Chapter 25
Jesse waitedfor Cassie to fall asleep before easing out of bed to check his phone. He was hoping to have a message from Craig, but there was nothing.
Update? - Jesse
Cameras in place. Now we wait. - Craig
While he knew this would be a process, he’d been hoping for more. He didn’t like knowing Cassie had been up on the sixth floor alone. They didn’t know who was living up there or why.
Their reasons could be innocent enough, but even if they were, that didn’t mean whoever it was would take kindly to Cassie finding them. People didn’t always react rationally when their secrets were exposed.
Knowing they weren’t likely to have more answers before morning, Jesse got himself a drink of water, then headed back to bed and the warm body waiting for him. Cassie’s declaration of love had been unexpected. He knew she cared for him. The fact she trusted him to restrain her proved that. Hearing her say the words, though, had done something to him.
Logically, he knew there was a process that should be followed. Their relationship was new. They needed time to get to know each other more, test the waters.
His heart, however, had already made its decision. Cassie was the one. The woman he wanted to marry. She’d be his in every way and he’d be hers.
Cassie was snoring softly as he slipped into the large bed. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he also needed her close.
She released a sigh as he gathered her against his chest, spooning her. Her ass was cradled against his hips, exactly where it was supposed to be.
He rested his head on his pillow, one arm above his head, and closed his eyes as his other hand cupped her naked breast. This was about as perfect as life could get.
The next morning, there weren’t any new messages from Craig or his dad. He didn’t know if that meant they didn’t have anything, or if they just hadn’t shared it with him.
Jesse walked Cassie to her desk. “No going up to the sixth floor alone.”
“I won’t.”
He wanted to kiss her, but he knew that would create even more office drama. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Um. I have a lunch meeting today.”
He raised an eyebrow in question.
“All the assistants go out for lunch once a month.”
A memory from his teenage years popped into his head. He’d come to work with his dad not long before he’d left for Europe and his assistant at the time, Martha, had gone to lunch with the other administrative assistants. His dad had said it was great for building teamwork between the support staff.
Jesse nodded. “Text me when you get back to your desk.”
She cocked her head to the side as if trying to figure out what he was thinking. “Okay.”
Before he could do something he shouldn’t, Jesse turned and made his way to the elevator.
He was sitting at his desk two hours later when there was a knock on the door. Considering Stephanie hadn’t called to let him know someone was here to see him, he assumed it was her. “Come in.”
It wasn’t. His father’s head of security strolled into Jesse’s office and closed the door behind him.
Jesse stood. “Did you find something?”
Craig shook his head. “Not yet. I had to be discreet when placing the cameras last night. I didn’t want to spook whoever it is before we get a face. They might move their things and then we’re back to square one.”
Although Craig hadn’t been directly involved in the accounting mess Jesse had walked into or the missing contract, he was aware of them. Especially given he oversaw security for not only the building, but his father’s personal security as well.
Craig crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’ve been thinking about everything that has happened over the last year and what’s happened since you’ve taken over the department.”
Jesse sat back down. “I took over after the pervious manager failed to deliver a balanced set of numbers for multiple quarters.”
“Yes, but who compiles those numbers?”
It only took Jesse a few moments to realize where he was going with his line of thought, and he didn’t like it. His defenses went up. “Cassie’s not responsible for the numbers not adding up.”
“No. Not Cassie.”
Jesse relaxed. “Then…” He let his mind drift. “You’re thinking it was Travers’s assistant?”
“I think it’s possible. I never liked Travers, but he didn’t strike me as a thief. Neither did Crystal, but I could see her fudging numbers if she had an incentive.” He paused. “Or if someone was putting some pressure on her. Travers implied as much when he was let go.”
“That’s a lot of ifs.”
“Which is why I haven’t said anything to your father. I need more proof.”
Another lightbulb went off in Jesse’s head. “What do you need from me?”
“I’m thinking you and I aren’t likely to get any information if we start asking questions, but maybe your assistant. Or Miss Ross would.”
“I won’t put Cassie or Stephanie in danger.” The thought of intentionally putting any woman in harm’s way made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
“Neither do I. But having someone running around unchecked with full access to this building and the people in it doesn’t sit well with me either.”
Craig didn’t need to elaborate. Whoever was living on the sixth floor had been coming and going without detection for who knows how long. They had no idea what their intentions were, and that was dangerous for everyone.
“I’ll ask, but I’m not pushing either of them.”
“Understood.” Craig opened the door and let himself out.
Jesse ran a hand over his face and picked up his phone. He dialed Cassie’s desk.
“Blake Masters’s office.”
“Cass, it’s Jesse.”
“Hey. Why are you?—”
“Sorry to interrupt you, but I need you to do me a favor,” Jesse said.
She didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
“When you’re at your lunch today, can you ask about Zac Travers’s assistant?”
