“I met him a couple of times. He’s a salesman for a software company, Connect IT, I think. He seemed really nice.” She slowly lowered her burrito. “I feel really bad for him. He called the office from New York that day. We chitchatted about his job, then I transferred the call to Stacy. It was close to five, so I almost didn’t pick it up because I wanted to go home.” She paused and looked down at her burrito. “That could have been the last time she spoke with him.” She squeezed her shoulders together and shook. “It makes you think about life. You know?”
Chandler nodded.
Jack flipped back a page and read the name written there. “Do you know a Mr. Chambers?”
“Leland Chambers? Yeah. He works in finance. He was Stacy’s boss.”
“They were arguing,” Chandler said.
Jack shot him a please-shut-up glare.
“Are you serious, Chandler? Leland and Stacy were fighting?” Lori said. “Leland was the last person to see her, I think. Well, besides Betty.”
Jack started writing again. “Hold on. No one said anything about fighting. Is that Betty Robinson?”
“Yes. Betty was outside waiting for a ride when Stacy left.”
“Did they talk?”
“I guess. Or at least that’s what I overheard in the break room. I have no idea what about.”
“What can you tell me about this Leland guy?”
“He’s slime in a suit. I have to stand up when he comes over to the desk, if you know what I mean? Leland hits on anything in a skirt. I’m surprised HR hasn’t done something, but then again it’s run by a man so I guess I’m not shocked.”
“But he was Stacy’s supervisor?”
“Yes. He’s the manager in Finance. I know the police interviewed him.” Lori looked at the time on her phone and groaned. “I have to go.” She finished her soda and tossed it in the recycling bin.
“Would it be okay if I used a restroom in the office?” Chandler asked.
“Sure.”
Jack looked askew at Chandler. As they crossed the street, he whispered, “You can’t go back in there.”
“But this time I really have to go,” Chandler whispered back.
“Vargas is still in there.” Jack pointed at the sedan. “Hold it.”
Chandler scowled.
“Do you know who else the police interviewed?” Jack asked Lori.
“Lots of people, but mostly Leland, Betty, and Jeremy. Oh, there’s a detective meeting with Peter Guppy today. He came in just before you.”
“Really?” Jack tried to sound surprised. “What does Peter Guppy do?”
“He’s IT and security. They were talking about reviewing the security cameras.”
“When did they interview the others?”
“Right after Stacy went missing. They interviewed me too. The detective is still here if you want to speak with him.”
“No.” Jack raised his hands up. “Is there any way you can set me up to talk with Leland or Betty Robinson?”
“I don’t know about Leland, but I’m sure my friend Betty will talk to you.”
“You’re sure Betty will talk about what?” said a tall woman who was standing near the corner of the building, smoking a cigarette. She walked over to them and smiled at Lori.
“Ah, hi, Betty.” Lori swallowed. “This is my cousin’s boyfriend, Chandler Carter, and his friend Jack Stratton.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jack reached out his hand.
“And uh… Jack was the one who found Stacy’s body,” Lori added.
“Oh…” Betty inhaled sharply off her nearly finished cigarette.
“Jack’s heading for a career in law enforcement. He’d like to help. Will you answer a few of his questions?”
Betty hesitated.
Lori leaned in. “For Stacy’s sake.”
“I just have a couple of questions,” Jack said softly. “Do you have a few minutes?”
Betty dropped her cigarette and lit another. “Now I do.”
Jack turned to Lori. “Thank you.” Then he gave Chandler a look that he hoped conveyed that he wanted his friend to take a walk.
“Lori,” Chandler said haltingly, “I’m just going to go use the restroom in the coffee shop.” To Betty he added, “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He followed Lori to the door, gave her a quick hug, then made a beeline for the coffee shop at the end of the building.
Jack took out his notebook. “Mrs. Robinson, you trained Stacy?”
“Please call me Betty. And the answer is yes. I trained Stacy to take over my responsibilities when I was promoted.”
“Do you know if Stacy had any issues?”