Page 46 of Too Old for Love

“Yes. The elevator accident that nearly killed you and then did kill Samantha and Abigail. Then those two young fellas that were working upstairs, Colt and Jordan, both died mysteriously. It all seems strange, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, sir. It does,” frowned Everest.

“Let me get you a visitor badge,” he smiled.

“Everest, I know you can hear me,” said the voice of Luke. “The communication device allows us to hear everything and see everything you do. Don’t panic. Don’t look around for us. We hear it all. Touch your ear if you understand.”

She reached up, gently running her finger over her earlobe and around, as if tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Good girl. We’ve got you.”

“Here you go, Miss Everest.”

“Thank you, John. And please, No Miss Marshall, no Miss Everest. Just Everest.”

She took the badge and passed it over the scanner at the elevator. When the door opened, she froze for just a moment, terrified of stepping into it once again.

“Relax, babe. We double checked the elevators late last night.”

Everest wanted to laugh at the sound of Mike’s voice but she knew she needed to pretend that everything was normal. Three other passengers were on the elevator, all getting off at different floors than hers.

When the elevator stopped on floor ten, she took in a deep breath and then stepped onto the shiny tiled floor. She opened the door into the office and smiled at Alice sitting there by herself.

“Alice, it’s nice to see you,” she said calmly. Alice stared at her a moment. “Where is everyone?”

“Oh. Oh, it’s a company thing,” she said shrugging. “I didn’t know until I got here that the office was closed because of all the strange things that have been happening. You look great!”

“Thank you. Odd,” frowned Everest. “Usually closure notices are sent out via a company-wide e-mail. Didn’t you see it?”

“Uh, no,” said Alice quickly. “Anyway, I decided to keep our meeting and show you what I need help with.”

“I haven’t agreed to help you, Alice. I just came to see an old friend and hear what’s going on at the office.” Alice stared at her, a flash of anger and hatred fleeting but there.

“Right. Of course. There’s not much to tell,” she said crossing her legs and playing with the hem of her dress. “There’s a rumor that the office may be shut down permanently, the company going out of business.”

“Who did you hear that from? Was it the private equity firm?” she said casually.

“Yes,” smiled Alice. “In fact it was.”

“Really? That’s strange since none of us knew who they were. We only had a name. How would they contact you or anyone else if everyone in charge is gone?”

“Why are you being like this?” snapped Alice. “Why are you so suspicious of everything I’ve said? We’re friends, Everest!”

“Are we Alice?”

“Of course! It was terrible what happened to everyone. Poor Colt, being tormented by the same things that tormented his childhood.”

Everest froze and then heard the instructions in her ear.

“Careful. But go ahead.”

“How did you know that? That wasn’t released anywhere. It wasn’t in the police reports and no one would have known that unless they were in the room with him. From what I know, only Samantha, Abigail, and Jordan were there.”

Alice froze staring at her, then it turned to a glare filled with hatred and anger.

“You always were too smart, Everest. My husband and his family thought so as well.”

“You mean the Quinns?” Everest’s face was a mask of stoicism. She didn’t crack, didn’t flinch at all.