Page 65 of Little Empty Promises

Nadia rounded the corner, disappearing into a long corridor.I did what she asked, staying in place, drumming my fingers along the top of the desk as I waited.

A few minutes later, she returned with a tall, lanky man at her side.He was dressed in a dingy, white, button-up shirt, blue slacks, and white tennis shoes.

Nadia tipped her head in my direction, turned toward the man, and said, “That’s her.”

He walked toward me, extending a hand.“Miss Germaine, I’m Tripp Redding.Would you mind following me please?”

His tone was serious enough that I wondered if following him might be a bad idea.I did so anyway, walking side by side with him back through the corridor until he stopped at the elevator.

He stepped inside and turned, asking me if I would please, “Get in.”

Once I did, he pushed the third-floor button, and then folded his hands together in front of him, remaining silent.

The elevator doors opened, and Tripp extended a hand, saying, “Right this way, Miss Germaine.”

“I’d like to know where we’re going.”

“To my office.We’ll talk further once we’re there.”

Tripp with his monotone voice seemed like a no-nonsense kind of guy, which was appealing to me in ways.I much preferred dealing with someone who was direct than a person who gave me the runaround.

He passed a few offices and then stopped in front of a door, swiping the keycard around his neck in front of a square, gray panel.The box’s frame lit up a bright-green color, and the office door opened.

I stepped inside and looked around.The office took up a majority of the third floor, and most of it was unused space—carpeting with no furniture or accessories of any kind.In the far left corner, a desk faced the window.Through it, he had a perfect view of the parking lot, and anyone who was coming or going.

“Go ahead and have a seat, if you don’t mind,” he said.

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Nadia tells me you’re investigating the Bennett murder, and you’re a private detective?”

“I am.”

“I understand the woman who died lived next to one of our former employees.”

I was taken aback.

“What do you meanformeremployees?”I asked.“I was under the impression Eddy still works here.”

“Why would you be under such an impression?”

“I spoke with Eddy’s wife yesterday.He wasn’t home at the time.When I asked her where he was and when she expected him, she said he was at work, and she didn’t know when he would return home.”

Tripp leaned forward, folding his arms over his desk.“How interesting.”

“I feel like I’m missing some information here,” I said.“Can you fill me in?”

“Not much to fill in.”

If I wanted answers, it was clear I was going to have to do the legwork myself.“When was the last time you saw Eddy?”

“I haven’t seen him in … oh, let’s see now … has to be a couple of weeks, maybe longer.”

“Any idea why Rosalyn would tell me Eddy worked here if he doesn’t?”

“None at all.It’s rather strange, don’t you think?”

I did.

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