Page 110 of Hidden Ascent

When the elevator doors opened, they both got off.

“Wait here,” Sharpe said. “I won’t be long.”

The floor was full of vacant offices. At the end of the hall was a self-standing mesh wall that he moved aside to reveal a safe where he deposited the picture before returning to the elevator.

“I didn’t know you had offices on this floor,” Maddy said.

“I don’t. But it’s being renovated for future use, and I needed to check some of the work being done to make sure it’s up to my standard.”

After pressing the button for the lobby, he turned to her. “Space in this city is at a premium. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this floor to anyone. I’d like to keep it for myself.”

“Absolutely.”

“Discretion is a highly prized asset in my company.”

“I understand completely.”

When they entered the lobby, Sharpe noted the guard, who was monitoring everyone entering the building. “Steven, glad to see you back on the job.”

“Thank you very much, sir. I’m much better.”

“Good.”

He continued toward the front door, Maddy’s heels clicking on the marble floor as she followed. He liked her immensely already. Beth was a competent secretary who he had no intention of firing, but he’d make a place for Maddy. And when she’d earned his trust, perhaps she could help him in his other businesses if she had the stomach for it, which he believed she did.

“My driver will be waiting,” he said to Maddy as a woman in a raincoat with the hood pulled over her head walked past him into the building. He slowed and looked up at the cloudy sky. It wasn’t raining, but it did look like it could start soon.

The driver opened the car door, and he and Maddy got in. Despite the heavy clouds, today was already turning into a very good day.

* * *

Charlotte entered the lobby bathroom and pushed her hood back before reaching into her pocket to pull out the keycard and folded note that Maddy had slipped her when they’d bumped into each other outside the building.

“Fifth floor,” she said into her earpiece. “Maddy noted that it’s on the east side of the building, but she wasn’t sure which room. It’s full of empty offices.”

“Copy that,” Will said. “See you up there.”

After stuffing her coat in the garbage, she smoothed her skirt, identical to the one Maddy wore.

She looked at her watch, then exited the bathroom and watched the lobby, waiting for an opening when she wouldn’t be noticed.

When a group of men entered the building and distracted the guard, she slipped out of the hall and curved her way around to appear as though she’d just entered from outside.

She waited in line, then scanned her card. The guard smiled at her.

“Ms. Rochedale, I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon. Didn’t I see you leave with Mr. Sharpe?”

“You did.” She let out an exasperated breath. “As soon as we got into the car, Mr. Sharpe got a phone call. We were halfway down the block before he had to circle back and drop me off so I could rush back here to finalize the additional details that have come up.”

“How’d Mr. Sharpe take it?”

“I’m too new here to gossip, but you probably know him better than I do and can guess what he thought of the disruption to his plans. If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to keep Mr. Sharpe waiting.”

“Smart woman.” He nodded. “Keep up the good work. I hear he can be a hard man to work for, but if you get on his good side, you will be rewarded. At least that’s what I hear.” He winked at her.

“Thanks for the tip.”

“Anytime. And good luck.”

---