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Daniel worked to keep his voice pleasant. Or at least calm. “Is there any way to find out if an employee in the administration building has left for the day?”
“I think they’re all gone. Most of them dart out of here as soon as the clock hits five.”
“I understand, but my girlfriend works as an executive assistant, and I’m worried about her. She hasn’t come home, and she isn’t answering her phone. Her best friend hasn’t heard from her since this morning, either.” He was hoping adding the part about her friend would provide context for his concern.
The man whose name tag read Charles, twisted his mouth as if he were considering his options. “I can call up to her desk. See if she answers.”
Daniel shook his head. He’d tried that already. She wasn’t answering her desk phone either. “Is there any way we could check? In person.”
“You want to go up there?” he asked.
“Yes.” Then he added. “I need to know she’s okay. It’s not like her not to come home, or at least call.”
Again, the man seemed to be thinking out his response. “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”
“Allison Foster. She works on the fourth floor.”
The man’s eyes widened. “You’re Ali’s boyfriend?”
“I am.”
After a quick once-over, the man pulled out his radio. “Phil, where are you?”
“Just finished walking sixty-five. I’m about to head to the basement. You want anything from the cafeteria?”
Charles shook his head even though Phil couldn’t see him. “No. I’m good. But I’ve got a guy here looking for Ali, Mr. Jacobson’s admin. You see her up there anywhere?”
Several seconds went by before the radio crackled again. “Nope. It’s quiet as a mouse up there.”
“Thanks,” Charles said, then turned his attention back to Daniel.
Before he could say anything, though, Daniel responded, “Thank you for checking. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Daniel had already turned to leave, but he heard the man yell, “Good luck.”
Less than a minute later, he was back in his vehicle. “No luck?” Bradley asked.
“She’s not here.” Daniel backed out and left the parking lot. “Did you find anything useful?”
Instead of answering, Bradley asked a question of his own. “Where to now?”
“Her apartment.” If she wasn’t at work and she wasn’t with Kim, that left her apartment. If she wasn’t there, he wasn’t sure where to go next. She had no other family in town.
He was trying not to get ahead of himself, but he didn’t like not knowing where she was. Picking up his phone, he pulled up her cell number and tried her again. It went straight to voicemail.
Bradley was staring at him. He glanced over. “What? Did you find something?”
“No. It’s just...”
“Just what?” Daniel asked.
“Nothing.” Turning his attention back to the stack of papers, Bradley continued to read.
Normally, Daniel would press his son to get on with whatever he was going to say, but he wasn’t sure he could take more of his son’s immaturity at the moment.
The drive to Ali’s apartment usually took fifteen minutes. He got them there in less than ten. He may or may not have run a few yellow lights.
His gaze zeroed in on Ali’s car parked in her spot outside her apartment. He was swamped with a mixture of relief and wanting to turn her over his knee.
