Page 9 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
West
“Haveweheardbackfrom Miss Smith yet?” I ask June.
“It’s the strangest thing,” she says. “I called her Wednesday evening after the interview as we discussed. I left her a voicemail as her phone was off at the time. I tried again yesterday afternoon and this morning. The phone rang out this time, but there was no answer. We did say that we would call on Friday, so it could be just she doesn’t recognise the number.”
She looks puzzled, as if she has more to say.
“What is it, June? What else is there?”
“Well, did you hear on the news about the escaped convict who went after his ex-partner and broke into her house and attacked her?”
I shake my head; I don’t watch the local news much as it doesn’t interest me as much as what’s going on in the world.
June continues, “It’s in her neighbourhood. I checked her address on the application form. It rang a bell when it was on the news. He was in prison for attempted murder against his ex before he escaped. I know she’s not an employee, but she was going to be. I feel like I need to make sure she is okay. If she is and just doesn’t want the job, then I’ll be relieved. But if she’s hurt, West, I don’t think I can stand by and give someone else the job. I need to be sure that she doesn’t want it. Is that okay with you?”
I nod. “Yes, June, do what you can. That’ll be all.”
I never dismiss my employees, not in that way, anyway, but I can’t keep my head on straight. I’ve been all over the place these last three days. Constantly thinking of her, jacking off in the shower to her face, imagining her mouth around my cock, and, all this time, she could be fucking dead.
Oh, fuck. I feel the blood in my body begin to boil. I need to get out of here and somewhere where I can breathe. I have two options. Up on the roof with the smokers or out of this building altogether. Yep, I’m out of here, but first, I want her address from June. I’ll deal with this myself. If she is okay and doesn’t want the job, she might change her mind if I offer it to her. If she’s not okay, well, that’s a different story altogether.
June hands over all the details from the application form.
“June? Did the news say if they caught the guy?”
“No, he’s still at large. That’s why it’s such a news story. He’s a very violent man with a very long list of things the police want him for. If it is Miss Smith, please promise me you will be careful, West. I know we want to do right by her, but we can’t get involved in her personal affairs.”
“Thanks, June. I understand.” I walk out of the HR offices and down the corridor. I call for my car service before getting in the elevator.
Before I’m even downstairs, the car is waiting. I give my driver the address, and he looks at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure you want this address, sir?”
I look at him pointedly. “Yes, that’s the fucking address. Now fucking drive!”
The car stops outside a small, terraced house. The neighbourhood is dark, and kids are playing in the road. I say playing. They are standing around in groups looking at the car. I would be intimidated if I didn’t know I could take every one of these little shits in one go.
I walk up the path to the front door. The front window is boarded up and there is police tape across the front door.Shit, what the fuck.The group of kids across the street are now standing at the bottom of the path.
“Hey, guys, what happened here?” I try to sound down with the kids, hoping it’ll get them to open up.
“Dunno, some fucking lunatic attacked Sutton. Mrs. Crain from 127 said she’s dead.”
Another kid adds, “Yeah, he chopped her head clean off.” Three of the other kids giggle like fucking morons. My blood is starting to boil even more. Hold it together, West, they won’t talk to you if you kick the living shit out of them, and they are only kids.
“So, okay, exaggerations aside, who wants to earn a quick twenty?” Bribery gets you everywhere.
“Yeah, I do, but you’re not a cop, are you?”
“No, I’m not. I’m Miss Smith’s boss.”
The tallest of the lads comes forward with his hand held out flat. “Money first,” is all he says. I pull out my wallet and drop the twenty in his palm.
“Okay, she was taken to the hospital Wednesday night. Her ex showed up and kicked the shit out of her. Not sure if she made it or not. We don’t talk to the cops, but Mrs. Crain said he’d cut her head off, so if that’s true, she isn’t alive, mate. So, we’ve no idea.”
How can this kid be so calm about something so sick and evil? Shit, this world is fucked up. They don’t seem to give a crap about a lovely young woman possibly losing her life.
“Thanks,” is all I say as I walk back to the car. A young teen comes up to me just as I open the door.
“If you do find her, can you tell her that Julia says hi, and I hope she’s better soon. You look like a nice man. You’re pretty hot, too.” One of the lads grabs her by the arm and drags her back across the street. His eyes never left mine. Thank God I didn’t let June come here on her own.
