But justice would be done.
***
A few slow minutes later, he took the exit into the city and headed for Pike Street. Traffic had eased a little, and the hotel quickly loomed into view. He pulled the truck into the loading dock and killed the engine. Climbing out, he grabbed his cap and tool belt from the seat, snapped the previously prepared fake credentials to his lapel, hoisted his heavy rucksack of supplies over his shoulder, and headed for the security booth at the far end of the courtyard.
The loading dock clerk looked up as he approached the window. “Yeah?”
“Where do I find building operations?”
The clerk pointed at the main entrance behind him. “Just through there. You got ID?”
The killer tapped his pass. “I’m kinda in a hurry here. Last minute call. You know how it is, right? These guys expect you to drop everything at a moment’s notice.”
“You got that right.” The clerk pressed a button on his console. “Go on through. You want Rick Gustafson. You know the way?”
“Yeah, got it. Thanks.” He nodded briskly and set off, pushing through the heavy doors into the polished corridor within. A short walk later, he reached a small office manned by a young, plump blonde man. The door was open.
“Are you Rick Gustafson?” he asked, rapping on the door and stepping inside. He remembered to smile, something not habitually easy for him. “I’m told you’re the man to see if I need to get something done around here.”
Rick tossed down a clipboard and sat forward. “Yeah, that’s right. The manager is out from work on maternity leave right now, but I’m getting it done for her.”
“Great.” He handed over a business card, “Seattle HVAC” emblazoned on the front. The card included a name and contact number, one of his many aliases. “I’m Trevor Hanson. I’m here for the building inspection that was ordered.”
Rick picked up his clipboard again, flipping through several pages. “I don’t see anything about an inspection.” He looked up. “That’s something that’s handled internally anyway. Our ventilation systems get checked every quarter, no issues.” He tossed the clipboard down again. “Who called you, exactly?”
Trevor smiled and forced out a chuckle. “Wouldn’t you know it? The biggest conference of the year coming to town in a couple days, and nobody told you about what needs to be done.”
“Yeah, well…”
Trevor found a work order of his own, something he had fabricated the day before. “I think someone’s keeping you out of the loop, Rick. Here’s the order, you’ll notice the top-level clearance.” He handed it over, giving Rick a hard stare. “I assume you’ve been cleared to work here for the duration of the conference?”
Rick waved him off. “Oh, yeah. We run a tight ship here in plant ops.” He took the memo from Trevor and studied it carefully. “Jesus…”
Trevor nodded. “Yeah, you’re getting it now. You have two high-level VIPs coming for the conference this weekend, and they’ve ordered their own inspection of the place, every part of it. I’m the guy they send out for mechanical inspections and crawl spaces.”
“So, you’re like a Secret Service agent or something?” Rick asked with a hushed voice.
“Yeah, I guess. Kinda. At least, they’re the ones signing the paychecks.” He smiled again. “But let me explain. Nobody is supposed to know I’ve been here. You need to do your bit too, and keep this to yourself.”
Rick nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I can do that. No problem, boss.”
“These inspections always get done before big conferences like this. It’s pretty simple stuff, mainly routine. It’s nothing you have to help with. We just like to make sure the place is up to scratch and that there’s no possible security breaches.” He took the work order back. “Mostly I just need access to the basement and attic mechanical levels to inspect and do any alterations, if necessary.”
“Today?”
Trevor looked at his watch. “It was scheduled for five minutes ago. The sooner I get started, the sooner I get out of your hair and let you get back to the real work of running a hotel.”
Rick pushed out of his chair. “You got it, boss. Follow me.”
Nodding, Trevor held the door open. As the operations manager blustered past, Trevor fished out a white plastic key card from his pocket and dropped it onto Rick’s desk.
***
A few flights of stairs later, Rick wrenched open a heavy steel door leading through to a dark room that smelled of damp and oil. “This is the basement level,” he said. “I can let you in the mechanical room where we house the ventilation systems, but I can’t leave you alone in there. Both the hotel and Convention Center are controlled from here.”