Chapter 9 #2
“Got it.” Regan stood and eased her phone from her pants pocket and dialed Mason.
“Mason, I have a job for you.” She walked into the hall.
“I want you to get me everything on Jerry Sykes. I want you to go all the way back to his birth. I know we didn’t do a deep dive on him before.
That’s my mistake. But somewhere in there is a reason for him to want Cole dead. ”
“Any other reason?”
She paced in the hallway. “Yes, he’s the one who caused the spill at Platform A-063. Cole and I flew in here today. We’ll be flying out tomorrow and probably returning to Denver tomorrow, as well.”
“You got it. I should have all the information by the time you return.”
“Thanks.” She hit the red button and ended the call before Mason could ask any more questions.
Now was not the time to be thinking about her relationship with Cole…
or perhaps the relationship she wanted with Cole.
She was afraid he only saw her as his bodyguard, especially after the way she’d handled the perpetrator of his attempted murder.
Would he always see her as the bodyguard?
Isn’t that what she was supposed to want?
Why did she have to go and fall in love with her employer?
Dave returned to the conference room. “Here are the files on Sykes and those employees we have detained.”
Cole shook his head. “They are not detained. They can leave whenever they want, but I want to talk to them first.”
He nodded. “I’ll have them brought up one by one.”
“How many are there?”
“Just two,” replied Dave.
“All right bring the first one here.”
A while later, a man in his thirties entered the room, followed closely by Dave.
“Have a seat Eric,” said Dave. “Cole Kincaid, this is Eric Franklin. He was on duty the night the spill was discovered.”
“Hi Eric. What can you tell me about that night?” asked Cole.
“Well, Mr. Kincaid. I started my shift like normal. I was in the monitor room when I checked the monitors for the well. We’re closing it down and yet, it was still pumping, which wasn’t right.
Then I checked the CCTV feed and saw the oil pumping into the ocean.
I shut everything down so the pumps would stop. ”
Cole nodded. “And did they? Stop I mean?”
“Yes, sir, but we still had a spill,” said Eric.
“Okay, what happened next?” asked Cole.
Regan listened and made notes on her tablet. She tried to follow along and got Eric’s name, as well as some of the conversation. She watched Eric for signs of guilt and saw none. The man appeared to be completely truthful.
Eric fisted and unfisted his hands. “I sounded the alarm. I needed everyone working on this if we were going to get the spill contained.”
“Did everyone respond?” asked Cole.
Eric nodded. “As far as I could tell.”
Cole steepled his fingers. “Was anyone missing?”
“Just Jerry Sykes, but he was on vacation. Though I was told he was supposed to be back the day the spill happened.”
“What is your position in the company?” asked Cole.
“I’m a subsea engineer.” Eric leaned forward and rested his arms on the conference table.
“That is the same position as Jerry Sykes, is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How many subsea engineers are assigned to this platform?”
“There’s me, Jerry and Anne Adams. We were covering for Jerry while he was on vacation, so we were each pulling twelve-hour shifts for a few days. But that’s not what caused this spill. We did our jobs.”
“What is your job?”
“We designed and installed the underwater drilling equipment and then we monitor it from here.”
“Which is what you were doing when you saw the spill?”
“Yes, sir.”
Cole narrowed his eyes.
Regan wondered if he’d come to the same conclusion she had.
“Could the system have been sabotaged? Say on a timer, so to speak, in order for the guilty party to be gone when the spill actually happened?”
Eric thought for a bit, then he nodded. “Yes, it could have. Definitely could have.”
With one brow cocked, Cole looked over at Regan, then back at Eric. “Thank you for your time and the information.”
“Yes, sir. You’re welcome. Am I free to go or am I still being detained?” Eric frowned at Dave.
“You’re free to go.”
“In that case, consider this my resignation.”
“I’m sorry to hear that but under the circumstances, I understand.” Cole stood and leaned over the table before putting his hand out toward the man.
Eric also stood and leaned forward to take Cole’s hand.
