Page 32 of Smoke Screen
Maddy double-timed her steps to keep up with Cilla’s much longer strides. “How does this work?”
“Once we get in there, I’ll do my thing. Let them know you intend to cooperate fully, yada, yada. If I don’t like a question, I’ll tell you not to answer.” Cilla halted before opening the building’s door. “One thing.”
Maddy stepped aside, letting a woman exiting pass. “Yes?”
“When I say we’re done, we’re done. We’re meeting with Cameron Blackwell and Renee Walker. I don’t know Walker, but I’ve met Cam, and he’s a wily one.”
“You don’t trust him?”
“Not as far as I can throw him. It’s not his fault. He has a job to do. So do I. Also, if I say we’re leaving, stop talking. I can’t have you expounding on things you shouldn’t be expounding on. The feds have liberties. Legally, they can lie to you. Tell you things to trip you up. And that can get you thrown in a cell. Which is why I will tell you not to answer certain questions. Now, when we get in there, they may or may not read Miranda rights. I’ve seen it both ways, but don’t panic if they do. Got it?”
A sense of calm, of having a plan, eased over her.
Maddy gave Cilla one solid nod. “You’re the boss. I’ll do whatever you say. I’m just thankful you’re here.”
Cilla reached out and squeezed Maddy’s arm. “Deep breath. I’ve got you. Now, let’s have some fun.”
Fifteen minutes later,after clearing security and being escorted to an interview room on the third floor, Cilla and Maddy sat squared off with special agents Blackwell and Walker.
“Ladies,” Special Agent Blackwell said, setting a tablet and notepad on the table in front of him, “thank you for coming in.”
“Of course.” Cilla sat ramrod straight, her voice all business. “My client is happy to be of service.” She gave a faux cheery grin. “Even though you’ve kept us waiting five minutes whenshe’spaying my outrageous hourly fee. If I were you, I’d skip the pleasantries and get to it.”
Lord, they hadn’t even discussed the fee. Maddy put it out of her mind.
Across from her, Special Agent Walker rolled her eyes so hard she should have levitated from her chair.
“Understood.” Special Agent Blackwell met Maddy’s gaze. “Ms. Carmichael, you’re aware the motion detectors are turned off when the guards do their rounds?”
“Oh,come on,” Cilla said, heavy on the sarcasm. “Half the employees probably know that.”
“We’re simply confirming.”
Cilla looked over at Maddy and nodded.
“Yes,” Maddy said. “There’s one guard at night. In order to do his rounds, he has to turn off the motion detectors, or he’d set the alarm off.”
“And how did you learn this? I can’t imagine the security folks share details of their procedures with all the employees.”
Howdidshe know that? Much of what she knew about the Center came through osmosis. By being among executives, overhearing conversations happening in the conference room or hall or an office doorway.
“I’m actually not sure. It probably came up in a meeting. It’s not unusual for me to be invited to a meeting that includes the head of security.”
Special Agent Blackwell jotted a note. “I see. And have you ever told anyone outside the organization about this?”
“Never.”
“You stated there is only one guard on duty at night,” Special Agent Walker said.
“Yes. That came up in a meeting. I’m more intimately involved with the acquisition costs, so I sometimes sit in on budget meetings.”
“I see. And who attended that meeting?”
“All department heads.”
“Including security?”
Beside her, Cilla did an Emmy-worthy sigh. “She just said all department heads.”
