Page 14 of Misdirection

Rex Blackwood was in his early forties with tanned skin and blond hair. People often compared him to a Ken doll. He looked the part of a successful CEO, but he remained a mystery toeveryone at the company. No one knew much about him, but everyone respected him, nonetheless.

He looked out for the people working under him, paid them nice bonuses at Christmas, and always remembered birthdays. No one knew if he was married. Where he lived. What his life was like outside of work.

His gaze was intense as he stared at them through the computer screen. A wall of bookcases stretched behind him, indicating he was in his office. All his favorite authors were there: Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Daniel Silva.

“Olive . . . Tevin has kept me abreast of everything going on,” Rex started. “Do you have any insights?”

“Not yet.” Olive slipped off her earrings.

She’d never been much of an earring girl, but she wore them because they fit the persona she needed to create while working at Conglomerate: high-powered, well-educated, elite.

She’d mastered several accents. Knew how to change her makeup to fit her persona. Knew how to perfect wearing a wig. She could even take on different personalities. This position called for her to be both friendly and aloof.

“Beau dealt with project development,” she continued. “His job was pretty cut-and-dried. He did have access to certain confidential data but, as far as I can tell, he hasn’t traveled overseas recently or received any large payouts.”

“I’ve done some research into Beau also.” Tevin hit some more keys on his laptop. “He was originally from Maine. Graduated at the top of his class. Was offered a job with four other Fortune 500 companies, but he ultimately chose Conglomerate. He basically put his entire life on hold so he could focus on his job. No wife, kids, or even girlfriends. He lived to do his work.”

Olive could relate. Her entire life revolved around her job also.

“If all that is true, then his work is probably what got him killed,” Olive said. “Do you think his death is connected with what’s going on at Conglomerate? Maybe he found out something someone didn’t want him to know.”

“It makes the most sense, given the stakes.” Rex’s voice maintained a dead-serious tone.

She turned to Tevin. “There’s only one way in and out of that hallway, and there’s a security camera above it. If we can check who accessed that corridor, then we’ll know who the killer is. Maybe this assignment will be finished before it ever truly started.”

“I was actually able to find the security footage you need.” Tevin continued looking at his computer screen, his fingers tapping away.

Olive wasn’t surprised that he’d thought ahead to do that.

“Here’s where things get really interesting.” Tevin pulled a video up on the screen. “I’m sending this over so you can watch it also, Rex.”

“I see it,” Rex confirmed.

Olive leaned closer for a better look, not wanting to miss anything.

“You can see it right here that Beau entered the hallway at approximate 11:18.”

Olive watched as Beau slipped inside the doorway. He didn’t glance around as if nervous. He simply scanned his key tag and stepped inside like it was another ordinary day at the office.

“Who came in after him?” Olive asked.

“That’s the weird thing.” Tevin glanced at her. “You did.”

Olive’s eyebrows flew up. “That can’t be right. He was dead when I found him.”

“I know.” Tevin grabbed another walnut and popped it in his mouth, eating them like some people ate popcorn. “Butaccording to the security camera footage, no one else came in after him.”

She pressed her eyes closed.

She knew she was innocent. Tevin and Rex knew she was innocent. But when the police checked that footage, would they believe she had nothing to do with Beau’s death? Or would they think she was guilty?

Olive shifted in her seat. “The only other thing that makes sense is that someone was already in the SCI corridor, and Beau happened upon them. But still . . . this person would have to leave and that would be caught on video.”

“True,” Rex muttered.

“Who went into the corridor before him?” Olive glanced at Tevin.

“That’s the other weird thing.” Tevin pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “No one went in before him.”

---