Page 15 of Protecting Bianca

She smiled and this time, her eyes danced mischievously. “I haven’t played in a long time, but I bet I could still kick your butt.”

“I—”

The security guard burst into the office. “Mr. Payne, there’s something you need to see.” He panted and sweat dripped from the sides of his face. “Hurry.” He turned and ran down the hall.

I followed closely behind him, keeping pace with his rushed stride.

“What’s going on, Dave?” I asked as I followed him. “What happened?”

Dave caught his breath as he raced to the elevator. “I think I saw something in one of the packages I scanned.”

As the doors closed behind us, I asked, “What did you see?”

He closed his eyes and wrung his hands. “I’m not sure. I think it looks like a knife, but it had a funny shape to it.”

The elevator doors opened and this time I walked ahead of Dave, nearly racing to the scanner at the front of the building. “Did you see who delivered it?”

“I think it was FedEx, or maybe it was a local courier. I’m not sure.”

“Stand back,” I said as I approached the package. I first checked for any residue along the edges or liquid leaking from the box. There was none. Then, I slowly rested my ear on top of the box, but I didn’t hear any ticking. I picked up the box cutter next to the scanner and tore open the package.

Inside, I found a three-inch blade with a black leather handle and a red stitch. I didn’t touch the knife, knowing I would send it off for prints. I pointed to the cameras at the entrance. “Pull up the footage and I’ll meet you in the security room in five minutes.”

Dave ran to do as I said while I pushed through the front doors. I turned to my left and then my right. People walked down the sidewalk to and from wherever they were going. No one looked behind. No one walked too quickly. The perp was either long gone or very good at this. I was starting to worry it was the latter.

Returning inside, I was glad to know the scanner was working, and we prevented another traumatizing incident for Mr. Towers or his assistant, Janis. However, I wasn’t happy that all the added security measures hadn’t scared this guy off. He was determined, and that sent a chill down my spine.

I found Dave staring at the footage as I walked into the room. “Did you find him?” I asked, gazing at the screen over his shoulder.

He nodded. “I think so.”

Dave rewound the tape, and I watched a man in dark pants and a dark hoodie approach the front doors holding a package. He wore black gloves and a black medical mask. It was still common to wear a mask in public since the pandemic, so no one would have thought it strange.

The man left the package at reception, turned around and walked out the door as though it were nothing. No shifty movement, no hesitation or looking over his shoulder.

I zoomed in on his face. Most of it was covered, but I thought I saw a marking across his left eyebrow. I tried to zoom in further, but the image became too grainy. “Have you seen this man before?” I asked.

Dave shook his head. “Nah. Never seen him in my life.”

I pursed my lips. Either Dave was not a very perceptive man, or this was a different guy than the one who delivered the first package.

Pressing a few buttons on the keyboard, I took a screenshot of security footage. I would run this man’s face through some programs I had and see if I would be lucky enough to get a break.

I patted Dave’s shoulder. “Good work, soldier.”

“Pardon?”

It was only then that I realized what I’d said. “Sorry. Good work, Dave.”

He frowned. “It’s ok. I don’t mind being called ‘soldier’. I just didn’t think it was meant for me. You sounded a little far away for a second there.”

I hadn’t been. It had just been a reflex. Although my time in the army and later special operations were short, it left its mark on me and I knew I could never wash it off. It was now ingrained in me.

I walked out of the security room and noticed the crowd in the lobby. Checking my watch, I realized it was five o’clock and most employees were heading home.

I took the elevator upstairs to the boardroom to run the picture through my computer.

When I reached the tenth floor, I considered finding Bianca and finishing our conversation, but her office was empty. It was just as well. I was here to work.

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