Regan thought he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Maybe he didn’t expect Cole to let him go. One corner of her mouth tipped up. That’s what happens when people underestimate Cole Kincaid.
Suddenly Eric spoke, his words coming out fast. “Perhaps I spoke too soon. It’s been a trying couple of days.”
Cole smiled and nodded. “I’m sure it has. Let’s assume you never resigned.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kincaid. Thank you. This is the best job I’ve ever had.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Eric left the room.
Regan cocked her head. “That was nice of you.”
“Not really. Subsea engineers are hard to come by. I would have hated to lose him over something said in haste.”
Dave came in after Eric left. “Do you want to talk to Anne?”
“Yes. I see no reason not to.”
Dave nodded. “I’ll send her in.”
Anne Adams was short, a little overweight, but well proportioned. Her hair was long, blonde, and hung in a braid over her shoulder, nearly to her waist.
“Have a seat, Anne. I’m Cole Kincaid and this is my assistant Regan Phillips. When you’re comfortable, I’d like you to start with what a normal day is for you.”
Anne nodded and began her story. She said almost the same thing that Eric had.
Cole didn’t interrupt her. When she was finished, he stood. “Thank you for your time.” He extended his hand.
She looked down at it and then up at him. “You had no right to detain us like you did. I’ll never forget it or forgive you.”
Cole lifted a brow. “You’ll find, Miss Adams, that I had every right. Perhaps you should read your contract closer next time you take a job. Now, make arrangements and get off my property.”
Anne’s eyes narrowed. “My pleasure.” She stalked out of the room.
Dave entered the room as Anne left. “What’s with her?”
“She’ll be departing as soon as possible. She’s no longer in my employ. Make sure she no longer has access to any restricted area on the platform.”
“Will do. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll do that now.” Dave walked out.
Regan looked at Cole. “What now?”
“Now, we go back to Denver and find Jerry.”
Around six, Regan and Cole walked to the cafeteria and ate with the employees.
Regan could have cut the tension with a knife.
No one talked or laughed. The silence was almost deafening.
She heard whispers occasionally. Turning toward Cole, she whispered, “Do you think it’s always this quiet in here? ”
“I don’t know but I doubt it. I would guess that someone saw us walking this way. No one wants to be the one to get fired over what happened.”
Regan cocked her head. “Are you planning on firing someone?”
“No, but now I wonder if I should, just to get people speaking again.”
Suddenly, a lone man approached their table. He was in his late forties, had graying brown hair, and was slightly overweight.
“Mr. Kincaid?”
Cole looked up. “Yes, I’m Cole Kincaid. Who are you?”
“I’m Arnie Shoemaker.” He was on edge, moving stiffly. He sat next to Regan, across from Cole.
“This is Regan Phillips, my assistant.” Cole pointed.
Regan held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Shoemaker.”
Arnie took her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Then he held his hand out to Cole.
Cole took his hand and shook it. “Pleased to meet you, Arnie. Now tell me why everyone is so quiet?”
“They…we…are afraid you’ll fire us. I’m really hoping you don’t. Our contracts are up at the end of the month, anyway, so it wouldn’t make much sense. But I guess you know what is best for the company.”
“I have no plans on firing anyone. Only one person, so far, is leaving my employment and that was her decision not mine. I’m simply here to find out what happened. Nothing more.”
Arnie visibly relaxed. “Thank God. Once the word gets around, you’ll find we’re really a pretty friendly group. As a matter of fact, these people are the best I’ve come across, and I’ve been working these platforms for twenty years.”
Cole smiled. “Then you are just the person I want to talk to. Do you have any idea what caused the spill?”
“We know it was a failure of a lot of our systems, but that could only be caused by one of us. And it had to have been someone with knowledge of sub-sea engineering. That means that either Anne Adams, Eric Franklin, or Jerry Sykes are the culprits. Jerry left just before the spill was discovered. Eric and Anne are still being held here. But Eric is the one who fixed the problem. He figured out what was happening and fixed it. You don’t do that if you’re guilty of starting the problem to begin with.
I know these people and Eric would never do something like this.
