Chapter 28

Lyle’s morning in the cab dragged on. He should have told his supervisor he needed more time off to do the president’s bidding. As soon as he could take a lunch break, he parked the cab in a lot and headed toward the Maxwell Building. A block down the street he passed the NC Cinema. True Grit and The Sting were on the marquee.

He remembered seeing both pictures. Those were the days. In the Maxwell Building lobby, he asked the guard how to find the office of Kevin Waterman.

The liaison officer’s door was open when Lyle walked up. Waterman sat at his desk with a soda can and what appeared to be a hardback novel open in front of him.

Busy day.

Lyle tapped on the door and stepped in. He wore a white shirt, tie, and name badge. He’d left his hat in the cab.

“May I help you?” Kevin looked up at Lyle momentarily, then glanced back at his book.

Lyle explained he was investigating the accidents at NC.

That got Kevin’s attention. “Are you with park security?”

“I’m working with them.”

“And you’re trying to find out...”

“Why we’re having serious accidents.”

“People are careless. They’re making mistakes.”

“Is that what you think?”

“I don’t know, but it’s not helping the park.”

“No kidding.”

Kate was right. Kevin Waterman did look like an accountant. His suit was expensive, but the man wearing it was nondescript, his round face--except for the puffy eyes--as expressive as a blank ledger page. His wore his light hair cut short. If he ever lifted anything heavier than a pencil, it didn’t show. His voice, however, was more complex. It carried a note of suspicion mixed with--what was it--conceit?

“My duties here involve financial analysis. I don’t have that much contact with other employees. Technically, I don’t work for NC.”

Was he defensive? Lyle played dumb. “You don’t?”

Kevin pushed his book aside. “I work for FedPat Corporation. I’m their liaison officer here.”

“Liaison?”

“My corporation is one of the major backers of this project. I work with NC management.” Kevin was lecturing.

“Your company invested in Nostalgia City, so you’re keeping an eye on us.”

“What’s this got to do with your investigation? Where do you work again?”

“With security. We’re trying to keep the park peaceful. Know what I mean?”

“Okay.”

“You’re not taking this very seriously. I think your company would want to make sure nothing else happens.”

“Of course.”

“But what if the park goes broke? Who wins?”

“What do you mean?”

Lyle was losing patience. “You’re just here to keep track of how well we do, aren’t you?”

“Part of my responsibilities are to look after the terms of our agreement.”

“Why did your company invest in the park?”

“A business decision. Do you really want a pro forma? Our return-on-investment expectations? Would that be much use to you?”

“Doesn’t look like a good investment now, does it?”

“I don’t think I’m going to be able to help you any further.”

“Yes you are,” Lyle spat out. “Have you heard anything suspicious around the park?”

“I told you, I don’t have much contact with employees.”

“You know what’s going on around here. You’re being paid to pay attention. Who do you report to anyway?”

Kevin put his hands flat on his desk and tried to rally his self-importance.

“I’m trying to be helpful, but I don’t have to put up with this or answer anything more.”

“I don’t know why not. We’re all in the same boat, aren’t we? You have any other ideas?”

“This is ridiculous. Are you really with security? Let’s call them.” He picked up his phone.

“Ask for Bates. Maybe he’ll want to know what you do here, too. I’ll come back and we can talk some more.”

Lyle left the office, knowing that soon Waterman would be telling him all he needed to know about his “liaison” duties. And Waterman would have no idea he was doing it. Clearly, the accountant was not the type to hot wire a car or do the heavy work necessary to derail a ride. But he worked for FedPat, and that was enough.