Page 78 of High Treason
Kord smiled. “He’s on the first floor.”
“Right.” He grinned at Monica, revealing a mouthful of missing teeth. “Miss, I hope this man here appreciates his pretty partner.”
She wanted to laugh, but he was serious. “I’m sure he does.”
“You come back by yourself when you’re done, and I’ll brew us some coffee.”
“Thanks.” Again she swallowed her humor.
Kord took the man’s name and phone number, and the two tookthe stairs to the first floor, where the manager, J.D. George, lived and worked.
“You were being hit on,” Kord said.
“He simply appreciates the female gender.”
“I’m jealous.”
“You’ll get over it.”
“My heart’s breaking.”
“Superglue is amazing.”
“Do you talk like this to all your partners?”
“Just my current one.” Flirting was for kids, in her opinion, and here she was jumping in with both feet.
George’s office was in the front of the building, and the door stood open.
“Can I help you?” A balding man whirled around on a squeaky chair. “This must have something to do with the HPD and FBI investigation upstairs.”
“Yes, sir.” Monica’s turn to take the lead on this one. “We have a few questions.”
“Gave my statement to the officers.”
“We’re not HPD.” Kord whipped out his FBI ID.
George rubbed the back of his head. “I want to cooperate.” He pressed his computer to life and typed, bringing up Parvin Shah’s file. He stood and pointed to his chair for Monica. “Take a look. I have a spreadsheet with my renters’ payment records and how they paid. Hers was cash on the day due.”
Monica slid into the chair. Shah’s rental application had been completed in June 2011. But her entrance into Houston was February. Where had she lived during that time? The information was basic with nothing verified except her employment at Macy’s and proof of citizenship.
“She doesn’t list a previous address,” Monica said. “And it wasn’t an issue?”
“Told me she’d stayed at a Motel 6 until she found this apartment. Paid three months’ cash in advance, then cash on the day due like I already said.” He swore. “I neglected to check it out.”
Money talked. “She listed her supervisor at Macy’s as an emergency contact.”
“Claimed to have no family or friends in the US.” George’s face flushed. “Not smart in hindsight.”
“Did you ever see her with anyone?”
“My renters have rights, and unless I suspect one of them breaking the law, their activities are private.”
Monica gave him a smile. “But you have eyes. What did you see?”
“She had men friends. No women.”
Kord cleared his throat to take over the interview. “We’d like to see your security cameras.”
