Baby Daddy (15 page)

“Not really.  Once we look at each one critically, we’ll be able to eliminate most of these.  It would be overwhelming for one person and not feasible for us to pull our staff off the cases they’re working on.  We need to keep the doors open and the bills paid while we research this.”

“So we’re expendable?” I joked.

Christopher looked at me and his eyes softened for a split second before he regained his composure and continued.  “Hardly.  You’re going to be able to focus 100% on this, and as you do, you’ll familiarize yourself with our clients and their issues.  Many of them are repeat customers, so once you…all of you…take over, you’ll be able to speak knowledgeably.  This is something I’ve been doing in my spare time, but with all of you involved, we’ll finally have enough horsepower to get through all the information more quickly.”

He walked to the credenza and picked up the largest pile of folders and placed them on the table.

“These are the case files.  In each one, a person, usually not our client, lost his or her job, home, car, reputation, custody of their children or a large chunk of their salary. Some even had jail time. Like I said before, there are always two sides to every deal, so we need to consider everyone.”  He walked back to the credenza, picked up and dumped another forty files onto the conference table.

“Let me guess…
ex-employees?” Reno asked.

“
Not just ex, but current and also a few contractors,” Christopher answered.

“I think it would be a good idea to agree on the criteria or characteristics that makes any of these a threat. That way no one will fall through the cracks,” Tulsa suggested.

Christopher smiled.  “I agree.  You’re on the right track.”

We spent the next half hour going through what specifics we should be looking for and w
hat would eliminate someone as a suspect.  When we felt we understood the parameters, we each took a folder off a pile and began to read.

By lunchtime, both piles had gone down a couple of inches.  That may not sound like much, but we all felt good about our progress.  Sometimes one of us would leave the room to make a phone call or do research on a computer.  We started new piles on the credenza,
Yes
,
No
and
Maybe
.  Before starting, we had agreed that when we finished the first go-round, we would go back through the
Maybe
pile, with a different person reviewing each file to see if fresh eyes would find something new.

I was hyper-aware that Christopher was only feet away and yet completely out of reach.  Every once in a while I would sneak a glance at him, but he was always focusing on the file in front of him.  I knew
we had to be careful, but geez, he was completely ignoring me.  I wasn’t expecting him to blow me kisses, but a subtle wink or a brush of his hand on my back wouldn’t kill him.

We broke for lunch and ordered Jimm
y John’s sandwiches.  While we waited for them to arrive, we stretched our legs and walked out to the lobby to watch the furniture store delivery guys bring in and arrange the new desk, chairs and couches.  They looked very similar to the old ones, but were in a soft buttery-tan color that made the whole room look lighter and more modern.

“The entire staff is coming back in tomorrow,” Christopher told us.  “You’ll get a chance to meet everyone, including
my mom…known inside the office as Pam.”

I looked at the technician who was working on the security camera inside the lobby.  “I’m sure you’ve already checked it, but did you get security footage of whoever dropped off the package with the bomb in it?”

Christopher nodded.  “Yeah, on Monday, I looked back for a week.  No one dropped any packages at the front door that weren’t accounted for and cleared.  I even checked with the UPS drivers and the post office, and everything they delivered was signed for.”

“What about the security
cameras of businesses around us?” Reno asked.  “Did they get a recording of whoever detonated it?”

“I contacted them all on Monday,” Christopher answered.  “Most either had cameras that weren’t working or dummy cameras.
  I’m getting copies of the four that might have caught something.”

“Isn’t there a camera in the back?” I asked.

“Yes, but it’s trained on the parking lot and the warehouse door, and no one can get back there without a gate opener.”  Even as Christopher explained it, I could see the wheels turning in his brain.  “Damn…why didn’t I think of that?”

He turned and headed for his office.

“I guess that’s a sign that we should get back to work,” Tulsa said.

We returned to the conference room and went back to inspecting the files.  About an hour later, Christopher came rushing in.

“Hey, come look at this.  Killeen, you pegged it.”

We followed him to his office and clustered around his computer.  A display of all the security cameras was on the screen.  He clipped on one that was of the back lot and pressed play.  The date/time stamp at the top showed it was Saturday
night at 11:30 p.m.  We watched as the gate slowly opened and a figure dressed in camouflage coveralls with a stocking cap pulled down over his face walked into the parking lot carrying a small box.  He placed it by the back employee door and left.  The gate closed behind him.

“That could be anybody,
” Dallas stated.

“Looks like those guys from Duck Dynasty,” I commented.

