Lib Novel Page 101
Chapter 155
Check
Blake
After verifying Courtney is back from her lunch, I head down to her office. Monday morning got away from me. Small fires kept me busy until noon. But this is important. If anyone knows where Andrea is, Courtney will.
I knock on her open door and she looks up from her computer. I don’t miss the slight hint of fear before she carefully makes her face impassive.
“What can I do for you, Blake?” She rocks back in her chair as her eyes track my every move.
I step into her office and close the door. Taking my time, I sit in the chair across from her. We’re certain she’s involved in the corporate sabotage, but how is she involved with the stalker?
Or are they working separately and the crossover is a coincidence? Not that I believe anything is a coincidence.
I lean back and meet her eyes, waiting to see what she’ll offer me. When I clasp my hands in my lap, she sets her keyboard to the side and takes a deep breath.
“My mother?—”
“I hope she’s doing better, but I’m not here to discuss that.”
Her face quickly moves from surprise to fear to that blankness again. “How can I help you, Blake?”
“You worked a Saturday a while ago.” I cross my ankle over my knee.
“I work a lot of Saturdays.” Not according to Hope or my records of her coming and going.
“This one should be memorable since you found Madison screaming in the file room.”
A flash of anger passes over her face. If I wasn’t watching her closely, I would have missed it.
“The lights went out on her and she panicked.” Courtney shrugs. “Seems like you shouldn’t leave her alone if she can’t handle it.”
I let that remark pass because I don’t want her to become too defensive. “What were you working on that day?”
“The Lawson project. We were a little behind because a team member got sick, so I came in that day to help us catch up.” Courtney relaxes in her chair.
“You came to help Madison when she screamed, but your office is on the opposite side of the building from where she was.”
Her eyes sparkle. She’s not stupid. “I was getting more coffee in the break room when I heard her.”
I nod like I’m accepting her story because I need her to feel confident that she’s getting away with everything. I don’t know what she has to do with the stalker, but there’s some connection there.
“Did you see anyone else that day?”
“No.” She doesn’t elaborate.
I don’t know whether or not to believe her. So I just nod in acknowledgment and move on. “I need to find someone and you know where they are.”
“I don’t know what?—”
“Andrea.”
Her mouth forms an O shape before her lips press together.
I lean forward. “If I have to put a PI on it, I will, but something tells me you know where she is.”
“Haven’t you done enough to ruin her life?” Courtney can’t hide her disdain.