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I took Melanie to lunch at her favorite sushi place in Grand Junction. The raw fish was actually starting to grow on me. After that, we headed toward the office building that housed the law firm of Decker and Jolly. Melanie had thought we should call Frederick Jolly first and not just barge in, but I thought it might be better not to let him know we were coming. I had a strange feeling that he might disappear.
We took the elevator up to the fifth floor of the building and entered the firm.
“May I help you?” a gum-popping receptionist asked.
“We’re here to see Frederick Jolly,” I said.
“Do you have an appointment?”
I shook my head. “Just tell him that Jonah Steel is here with Melanie Carmichael. We want to talk to him about the Fleming Corporation.”
“Fred doesn’t usually see people without appointments,” she said, “but I’ll see if he’s in. Go ahead and take a seat.” She gestured to some chairs and couches. “Help yourself to a cup of coffee or a doughnut if you want one.”
We sat down, ignoring the coffee and doughnuts after our huge sushi lunch.
A few minutes later, the receptionist said, “I’m afraid Mr. Jolly can’t see you. Why don’t you call and make an appointment?”
I walked up to the receptionist, leaving Melanie sitting in the waiting area. “Look, we’re seeing Mr. Jolly today,” I told her in a calm voice. “Tell him that I’m Jonah Steel, of Steel Acres Ranch, and I’m here with Dr. Melanie Carmichael, who was recently held captive on a property owned by the Fleming Corporation.”
The receptionis
t widened her eyes and gulped as she got back on the phone.
I sat back down next to Melanie. Within a few moments, a somber-looking man in a blue pinstripe suit with black hair slicked back from his face walked into the reception area.
“Mr. Steel?”
I stood.
“I’m Fred Jolly.”
I almost burst out laughing. He certainly didn’t look like a man named Jolly. I held out my hand, but he didn’t take it.
“Thank you for seeing us without an appointment. This is Dr. Melanie Carmichael.”
Melanie stood. “Nice to meet you,” she said.
“If the two of you would come back to my office, please.”
We followed him down the hallway, passing secretaries and assistants working in their cubicles, to a lush corner office. Nice digs. Well, his name was on the letterhead.
He ushered us into his office, shutting the door behind him. “Have a seat, both of you.” He gestured to the leather chairs in front of his desk and then sat down behind his desk. “What can I do for you?”
Chapter Thirty
Melanie
Jonah cleared his throat. “You can tell us the names of the individuals behind Fleming Corporation.”
“I’m afraid I’m under no legal obligation to do so.”
“We’ve checked with the Secretary of State, and no directors or officers are listed. The only name listed is yours, as the registered agent.”
“And as the registered agent, I am not bound to disclose anything to you.”
I spoke up then. “Look, Mr. Jolly, we understand your situation. Being a doctor, I understand the concept of client confidentiality.”