“Crystal?”
“Yes.” He knew she was confused about his request. “I’m trying to get a feel for how things worked before I took over.” He paused, not wanting to give her any more information than he needed to. Not because he didn’t trust her, but he didn’t want her involved more than she needed to be. He didn’t like her level of involvement as it was.
“Oh. Well, Stephanie should be able to help with that. I mean, I knew Crystal from our assistants’ lunches, but it’s not like I hung out with her or anything.”
“I know, and I plan on asking her as well. But from my understanding, Crystal was in this position for a while. I’d like to get a feel for who she trusted.”
Cassie was silent on the other line. “You think she had something to do with the missing…information?” Her words were said in a whisper. While her desk was somewhat isolated, that didn’t mean people didn’t walk close enough to overhear her.
“You know more about what my father is working on than anyone else. You have access to everything he does. That means she had access to everything Travers did.”
He didn’t fill in the rest, and luckily, he didn’t have to.
“I’ll ask around. See what I can dig up. Find out who she was friends with at the office.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s hard for me to say no to you.”
Jesse smiled. “I know.”
Cassie giggled. They both knew they were no longer talking about Crystal or work. “I need to go. Lots of work to do before lunch.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“We’ll be spending the night at your apartment tonight, so you might want to give Brie a heads-up. She may need to swing by the store and buy some noise-canceling headphones.”
“You can’t say stuff like that to me at work,” she said in a harsh whisper.
Jesse laughed. “Enjoy your lunch. I’ll be at your desk to pick you up at five.”
He disconnected the call and stood. Stephanie was next. He only hoped that between Cassie and Stephanie, they’d be able to find some trail of useful information for Craig to follow up on. That, or whoever their mystery guest was showed their face. Either way, he was hoping they’d have answers soon.
* * *
Cassie logged off her computer at eleven fifty-eight. She knocked on her boss’s door and reminded him of her lunch with the other assistants and made her way to the lobby.
Within five minutes, the lobby was full of the company’s administrative assistant. They walked the block and a half to the restaurant, chatting amongst themselves. Cassie had made their reservation over a week ago, so the hostess was waiting on them. They were promptly shown to an area in the back.
As everyone took their seats, Cassie took inventory of the room. Most of the assistants were women, but there was one man. He worked as an assistant to Grayson Hyde, the head of the IT department. She’d talked to him a few times, but she wouldn’t say she knew him.
Her gaze landed on Stephanie, and they locked eyes for a moment. A silent communication passed between them. They were both here on a mission.
Two servers came to take the group’s orders. It didn’t take long. Given they came to the same restaurant every month, most of them ordered the same thing every time. It made things easier for everyone.
Conversations continued as the servers went around the table, so Cassie figured she’d get to work. She turned to the woman beside her, Janice. “How are things going in accounts payable?”
“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. IT updated some of our software, so I’ve been fighting with that.” Janice rolled her eyes.
Cassie had to log into accounts payable from time to time, so she knew what the woman was talking about. “I can only imagine. Anytime I’ve logged into the system over the last week, I’ve had to call down to the help desk.”
Janice grinned. “What about you? How are things on the executive floor?”
“Good. I’ve been helping Mr. Masters with some new projects.”
There was a gleam in Janice’s eye. “Are we talking about your boss or the other Mr. Masters?”
Cassie had walked into that one. “My boss. Jesse and I try to keep our relationship out of the office.”
The woman on the other side of Janice snorted. “He brings you to work every day and comes to your desk to pick you up.”
“I heard you got caught making out in the executive conference room,” Betsy said.
Cassie was trying to figure out how to respond when Stephanie chimed in. “I doubt that. I’ve seen them together in the office and they’ve always kept things professional.”
Betsy pursed her lips, not liking how Stephanie shut her down.
Janice patted Cassie’s arm. “Try not to let Betsy over here bother you. She’s just not getting any at home, so she has to live vicariously.”
Betsy narrowed her eyes, but everyone around them laughed.
“Maybe we should change the subject,” Stephanie said. “Did either of you know the woman who used to have my position? I think her name was Crystal.”
Janice nods. “I knew her. Not well, but she used to come to these lunches.” She paused. “You know, if you want to find out more about her, the best person to ask is Sandy.”
Cassie had no idea who Sandy was. “Is she another assistant?”
Betsy shook her head. “No. She works in accounts receivable. They used to go to lunch all the time. I think they hung out outside of work, too. I saw them leaving together a few times.”
As much as Cassie wasn’t a fan of office gossip, for once it was working in her favor.
“I know Sandy. She hangs out with Shannon a lot. Long, blond hair, wears it up in a bun most of the time.”
“That’s the one,” Betsy said.
