Grant leaned over me as I tried the small, locked file cabinet. The key didn’t fit. I walked over to the larger ones that took up half the wall. Grant followed like an excited child. The key entered, and my heart pounded.
It didn’t budge the inner workings of the lock.
“Let me try,” he said as he pushed my hand out of the way.
“It doesn’t work,” I said. He tried over and over. He moved along the wall of cabinets, trying the key for each one, even if they were not locked. I sat in Maggie’s chair, watching him get more and more frustrated.
“What are these good for?” He tried the last cabinet and threw the keys on the floor.
“What if…,” I ventured, “what if it’s a cabinet in another office? What if it’s in Kirkman’s office?”
Grant faced the window with the blinds half-open, the same way Maggie had left them. “It’s Slade’s office now.”
“Exactly. Maggie disappeared around the same time her boss left. If there’s something locked in there, he couldn’t get to it before leaving if Maggie had the keys.”
Grant turned to me and grinned. “Why are you so obsessed with Maggie, K?” His voice was high-pitched and mocking me, but I ignored the bait.
I pursed my lips, walked out of the office, and sat at my desk. There was no way we were getting into Colin Slade’s office without anyone noticing, and there was a meeting tomorrow for which I was severely under-prepared for. Ineededto concentrate.
“I’m going to report her missing since no one else is doing it,” Grant said.
“Fine.” I didn’t want to argue because things weren’t looking so good. And because I had no time to argue. Maggie or no Maggie, I’d still have to answer for my job tomorrow.
Grant walked away, and I tried my hardest to keep my attention on the new accounts. Still, every few minutes I stuck my head out to look down the aisle of cubicles, but there was no sign of Grant.
My phone vibrating broke the silence.
Mom:Don’t forget to bring me the medium pot with the glass cover on Friday. The ones I have here are too small or too big.
I quickly replied:I’ll take it.
Mom:Bring a different bathing suit this time. Everyone has seen you in that blue one.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Me:Yes, will do.
Mom:We might hike, so bring your sneakers.
Me:OK. I’m working. Make a list. Love you.
Mom:OK! Love you tons.
My computer screen taunted me with my unfinished work when Grant returned.
“Well?” I asked, my patience wearing thin as he simply sat there in silence.
“They took my statement.”
“That’s it?” I shook my head.
He nodded. “They said they’ll call me if they need anything else from me and to try reaching out to friends and family.”
“Will you?” I asked. I grabbed my phone and looked up Maggie’s Instagram. Nothing for several days. I looked at the comments. Most looked like they were from admirers, but it was impossible to tell from the comments whether any were real-life friends.
“What about the last guy she dated—the one in those celebrity magazines? Didn’t you bring it in one day?” He started reaching over to my drawer, and I shut it.
“Excuse me. I don’t read those. But I remember thatMonicashowed me a picture of Maggie and a football player, whatever his name is.”
