Page 4 of The Will

Chapter 4

Thenextday,Alexpulled up in an industrial park looking for the building in question. Time to concentrate on the target's job. He went into a business located in a remodeled warehouse of some sort from the last century. The front lobby had a station right inside the door for checking credentials and handing out temporary badges. Alex approached the desk to make his inquiry.

Alex cleared his throat and told security, “I’m here to speak with Chloe Harrison concerning a legal matter.”

The security staff nodded as he entered the information into his computer. He frowned slightly before addressing Alex, “Chloe Harrison is not in today, but we called for her supervisor, Mr. Sumner to come help you. Could you please wait in the chairs to the side?”

Alex acknowledged the request and moved to the seating area but did not sit, as he was too restless. He always got like that when hunting. He preferred not to be too still until it was time to pounce on the prey.

A small older gentleman in a neat, gray suit stepped out of the elevators across from Alex. He was the picture of corporate middle management, with his glasses and nervous demeanor— Chloe’s boss, Mr. Sumner.

“Excuse me,” he said, moving toward Alex. “Are you the person trying to meet with Chloe Harrison on business?”

“Yes,” Alex replied. “She needs to resolve an issue at Moore Law about a current court proceeding. Could you please supply her contact information?”

“I see,” said Mr. Sumner. “We really can’t divulge the contact information of our employees to people outside of the company. I’m sorry.”

Alex knew that this would be the reaction to his request and was prepared for it. “I understand,” he replied. “Perhaps we could approach this as a meeting? You could contact her yourself and explain that you have a lawyer that needs to meet with her on a potential breach of her security coding. Once she arrives, I will handle the rest. Okay?”

Mr. Sumner nodded in agreement. “Please wait here while I contact her,” he said as he again moved into an elevator. Alex waited about ten minutes before Mr. Sumner emerged back out of the elevator, “She will be here in about an hour,” he stated. “You are free to wait here if you would like.”

Alex shook his head. “No, I’ll wait outside, but thank you, Mr. Sumner,” he said as he moved toward the door.

Alex had just stepped out of the door when his cell phone rang. It was Jimmy. “Yes,” he answered.

“Yo boss, it’s me,” said Jimmy, like Alex wouldn’t have known from the number on his phone.

“Yes, I know. I hope you are calling with some news because otherwise, I am busy,” Alex said tersely.

“Of course, I have news,” Jimmy replied. “You won’t believe it, though. I almost didn’t believe it.”

Alex’s impatience came out as he barked, “Well, I won’t if you never get around to telling me.”

“Oh, right,” Jimmy said quietly. “You aren’t going to believe what I found. The woman you said owned that PO Box, she doesn’t look anything like that picture you had. She is a cutie with junk in her trunk. Her hair has grown out too and is down to her shoulders in soft curls. You are going to have to see her to believe it.”

“Well, did you get a video like you said you would?”

“Oh shit, I forgot, boss. She was just so hot,” Jimmy explained.

“Well, keep your hormones in check and send me the address that she goes to alright?” ordered Alex.

“I got it. I just can’t believe—”

Alex cut the call short so he could look for a good place to park. He wanted the best view for when this Chloe Harrison arrived. Alex was sure that Jimmy was probably following some chick he thought stopped at the PO Box instead of the actual missing person, but just in case, it was best to see if he could get an address. He pulled his Yukon into a corner parking slot that gave him a full view of the entrance and exit of the lot, as well as the front of the office. He wanted to keep his eyes on as much as possible.

Alex settled in and picked up his phone to check his email and waste time waiting on his target. It had already reached half-past three in the afternoon, so he was hoping Jimmy could get him the video and address before the light faded in the evening.

The first thing he noticed was an email from Cy labeled, “tell me what you think,” with an attachment. Alex clicked on the attachment to open the video. It looked like it was being recorded secretly, the camera pointed to a man who seemed oblivious to his extra audience. Alex looked back at the email to see a small note from Cy below the video that only said, “Mr. Eugene Harrison, client.” Now Alex understood. Cy wanted him to view the video taken of Mr. Harrison so he could share his observations. Cy wanted Alex to tell him why Mr. Harrison made him uncomfortable. Alex clicked the play button on the video.

Mr. Harrison started the conversation. “So, do you have any news regarding my niece, Mr. Moore?”

Cy’s voice came loudly from behind the camera. “No, Mr. Harrison. We have not gotten in touch with her yet. Is there a reason you are in a hurry to find her? I mean, only 6 months have passed since your father died and the police just closed their investigation into his death. They didn’t find any evidence of neglect on her part. If I am correct, they also didn’t find any evidence of assisted suicide or homicide with the use of insulin… Isn’t that right?”

Mr. Harrison cleared his throat. “Yes, that is all true. Well, there are a large number of assets and we both know that will take time to sort. Besides, we may have to contest some of the will, as my father was not all in his right mind at the end. The police investigation findings also emphasized that fact.” He sounded sincere and truthful, but Alex knew from his fidgeting hands, his need to cover his mouth, and the way he didn’t maintain eye contact that all of this speech was rehearsed bullshit. Gold-painted shit was still shit.

Cy responded to him, “Why is your niece so key to all of this? She normally would only be a small part of an estate like this.”

“Oh, she probably is, but since her mother has been dead for fourteen years now, I still feel responsible for her well-being. Also, I regret our misunderstanding right before she disappeared.” Mr. Harrison adjusted his tie and brushed his brown, business-like comb-over back in place.

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