Riley gave one of her fake business smiles that she painted on when she met clients. As a professional, it was polite to put on that happy face. “I would like to see Taylor Manning.”
Candace pinned Riley with a glare. “You don’t have an appointment.”
Riley lost her smile. She thought she and Candace had bonded a smidge the other day. Then again, if Candace had gotten into trouble for giving out Taylor’s address, any connection Riley had made was gone.
In their previous conversation, Candace had said she was engaged. Riley wasn’t into bribing people, but the circumstance called for extreme measures. She dipped into her purse and produced a business card. “I’m sorry if you got into trouble because of me. But I would like to make it up to you.” Riley handed over her card. “I can give you a discount on a cake for your wedding or even cut you a deal on the cost of the venue.”
Candace read the card, pinching her perfectly manicured eyebrows. “This says Boston on it. I’m getting married in San Francisco. Do you have an office out here?”
Riley tucked hair behind her ear. She’d left her hair down instead of twisting it up on her head that day. “I work with a lot of companies outside of the New England area.” She didn’t do business with anyone in California. Yet if Candace said where she was having her reception or who was making her cake, Riley would pay ten percent of the bill, which could be significant if Candace chose to accept the offer.
Candace blew out a breath. “I don’t take bribes.”
The fifteenth floor of executive offices was as quiet as it had been the other day when Riley had visited. She wondered for a split second if people actually worked on that floor. “It’s my way of saying I’m sorry.”
Candace studied her for a second before saying, “You’re lucky I didn’t lose my job.”
Riley was curious as to what Candace would’ve done if she had lost her job. She didn’t seem like the type to take revenge on anyone. In fact, she came across as fragile and desperate.
Riley leaned onto the counter. “Look, Candace, I don’t want any trouble. I know Liza isn’t here. I need to talk to Taylor. She might know where Liza is.” Riley’s tone was low and soft. “I need to find my best friend. Her family is quite worried too. Wouldn’t you do anything if something happened to a loved one?”
The area around Candace’s eyes crinkled. “I would call the cops.”
Riley held back a snarl. “Sadly, we did. The SFPD doesn’t have any leads to go on. The FBI doesn’t either.”
Candace’s features softened as she sat down. “Taylor said she didn’t want to be disturbed.”
Riley figuratively scratched her head. Taylor was an assistant, not an executive of the company who could give that type of order.
“Then I’ll wait,” Riley said. “I’m not leaving here until I talk to Taylor.”
Candace’s chest lifted as she considered Riley. “Are you serious about a discount?”
Riley nodded.
Candace scraped her nails through her bright-red hair. “I could use a discount for the cake.”
“Done. Now can you get Taylor?”
She lifted the phone’s receiver and pushed a button. “Yes, Riley is here to see you.” There was a brief pause. “Sure.” She set down the phone. “She’s finishing up a call. She’ll be a few minutes.” Candace pocketed Riley’s card. “My wedding isn’t for another two months. So I’ll call you with the details of my cake.”
“Great. It was a long drive in. Can I use the restroom while I wait? I know where it is.” Riley didn’t give her a chance to answer, seriously needing to use the ladies’ room.
On her way down the hall of offices, Riley could feel Candace watching her. When she reached the bathroom, Riley sent a smile back toward the front desk before going in.
She quickly took care of business and had every intention of returning to the waiting area until she heard Taylor’s voice coming from one of the offices. Riley checked for Candace, but the redhead had stepped away.
Clutching the strap of her purse, Riley inched down the black-carpeted hall like a cat burglar, looking over her shoulder every few steps for Candace or security.
“Where are you?” Taylor asked.
Riley stopped outside Liza’s office then peeked in.
Taylor was at a glass desk with her back to Riley, facing the city view out the floor-to-ceiling window.
If Riley weren’t mistaken, this was Liza’s office. Or maybe it wasn’t. When Candace had caught Josh the other day, Liza’s office had had racks of dresses hiding the furniture. This one had been cleared out as though Liza had been let go.
Riley scanned the hall and the doors. No nameplates existed on any of them. She should’ve knocked, but she wanted to eavesdrop some more.
