I feel funny telling him where I’m staying.
“I am, uh, staying at Harrison Towers’ penthouse.”
“In that case, I can just ask you for access to do a sweep for fingerprints and evidence.”
“You want to go through the penthouse?” I suppose that makes sense, someone was obviously here.
“I suppose it’s fine but I need to get permission from Mr. Towers first.”
“Miss Austen, I understand your need to follow your boyfriend’s lead-” I interrupt him. “Mr. Towers is a business associate, not my boyfriend.”
He clears his throat, then continues, ignoring my interruption.
“If you want us to get a case against this guy and whoever put him up to it, we need to move while the trail is hot. I want access this afternoon. I’ll be over with the guys within the hour. We have to move quick since our little friend Tony will likely be hauled in today. He’ll be arraigned tomorrow, so we need to get as much in to the DA as possible. “
I know that Harrison is in a meeting and I have no idea how long it’s going to last. I know that I’m due to talk to him at 4:00, but it doesn’t sound like the detective is going to be happy waiting.
“Fine, but you should call Mr. Harrison to gain his approval regardless.”
“Oh, I have a few questions for him anyway, so I will be killing two birds as the saying goes.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. It sure makes my job easier.”
I hang up with the detective and send Harrison a text. I’m hoping he isn’t cross with me for giving the detective the go-ahead. I really had no choice.
12:54 PM
Me
Det. Burke wants to search the penthouse for evidence and fingerprints. I told him ok?
12:55 PM
Harrison Towers
No. I would rather be there.
12:55 PM
Me
He needs to do today. They have a suspect and need further evidence to arraign him.
12:56 PM
Harrison Towers
Damn it. I am in a meeting right now. I will have to agree. I will text Jeff at least to be there.
12:57 PM
Me
Jeff? The Driver Jeff? Why him?
12:57 PM
Harrison Towers
Have my reasons Danielle. Trust me. Ok?
12:57 PM
Me
Ok.
12:58 PM
Harrison Towers
I’ll call you at four. I’m sending Jeff msg. now. He will be there soon.
12:58PM
Me
Ok, thanks!!
I head into the kitchen to find something to eat. I know if I don’t get something now, I may not get to eat until much later. I open the fridge to find a plate all ready to go. How does he do this? He’s like Philippe, he addresses my needs before I know I have the need. I shake my head and grab a plate with a small wedge of brie cheese, some sliced apples, spicy almonds and a few slices of bread. I sit at the island gazing out the window looking out to the river. The food tastes really good. I hop down from the bar stool and open the fridge again to get something to drink. I grab a small bottle of Pellegrino and notice a new can of whipped cream and it makes me blush. I should be relieved that there weren’t any pictures of Harrison making me into a human Sundae.
Once again, I feel a warming come over my body. I seem to have no control over my body’s response to just the thought of him. It’s quite extraordinary. I would be willing to bet Dr. Brothers would have a field day with this, or maybe Dr. Helen Fisher, she’s the one who lectures about pair bonding and how some species mate for life while others mate for just a season. My ex just mated all the time with everyone but his mate. Now, Harrison is mating with me and I wonder if his intentions are for just a season.
I shake myself back out of my thoughts. I sit back at the counter and continue devouring the delicious plate. I expect the detective and his posse to arrive anytime. So much for that nap that I need so badly.
I hate that Harrison isn’t here to handle this portion of the investigation. At least Bradley was there to help last night. It’s kind of odd that he hasn’t checked in with me today. It only takes around five hours to drive to Spokane from here. If you drive like Bradley, shave another half hour off that. I swear, he drives that beamer like he’s in a rocket ship. What is it with men and their fast toys!!? He was behaving strangely this morning though. I wonder if it had to do with his listening in on my call with Harrison last night. Or, maybe it had to do with those calls he had where it sounded like he was arguing with someone.
I stick my plate in the dishwasher and then hear my phone go
buzz buzz buzz
. I have new text messages.
Picking up the phone, I slide unlock. Well, Simone is back. I have eight text messages from her.
1:23 PM
Simone’s Cell
Hey girlie! I’m Baaaack!! Did you miss me? How did the opening go?
1:24 PM
Simone’s Cell
We have so much to catch up on… you around tonight?
1:24 PM
Simone’s Cell
Oh, I dumped the on-set writer guy. Turns out, he is lousy in bed.
1:24 PM
Simone’s Cell
He is a minute man. I got no satisfaction. Well, that’s not totally true, will give details later.
1:24 PM
Simone’s Cell
Plus he has bad breath. I know that would be a deal breaker for you!
Nodding in agreement, I crinkle my nose and say eewwww to myself.
1:25 PM
Simone’s Cell
I have to leave town again on Wednesday for another week. Missing you!
1:25 PM
Simone’s Cell
Who is Detective Burke? I have a voicemail just now.
1:27 PM
Simone’s Cell
Seriously. Call me. Are you okay? What is going on???
Just as I get to her last text. I hear the intercom buzz. I walk over to the wall and guess at what button to push. “Hello?”
