Page 54 of Only the Devil

“Well, here you go.” He sets the saran-wrapped loaf on the corner of the desk.

“Oh. Well, thanks. I’ll eat it later.”

I set the package in my backpack. Daisy might like it. Could be dessert for tonight, after we… ah… A flashback hits of us leaving the office yesterday and I shift, discreetly adjusting my pants.

“Are you married? Dating anyone?”

It’s an odd question right out of the box, but I answer with a cordial, “Yeah. Girlfriend.” That’s the story, and after last night, it’s a step closer to the truth I suppose.

“Just asking ’cause my girlfriend’s bestie would’ve loved it if you were single. Would’ve been great too as she’s always around.”

He wheels a chair out from under the long table against the wall and sits, knees spread wide, assuming an extremely relaxed posture with his arms resting on the armrests.

“Well, I’m not married, but I’m taken.”

“Does your girlfriend cook?”

Another strange get to know you question.

“We tend to order in,” I answer, realizing that when it comes to cooking, I’ll probably be the one hitting that anvil. “What’d you do before?”

What’s your experience? That’s the real question. And are they gonna order you a monkey suit too?

“Security.” His gaze travels beyond my head. “Off and on. Temp work for a while.” He slaps a palm down on his thigh. “What’ve we got here? Jillian said we need to come up with a recommendation for the department.” His fingers tap against the armrest. “Some department, huh?”

“It’s true.” I lean over the computer and bring up the document I started with an outline of recommended security cameras. “Yesterday was my first day, but these are locations I’ve identified that would benefit from a bird’s-eye view. Figure we can mount monitors on the wall here and…”

I swing the monitor around and he leans forward, eyes narrowing on the screen. “Looks good to me. You’re the expert. I’ll go along with your recommendation.” His gaze drifts to the black and white wall clock. “Suppose one of us should go out to greet people, huh?”

“I’m not sure greet’s the right word,” I say.

“Yeah, you know what I mean. We can work on the recommendation for the security department later this morning, when it’s quiet.”

“Sounds good to me,” I say.

“How many on staff do you think we should recommend?”

“Weaver told me they budgeted three. I don’t see an issue with that.”

“Yeah. I honestly feel like the two of us is overkill.” Russell’s face morphs, lips scrunched, eyes bulging, as if to say, you-have-to-agree-with-me-dude.

I agree with him but focus on what I think is actually his real point. “We’re in for some slow days. But as boring as it might be, we’ve got to keep alert.”

“You really think some crazed loon is going to show up with an AK-47?”

That’s a specific weapon choice. “I’d say the risk here is about the same as at any other financial services firm.” Unless they’re doing some really shady shit like Daisy’s convinced is true. “Did you have anything in the stock market back in ‘08?”

He rolls his lips together and shakes his head in the negative.

“Me neither. I was too young. But I served with some guys who took a serious hit. Guys who’d been carefully socking it away. It’s not a stretch to see how someone might go ballistic; seek revenge on someone. Thing is, there’s a risk to any investment. We’re talking about looking out for the irrational.”

“You think we should wear vests?”

I squint an eye at him, thinking he has to be joking.

“My girlfriend suggested it.”

“Where’d you work security before this?” I ask with a smile to emphasize I’m jesting.