Page 63 of Very Special Forces

"No, Idon't think Julia said what they were exactly, but she wasdefinitely worried about it. She was pretty stressed for a whilebut said Bryce was very reassuring. Eventually, no more texts ormessages came and Julia hasn't mentioned her in a few months. Why?Did you find out something?"

"Onlythe same story you just told me. That the ex, Jessica, iscrazy."

"Well,if she is, he probably made her that way," said Jas. "I did tellJulia that he might not be telling her the whole truth but she wasadamant that she trusted him. Plus, he had all that evidence toshow her."

"I'mtrying to track Jessica down. I've been told she's a lawyerdowntown but I'm not sure which firm. Do you know?"

"I'msorry I don't. I don't know her surname either or where she lives.My friend was my only concern."

"Isthere any way you could ask Julia?"

Jassighed. "I don't think she's talking to me right now."

"Whynot?"

"I'm notreally sure but I think Bryce said something to her after theparty. I sent her a few texts but she hasn't replied. I haven'tseen her in our building either. I hope she's okay."

"I sawher earlier at my wedding planner's office," I told her. "She'sokay."

"Good.I'm glad."

"I'llcall when I know some more," I told her and we hung up. Sipping myiced latte, I contemplated the people walking past the window. Theyall seemed busy and purposeful, with places to go, although therewere a few people who strolled by like they had no timelycommitments. Most of all, I fashion-watched, my idea of a very goodtime.

By thetime I slurped the last of the iced coffee, my phone trilled. Ipicked it up, hoping it was Jas with a surname for the mysteriousJessica, but it was Maddox.

"I ranthose checks you asked me to do," he said.

"And?" Iwaited hopefully.

"Sorryto disappoint you, but there aren't any federal warrants out onthis guy. No outstanding complaints, none registered in the systemanyway. No convictions. He's not even a suspect inanything."

"Nothingrelated to domestic abuse at all? Maybe the names Lana or Angiecame up?"

"Not athing related to abuse or either of those names. He's squeakyclean."

"I guesseveryone has to start somewhere," I said, thinking about Bryce'slocal rap sheet. Maybe he didn't like to travel to get in troubleor maybe he'd gotten smarter about where he directed hisanger.

"I knowit's not what you're hoping for but I'm glad you're notinvestigating a verified lunatic."

"I guesseveryone has to start somewhere," I repeated.

Maddoxsighed. "Just terrific," he muttered.

"Did thename Jessica come up in relation to anything with him?" Iasked.

"Nope.Nothing came up in relation to him."

"Thanksfor checking."

"Anytime." Maddox hung up.

I tookone last slurp, looking around to see if anyone noticed said slurp,then hopped off the tall stool and deposited the plastic cup in thetrash. My clothing was presentable enough for a semi-formalinterview but I didn't have a resume with me. It didn't seem worthrunning back to the office to print up a fake one, although if itwere needed, I could do that later and email it from my personalemail account.

Bryce'soffice was six blocks away, which was walkable and would definitelycount as pre-wedding exercise and not nearly as embarrassing asLily's pole dancing class. I took my time walking there since Ididn't want to appear suspiciously eager, although something in theway Bryce looked at me in my Lily's Bar tight t-shirt and shortssuggested eager wouldn't go amiss with him.

The firmwhere Bryce worked was situated in a big glass building with ashiny logo and some snappy corporate message that could have meantanything. The firm was "asset management" but there was no clue asto what those assets were or what the management of them required.There were, however, some shiny brochures with smiling people inbusiness suits shaking hands and a lot of corporatebaloney.

Iapproached the reception desk and asked the headset-wearing youngman for Bryce.

---