“Thank you, Harmony.I hope we don’t talk again soon.”
Harmony chuckled.“Same.”
Damien Joseph parkedon the side of the road, wondering why there were so many cops around his favorite coffee shop.He dropped his sunglasses into the cupholder and got out, looking around for a familiar face or two.
Captain Marcus Patrick was walking out of Sunrise Brews, his gaze scanning the crowd in a way that told Damien whatever brought Marcus to the coffee shop wasn’t resolved.
Damien raised his hand to catch Marcus’s attention.Marcus nodded back and waved Damien through the police tape surrounding the area.
“I didn’t realize someone called you.I don’t think we need a protector just yet,” Marcus said as he shook Damien’s hand.
Damien shook his head.“Not here on business.This is my go-to place for a good cup of coffee.”
Marcus looked back at the shop as if he didn’t realize where he’d just walked out of.“Sorry.”
“What’s going on?”
“It’s a weird one.Mackenzie got a call from a woman who said she saw someone breaking into the building next door.”Marcus nodded across the alley.
“Pickens Systems Inc.?”
“Yeah.The witness said she was enjoying her muffin and noticed three men walking up the alley.It was dark, but they were wearing masks, and one was carrying a gun.”
“Whoa.”
“Even harder to believe, they got inside.”
“That place is locked up tight from what I’ve heard.”
Marcus nodded.“Yep.But somehow these three got inside in a few seconds.”
“Then what?”
Marcus exhaled a mirthless chuckle.“That’s where shit gets really weird.They avoided all cameras and all the security and made it up to the CEO’s office.”
“What?”
“Yeah.No faults, no overrides.Nothing that explains how they made it through a building stuffed with security and got in front of a man who’s worth more than half the city combined.”
“What did they want from him?”
“Don’t know.Grant Pickens said there was only one guy and he wanted his help, then they heard sirens and the guy ran.”
“Is he in custody?”
“Yeah, but he’s not talking.Lawyered up in a hurry.”
“What happened to the other two?”
Marcus shrugged.“No clue.No one saw anything, and Mr.Pickens is adamant there was only one person.Did the other two pose as employees, or were they employees this guy used to get inside?Was there really only one guy?Did they get outside and leave their guy behind?”
“Wow.You would think they’d have cameras to capture everything.What about the witness?Do you believe her?”
Marcus sighed.“I do.She was pretty convinced she saw three people.”
“You think she’s safe with two others out there?”
“I asked if she wanted protection, and she said no.She was running late for work and asked for a copy of the police report to show her boss, but that was it.”
