THE ATTORNEY PICKED UP THE TELEPHONE, tapping in the numbers.
“Standards and Regs.”
“This is Ray Thomas. Is Jerry in yet?”
“Ah … well … no … Mr. Thomas.”
“I’ve been trying to reach him for almost a week. He doesn’t answer his home number. Where is he?”
“Well … you’ll have to talk to Angelique. Just a minute.”
Thomas’ fingers drummed on the desk.
“This is Angelique. May I help you?”
“Ray Thomas at Ecology Now! Is something wrong with Jerry? I’m a friend, and no one knows where he is.”
“Oh?”
“Angelique, please cut the crap. Barbara—his ex-wife, if you don’t know—hasn’t heard from him in weeks. He hasn’t been seen in his condo since last Tuesday. His … other friends don’t know where he is.”
“Mr. Killorin said you were his friend,” Angelique offered tentatively.
Thomas sighed. “What does that mean?”
“We don’t know, either. The police called here last Thursday. His car was towed away that morning from somewhere on Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn. No one has seen him since he left work on Wednesday.”
“That’s over a week,” Thomas repeated helplessly.
“I know. He didn’t tell anyone he was going anywhere. It’s like he just disappeared. He didn’t have any travel plans. The message on his answering machine is the same as always. He even penciled in some appointments for the next day just before he left.”
“Oh…” The comment was involuntary.
“I wish I could tell you more.”
“That’s all right. Thank you. I didn’t mean to bother you.” Thomas pursed his lips and swallowed. “But I was worried.”
“If you find out anything…?” asked the secretary.
“I’ll certainly let you know. Can I check back later in the week?”
“That would be all right.”
Thomas looked at the notes he had scribbled on the yellow pad.
“Peter arrested … Jerry missing … Metals? McDarvid?”
He looked around the office, shaking his head, before crumpling the yellow sheet and tossing it in the colored paper recycling basket by his desk.
Finally, he picked up the telephone once more.