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My heart stutters in my chest as I fist the paper in my hand. The Carmichaels have the law enforcement in their pockets, so I won’t tell him about the note. The only way to beat them is to play their game. I shake my head. “I went for a walk. I live a mile away, and I noticed the smoke coming from my building. That’s when I rang.”
He scribbles my account down before nodding. “Thank you. You’re welcome to remain on this side of the barrier we’re erecting. I assume no one is inside at night?”
“The cleaners work overnight. I don’t know their schedules, though.”
He glances at his watch. “Can you find out for me? We need to know if we may encounter civilians.”
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and call Jane’s number. She should have those details with her. My stomach churns as it rings a few times before switching to voicemail.
“Jane, call me back. The office is on fire.” I cancel the call, my hands shaking from a mix of shock and panic.
Numbness spreads through me like a disease, as I consider she may be inside. All those times that I refused her advances, all because I was too hell-bent on building my empire.
What if it’s too late?
I ring Doris, my secretary, to check if she knows. She answers on the second dial tone, her voice sleepy. “Sir, what is it?”
“The building is on fire. Could anyone be in there?”
“How awful.” She rummages around, and there’s a click as she turns on a light. “They show up at about three o’clock.”
“Jane mentioned she’d be working late, but I’d guess she’d be home by now, right?” I ask, swallowing hard.
Doris sucks in a worried breath. “Oh no, Jane regularly stayed in the early hours of the morning. I hope she isn’t, but it’s not impossible, Mr. Archer.”
My hand tightens around my cell phone. “Thank you. Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, anything, sir.”
I clench my jaw. “Can you call the cleaning agency and call them off tonight for me?”
“Yes, I’ll do it right now, sir.”
“Thanks, Doris. Nobody will need to come in tomorrow.
“Leave it to me. I’ll handle it, sir.”
I cancel the call, feeling panic take hold of me again that Jane might be in the building. I’ll never forgive those fucking Carmichaels if they took her from me.
The officer I spoke to earlier is lingering near the barrier they erected. “I have spoken to my secretary, and the cleaners come in at three o’clock. She’s calling them off now.”
He nods. “No one should be inside the building.”
“The only person was my recruitment officer. She said she was working late, but I’d assume not this late.” I swallow hard, glancing at the raging fire engulfing the building. “I haven’t been able to get hold of her.”
The officer nods. “Okay, I’ll warn the fire department that there’s a chance of one civilian.”
I step back, staring at the shell of a building as the fire rages. It’s at least half an hour until it appears like the firefighters are winning the fight.
The radio crackles on the officer’s belt. “Body found, but no pulse. Ensure the paramedics are ready.”
He takes it and replies. “Copy that.”
My world spirals as I move toward him. “Who is it?”
He holds a hand up. “Stay there.”
I glare at the man, scanning the office entrance, knowing deep down that it’s her. Jane.
