Sean Bellamy, flanked by two tough-looking men wearing dark shades and suits, entered the offices of the Drew Perry Investigative Firm.
“How may I help you?” asked Sherry Henderson, the high-cheek boned, walnut-skinned receptionist. She was sitting behind a circular desk covered with ceramic animals, pictures under fiberglass, red long-stemmed roses, a basket of fruit, a canister of peppermints, and a thirty-line phone.
Sean looked at her nameplate. “Hello, Sherry. I’m here to see Keyth Perry.”
“Do you have an appointment?” the dark beauty inquired.
“No, but I’m sure he’ll see me. Tell him Sean Bellamy is here.”
Sherry stared at him intensely for a few seconds. He looked familiar but she couldn’t place the face. “Excuse me, sir. But have we met?”
“No, we haven’t.” Sean smiled. “Perhaps you’ve met my mother. That’s her in the picture behind you with Sydney Drew.”
Sherry turned around. “Yes. Okay. You look just like your mother minus the blonde hair.” She hit a button on the phone and spoke into her headset. “Mr. Perry, Sean Bellamy is here to see you.”
A minute later, Keyth Perry came out of his office and greeted Sean Bellamy and the four men walked into his office and closed the door. Gesturing with his hand, Keyth offered them a seat. Bellamy sat on the sofa but the two men with him continued standing.
Keyth couldn’t help thinking about the stories that Phoenix had told him about Coco Nimburu and Adrienne Bellamy. He wondered how much Sean knew about the murders that had taken place a couple of months earlier.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee, Mr. Bellamy?” Keyth said.
“No, thanks. And call me Sean.”
Keyth sat across from them on the mahogany love seat. He took a sip of coffee before saying, “Okay, Sean. What can Drew Perry do for you?”
“I need a favor,” Sean said in a serious tone. “I need you to find a woman for me. I’ll pay whatever you ask.” He opened a silver briefcase and handed Keyth a photo. “Her name is Victoria Warren.”
Keyth recognized the name immediately but didn’t let on that he knew who the woman was and what their relationship had been. “Why are you looking for her, Sean?”
“I’m planning to marry her,” Sean said confidently.