Christopher hit the fast forward and we watched as the counter clicked off the minutes and the hours until the night gradually lightened into day.  At around 8 a.m. Christopher slowed it down to real time.  At exactly 8:07 a.m. the gate opened and a white Toyota drove in.  A young man wearing jeans and a hoodie got out, punched in a code at the door and picked up the package before going inside.

“Do you know him?” Dallas asked.

“Yes, that’s Joel, one of our newer employees,” Christopher answered.

A click on the screen and Christopher minimized the parking lot camera and maximized one of the cameras in the warehouse.  It showed Joel walking across the warehouse, placing the package on a shelf by the door
s leading to the office area, then entering a code and going into the lobby.  A few more clicks and we were able to see him walk across the lobby and down the hall to the equipment cabinet.  He opened the doors, selected a video camera, a pair of binoculars and a package of CDs, closed the cabinet and retraced his path through the lobby, the warehouse and out the back.  Christopher followed him, clicking through one screen after another until once again, we were looking at the gate opening and the white Toyota leaving.

“That solves the mystery about how the package got inside,” I said, then looked over at Christopher.  “Do you think Joel was part of it or just an accidental delivery
boy?”

Christopher shook his head.  “I honestly don’t know.  It looks innocent enough, but then that could be what they planned.  I’ll check him out before I turn this video over to the police.”  He looked up and caught my eye.  “Good call, Killeen.  I can’t believe I missed looking at that camera.”

I smiled.  It wasn’t a physical hug, but I appreciated the acknowledgement.  “So how did camouflage guy get in the gate?  Didn’t he need a code or a key or something?”

Christopher frowned as he considered my question. 
“You’re right.  It would be in the system history.  I’m going to make a few calls.  I’ll come back in and we’ll go over what you’ve discovered,” Christopher addressed us all.

We took that as a dismissal of sorts and returned to the conference room to continue the tedium of going through the files. 
Christopher joined us after about an hour and worked with us until the last case and employee file was reviewed and placed into its appropriate pile.  All we had left was to re-look at the
Maybe
files.

“Let’s take a break.”  Christopher stood and stretched.

I was more than ready to move around.  I wasn’t used to sitting for such long periods of time and not getting any exercise.  I was going to have to check out that gym and start swimming laps.  The last thing I needed was to get out of shape.  This whole pregnancy drama was going to be hard enough on my body.

Instead of heading to the snack machines like the others were, I walked outside.  I did some stretches and twists, then bent over and touched my toes, trying to loosen up my muscles.

“Any questions last night when you got home?”

I
whirled around at the masculine voice behind me and saw Christopher leaning against the front door.  He was holding two cranberry juices and held one out to me.

“Thanks,” I said and took the drink.  “No, I did like we talked about and stopped at the mall.  Apparently, shopping is an acceptable excuse for
almost anything if you’re a girl.  Who knew?”

“
Good,” he said, his relief obvious.

I wasn’t sure how to interpret that.  Was he glad the others hadn’t found out because he was ashamed of what had happened?  Did he regret it?  Was he a player and I was just another notch on his bedpost?

To be honest, I didn’t know if I wanted more out of the relationship than one hot night.  After all, I was definitely not ready to get into anything complicated.  My life was already screwed up enough.  I had no intention of telling Christopher or anyone else about the baby, at least until I had made a decision.  That meant that it was just as well that it had been an isolated event.  So, I should be glad that he wasn’t pressing me for anything more.

Then why did my heart plummet when he smiled and went back inside the building without saying another word?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Liberty had a surprise for us when we visited her that evening.  The doctor had released her and Daisy had finally accepted that her daughter wasn’t going back with her
right now.  We helped Liberty pack everything up and loaded her flowers on a cart.  She had already changed into street clothes, so as soon as the nurse arrived with the wheelchair, we were ready to go.

Daisy agreed to spend the night in Liberty’s room and Christopher arranged for Anthony to drive her back to The Farm in the morning.  John
had been notified, and we had an all vegan meal in their honor.

“These tacos are pretty good,” Dallas said with surprise.

“I thought vegans couldn’t eat cheese,” Tulsa whispered to me.

“John said something about this not containing any animal products,” I whispered back.

“So it’s milk-less cheese?”  Tulsa grimaced.  “Glad I didn’t know that before I ate it.”

By the time John brought out some
vegan chocolate-chip ice cream for dessert, I had to admit that it all tasted pretty good and was probably pretty healthy.  But I wasn’t ready to give up chicken, eggs and beef any time soon.

