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I hung up and smiled, looking around the office.
I had to get my work done so I could enjoy my weekend with Steph.
12
Josh
The week went fast as I tried to get caught back up with my workload and Reg's security team watched for a return visit from the mystery man with the feathered fedora.
He didn't show for a couple of days, but one day, I got a call from Reg, and a request that I come down to the security office. He didn't give me any details, but I suspected it was because Mr. Fedora, as Ella and I had taken to calling him, had returned.
I left my office and made my way down to the lobby, wondering what was up.
I buzzed in at the security office and glanced up at the camera, then went inside once the door opened.
Reg was standing with his back to the door, looking over the shoulder of the duty guard watching the security monitors.
"Hello, Sir," Reg said. Sorry to interrupt your morning but I thought you should see this."
"Good morning, Reg. What have we got?"
Reg pointed at one of the monitors, which showed the area directly in front of the building. The camera zoomed to show across the street, and there, standing in an alcove in partial shadow, was Mr. Fedora.
"I thought you might want me to go over and question him," Reg said in a low voice. "I could ask for ID."
"If you think that's appropriate," I said. "See what he says."
"Sounds good," Reg said and pulled out his sunglasses. "I'll be right back."
Reg left us, and so I sat beside the duty guard and watched on the video cameras. It showed Reg leaving the back of the building and walking through the lobby to the front door. The next camera picked him up as he stood at the side of the road and checked for traffic. Then, it followed him as he jaywalked directly across, threading his way through the cars, which were lined up waiting for the lights.
Mr. Fedora was reading a newspaper -- or pretending to -- and when he saw Reg come across the street directly towards him, he appeared to try to disappear behind the paper, and stepped farther back into the alcove. Reg went right up to the man and he disappeared behind Reg's bulk. We watched for a few moments, and then Reg returned, crossing the street the same way he had before, dodging traffic expertly. Mr. Fedora left the alcove, tucked the paper under his arm, and walked away, disappearing from the security camera's view.
Reg finally returned to the security office and the duty guard buzzed him inside.
"Well?" I asked when he came over to where we sat. "What's the upshot?"
"The man refused to identify himself or state his business, so I told him if he didn't leave, I'd call the police and they'd find out who he was and why he was there."
"Okay," I said and shrugged. "I guess that's all we can do, right? The man has every right to stand outside the building if he wants."
"The police can't do anything unless he issues some threat or physically accosts you," Reg replied. "But they could ask for his identification and we could find out who he is that way."
I nodded in understanding. "Keep an eye out for him. If he returns, call the police."
"Will do."
I went back up to my office and sat behind my desk, unhappy that we hadn't been able to answer the question of just who this man was and why he was hanging around outside the building. There was no law against what he was doing, so we couldn't have him arrested. Until he did or said something, all we could do was watch and wait. He now knew that we were aware of him, so that was something.
I didn't think the man was a threat -- at least, he didn't seem like someone who was personally threatening but you never knew.
Later that day, I texted Ella, deciding to invite her for dinner out since both of us had been eating at our desks in order to catch up with work and working late. Ella had elected to stay at her own place for a couple of days since her friend from Concord was coming down to Manhattan for a visit.
JOSH: Hey, are you up for some Thai food? I know a great restaurant in the area. I have to work late, but it would give us a chance to catch up. I haven't seen you for two days and I'm dying here...
ELLA: Sure. I'm dying, too. I was surprised you didn't ask for an emergency photocopy room meeting...
JOSH: That was hot, but I'm hoping you'll stay with me tonight so we can store up a few orgasms while your friend is in town.
