Page 13 of Just Hide

"Connor, this might be our guy," Cami said, her voice squeaky with excitement.

Connor, who'd been watching quietly, stepped closer and leaned in, looking at the screen, where Roger's face stared back. He was dark haired, with a square jaw and a smile that Cami thought looked predatory.

"He's certainly worth checking out," he said.

"He's viewed both women's profiles recently. And he works in tech. And he wanted to meet up with Antoinette. Read these messages," Cami said.

Connor read them, his expression growing more serious by the second.

"Hey gorgeous. Want to hook up for a drink?"

Antoinette hadn't responded, but that hadn't stopped Roger.

"Come on, I'm not asking for much. Just one drink. What do you say? Let me take you out. I'll make it worth your while."

This time, Antoinette had responded with a brief,"No, thanks."

"Come on. You're so cute and hot. I want to get together with you."

"Stop harassing me or I'll report your profile,"she'd retorted.

"Oh, wow. You're quick to get nasty. I don't think that's fair. Do you treat all guys the same way, who ask you politely on a date?"

She'd ignored that message, too, but Roger had continued.

"You might find we’ll meet up anyway," he'd threatened. "I can be a determined guy and trust me, I get what I want."

Again, Antoinette had not replied, and this time, Roger had gotten even more aggressive.

"Trust me," he'd messaged, "I will get what I want. I always do. Don't doubt it for a second. And you might just regret not treating me better."

Reading that, Cami saw Connor's eyebrows raise.

"Let's get to White Noise now and find this guy," he said.

***

White Noise was in a part of town where a few major banks and finance companies were located. Smart high-rises were interspersed with parks, eateries, and a couple of chain hotels. The tech company occupied the first floor of an office park that was set in grassy, treed grounds.

Connor walked into the reception area and headed straight for the front desk. Looking up, Cami saw here what she'd wished for at Antoinette's place—the beady eyes of security cameras.

"FBI. We're here to see Roger Harwood," Connor said to the receptionist. "It's in connection with a case. We need information from him urgently."

The receptionist, dark haired with tortoiseshell framed eyeglasses and red lipstick, looked startled. She looked Connor up and down, then produced an iPad and took a photo of his ID.

“I don’t know if I’m authorized to give you the information,” she said nervously.

“Ma’am, this is law enforcement business, and we’re here on a murder case. You can delay us, or you can cooperate. Cooperation will be much wiser. We’re not requesting any confidential information, just the quickest way of talking to someone.” Connor’s voice was smooth, and Cami could see he’d used the right argument, and the right tone, to get through to her.

"One moment," she said. She glanced across to her screen, scrolling with her mouse.

"He's attending a meeting at a client's offices," she said. "That meeting ended half an hour ago, so he should be back any minute."

She glanced outside at the parking lot beyond the building, which was clearly where he would arrive.

"What vehicle does he drive? We'll wait for him," Connor said.

"He drives a silver BMW," the receptionist replied, making Cami think that he was doing well for himself also at this tech firm. A high earner, had he felt entitled to get what he thought he deserved in other areas—or take it?

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