Christopher had gone straight home after the hospital visit.  I missed him and yet I was glad he wasn’t there because I could relax.  We sat around the pool and watched the sunset while Liberty and Daisy told us funny stories about life on the commune.  Daisy was
petite like Liberty and very attractive with a light, infectious laugh and gentle brown eyes.  It was easy to see why Roger had been attracted to her.  She must have been a knockout twenty years ago when they met.

I finally excused myself and changed into gym shorts and a t-shirt.  I had to work off some of the rich food we’d been eating and the painful stretches of inactivity.

The gym was well-equipped, as I had expected.  It felt good to work up a sweat…which led me back to thoughts of last night.  That had been a different kind of sweat. 
Stop it, Killeen,
I admonished.
It meant nothing.  You’re both young and single…it was just sex.
But the memories brought a fresh blush to my cheeks.  I increased the speed on the treadmill and started running.

Christopher and a tall, attractive older woman I assume
d was Pam were in the lobby when we arrived the next morning.

“Good morning guys,”
he greeted us.  “This is Pam.  She’s been with the company longer than anyone else, so if you have questions about anyone or any of the old cases, she’s a great source.”

We all greeted her and introduced ourselves…unnecessarily.  As expected, she already knew who we were.

“Let’s head to the conference room,” Christopher said and led the way.

All of
the materials remained as we had left them.  No little detective elves had come in the middle of the night and finished our work for us.  We made sure Liberty was comfortable on a padded chair and had her casted leg propped up on another one.  Overhead, country music played over the speakers.

“Like the music!” Dallas
exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Country Muzak?” I
asked.

“
You’ll get used to it,” Christopher smiled at me, and I felt my resolve waver.

From over the speaker system came
a rich, throaty female voice, “Good morning scandal lovers…please make your way to the conference room to meet our newest team members!”

“Is that Pam’s voice?” I asked Christopher.

“Yeah…it is.  She used to be a radio DJ before she got married and had me.  She does our voices.”

I had no idea what he meant, but he walked away before I could ask
.  People began to fill the room, several pushing their office chairs in with them.  Last, but not least, a guy and a girl, carefully maneuvering a large sheet cake, entered and set it on the table.

“Oh my G
od!  Would you look at that!”  Liberty exclaimed.  “It’s our pictures on a cake!  How did you do that?”

“It’s an edible printing process.  Unfortunately, it’s not vegan,” Christopher told her.  “But I have something special for you.”  He brought out a carrot cake with coconut whipped cream frosting.”

Even I, who was way more worldly than Liberty, was impressed by the cake.  The icing was a bright royal blue and our pictures were in color.  Under each image our names were written in white icing and across the top in bright yellow letters were the words
Welcome To Scandals
.

The employees burst into applause and
Christopher held his hands up to silence them.  “I’ll let the cake make the introductions.  I’m sure all of you will introduce yourselves to each of them throughout the day as you find the time.  But not all at once.  They’ve already survived a bombing and a baptism by fire into the life of a P.I.  I don’t want to completely scare them off.”

Everyone laughed, a little nervously, I thought.  It was then that I realized they were probably as uncomfortable with this situation as we were.  They were probably worried that we’d come in and make a lot of changes.

Someone began to yell, “Speech…speech…speech.”

Reno
, ever the showman, stepped up and smiled as if he had flipped a switch to show-time mode on the strip in Vegas.  “Wow…you guys are too much…thank you.  Just like it says on the cake, my name is Reno Marks and I’ve been living in Las Vegas until a few days ago.”  He shook his head and examined the cake closer.  “They even got our blue eyes right!  Anyway, if you need a sleight-of-hand magician for your kids’ birthday parties, I’m reasonable…we haven’t talked salary yet.”  Everyone laughed and then applauded.  “Now, let’s cut the cake.”

“Wait, we have another surprise,” Pam said and she took a cat carrier out from under the table.  She reached in and pulled out the poor little calico kitten that Liberty had gone back to save.  “I think this little girl needs a friend to
recuperate with.”

The smile on Liberty’s face said it all.  Pam handed the kitten to her, being careful of the tiny splint on the kitty’s right hind leg.

“Oh, you’re okay,” Liberty cried.  “I was so afraid you hadn’t made it.”  She cradled the kitten gently in her arms.  “Thank you,” she said as she looked around the room.

That
broke the ice and everyone stepped up to greet us.

“
There’s fresh coffee in the break room and some milk, water and sodas in the refrigerator out there too,” Pam told everyone.  Several of the girls began the cutting-and-serving process and the cake quickly was reduced to a platter of crumbs and blobs of icing.  This clearly wasn’t their first office party.