Given the direction of the conversation, Cassie let Stephanie take the lead. “Do you know if they still hang out? I might want to pick her brain. I’m still trying to get a handle on some things.”
“I’m not sure.” Betsy looked at the other side of Cassie. “Maxine, do you know if Sandy’s still in contact with Crystal?”
“That’s a strange question.”
The tone in Maxine’s voice piqued Cassie’s interest. “Why do you say that?”
“Because they’re sisters.”
“I didn’t know that,” Janice said.
Betsy spoke up next. “Neither did I.”
“I didn’t think relatives could work together in the same department?” Cassie said, knowing she was walking a bit of a line. Even though she and Jesse weren’t related, she was working for his dad. That created a conflict of interest, or at least, a potential one.
Maxine waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I don’t think they’re blood related. I think they’re stepsisters or something.”
The food started coming out then and the conversation about Crystal and Sandy dissolved into comments on lunch.
Cassie caught Stephanie’s gaze a couple of times, but there was no way they could have a private conversation. She’d been hoping to corner her on the walk back, but one of the other ladies, Kris, Cassie thought her name was, made a beeline for Stephanie as soon as they stood up from the table.
Deciding to take a chance, Cassie lingered in the lobby until everyone else had gone back to their respective floors, then took the elevator to the billing department. Stephanie almost never came to the executive floor, so if Cassie wanted to talk to her, she was going to have to go to her.
The doors opened to the third floor and Cassie was immediately hit by how different it looked to the executive level. There were cubicles everywhere. Rows and rows of them.
She was heading for Jesse’s office when she overheard a woman talking. It was coming from the break room.
“Why did you say that?” The woman paused and Cassie realized she must be talking to someone on the phone. “Well, you should have kept your mouth shut.”
Cassie paused by the door, glancing inside. A blond woman looked up, noticing her. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a loose bun. The woman matched Maxine’s description of Sandy.
“Can I help you with something?” the woman asked, her smile overly sweet.
“I’m looking for Stephanie?” Cassie took a step forward. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Cassie.” She held out her hand for the woman, trying to both be polite and confirm her suspicions.
It took a moment for the woman to shake Cassie’s extended hand. “Sandy. Stephanie’s desk is down the hall to the left. Just after the stairwell.”
Cassie forced a smile. Although the woman had answered her question, she was getting frosty vibes from her. “Thanks. It was nice meeting you.”
Stephanie wasn’t at her desk. The door to Jesse’s office was open, however, and she could hear voices.
Jesse saw her first. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
Stephanie glanced at them both. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
“No,” Cassie said, stopping her. “I came to see you. I wanted to discuss lunch.”
“Close the door,” Jesse said.
With the door closed, Cassie and Stephanie brought Jesse up to date.
“How did we not know this?” he asked.
“Maybe we did. Or at least, someone did. Craig’s only been handling security for the last three years. Both Crystal and Sandy were hired before that.”
Jesse’s eyebrows rose in question.
“Sandy started in the mailroom like me. We worked together for six months before she was transferred to accounts receivable. If I remember correctly, Mr. Travers approved the transfer himself.”
“That still doesn’t help us find the missing contract,” Cassie said.
“No, but it adds another piece to the puzzle.” Jesse reached for his phone. “I’ll update Craig and see where he wants to go from here. For now, though, there’s not much we can do. As far as we know, Sandy hasn’t done anything.”
Cassie thought about mentioning Sandy’s phone call but decided to let it go. Like Jesse said, right now they didn’t know Sandy, or Crystal, for that matter, had done anything wrong.
Saying goodbye to Jesse and Stephanie, Cassie headed for the elevator. The missing contract seemed to be the key to a lot of their unanswered questions, but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. They didn’t even know if it was still in the building.
The elevator doors opened to her floor, and she made her way to her desk. Her gaze landed on a piece of paper that hadn’t been there previously.
You’re wrong.
Cassie had been away from her desk for over an hour, but she scanned the area anyway.
It was useless, of course. The office buzzed with its usual activity.
She picked up her phone and dialed Jesse’s office, but he didn’t answer. Next, she tried his cell, but again it went to voicemail.
Something told her ignoring the message was a bad idea, so she crossed to her boss’s office and knocked. No one answered.
She was considering her options when she heard something that sounded like someone was bouncing a ball against the stairwell door. It wasn’t loud exactly, but it was consistent. And it wasn’t increasing or decreasing in volume like it would be if it came from someone going up or down the stairs.
At first, Cassie ignored it, remembering Jesse’s instructions not to go to the sixth floor by herself. But the noise persisted. Never getting louder. Never getting softer.
He didn’t say I couldn’t go into the stairwell. It could be a leaking pipe or something. She didn’t want it to cause a bigger issue.
Convincing herself it would be okay if she looked, Cassie walked to the heavy metal door that led to the stairwell and opened it.