Page 24 of In the Line of Ire

"Don'tworry," said Solomon. "You remember the 'safe word'phrase?"

I nodded. "Pot roast fordinner. That sounds so normal!"

"It'ssupposed to."

"I don'tknow how to work it into a conversation if anything weirdhappens."

"You'llthink of something. Plus, a phrase is harder to say accidentallythan a word. It's a new thing we're trying out."

"Pot roast fordinner," I repeated. "Got it."

"Myshifts all match with yours," said Delgado. "I'm going to headinside and get the orientation over with. If anyone I knowrecognizes me, my story is I'm moonlighting for some extra cash.What's your explanation?"

"Justtaking another temp job," I said, checking my watch. "I'll give youtwo minutes then I'll follow you in."

Delgadonodded and stood, bending over so he didn't hit his head on theroof of the van. He pulled back the sliding door and hopped out,then closed it behind him, leaving Solomon and me with all thehigh-tech equipment. "Should I get an earbud like Delgado?" Iasked.

"Youdon't need to hear what we're doing. Just keep your eyes and earsopen in there."

"What ifyou need to tell me something?"

"I'lltext your cellphone. Keep it in your pants."

I wasmature enough not to giggle at that, which said a lot about how farI'd advanced in recent years. "I called Garrett this morning andthere's no news on the murder," I told him.

"He toldme the same," said Solomon. "Are you worried?"

"Yes andno. Someone connected to the mall is a killer and we'reinvestigating. We don't know who it is."

"They'reunlikely to make any kind of dangerous move during daylight hours.You'll be safe as long as you’re surrounded by people. If you geteven the slightest sense something is wrong, say the safephrase."

"Gotit."

"I don'twant you putting yourself in any kind of vulnerable position. Ifyou don't feel comfortable with something, make an excuse and backout. I'll have someone else follow up."

"Whatkind of PI would that make me?"

"A smartone," said Solomon. "You better go now. You don't want to be lateon your first day."

Idropped a kiss on his lips, made sure all my buttons were properlyfastened, grabbed my purse and climbed out. Solomon closed the doorbehind me. I nodded to Lucas who had just pulled up alongside thevan in a car before heading to the mall. I used one of the mainpublic entrances. As soon as I stepped into the tiled foyer, thecheerful music they blasted through the speakers in the mallstarted up.

I knewthe layout so it took me no time to get to Page's Department Store.I introduced myself to the nearest black-clad cashier and shereached for her phone and made the call. "Someone will be down tomeet you and fill out your employee pass. Just head on over toemployee stairwell one, located right over there," she saidpointing and beaming. "Welcome to the Page's family!" she addedebulliently.

"Soexcited!" I beamed back.

The man waiting for me at the employee stairwell wore navypants, a striped shirt and a floral tie that strangely all wenttogether. He had a full head of salt-and-pepper hair and a goatee.His name pin readOliver Banks, DeputyManager."You must be Lexi," he said,pumping my hand before ushering me inside the stairwell. "Glad youcould make it on such short notice. Ron said you're relatedsomehow? We're always happy to help out one of our board'srelatives with a temporary position."

"I'm soglad to be here," I told him as we walked along. "I just love thisstore."

"Well,thank you. Have you worked in a department storebefore?"

"Severaltimes. I'm sure I'll pick things up without anyproblems."

"That'swhat I like to hear. Page's is a busy store and we believe ingiving customers the best service they can get. That means alwaysgreeting them with a smile, asking them what they're looking for inparticular and helping out in any other ways we can. Even if thatmeans running up to the stockroom and searching for the last pairof shoes on our lunch hour. Think you can manage to dothat?"

"Absolutely!"

"We wantour customers to feel utterly pampered, like they are the mostvalued persons in the store. Can you make them feel thatway?"

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