s [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

reached for a phone.  Can I tell him what it s about?
 Andy Finnion? Oh, sure, we know him, Des said.  Tell Andy it s Des Olesh
from across in the city. We ve got a guy here who thinks that a missing person
might be on the premises. Also, a vehicle that he claims is stolen is parked
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at the back of this building gray Dodge van, registration 437 ECH. We just
want to straighten it all out.
 I ll see if I can get him.
Seconds ago, Corfe had thought things were about to turn his way at last. Now
he was assailed by misgivings again.
These people were all on the same side. But there was nothing for it now but
to see it through once more. Finnion was not a complete stranger to him
either. He had been in charge of security when Corfe worked at
Microbotics although Corfe had never had any occasion to get to know him
particularly well.
While the Redmond officers stayed by the desk, the two from Seattle wandered
around the lobby area, casually inspecting wall plaques, framed certificates
of merit from various trade and engineering institutions, a plan showing the
layout of the building. To one side was a glass-topped display case showing
some of the company s products. A section of it was devoted to Microbotics s
line of VR-driven micromecs. Des indicated them and grinned at Corfe.  Are
they like the machines that you went into Mr. Garsten s office as?
 Yes, as a matter of fact.
Des scowled and turned away with the look of somebody whose joke had fallen
flat.
A double door opened at the rear of the lobby area, and Vanessa stepped
through, followed a moment later by Finnion.
She gave Corfe a cold glance, showing no sign of familiarity at seeing him.
His premonition worsened.
 Hi, guys. Finnion nodded briefly at the policemen, his eyes settling finally
on Des.  It s been a while now, Des. How s it all going?
 Oh, up and down. You know, the usual roller coaster, Des said. Greg moved
back to join them.
 Still crankin  em in for those retirement points, eh?
 Well, we try. What else can you do?
Finnion indicated Corfe with a raised eyebrow.  So, what have we got?
 Well, this is Mr. Corfe, who says he worked here at one time. . . .
Finnion nodded.  Yes, I recognize the face. I was trying to place the name.
 He s looking for a somebody by the name of Michelle Lang, and he says he has
reason to believe she s being held here on the premises.
Impatience clouded Finnion s face.  Oh hell, not that again. I thought we d
cleared it up. First it was supposed to be
Garsten s office, right? Didn t my duty supervisor talk to you there about an
hour ago Kyle Welsh? The place was clean.
There were no alarms. Finnion showed both palms.  That s all we know. What
else can I tell you?
 You sound as if you know Mr. Garsten, one of the Redmond officers commented.
 Phil Garsten? Of course I do. He works for the boss here, Martin Payne. We re
old friends. Finnion nodded toward
Corfe and lowered his tone, suggesting confidentiality.  Look, I think you
should know, this guy has had a grudge against the company ever since he was
fired. He s always giving us a hard time. I don t think he s exactly . . .
 stable, know what I
mean?
Corfe s eyes widened.  I was never  he started to protest, but Des gave him a
withering look.
 So this Michelle Lang isn t here? Des said to Finnion.
Finnion s voice rose again.  No, for chrissakes! Why should she be? Who is
she, anyway? I never heard of her.
 Then, ah, perhaps you can explain the van? the Redmond officer who had
spoken before invited.
Vanessa stepped forward.  That s easy, officer. It s mine. I drove it here.
Corfe shook his head wildly.  That s not true. I ve had it since  Des quieted
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him with a wave.
 Wait a minute, wait a minute. Are you telling me that 
 But I borrowed it from 
 Mr. Corfe, are you the registered owner of that van?
 Well, no, not exactly. That is, not legally, but . . .
Des turned to Vanessa.  You are who, ma am?
 Vanessa Heber. The van belongs to my husband and me. Mr. Corfe is employed by
my husband s company, and yes, it s true that he does use it sometimes.
Eric my husband gave him a job out of . . . loyalty, I suppose you could say.
She hesitated, as if uncomfortable at what needed to be said.  As Mr. Finnion
says, he sometimes tends to . . .  do things like this.
Corfe looked wildly from one policeman to the other.  She s lying. They re
both lying. . . . I 

Shuddup!
. . . Thank you. . . . Mrs. Heber, so the van is yours, registered in your
name?
 Yes. . . . Well, Eric s to be precise.
 And you are not reporting it as stolen?
 Of course not.
 So you don t know anything about this Michelle Lang being taken from it?
 That s ridiculous.
 Do you know who this Michelle Lang is, Mrs. Heber? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]