Ellie had no intention of being out late. Not tonight. She’d do and say what was necessary to get more information from Paul, but then she was taking time for herself. Too much happened today for her mind to process and she needed to put it into some semblance of order.
Back at her apartment she’d revisited Paul’s purchase order. She phoned two other security firms for quotes, arranging times to meet with tomorrow at Bannerman House. If they had to spend so much, she owed it to the board and the staff to do due diligence. Paul would be put out, so she had no intention of telling him until then.
She put some wine into the fridge to chill for later. The sliding door was open, and she wandered outside. Below, the traffic wasn’t easing. Pedestrians filled the pavement on both sides, a mix of workers going home and early diners coming out. The wine bar already had a line up.
Sliding door locked, Ellie collected her handbag and let herself out. As she stepped into the lift, her phone rang. It was Ben. She tapped the ‘close door’ button.
An arm stopped them and gym man forced his way in.
Ellie instinctively stepped back.
“Don’t answer.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me, Mrs Connor.” He hit the carpark button. “We’re gonna have a nice chat downstairs.”
Was he high? Going to mug her? Except you don’t mug someone you know.
His body odour was repulsive.
“Where’s your gym bag?”
“What?”
“You normally clutch it against you as though there’s gold inside.” She lifted her chin, looking directly into his eyes. “It must be important.”
“Shut up.” Sweat beaded his forehead.
The floor buttons lit as they descended.
“You’re gonna help me get a whole lot more cash than I’m already owed.” He spat the words.
“Who owes you money?”
Five more floors to ground.
“Little Miss Ellie. Because of you, I’ve had to put my life on hold. Done things I didn’t want to.”
“Do you know where my father is?”
“No clue.” He crossed the lift to tower over her and she flattened against the back wall. “You stay quiet and come with me. Or I’ll kill you, and anyone else we come across.”
The elevator stopped and as the doors parted, Ellie saw Ben’s face. She dropped to the floor.
“Dale Grant, turn around slowly and put your hands in the air. I will taser you.”
Between gym man’s legs Ellie saw the taser in Ben’s hands. He pointed it at the man’s body, but his eyes flashed to Ellie.
“Go ahead. Idiot.” Dale grabbed a handful of Ellie’s hair and smirked over his shoulder. “Taser me and see how much it hurts her too.”
Ellie’s fist flew upward, connecting with soft flesh between his legs. Dale screamed and buckled.
She scrambled her way from the elevator onto the concrete of the carpark level, sliding across the floor until Andy steadied her. A second later, Ben dragged Dale out.
Andy released her and Ben was there, enfolding her in his arms until the stench of gym man was gone, replaced by the familiar, safe smell she knew so well.
Paul checked his watch for the third time. The table was at the back of the wine bar, away from the baby grand piano and the noise around the bar. But Ellie was late. He’d ordered a bottle of red, ready for a glass after the day he’d had. A couple of sips and some of the anxiety about where she was lessened.
In the centre of the table, he’d placed a printed copy of the purchase order, his rationale statement, and a list of recent failures of equipment. It gutted him to think how much footage was lost thanks to poor connections or flawed cameras. He’d run through it once Ellie arrived. As soon as she signed the document, he’d place the order. Make sure nobody ever got away with crime again on his watch.
He sent her a text. In the back corner. Nice glass of red awaits.
She was probably making herself look nice, not that it could possibly be difficult. Ellie was one of those people who looked great in anything and he’d seen her in everything from jeans to a ball gown. Perks of working closely with Jack was keeping an eye on his gorgeous daughter.
“Pour me one.” Ellie emerged through the crowd and slid into her seat before Paul could stand. “I am so sorry to be late.”
“Not that late.” He filled her glass almost to the top. “Everything alright?”
She was texting. “Sorry, remembered something I need Joni to do.” Ellie finished, put her phone away, and gave Paul a quick smile.
He tapped his glass against hers. “To the future.”
Ellie barely tasted the wine before putting down the glass. “Have you been here for long?”
“Nope. Just arrived a couple of minutes ago. Sent you a message as soon as I found the table. Are you sure you’re okay? You look a bit…dunno.”
“Tired? Sad?” Now, Ellie took a long sip of wine. “Both of those apply. I barely sleep worrying about Dad, and now Campbell’s in hospital, a bit of me is broken inside.”
“And we’re no further along finding out who is behind this.” Paul picked up the purchase order. “Let me read you something. This is a list I made of all the footage missing thanks to equipment failure. Jack’s full movements the day he disappeared. And Dennis’. Campbell’s office being unlocked in the dead of night. And yours. Campbell’s fall.” He raised his eyes. “Shall I go on?”
“I kind of feel it is closing the gate after the horse bolts.”
“But what if anything else happens? If you say no…”
“I haven’t said anything, but there are competing priorities, Paul. I’ve been dropped into a mess made by Dad and aided by two men who are unavailable to do so much as advise me. Even the Foundation has to be put on hold while I give my attention to my father’s business.”
“Shall we have dinner?”
“I can’t.”
Paul pushed down a rush of annoyance. “You need to eat. Might as well be with a friend.”
“I appreciate the offer, really I do. In half an hour I’m having a call with Michael’s case manager, so must be back in my apartment.”
“What if I bring something up, afterwards?”
Ellie sipped more wine, her eyes on the glass.
Why won’t you look at me?
“Or I can cook for you.” Surely she’d accept one of his suggestions.
With something like a sigh, Ellie put down her glass, and looked at him. Her face was serious. “I know you are looking out for me, but I have too much to do. And now I have to take time to find out where Mark is.”
“Mark? What do you mean?”
“Nobody has seen him since a few minutes after the police arrived on the executive floor. Joni has no idea where he went, even though she’d asked him to help out one of Campbell’s staff.”
“You did say people could go home if they were upset.”
“Not without telling someone! What if he’s missing now?”
“And I could tell you exactly when he left if I had better surveillance. How about signing this now and I can complete the order tonight?” He pushed the papers toward her and felt for a pen in a pocket.
She pushed them back. “Not tonight. Are you sure you didn’t see him leave?”
“Why would I? We barely cross paths.”
“Funny how we work with people and don’t always know much about them.” Ellie got to her feet and slung her handbag over her shoulder. “Short of looking up personnel records, I don’t even know Mark’s surname or where he lives.”
Paul jumped up and came around the table. “Why not stay for a few more moments? Another glass of wine?”
“Thanks, but I can’t miss this phone call. We’ll talk about the purchase order tomorrow.” With that, she merged with the crowd and was out of sight in seconds.
He noticed he’d clenched his hands and forced them open. With a grunt, he returned to his seat and refilled his wine glass. Why wouldn’t she just sign the damned purchase order? Paul raised his glass to her empty chair. “Mark’s surname is Grant. Mark Grant.”