Infuriating - Onley James Page 0,71
for all of this to be over. It’s like being followed by a ghost. I can feel him around me all the time, but he hasn’t made a direct threat against me, so it feels surreal, impossible even that somebody would think I was worth killing for. I know that sounds crazy, but my brain can’t make the leap from a guy I’ve talked to once a month on the phone being somebody so obsessed with me he’s willing to kill.”
“People who are this level of psychotic have no problem achieving the level of mental gymnastics that allows them to imagine a relationship with a total stranger. There have been several cases of stalkers killing over people they’ve never even met face to face. That is what makes them so hard to catch. It’s why often nobody even knows the obsession was there at all until it's too late to save the victim.”
Day shivered at that but shook his head. “But does this Oscar guy have a history of stalking or some kind of history that makes him a more likely candidate than any random guy off the street or even in this building?”
“He’s got enough of a history to make me think he’s capable of this, yes.” Day gave Jackson a flat stare at his lack of an answer. He sighed. “He has a history of rape and manslaughter.”
Day swallowed audibly. “Jesus.”
“That’s not going to happen to you. Nothing will happen to you. I promise.”
Day didn’t have a chance to answer. A man in gray slacks and a pale pink button down shirt walked towards them with purpose. He was fit, mid-fifties with snowy white teeth and a widow’s peak. He wore black framed glasses. He looked like everybody and nobody, but when he extended his hand, first to Jackson and then to Day, he gripped both their hands with a friendly confidence that made Day feel even more certain they were on the wrong track.
“Mr. Avery. David Caine, head of security. I spoke with your detective friend, but I’m afraid he gave very little information on the phone. How can I help you?” The man spoke to Jackson, but his eyes kept moving back to Day, his gaze questioning.
“My client, Mr. Daniels, has been working with one of your employees in payroll regarding a recurring error on his payments, and I was hoping we might be able to speak to him.”
Caine’s eyes widened then narrowed. He was clearly not expecting this to be a money issue. “Are you inferring that this employee has in some way committed a crime in regards to your client’s pay?”
“No, not at all. We’re investigating another matter entirely, and we have reason to believe that your employee might be able to offer some insight into this separate matter. I assure you that this has nothing to do with anything that might be a liability on the part of the company. I just thought it was better to reach out to you before I asked to speak with an employee on company time so as not to upset anybody.”
Day did his best not to gape at Jackson as he smoothly navigated around any potential verbal icebergs, speaking without really giving any information away.
“Employee name?” Caine asked.
“Oscar Delgado.”
The man reached behind him, and for a split second, Day had visions of the man pulling out a weapon. Instead, he pulled a phone from his back pocket and pressed some buttons. “Hey, Ben. David. Is it possible for me to steal Oscar for about thirty minutes?” There was a brief pause as Day assumed Ben was answering. “No. Nothing to worry about. Just some routine security stuff. Yeah, that should be fine. Thanks, man.”
Caine disconnected and smiled. “Oscar is at lunch for another ten minutes. The department heads usually go to lunch later so that the support staff can take their lunches on time. Ben said he’d put a note on his desk to head down as soon as he’s back. I’ll have Debbie open the first floor conference room for you and show you in as soon as he arrives.”
“Thank you, Mr. Caine,” Jackson said, giving him his best smile.
“Not a problem at all. If you need anything further, just let Debbie know and she’ll get a hold of me.”
With one last long look at Day, the older man disappeared back into the bank of elevators on the right, leaving Jackson and Day alone in the cavernous lobby once more. Day tried not to fidget