Page 29 of Defender
“If nothing else, we see that he needed that security job. It doesn’t make sense that he’d risk his paycheck. If he’s missing, it’s probably not for a good reason.”
“So the question is, did he get in the way of a robbery, or was he involved?”
“We can try finding his ex. See what she says.”
It took more digging, but they finally got a phone number for Flora Donner. She lived in California, so no chance of them interviewing her in person.
Michael dialed her number while Finn continued to look at the finances.
No answer.
Michael left a message. Hopefully she’d call back soon.
For now, they had plenty to do. Their caseload was growing. Too much darkness piling on and not enough answers.
Dani stared out of the back-seat window while her Uber driver spoke into his audio system in a foreign language. Maybe it wasn’t her dream undercover job, but before she walked into SL Trucking, she had to get into character.
An accountant character.
So basically, find all semblance of a true personality or anything interesting and drain it.
Ugh. She lay back against the headrest and dropped her shoulders.
Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic. There were plenty of good accountants out there with delightful personalities.
But this wasn’t what she’d signed up for when she applied to the FBI.
Still, if she could show ASAC Kumar she was a good agent, hopefully the next case would be more substantial. Dani pulled out a mirror from her purse and stared back at the dark-brown eyes she’d inherited from her Korean American parents, now void of all makeup except plain black mascara.
She couldn’t even change her name. ASAC wanted her to go in as Danielle Kim since she’d been in finance, and the chances were decent that in Renegade, where she’d been born and bred, she’d run into someone who knew her at some point.
So, her plain-white-blouse-and-black-slacks outfit had no personality. She had the same name she’d been given at birth. Her hairstyle was as basic as one could get—a fringe of bangs and long hair hanging straight down.
Staring at her own face, she pulled out her cherry-red matte lipstick and puckered up. Smacking her lips, she looked into the mirror and smiled. That was better. If she had to sit at a desk plugging numbers into columns, she could at least have this.
The driver dropped her off at the front entrance. “This is the right place?” he asked over his shoulder.
Like it or not…it was. Landscaping with shrubs around the front gave the small brick building a little personality, unlike the extensive warehouse behind it with loading docks and huge bay doors. Very utilitarian. Trucks were lined up neatly on the fence running along the interstate. There was no doubt what business she was walking into.
“This is it. Thanks.” And she needed to make the most of it. She threw her shoulders back as she walked into the building with the SL Trucking Main Office sign.
A woman sat at the front counter with a headset on. A grouping of open desks spread out behind her. She was typing and talking into her microphone at the same time. She held up a finger at Dani while continuing her conversation. “I’ll let the shop know. See you soon, Frank.”
She pushed a button and looked up from her monitor. “What can I do for you, hon? I think you’re in the wrong place.”
“The temp agency sent me. Said you needed an accountant. I’m Danielle.”
“Oh! Right! Sorry. I thought you were all gussied up for the office down the road. As you can see, we’re not super formal here. I’m Shirley.” She stood up, showing her jeans and company-logo T-shirt. Her bleach-blonde hair definitely came from a box. She wore no makeup, no jewelry or accessories, but her smile was kind, and she shook hands like she meant it when she said “Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Dani returned her smile with one of her own. “I guess I overdressed for the job.”
Shirley shrugged. “I mean, considering it’s me and a bunch of truckers, maybe a tad. But I also grew up on a ranch in Texas, so I’m used to wrestling calves and riding trails, and I still dress like it.”
“So there’s no dress code?” It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to come to work in jeans.
“Silas will provide you a lifetime supply of these shirts, and as long as anything else is clean and not full of holes, he won’t care what you wear. But I have to say, I love your lipstick. I can’t pull off such a bold color.”
Aw, she was liking this lady. Hopefully she wasn’t the one embezzling. “Oh, I bet you could. It’s just a matter of finding the right shade of red.”
