Page 58 of Defender
“Unfortunately. My coworkers insisted we go out after our workshop. But why are you calling? This can’t be good.”
“Have you heard from Dani today?”
“Just the usual texts around lunch time.”
“Nothing since then?”
“What’s going on?”
“She didn’t show up to watch Josh and Lily’s kids tonight.”
“What? She’s been looking forward to that all day, had the whole evening planned.”
“Okay, so it’s not just me who thinks it’s weird?”
“She wouldn’t miss a night to hang out with the kids. Especially with all Josh and Lily are doing for her.”
“Any idea where she might be, then?”
“She really hasn’t done a whole lot except work.”
“See anything on her socials?”
“I’ve been checking since you asked, but I don’t see anything. She doesn’t share her location on any of the apps.”
“Maybe she’s still at work. I know where she’s investigating. I’ll start there.”
“Michael, make sure she’s okay. Please.”
“I will.”
Michael raced across town to SL Trucking. This time, he studied the buildings and layout more closely. It was a big outfit, a huge warehouse-looking building and a smaller office that sat in the middle of the fenced-in compound. A row of semitrailers sat off to the side of the parking lot.
Michael approached the entrance as a pickup truck drove over and blocked his way.
“Can I help you?” A man with a mechanic’s shirt leaned out his window. “The place is closed up for the night.”
“I’m looking for Dani.”
“Don’t know any truckers named Danny.”
“No, she’s not a trucker, she’s an…accountant. She’s new.”
“Oh, well, all the office people left a while ago. They check out by five.”
“Is anyone else here?”
“Nope. The mechanics close shop by six, and I just finished cleaning the offices.”
“So you’re the janitor. See anything unusual while you were cleaning?”
“No, sir.” He narrowed his eyes. “You a cop or something?”
“Actually, yeah, I am.” He didn’t want to break Dani’s cover, but it was true that she was a friend. He should probably play that angle. “But I’m here because Dani is my friend and she missed an event tonight. I’m out looking for her.” He studied the buildings and parking lot. “Are you positive there’s no one else here?”
“I only clean the office building. I guarantee you no one is in there. I cleaned closets, bathrooms, every nook and cranny of that place. But now that you mention it, I did see a purse and phone in one of the offices. I figured they were just left behind.”
“Do you mind if I take a look around?”
