I don’t have much going on in my life right now. A little gossip will make me feel better. Sue me.
The voice is hushed but loud enough I can make out most of what’s being said.
“No! I did my part now you need to do yours, David. I don’t care what the lawyer says. I took way more risks than you did. He could have me killed!”
I jerk my head back.Killed? What the hell? My heart races faster, and I wonder if maybe I shouldn’t be listening to this. It sounds dangerous. There are a lot of businesses in this building, and I couldn’t name ten of them. Who knows what they’re involved in? But if it’s something illegal, Harmon should know. He doesn’t need that sort of trouble.
“It’s done,” the man growls. “He still works here, but that’s not the problem. No, he hasn’t been here at all.”
This all sounds… odd. But I keep listening.
“My threats are only going to hold up if you do what you need to do. Telling him I could ruin his image because he’s gay isn’t very fucking solid, David,” the man grounds out.
I gasp, my hand coming up to cover my mouth. This is… this can’t be…
The stairwell goes quiet until he whispers, “I have to call you back.”
Fuck! I shove the door open and slip through, letting it fall behind me. I race down the hall and slam right into a brick wall… named Frankie.
“Shit, sorry!”
“Hey, it’s okay. Are you—”
I pull open the nearest door and go inside.
“Don’t let anyone in here,” I say quickly, then shut the door.
My heart is pounding. I’m going to pass out. I hold my hand over my mouth and breathe out of my nose, pushing away the nausea. Frankie won’t do as I ask. He doesn’t even know me—why would he? But I hope he does, because if not… if this is all related? I don’t know what to think.
What I do know is that the man in the stairwell talking on the phone was Oliver. I’m sure of it. I’d heard him talk enough. Plus, the mention of blackmail and outing someone for being gay? Murder?! Harmon wouldn’t have someone killed, but he could. He certainly has the means.
Maybe I’m looking too much into this, but better safe than sorry.
The problem is, if that was Oliver… he’s got to be a top guy around here. Personal assistant to Harmon Stone? Frankie won’t lie to him for me. Shit. What was I thinking?
“Did someone just come in here?” I hear from the other side.
I hold my breath, afraid he’ll hear me.
Please don’t give me away. Please don’t give me away.
“Yeah, some guy I’ve never seen before ran through, actually. I was about to call security.”
Fuck, Frankie, I love you.
“Which way?”
“Round the corner. Probably looking for the elevator.”
A pause and then, “You’re sure you’ve never seen them before.”
“That’s what I said.”
It goes quiet again, and then the door is pulled open. The lights flick on and Frankie steps inside, closing the door behind him.
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” he asks, giving me a stern look.
“Not really, no.”