I met them all, but knew it would take a few more conversations before I remembered all their names. 
After everyone returned to their own offices or set off on their day’s activities, just the six of us were left in the conference room.  I went to the ladies’ room and got some wet paper towels that I used to wipe off the table while Reno carried the trash out to the dumpster.

We got a late start, but by noon we had gone through all of the
Maybe
files.  Going over the case files had been easy because we had looked for cases that might have left people with enough anger to commit a homicide.  But with the employees, except for those who had been fired, there didn’t seem to be any kind of obvious signs.

We broke for lunch and, because we were all anxious to get some fresh air and get out of the office, we loaded into the company van and Christopher drove us to a Whataburger.

“God, this is great,” Reno said after taking a bite out of a large cheeseburger.  “They don’t have these in Vegas.”

“Yeah, but you have In-N-Out Burgers,” Dallas said.

It was the first fast food hamburger any of us had had since we had gotten here, and it somehow reminded us all how strange and crazy everything had been for the last few days.  This was the first normal thing we had done, and we lingered over our food as long as possible.

When we got back to the office, we were both revived and energized to get back to the task at hand.  Pam greeted us with a smile as we passed her desk, and I had to stop.

“Pam, can I ask you a question?” I asked.

“Sure
, Killeen, what is it?”

“What did Christopher mean when he said you were the voice for the firm?
”

“The voice?”  She laughed “That was Roger’s nickname for me from the day he hired me
.  He told me he had always loved hearing me on the radio back in the days when he had the band.  He said he knew he was home when he could listen to his favorite station and hear me introduce the songs.  I even recorded some commercials for several local companies back then.”

“That sounds exciting,” I told her.

“It was.  But I didn’t go back to work until Christopher was in school, and the radio station had changed formats and didn’t need live DJs.  The music industry has changed so much in the last twenty years.”

She waved her hand as if to chase away the memories.  “Anyway,” she continued, “
I do all the phone tree voices, messages, radio and TV commercial voice overs…but the nickname came from the fact that I can imitate dozens of accents.”

I must have looked puzzled because she laughed again.

“I can call and talk to the same person several times, and they never suspect anything.  It’s a faster, better, cheaper way of gaining intel on cases.  We get the information we need and can even double-check and confirm it.”

“Make
s sense…the voice.  I like that.”  I looked up and saw that Tulsa was waving for me to hurry up.

“
I’m glad you’re here,” Pam told me.  “You might not believe it yet, but Roger was so proud of all of you.”

For some reason, I felt a rush of tears and was barely able to say, “Thanks,” and turn away.  I brushed them away impatiently and hurried to the conference room.
  The others were already there, and I found my chair.  The
YES
files were on the table.

“While it’s still fresh in our minds, let’s open it up
.”  Christopher stood in front of the white board and uncapped the marker.  “Who wants to be first?”

Reno
shuffled through the pile and pulled out a file. “Well…there was Mary Simpson …very pretty…married to a rich dude.  She hired Scandals to find out if her husband was cheating on her.”

“Was he?”
Tulsa tried to rush the story along.

“They could
n’t prove anything, but in the process they discovered she was cheating on him with his brother.”

“
None of that was Roger’s fault,” Dallas pointed out.

“She had signed a pre-nup and somehow the husband discovered he was being watched by the agency
, so he hired someone to investigate why he was being investigated.  Mary got pregnant.  The DNA test wasn’t conclusive since the brothers shared DNA, but it pointed to the brother.  The husband was able to prove infidelity, so she didn’t get any alimony or a financial settlement. She and the brother got married, but it doesn’t sound like anyone was happy with the outcome.  The agency had to get a restraining order…the guy
and
his brother threatened our clients and posted lies on the internet.”

“What kind of work did they do?” I asked.

“They were both lawyers,” Reno answered.

“Oh, then they’re definitely not suspects.  Lawyers don’t like to get their hands dirty, and
Roger wasn’t e-killed,” Dallas stated emphatically.

“Yes, but they could afford to hire someone to do their dirty work…
and
build a bomb,” Tulsa pointed out.

We considered that possibility and we all nodded.

“Okay, that one goes up on the board,” Christopher said and wrote
Mary and the Simpson Brothers
under the
CLIENTS
column.  Did you find anything Dallas?”

“I think so.”  Dallas selected a folder from the stack and opened it.  “Sounds like t
his guy played for keeps.  Dan Ward…does that ring a bell, Christopher?”