it might come in handy.”
Shamefully, I considered it for a brief second. Tempting. “Thanks, but I wouldn’t feel right. Besides, this guy is wearing his dirt all over him. His past is basically his own heartwarming tale of redemption he’s using to get ahead. They eat it right up.”
“Gag. Well, suit yourself. But just say the word.”
“Fine. See you in a minute.”
I found Sloan at the back of the hotel restaurant but didn't approach, as instructed. Instead I followed her eyes across the bar area, where I spied Walter alone at a table, intently reading. I gave her a subtle nod and moved to a nearby seat to monitor what I had little hope would be anything of interest. So far the guy seemed one of the nicest and most boring I had come across.
After a while of slowly nursing a drink and pretending to be engrossed in my phone, I was bored by the scene and annoyed by my itchy head once again. The wigs were still going to take some getting used to. But I did enjoy the anonymity, and today’s chin-length auburn hair was an interesting look for me. I fought the urge to dig my fingernails into my scalp underneath.
Finally I sensed activity nearby and glanced toward Walter. A bottle-blonde hovered above his table, speaking quietly. Her cocktail dress was a little too fitted to her petite figure, and her makeup was a shade on the heavy side. But the overall effect was appealing, I supposed. When Walter hesitated to respond, the woman slid herself into the seat across from him at the table. Well, this just got interesting.
I felt pretty confident that his companion was not there to discuss portfolio management. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. The woman smiled coyly, the low cut of her dress emphasizing her cleavage as she leaned toward him. She continued to speak quietly. As usual, Walter didn’t return the flirtatious demeanor, but did discard his stack of documents and give her his full attention. His manner and smile were polite, responding but mostly listening.
My phone vibrated with a message from Sloan. She was just as confused b
y the situation as I was. Unless this guy was a secret billionaire, so far the interactions did not compute. Two different women coming onto him, when he didn’t even seem interested? All I could come up was the setting. It seemed plausible that a gathering of financial managers would be a siren call for gold-diggers—which could explain this particular overture, anyway. But for all I knew, money men could live like that all the time.
Before I could respond to the text, Walter’s phone lit up with a message as well. He checked it and immediately signaled the waiter for his bill. I quickly readied myself for movement, realizing we hadn’t quite discussed a plan for a tail in the hotel, if it came to that. Sloan certainly liked to just wing-it, whether I knew the rules or not.
When Walter made a move to stand, the woman reached to touch his hand. She spoke quietly, her face earnest, almost imploring. Walter smiled gently but removed his hand. With a quick farewell and a nod, he straightened and left. Once he was out the door, Sloan slid off her stool and followed, pulling out her phone.
All that for nothing again? Why in the world were we here? My phone buzzed again.
*TALK TO THE WOMAN. WHAT IS HER CONNECTION?*
I glanced back to the attempted seductress. Her face hard with annoyance, she was heading out the opposite exit. I followed causally at a distance.
When the woman stopped to pull a pack of cigarettes from her clutch, I caught up and approached cautiously. I had no idea how to handle the situation.
“Excuse me,” I said.
She looked up from the open box, a sour look on her face. “No bumming.”
I shook my head. “No, sorry to bother you. But that man you were just talking to . . . do you know him?” Jeez. Not exactly smooth.
She sighed, her annoyance clear. Her entire demeanor was unrecognizable from the sensual woman in the bar. “Great. What are you, his wife or something?”
I held my hands in the air to show I was harmless. “No, definitely not.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “You a cop? You have to tell me.”
Curious. “No again.”
“Then what’s it to you? It’s a free country.”
Clearly I had taken the wrong tack. I was trying to come up with a way forward when I heard the rapid approach of heels and Sloan rounded the corner next to us. She stopped and looked between us, trying to read the situation.
“Hi,” she said, feeling us out.
The woman took her in and then glared at the two of us. “Wait. What’s going on here?”
Unsure how to proceed, I looked to Sloan.
The woman’s eyes narrowed further in our momentary silence. “You better not tell me they double-booked this guy.”
“I don’t know,” Sloan said carefully. “Looks like they might’ve. Why would they do that?”
“Like I know," the woman spat back. "The guy’s pretty particular. Straight-up shot me down, even though I was playin’ his little game just like they said.” She looked Sloan over spitefully. “You think you can do any better, go right ahead.”
“Maybe they didn’t explain the instructions right.” I knew Sloan was totally bluffing. “What exactly did they tell you?”
The woman huffed with impatience. “All I know’s this guy likes to be picked up. No talk of the business stuff. All been handled already. Wants the ‘realistic experience.’”
Sloan shrugged. “Yep, same as they told us.”
I hoped I was hiding my reaction to the revelation as well as she was. But inside my mouth was gaping. No way this guy had actually set up something like that. I didn’t buy it. And his sending the woman away sealed it. This was a set up.
Sloan continued her feint. “But they said to downplay the look, too. Likes ‘em normal.”
The woman looked me over once again, this time with amusement. “Clearly. But if that’s what he’s looking for, he’s all yours. Wouldn’t be caught dead.”
I looked down at my outfit of black pencil skirt and fitted sweater. Looked perfectly respectable to me. I guessed that was the problem.
