Seeing the Light (A Marie Jenner Mystery Book 1) by E. C. Bell Page B

again. Thirty-five to forty seconds, tops. Over and over and over again. Not being able to hear what the voice was saying past “that would sell on eBay” or some shit. All I could tell for sure was that it was my hand on the wire, and I knew the voice from somewhere.
    Jesus, Marie, help me. Please.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Marie: Again with the Blinking
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    I didn’t check to see if Farley was hiding somewhere in the office, because I had to concentrate on Mr. Latterson, who was yelling at me because I was being entirely too loud. He said, “Stop wasting my time and money and get back to work.”
    “I will, Mr. Latterson.”
    When his door shut, I clicked the computer mouse. The only name Farley had mentioned before he disappeared was the owner of the building, George Carruthers. It was time to find out as much as I could about him.
     
    What I found was a big fat zero, zilch, nada. Well, close to it, anyway. George Carruthers owned a bunch of buildings besides the Palais in Edmonton, and he’d recently moved from the Palais to an office in a much more fashionable part of downtown Edmonton.
    Other than that, he managed to stay right off the grid. I’d have to figure out another way to get information about him. However, that would have to wait, because Mr. Latterson’s afternoon appointment walked in.
    It was Raymond Jackson, aftershave wafting from every pore, as usual.
    “So, is he here?”
    The drinks he’d had with lunch—or for lunch—were barely disguised by the spearmint candy in his mouth. I noticed the new diamond chip imbedded in his right incisor, and tried not to roll my eyes. I could only imagine what this bad boy wannabe’s car looked like.
    “He’s in his office. One moment and I’ll get him for you.” I walked to Mr. Latterson’s door, though I could’ve pressed the intercom button. I had to get out of the aftershave.
    “Mr. Latterson.” I knocked and entered, frightening him so badly papers flew from his hands in a small avalanche. “Your two p.m. is here.”
    “Good.” Latterson tried to act like he was cool and together, but only managed to rub the sweat from his face into the thinning hair on his scalp. It was not a good look for him. “Send him in.”
    Raymond sauntered by me, his hand touching my back and sliding around to cop a quick feel as he stepped to the door. I sidestepped him, and his hand hung, groping in the air like a squid pulled from the ocean.
    “Thanks, Sweetie,” he said, the diamond chip glittering. “We’ll talk later.”
    “You’re welcome.” I held the smile as long as I could, which was until the door clicked shut, then staggered over to the entry door and opened and closed it several times, trying to clear the air so I could breathe. I glowered at the controls for the furnace and air conditioner. Why couldn’t I move air in this office?
    James, even though he was injured and all that, was the handyman. He needed to do something about my situation. I put the phone to voice mail, and stalked out to find him.
    I wasn’t mad at James about the air conditioner. Not really. I was worried about Farley, and about my mother, and about my money problems, and every other stupid thing that seemed to have landed in my lap since I took this job.
    Luckily, I realized there was a very good chance I was going to take it out on James, injured or not, so, I turned right instead of left, and walked out the ornate front doors. I’d walk around the block, get some air and some perspective, then go back in and figure out Farley’s problem. If I could.
    The big problem was, the further I walked, the less perspective I got. Meaning I had no idea in the world what I was going to do about Farley.
    So, I decided to call my mother, for real this time. I was ready to put my own crap aside for the moment to get to the bottom of Farley’s situation. Something really weird was going on with him. I needed help.
    That’s when I realized I’d left