I don’t think Anne would, either, but Jerry wasn’t here long enough for me to get a bead on him. ”
“You seem pretty certain of this,” said Cole, his dinner ignored. “How do I know you’re not trying to turn attention away from yourself?”
Arnie ran a careless hand through his hair, causing it to stand on end in places.
“I guess you don’t, but ask around about me.
Ask anyone you trust, and they’ll tell you the same thing…
that I’m trustworthy and the most knowledgeable person on this platform.
I wouldn’t lie, regardless if you were about to fire me.
I have integrity, Mr. Kincaid. My reputation means something to me. ”
“I can see that,” said Cole.
“Arnie, do you have one person you believe, more than any other, who could have sabotaged the platform?” asked Regan.
“I’d have to say Jerry Sykes. He’s the newest and he left before the accident by only a day, and he has yet to return, even though he was only supposed to be gone for the weekend.” Arnie leaned forward with his arms on the table.
Cole lifted a brow. “You’re the second person who has suggested Sykes. I’m taking you at your word. I like you, Arnie, and I believe you.”
Regan nodded. “I agree. You seem,” her eyebrows lifted and smiled. “Trustworthy…as you said of yourself.”
“Thank you for your time. Do you have a bar on this rig?” asked Cole.
Arnie shook his head. “Getting drunk would be too easy and accidents would follow. We’re not allowed to have alcohol of any kind. We have our luggage checked every time we return from a trip, whether for business or pleasure.”
Cole nodded, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” He turned toward Regan. “Do we need any additional information from Arnie?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Well other than the location of our quarters for the night.”
“We only have one guest room. I’m sure that’s where they’re putting you. I know Dave has probably already apologized for not having more empty rooms, but real estate is at a premium on a platform, even one as large as this one.” Arnie stood. “I’ll show you the way. It’s not far.”
Cole followed suit.
Regan did as well.
They followed Arnie out of the cafeteria to an elevator. They exited on the second floor, where he went down several hallways before stopping in front of a door. The plate on the door said Guest Room – 206 .
Arnie pointed at the door. “This is the guest room. The cafeteria will open for breakfast at five-thirty in the morning, and it’s open until ten at night.” He grinned. “Just in case you get the munchies.”
Regan smiled. “I’ve been known to have the munchies a time or two. Especially since I’m not eating MREs anymore.”
Arnie frowned. “I remember those and not fondly, either.” Then he laughed.
“As do I,” said Cole with a chuckle.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight and thanks, Arnie.” Cole extended his hand.
Arnie shook it and then walked away.
Cole opened the door for Regan to enter.
A king-sized bed dominated the room which also contained a loveseat, a wingback chair and small coffee table. Regan walked into the room and saw the door to the bathroom with a small closet to the left of the bath.
“It’s a pleasant room. The king-sized bed is definitely big enough for both of us, so you don’t have to sleep on top.
I’ll try not to cuddle.” She chuckled and retrieved her bag where it was next to the bed.
Then she opened it and pulled out her pajamas.
“I’m going to change first.” Then she headed to the bathroom.
By the time she returned, Cole was in bed, propped up on pillows with his arms behind his head. The blankets were bunched at his waist and his chest was in full view.
She wore a long t-shirt and shorts that were barely longer than the t-shirt. She crawled onto her side of the bed.
Cole turned onto his side, facing her. “So, what do you think? Why is Jerry Sykes after me? Why would he cause an oil spill and then try to kill me?”
She turned onto her side and propped on her elbow to face him. “There has got to be a reason in his background. Hopefully, Mason will find the answer. Maybe you broke his sister’s heart or something.”
Cole was quiet for a moment. “I’ve not broken any hearts that I know of. I’m very careful in my interactions with women.”
“Perhaps this woman fell in love with you, anyway. I can see that happening.”
He lifted a brow. “Can you see yourself falling in love with me?”
Oh yes, I can. You’re an easy man to love, Cole Kincaid. She shook her head as much in answer to his question as to clear her mind of impossible thoughts. “No. Not me. I don’t fall in love…with anyone…not anymore.”