“Whatever.” The woman pulled a smoke from the box and shoved the pack back into her purse. “I’ve already wasted my night. I’m outta here.” She turned on her heel and stalked toward the exit, her fingers fidgeting with the cigarette in her hand.
As we watched her go I quickly shook off the insults, given the source, and turned my thoughts to what we had just learned. Sloan turned to me, her eyes wide and twinkling with the same insight. Clearly we were going to have to adjust our take on the situation.
This changed everything.
Twenty
The next night I found myself waiting for Sloan in my newly-acquired hotel room above the conference. I had done a little shopping on the way to quell my nerves. As usual, I had no idea what was supposed to happen next.
My nervous pacing lasted only a few minutes before she burst through the door, arms laden with bags. Her devious smile told me she was looking forward to whatever was coming. And that only made me more apprehensive.
Sloan unzipped a garment bag and pulled out a slinky black dress I recognized from our first outing. It was short and low-cut, but Sloan had pulled it off with class.
She smiled hopefully as she held it up. “What do you think about this?”
“I think you’ll look great. So what exactly are you going to be doing?”
Sloan paused as she bit her lip, attempting to hide what looked like amusement. “Sorry to break it to you, but the dress is not for me. It's for you. And your very special role tonight.”
I gazed back warily. “What do you mean by ‘very special role,’ exactly?”
“It means you’re the star tonight. I can’t be the one to do what needs to be done. Richard could be watching. Keeping tabs on things. If he sees me approach Walter, he’ll be on to everything.”
“So that’s my role—to approach Walter tonight?”
“Yes.” Sloan paused, watching me carefully. “As one of Richard’s hired escorts.”
I gaped at my insane companion. “Excuse me?”
“He already sent one. Probably more than one. That hasn't worked out so far, but we figure he’ll try again, right? If he does, you’ll take her place. You’ll be the one that gives him what he wants.”
I didn't like the sound of this. “Which is what, exactly?”
Sloan shrugged. “A photo of him in a compromising position. It’s what he asked for.”
I shook my head, confused. “I’m not following. So now we’re helping set Walter up?”
“Only for show. It's time we filled Walter in on what's been happening. Once we get him alone, maybe together we can finally figure out what’s going on. Why we’re really here in the first place.”
The prospect of answers was enticing. I took a moment to wrap my head around my fate. I had never done any real acting, but always wondered if I would have a knack for it. And surely the show wouldn’t last very long. I took a deep breath and gave in, consenting for Sloan to have her way with me and my appearance.
An hour later, I admired her handiwork in the mirror. With smoky eyes and glossy lips, the look was a little heavy-handed for my taste but did make me wonder if my usual no-fuss approach was too understated. I could see the appeal. The gentle beachy waves in my hair gave an impression of effortless style I doubted I could ever reproduce. Perhaps a little primping education was in order.
The stretchy material hugging my curves made me uncomfortable, but I had to admit it was quite flattering. I looked at Sloan in the reflection of the mirror. “Have you ever done something like this before? Played a role like this?”
She smiled. “Of course. It’s part of the fun.”
I could buy that. “So how did you get into a career like this, anyway? Don’t tell me a crazy woman began stalking you until you agreed to help.”
Sloan gave a quick laugh. But just as quickly her smile faded. She was silent for a moment, eyes not meeting mine. “Actually, that’s not as far off as you might think. I go
t into this because of a boy. Joel. He was a private investigator. Eventually I started helping him with cases, being his sidekick. I fell in love with him. And the job.”
“This was the one long-term relationship you mentioned?”
Sloan looked up to face me in the mirror, her face stoic. “My fiancé.”
I watched her closely for a moment and waited. The pain I saw creep into her eyes told me she was obviously haunted by something. I didn’t want to push.
Finally Sloan spoke again, answering my silent questions. “He was killed on the job early last year. Something went wrong.” She looked away. “I wasn’t there. And I should’ve been.”
I couldn’t even imagine what that must be like. “That’s horrible. Did they catch the person responsible?”
Her sigh was heavy. “Never did. I tried piecing it together—I knew some of the case he was working on. But I hit a dead end. Never figured it out.”
I waited to see if she would offer more. Sloan stared off into space for a moment. Then she suddenly shook her head, snapping out of her reverie. “Anyway, I had grown a knack for this sort of thing. And I couldn't imagine going back to my former life. I had felt alive doing this with Joel. So I started doing it full time. And here we are.”
Sloan reached in front of me to retrieve a sparkling necklace. She gently wrapped it around my neck and secured the clasp. We both admired the stunning piece in the mirror.
“It’s your turn,” Sloan said. “You can feel the thrill of teasing out the truth. And now you’ll look hot doing it.”
After a long silence, Sloan’s voice sounded in my ears. “Okay, I think I’ve found our buzzard. She’s been circling and seems to be going in for the kill.”
I looked around the lobby to see if anyone was paying me attention. I knew that as long as I stayed quiet no one would know I was on the phone, but it still seemed strange. Sloan’s voice sounded in my ears again.
Impulse Spy (Sonic Sleuths Series) Page 11