“Miss Austen, this is Misty, down here at Columbia Tower reception. I have a Detective Burke here to see you. I also have Jeff from Towers Enterprises here. He is bringing them up. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Oh, okay thank you, Misty.”
I pick up my phone and see that I received another text from Simone.
1:29 PM
Simone’s Cell
HELLO??? YOU THERE???
Oh, geeze, now she is shrieking at me.
1:46PM
Me
I’m fine. Lots to tell you. Meet me tonight? Come to Harrisons’ penthouse at 6?
Off in the distance I can hear the ding of the elevator. They’re here. I hit the lock key on my phone and head out to greet them.
Standing in the foyer admiring the water wall is the detective and his team.
“Ah, Miss Austen. Thank you again for your assistance. I heard from Mr. Towers and helped him to understand the importance of obtaining the evidence today. We will stay out of your way but you need to stay out of stuff. We’re looking to lift prints and don’t want you smudging anything. Same drill as last night.”
“Okay, I understand.” I start to walk away but turn back around. “Detective, how long do you think you will be?”
“I’m not sure, it looks to be a large place so maybe a few hours, but there’s no telling. I’m hoping we can get out sooner than later, the misses has a pot roast in the oven at home and I intend to be there for it.”
I walk back to the kitchen, grab my bottle of Pellegrino, and then go out to the balcony. It’s a pleasant day and maybe a little fresh air will do me good. I sit on one of the chaise lounges that face out over the river. It’s overcast but there’s a glare. I shut my eyes for a minute and absorb the peace and quiet.
Then here they come, Reese and Cranston followed by Jeff. I’m still unclear as to why Jeff needs to be here.
Oh, maybe Harrison doesn’t trust me to handle this and he wants someone to oversee his interests, and me. I start to feel a different reaction to Harrison this time and it isn’t related to pleasure. How dare he send a babysitter? I feel my phone buzzing again. I look and see that Simone has texted me back.
2:20 PM
Clarke
Oh heck ya! Hanging out at Harrison’s are we? I can’t wait to hear all of the dirt. Wait, why are you there?
I hear behind me that the guys are busy digging through the flowerpots, taking pictures and poking around. Oh, I just wish they would be done already.
2:22 PM
Me
Great, I can’t wait to see you. When you get here, the lobby receptionist will be gone. Use the intercom outside the double glass doors. I will buzz you up, just like my condo.
2:22 PM
Clarke
Is Harrison there? Maybe on second thought we should meet. I want some girlie time. Though would love to drool over that piece!
2:23 PM
Me
No! Stop! Harrison is not so let’s just meet here. Besides, my car is at condo. Long story. See you at 6. Bring wine?
2:24 PM
Clarke
Are you sure you don’t want hooch?
2:24 PM
Me
No just wine.
2:25 PM
Clarke
What...Mr. Money Bags doesn’t have wine?
2:25 PM
Me
Of course he does, I don’t want to impose.
Then I hear from behind me Cranston bark out, “Eureka!”
I ignore her next text and quickly walk over to where all four guys are now standing. Cranston and Reese have been joined by Burke and are busy with cameras aimed at what looks to be a hidden camera behind one of the outdoor speakers mounted on the wall. The angle that it is aimed would be right in line with the pictures of Harrison and I having sex that night. Talking amongst them, I hear that the camera is a surveillance variety.
“Detectives, isn’t it possible to make a still shot from video?”
They all turn to look at me and then go back to discussing the camera.
Jeff turns to me, “Ma’am, yes it is possible.”
“Oh, okay good.”
Burke then turns to me. “Miss Austen, would you show me which room the pictures were taken of you and Mr. Towers sleeping?”
“Sure.” I blush as we walk back through the penthouse to the master bedroom in silence.
I gesture to the room and he nods and enters. He lets out a whistle and shakes his head. I think yeah, yeah, I know, Harrison Towers sure knows how to live. It is an impressive room, but let’s not forget who the excellent decorator is.
I lean against the doorway while he wanders around looking at things. I’m not sure what he’s looking for. He walks over to the mirror on the wall facing opposite the bed.
“That mirror fades and turns into a television. Here, let me show you.” I pick up the remote on the bedside table and push a button and the TV turns on. He walks over to the frame, lets out a whistle and runs his gloved fingers along the edge. He stops and then flashes me a yellow-toothed grin. Too much coffee I suspect.
“Well, it looks like it’s also a great place to hide a little camera.” He produces a small little black box that I would have thought to be a part of the television.
“Wow! Is the whole place bugged or rigged with cameras? That at least would explain how someone was able to get those pictures. I’m relieved a little. It’s still super creepy, but at least there wasn’t someone physically standing over us while we slept.
“I don’t know. We’ll have to do a sweep and see if we can find out where the cameras feed into. Meanwhile, have you heard from Mr. Towers? I left him a message a couple hours ago,” he says as he checks his watch.
“I left my phone out on the balcony, but as of twenty minutes ago, I haven’t heard from him since around 1:00 PM.”
“You might want to find something to do. This is probably going to take a lot longer than we thought.”
I turn to leave the room.
“So much for my hot pot roast sandwich,” he says under his breath.