Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,26
cubicle, Cramer will call me in and scold me like a kid disobeying the rules.” A scowl formed on his face. “It’s not like we’re high schoolers. We’re adults. We don’t slack off just because he’s not here to look over our shoulders.”
“Who else is friends with Ellis?”
“Cassie. I’ve walked in on them having lunch together a few times in the breakroom. But Ellis kept to himself. He didn’t confide in many people.”
“You’re one of the privileged few?”
A shrug.
“Where can we find Cassie?”
“She’s in the cubicle next to mine. Want me to send her in?”
“We’d appreciate it. Where is Ellis’s workspace?”
“On the other side of the cubicle wall from Cassie. Theo works in the fourth cubicle.”
“Any chance I can look around Ellis’s desk?”
A snort. “Not unless you want security asking Homeland Security to haul you and your partner away for interrogation.”
“We appreciate your time, Chaz. Send Cassie in next.” Owen handed the other man his contact card, then waited until Ellis’s friend closed the door before turning to Gigi. “Impressions?”
“Evasive.”
“How so?”
“Chaz acted like he wanted to help. Instead of telling us everything he could think of, he was deliberately vague.” She frowned. “Maybe that was because of the confidentiality agreement regarding his work.”
“I got the same impression you did.” He doubted the evasiveness was a result of any contract he’d signed. That sent up red flags in Owen’s mind. Maybe Chaz was nervous because he was being questioned by a law enforcement officer. Many people acted squirrelly when confronted by cops. Was that what he was sensing or something more sinister?
A moment later, the door to the conference room opened again. This time, a petite blond bombshell dressed in black fatigues and combat boots, and sporting black lipstick and fingernail polish, walked into the room. Her gaze darted first to Owen, eyes widening as she took in his appearance. After a quick glance at Gigi, she refocused on Owen and closed the door behind her. “I’m Cassie Miles. Chaz said you wanted to talk to me about Ellis. Who are you?”
Owen showed her his credentials. “Deputy Owen Montgomery, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.” He inclined his head toward Gigi. “This is my partner, Gina. We’re investigating the disappearance of Ellis Matthews and his girlfriend, Toni Webster. We need to ask you some questions.”
“Well, sure, but I don’t know what I can tell you that will help.”
He motioned for her to take a seat at the table before sitting himself. “How long have you worked for Huntington Tech?”
Her shoulders relaxed. “A little over five years. Huntington hired me as soon as I graduated from college.”
“Do you like working here?”
A shrug. “It’s a job. They pay well. I’m satisfied for now.”
“You don’t seem very happy,” Gigi said. “Have you thought about working for another company?”
“Headhunters contact us all the time, offering salary and benefit packages they hope will encourage us to change companies.”
“Are you tempted?”
“Not enough to jump ship yet. I like the projects I’m working on, and they’re challenging. I also like the people I work with.” She wrinkled her nose. “Except for Cramer. He’s a jerk. The dude’s more interested in watching his own back than looking out for the rest of us.”
“How well do you know Ellis?” Owen asked.
“We’re not best buds or anything. We’re in the same cubicle group and eat together sometimes. Huntington doesn’t have a set lunch time. We eat when we’re ready. Ellis and I are on similar eating schedules.”
“How often do you eat lunch with him?”
“I don’t know.” Her forehead scrunched up. “Maybe two or three times a week. Some weeks, our schedules don’t match up at all. It’s not like we plan lunch dates or anything. He’s involved with somebody.”
“Did you know that Ellis is missing?”
“I heard. It’s hard to believe something like that could happen to someone you know.” Cassie shivered.
“When was the last time you saw Ellis?”
“Friday. He left on time for a change. He planned to spend the weekend with his girlfriend. I don’t know where she lives, but he’d been looking forward to spending time with her and seeing her hometown. He said Toni wanted to introduce him to her friends.” She perked up. “I don’t know Toni’s last name, but you should talk to her. She might know something about Ellis’s disappearance.”
“I’d love to talk to Toni,” Owen said, his tone gentle. “Unfortunately, she and a friend were forced off the road last night, and Toni is missing now, too.”
Blood drained from Cassie’s face. “Who would do that?”
“That’s what