Page 16 of Elliot

“Why?”

“Security concerns. An employee dismissed for cause would be added to the list of possible people who sent the letter and gift.” He laid it out for her.

“Mr. Folk is capable, but he’s gotten comfortable and feels untouchable. I’m going to remind him he works for me. I’ll give him one more chance. He values money too much to be caught out again. And if he doesn’t, I’ve given him a second chance, which is more than most would give him.”

“The assistant seemed up to speed.” Elliot unloaded a salad and smiled when he pulled out a footlong cheesesteak sandwich. “Thank you for lunch.”

“You’re welcome. I took a shot on the cheesesteak, but the guy down the street makes the best outside of Philly, or at least, that’s what everyone says.” She went over to the table, stopping at the cabinet and retrieving water for each of them. “If you need a list of fired employees, I can have HR get that for you. I haven’t let anyone go in …” She thought for a moment. “Well, no one from management in almost three years. Mr. Folk has been going through a mid-life crisis. His wife divorced him after she caught him cheating on her with the nanny. That’s why I believeputting reality in front of him will straighten him out. Or I hope it does. He’s good when he’s present.”

“You’ve fired others, though?”

“Yes. I don’t give hire or fire authority to my section leads. I want to know who’s working for me. When they have problems, I want documented issues with what they’ve done to try to work with the employee. Then, if there’s no resolution, I’ll let people go. Most people I release are young and assume working is an option. Do you think it was someone I let go?”

Elliot shook his head. “At this point in time, I wouldn’t be inclined to think so, but I’m not excluding anyone.”

“Who would be a suspect, in your opinion?”

“Jessica.” He listed her first and without hesitation.

Maya blinked, and her jaw dropped. “What?”

“She has access, and while you’ve had success and grown, she’s remained your assistant. She found the note and the slashed tires. She’s an obvious suspect until cleared.”

Maya started to say something and then snapped her mouth shut. She shook her head. “Jessica doesn’t have a devious bone in her body. She’s loyal.”

“Of course, Ms. Callahan,” he said, smiling at her.

Maya narrowed her eyes. “I’m coming to understand you say that when you don’t agree with me.”

“I say that when discussing the issue further doesn’t benefit either of us. Evidence will either exonerate your assistant or convict her. The evidence will speak, or it won’t. In the meantime, security systems will be installed on this floor and at your apartment tomorrow.”

Maya took the top off her salad. “No cameras.”

“I have instructed the person assembling the systems of your requirements.” Which was the truth.

“Thank you.” She reached for the salad dressing at the same time he reached for it to give to her. Their hands met, and thesame zing of electricity he felt last night powered up his arm and through his body. They both let go of the small container, which spilled onto the table.

“Oh, crud,” Maya said, hopping up. “I’ll get some paper towels.”

Elliot moved the bag out of the way of the spreading oil when he heard Maya’s rasped call, “Elliot!” With his weapon in hand, he was across the room and in the bathroom within seconds. Maya turned and grabbed him. He wrapped his arm around her, looking for the threat. His eyes caught on the mirror.

A picture of Maya was taped to the mirror. “Die Bitch” was printed in block letters on the mirror. The picture’s eyes had been burned out, and a knife, or a sharp object, had been jabbed through the photo at her heart.

As he held her, his eyes swept the room. There was a smear of what looked like blood on the sink, and below it was a knife, similar to the one that was in the box with the rat. He checked his six, and sure enough, behind the garbage bin was a dead rat. Mother fucker. Some deranged bastard had killed a rat in her bathroom.

He walked her out of the bathroom and closed the door behind them. He was dialing Ross Stapleton’s number.

“When was the last time you were in the bathroom?”

“Last night when I gave you the bag.” Maya shivered against him, and he held her against his chest. “I’ve got you. You’re safe, and I’m not leaving you.”

She didn’t say anything but pushed closer into him, and he held her tight. The protective caveman inside him was screaming to be released, and he wanted to let the fucker out, but he couldn’t. He’d never had that type of reaction, even when Faith had been targeted. Everything was business first. He did his job, and he did it better than anyone. Why the hell was he acting that way with Maya?

The phone connected. “Ross, Elliot. I need an investigator to collect evidence at Maya Callahan’s office immediately. We’ve had another incident.” He rattled off the address and then hung up. “Come on. You need to sit down.”

She nodded and dropped into her desk chair, dropping her head to her hands. “Why? What have I done?” The whispered words were repeated. He went over and retrieved her water bottle. He twisted the top and noticed the safety seal didn’t crack. He looked at his bottle. It had been opened, too. Darting back to the refrigerator, he checked all the bottles. Every last one of the safety seals had been broken.

“Maya, did you drink anything from the fridge today?”

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