“Okay, so no one else has a key. Are you sure?”
She looked thoughtful. “Eddie might.” She looked stricken that she didn’t know the answer.
“That’s okay, I’ll check with Eddie later.”
“He would never do anything to hurt her, she treats her like one of his own children. He worships her.”
“I don’t believe Eddie would do anything to Kay.” I tried to reassure her.
“Is there anyone that might hold a grudge against her?” I motioned for Sherry to sit down. “Has she fired anyone lately that might want to get back at her?”
“No, the last person she let go was three years ago or more and that was Elliot,” she told me.
“Who is Elliott?” I didn’t remember Kay ever mentioning anyone by the name.
“He was the corporate attorney when her father ran the company and he and Kay didn’t really see eye to eye. Elliot was old school and didn’t like Kay’s new ideas for the company. Michael was his junior attorney, so she encouraged Elliot to retire and then she promoted Michael to the lead corporate attorney.”
“And was Elliot bitter?” I asked.
“I don’t think he was happy, but I wouldn’t say he was bitter. He received an excellent retirement package and I know they still exchange Christmas cards.”
Sherry was wringing her hands in her lap. She was nervous about something.
“Okay, so not Elliott, anyone else? Has she talked about anyone new lately, anything stressful here at the office?”
“Well, there is this company that is trying to buy us out. They are being really aggressive about it, too,” he said, looking a bit secretive.
“What do you mean, aggressive?” I was surprised to hear this; Kay had only mentioned there had been an offer and she didn’t intend to sell.
“When did this start?” I wanted to know.
“Last week, I think.”
“What else can you tell me about it?”
“Well, not too much. Kay said she would never sell, and she had me researching companies that are traded publicly that went private.”
“Can they do that?” I was surprised.
“Oh yes, it can be done, it requires Kay to buy out all the other shareholders,” she said with wide, honest eyes.
“Who currently owns the majority of the stock?” I thought I knew.
“Kay does and before that her father did. There are about ten other shareholders in the company and I know she made them offers this week.”
I could see she was very thorough. “Do you know if any of the sales have gone through?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t.” She shook her head. “Michael would know, you should talk to him.”
“Michael?”
“Our attorney, the one that replaced Elliott.” Sherry smiled.
“And do Michael and Kay see, eye to eye?”
“Oh yes, Michael and Kay are very close, professionally I mean.” She added quickly.
“He was the one she called after the attack.”
“I’m sorry, what attack?”
Kay had never mentioned Michael. I was beginning to realize I still had a lot to learn about Kay.
“Oh, maybe I shouldn’t say anything. If Kay hasn’t told you about it yet.”
“Why? Sherry, what attack?”
“It was back right after her mother passed away and she was still working overseas.”
So right after I had met her, putting the timeline together in my head.
“Ethan, I really am not sure I should be the one to tell you this story.” She was very protective of Kay’s privacy.
“She told me she was injured while she was in Afghanistan, but she didn’t give me any details. Sherry, was the attack something that might have anything to do with her current disappearance?”
“I don’t think so. The attack wasn’t aimed at her personally. It was part of the war and she was embedded with a company of marines and was injured when they were attacked.” “Well, Kay was one of the first ones hit and she nearly died but she still managed to save the rest of them. Imagine a bunch of marines getting saved by a photojournalist!” Sherry laughed. “They gave her the Medal of Freedom and everything!” She beamed.
“She was awarded the Medal of Freedom by the President of the United States?”
“Oh yes, everyone was quite proud of her.”
“How did she take it?” I had a feeling Kay wasn’t quite so proud.
“She threw one heck of a fuss and said she didn’t want it and said she didn’t deserve it.” Sherry shook her head. “It was quite the scene and she and her grandfather didn’t talk for a while after that.”
“Her grandfather?”
“Yeah, he insisted she accept the medal and she refused.”
“I see. So, what did Michael have to do with any of this?”
“Well, Kay wasn’t sure if she was going to make it or not. She called Michael over to Germany where she was in the hospital to draw up papers to deal with the company and other things in case she died.”
“And is that when she retired Elliott?”
“It was right after that yes, when she came home.”
“Well, I’ll know more after I speak to Michael.”
“Oh dear, I just realized I don’t think he knows Kay is missing. He has been in meetings all morning.”
“Is that normal?”
“Well, yes and no. His meetings usually don’t start until ten because he and Kay block out time each morning to talk.”
“About what?” I was curious.
“Oh, anything really.” She waved her hands and sighed.
“I make the coffee you see, and when Kay arrives, she and I sit down together and go over her schedule for the day. Then Michael comes in and they talk about anything of a legal nature and then they both start their meetings for the day. Sometimes they are in the same meetings.”
“And today?”
“Well, everyone’s schedule has been off this week because of the takeover of the business, so Michael wasn’t scheduled to be here this morning. He is meeting with the bank.”
“Okay, do you have access to his calendar? Can you tell me when he will be back? I’d like to talk
