Page 20 of Shadow of Death
Barrington shook his head grimly. “Don was due out in Vegas because one of his accounts is a privately held casino hotel out there, The Bunny Hop. Mari Malaga is their head of promotion. When I spoke with her, she said she and Don had atentativemeeting set, but he didn’t show up at her office, and she tried reaching him to no avail. None of us has been able to reach him—and I fear the worst, except that...no one has found him yet, right?” He winced. “His body?”
“No. Of course, we’ll keep looking for him as a missing person,” Amy said, glancing at Hunter.
He might have been found. He might be the corpse in the second pit.
They just didn’t know yet. He agreed with Amy’s assertion the man hadn’t been found; they didn’t know anything more about the body.
“I have asked his team to assemble everything he was working on. And he took his laptop with him everywhere, but he had a large desktop here. We would be happy to have you tear it to the ground if necessary. I just...” Barrington broke off. “Have you seen Carey?” he asked anxiously. “She is a lovely young woman and a hard worker. It breaks my heart to think of her suffering.”
“We have seen her,” Amy assured him. “She’s doing well.”
“I’m so grateful to hear that. I know Hayden was beside herself with worry. I insisted she take the day and spend it with Carey in the hospital.” He sighed again. “We are a team here. I know some places of business can be competitive, but we compete against other companies. In here, we’re a team, and it promotes friendships. Thirty-five employees and all of them are damned talented and good people. And Don... I can’t... I just can’t... I mean, God, I hope he’s just off somewhere, except—”
“Except, it wouldn’t be like him?” Hunter asked.
Barrington nodded grimly. “I admit, I am terribly worried.”
“Of course,” Amy murmured. “Well, what we need from you is the computer, of course. And lists of your employees—we will have to speak with them each individually. No one is a completely open book. Someone may know something more about his habits or quirks or—”
“Wait. I’m confused. From what I’ve understood,” Barrington said, frowning, “Don Blake was with Carey Allen when she fell into the hole. If he’d been there—and been okay—he’d never have just left Carey in a hole.”
“Unless he thought she took off on him,” Hunter suggested.
“Why would he think that? I’m sure the man knew she had a crush on him because the rest of the office knew, certainly.”
“Do you allow office romances?” Hunter asked.
“I don’t disallow them, not if the work is done,” Barrington said. “And I’ve already arranged for lists of my employees, the date they began here, and more to be sent to Special Agent Andy Mason.”
“Of course. Thank you. Any disgruntled ex-employees?” Hunter asked.
Barrington shook his head. “No, I don’t lose employees. I don’t hire people who are not going to be good at their jobs. One of my accountants, Herb Green, left, but he had a great offer on Wall Street and he was anxious to move to New York. I’ve had a few people retire—with full benefits. There’s no one who could be angry enough to want to hurt another employee. I know it sounds too good to be true, but that’s the benefit of being a private company. And one that doesn’t pit salespeople against salespeople.”
“You’re sure you know all your people that well?” Amy asked.
“Well, you want to speak with everyone. And you’ve met Hayden and Carey. Carey is traumatized, of course, but nothing to do with work. In fact, her work will be here whenever she is ready to return to it. Barrington Advertising is hopefully a ray of light in her misery.”
“Thank you,” Amy told him quietly. “We are moving on this afternoon, but perhaps we could return tomorrow and start speaking with your people?”
“There’s a charming conference room just beyond that left door. Very comfortable. You are welcome to make use of it, and you can tell me how and when you would like people brought up,” Barrington said.
“Thank you. We will see you then,” Hunter said. “A private room will be appreciated.”
Amy gave him one of her beautiful smiles. “Yes, thank you so much for your help, Mr. Barrington. We don’t mean to waste anyone’s time, but—”
“If it will help you find Don Blake, there is nothing I wouldn’t do,” Barrington said sincerely.
They smiled and thanked him before walking back to the elevator. On the ground floor, they thanked his receptionist.
She nodded and almost smiled but watched them with a worried frown as they left.
Hunter glanced at Amy. She smiled and nodded, and they turned back.
“Milly, right?” He asked.
“I’m, uh, yes. Milly—or Mildred—Garrison.”
“Forgive me for bothering you first, but we’re going to be here tomorrow speaking with everyone. Mr. Barrington has just given us the go-ahead. Do you know Don Blake well? Can you think of anything at all that might help us?” he asked.
