“You have an address, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”Think, Cass, think!“It’s… I, uh, just moved,” I add quickly. “And honestly, I just woke up and I can’t recall what it is.”
It’s a lie, but it’s necessary. If he sees where I live, he’ll see me. The real me. Then this won’t happen at all.
“Is that so?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Can I meet you there?”
“You could call me back with your address.” Another pause. “Or maybe walk outside to tell me the number. Surely you know the street?”
I’m at a loss for words. Truly, I can’t think of a single thing to say. So, I stand there like an idiot, speechless.
Chapter Four
Harmon
He’s lying.
It should be enough to turn him down and not let this go any further, but something is stopping me. Something wants him.
“I’ll call you back in one hour,” I say. “Have your address at the ready.”
I end the call without waiting for a response, then I send his phone number to my assistant, Oliver, and tell him to get every bit of information he can on the owner. I give no other information. Oliver will do as he’s told.
I go back to my emails, browsing through what accumulated while I was in a meeting with the design team. Twenty minutes pass before there is a knock on my door.
“Sir, I have the information you requested,” Oliver says.
“Come in, then.”
I gesture for him to come in, and he sits at the chair across from my desk and wakes up his iPad.
Oliver has been working for me for close to two years. He came here looking for an internship and never left. I don’t know what changed in his life for him to settle as my assistant, but I can’t complain. He’s the best one I’ve ever had. Oliver does as he’s told without question. He’s organized and polite. Quirky, smart, and the right amount of social. He doesn’t talk too much, doesn’t pry, but asks questions when necessary. The only issue, if I had to pick one, would be his wardrobe that consists of only dark browns, greens, and creams. Though he manages to make the colors work and look professional, it wouldn’t be my choice of outfit.
“Unfortunately, the phone is a burner. It was purchased with cash. No owner information. All I have is that it’s only been used in the same location, which is in Oak Hills, but I cannot narrow it down any further.”
“That is unfortunate,” I say distractedly. “Why do you thinkthat is?”
“Maybe it’s a burner used as a house phone? Some people do that since it’s cheaper than paying for a landline these days.”
“And the rest of it?”
“He likes his privacy?”
I nod, agreeing. Liking his privacy makes sense. And the only way I’m going to get anything out of him is by speaking with him directly.
“How long has the phone been used in that location?”
Oliver glances at the iPad, then pushes his glasses up his nose and says, “Almost one year.”
I’m curious to know what address he gives me, because it’s clear he did not just move in. Maybe he’s embarrassed of where he lives. The west end isn’t the best part of town, and he does come across as wanting to please. Which could be a good thing, but not if he’s going to lie.
This boy needs a lot of training, but still, it could work out.
Now I have to see if he calls me back in an hour like I told him to, and if he shows up to breakfast on time in the morning.
“You’re late,” is what I say when I pick up the phone to answer his call.