Killer Karma

Flaxx and Farrell headed back down the hallway. Flaxx said, “Yes, check your tapes. Maybe he found a way to come in by the emergency exit. Then save the tape that has him on it so I can use it to file a complaint against him. I’ll check back with you in a few minutes.”

Flaxx left him and strode back down the hallway. Angling toward the side away from his office door. Did that mean he was headed for the Irah’s office? Yes. They turned into the side hall.

Flaxx pushed open the door without knocking and slammed it behind him. “So much for your claims of Dunavan never being a problem again.”

She turned from her computer, eyebrows arching. “What do you mean?”

He planted his hands on her desk. “I mean he was just in my office.”

“Dunavan?” Irah snorted. “That’s impossible.”

If Cole needed more proof that she killed him, the flat certainty in her voice gave it to him. Now give me something for Hamada.

“I wish.” Flaxx leaned over the desk. “This time he wasn’t even bothering to just insinuate things. He accused us outright of the burglaries and arson, and you of murdering what’s-her-name, the bookkeeper he was screwing…and claimed I’m an accessory.”

She froze for a moment and her heart jumped, then her eyes narrowed. “Dunavan was in your office?” Her tone doubted him.

Big brother should love that, Cole mused.

Flaxx’s voice hardened. “I know his voice.”

Irah sat up straighter. “Voice. You didn’t see him?”

“He came in while I was in the washroom,” Flaxx snapped. “I had the door closed. He mouthed off at me through it.”

“Oh.” Irah settled back in her chair. “You’re sure it was him…even though he’d have to get past Gina and Katherine, and Gina has orders to call you when any cop shows up?”

Flaxx flushed. “I’m thinking he found a way in through the emergency exit, and left that way, too. Farrell’s checking the tape now.”

“I promise you it wasn’t Dunavan,” Irah said. “So we don’t know who we’re looking for.” She picked up the phone and punched an in-house number. “Antoine, what are you seeing on the security tapes? … Is there anyone unknown on them who’s left in the last few minutes? … Terrific, but before you run that one, check all your monitors for an intruder. Check the supply room.” She waited, drumming her fingers, and a minute later she said, “I see. Well, you keep watching and I’ll get back to you.” Hanging up, she stood. “Donald, do me a favor. Stand in the doorway and watch for anyone trying to reach the emergency exit. I’ll be right back.”

Cole followed while she looked into the break room and marched into both the men’s and women’s restrooms and checked each stall. After leaving the men’s room, she leaned into the Security office. “Any sign of someone hiding or trying to sneak out?”

Farrell shook his head. “Nope.”

She smiled. “I thought not. Thanks. You can relax now. You’re not going to see any intruders.”

Back at her office, Flaxx still stood in the doorway. “Well?”

“The tapes don’t show anyone leaving.” She closed the door. “And there’s no outsider visible in the suite.”

Flaxx frowned. “Then what the hell happened to him?”

She sat down, looking thoughtful. “That’s obvious enough. The question is who he is. There’s one possibility that comes to mind.”

“Who!”

Irah shook her head. “I can’t imagine why he’d do it, or how he knew… Don’t worry,” she said as Flaxx’s mouth thinned, “once I know for certain, I’ll give him to you.”

Flaxx eyed her for a few more moments, then grunted. “Make it quick.” He turned toward the door.

What a piece of work Irah was, Cole reflected. She had completely sidetracked him from the subject of Sara’s murder.

He moved up to Flaxx’s ear.“Why should this character accuse Irah of killing that bookkeeper?” he whispered.

Flaxx hesitated just a second before he continued reaching for the doorknob.

Indicating he heard something. Cole tried again. “Why is she ignoring that and not denying it? That’s suspicious.”

Flaxx paused with his hand on the knob.

Cole kept whispering. “Is it possible the guy outside the washroom wasn’t lying?” He had a thought. Could he pass as an inner voice? “I have to know. I can’t afford more cops digging around if that bookkeeper turns up dead.”

The shot hit home. Flaxx wheeled and walked back to the desk. “Why did Dunavan accuse you of killing the bookkeeper? Aren’t you upset by that?”

She looked up wide-eyed. “An accusation delivered anonymously through a door? No.”

A lie. It did worry her, Cole noted with satisfaction. He heard tension in her voice. Flaxx was relaxing, though. He obviously bought the innocent stare.

Education time, asshole. “Shouldn’t she have said she isn’t upset because she’s not guilty? Damn. She’s dodging my question.” Cole whispered. “I can’t let her get away with that! Let’s see how she reacts to hearing how he said she killed the woman.”

Flaxx scowled at her. “He said you suffocated the woman in the parking garage.”

Irah’s pupils dilated and her heart rate jumped. For a split second Cole also saw shock in her face. Then she regained control. Her expression turned mocking. “Suffocated in the garage by Colonel Mustard using the velvet pillow? I can’t believe you’re buying this guy.”

Cole whispered, “Why won’t you won’t give me a straight answer? Is what Dunavan said bullshit or the truth…yes or no?”

Flaxx parroted the words, then slapped a hand on the desk and finished on his own. “That woman’s linked to this company and if she turns up dead Dunavan will- ”

“He won’t do anything,” Irah said. “He’s history. Don’t worry about Benay turning up dead either. Trust me.”

“Trust you.” Flaxx grimaced. “Trusting you has gotten me involved in burglary and arson. I don’t want it to be murder, too.”

Cole ground his teeth. Shit! If only he could be wearing a wire!

“I don’t know why I listened to you.”

She gave him a razor smile. “Because I offered you a chance to make more money and you love waving profit figures in front of Daddy. I’ve delivered what I promised, right? So listen to me again. Neither Dunavan nor Benay is going to pop up. I guarantee it.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Never mind. Per your often stated preference, you have results without being bothered about the details of execution.”

She drew out the final word, her inflection savoring it.

Flaxx stiffened. He stepped back from the desk, staring at her in disbelief. “Oh my god. You did kill the woman.”

Irah’s eyes measured him for a moment, then she shrugged. “Yes.”

Rage hit Cole in an incandescent bolt. A rage fueled in part, he realized, by his own guilt. One word, delivered so casually, as if it meant nothing, destroyed the last hope that he might redeem himself by finding Sara still alive somewhere…and indicted him for sacrificing her to his obsession.

He bared his teeth. Now taking down Sara’s killer was all he could do for her. “And I will take you down for it, Irah, if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Now…as long as you insist on being given knowledge of a capital crime,” Irah added, “you might as well know I killed Dunavan, too…also down in the garage.” She fired a finger gun at Flaxx.

Cole swore. If only he could be recording this!