Page 71 of Justice Denied

“Ready?” Brogan pocketed his phone. “We’re right on time.”

“Let’s do this.” Seth slung the bag on his shoulder, then followed Brogan to greet the receptionist, who verified their appointment, gave them visitor badges, then called Ryan Topher’s assistant.

“Ms. Stanhope will be down in a few minutes.” The receptionist smiled, then answered the ringing phone.

Brogan and Seth stepped to the left of the desk to wait closer to the bank of elevators. “Any updates on Mrs. Ainsley or the kidnappers?”

“Not since I texted you what Jetta said her mother relayed.” Seth raised his camera to capture a wall of water glowing from the sunlight pouring in through the floor to ceiling windows. He probably wouldn’t use it for the story, but it would make a nice addition to his personal portfolio.

“Hmm, yes. I did some digging this morning to see what I could find on Vie, and the rumor mill has been rampart with whether Topher actually has such a wearable device or if he’s fanning the flames to stave off Maxwell Technology’s bid.”

The elevator doors swished open, and a middle-aged woman wearing low heels and a no-nonsense expression headed their way. “Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Whitmore, I’m Mae Stanhope, Mr. Topher’s executive assistant. If you’ll come this way, Mr. Topher is expecting you.”

Inside the car, Ms. Stanhope pressed the top floor, number fourteen.

“Have you worked for Mr. Topher long?” Brogan smiled at the woman.

“I’ve been his secretary since he became CEO.”

“How long have you been with the company?”

“Twenty-six years.” Ms. Stanhope shifted from one foot to another, then back again.

A potentially nervous response to Brogan’s innocuous query. Interesting. Seth studied her from his position in the corner of the elevator while Brogan asked a few general questions about the company. The woman wore her graying brown hair in a low bun at the nape of her neck. Silver hoop earrings adorned her ears, and she wore a plain gold band on her left ring finger. The collar of her suit jacket showed some wear around the edges, and the plum color of the outfit appeared a little faded as if from frequent washes. Not a woman with expensive tastes, at least in clothes and jewelry.

The soft ding of the elevator indicated their arrival on the fourteenth floor. Ms. Stanhope stepped out and turned to the right, hurrying a little bit as if she couldn’t wait to get away from them. Even more interesting. She stopped in front of a door at the far end and pushed it open without knocking. Inside, a small anteroom held a desk with a name plate reading “Mae Stanhope,” plus a bank of filing cabinets against one wall.

Ms. Stanhope rapped on the closed door at a right angle to her desk, then entered. “Mr. Topher? Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Whitman are here.”

She turned to Seth and Brogan. “Mr. Topher will see you.” She stepped back to allow them to enter the room.

Brogan went first and Seth followed him inside the spacious corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Thick drapes in muted shades of burgundy stood open on the west-facing wall of the office but closed on the east-facing wall, likely to block out the morning sun. As Seth had expected, the room had the decor of a successful businessman, with expensive furniture and objects d’art.

Ryan Topher rose from behind a massive antique partners desk, his hand outstretched to greet Brogan, then Seth. “Do you want any coffee or water before we get started?”

Neither one did, so the CEO gestured toward a leather loveseat and two matching club chairs grouped in one corner. Seth figured the man was trying for a more informal approach to what he thought would be a puff piece.

“Mr. Topher, thank you for agreeing to meet with us today.” Brogan pulled out his notebook and pen.

“Please, call me Ryan.” The man smiled, but Seth detected concern behind the expression in the way his mouth tightened at the corners.

“Will your siblings be joining us?”

At Brogan’s question, Ryan frowned. “I thought this was a profile of me.”

“It is,” Seth interjected, holding up his camera, “but we wanted some pictures of the three of you for the story.”

His explanation relaxed the frown lines on Ryan’s face. “I’ll ask Mae to have them come by toward the end of our time.” He uncrossed his legs as if preparing to step out to chat with his assistant, but Seth stood.

“I’m happy to relay that to Ms. Stanhope while I ask her about potential places for the photographs.” Seth glanced around the space. “Your office is too bright with the morning sun, even with the curtains drawn. I’ll take a few photos here, but I think another location, maybe in one of your labs, might be more interesting.”

Ryan considered his request, then nodded. “Mae’s been with the company for years, so she’ll know which spots might work.”

“Thank you.” Seth left Brogan to interview Ryan. Outside, Ms. Stanhope sat typing on her keyboard. “Ms. Stanhope?”

“Yes?” She removed her reading glasses.

“I’d like to photograph Mr. Topher with his siblings at the end of the interview. He said you could let them know?” He smiled and leaned closer. “I was also hoping you could show me some good spots around the building for taking pictures. You must know all the places with natural light and interesting backgrounds.”

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