Page 35 of Alex

“Alright, well, I hope everything is okay with you, and I’m sure I’ll talk to you later today. Bye.”

Fuck.

He genuinely sounds worried about me. Earlier, hearing him talk to Alex, I thought he was pissed I didn’t answer his call, but this voicemail makes me believe he was worried all along.

I end the voicemail, throw my phone back into my purse, and slip on my sneakers. I put my ID in my yoga pants pocket at my thigh and lock up on my way out.

After slipping my key into my pocket, I run straight to the office. I feel like throwing up and I’m out of breath, but I make it in record time.

The outside of the office building looks exactly the same as it usually does, except Mr. Strickland’s car is parked where Alex’s was last night.

For there being a break in and a fire here last night, it’s pretty calm.

Mr. Strickland meets me at the front door, coming outside to talk. He looks me over and asks, “Is everything okay? Where were you?”

Not wanting to tell him I was in his son’s bed, I lie. “I went out for a run.”

I’m wearing running attire and I did run all the way here, so it’s not that far from the truth.

He gazes at me like he knows I’m lying, but he doesn’t probe further. “If you don’t mind, you can help Alex box up the files from my office and load them into my car. I’m going to call IT and see if they can move our computers.”

“Where are you taking the files and computers?”

And where are we going to work if we’re not coming here?

“My house. The three of us will work as a skeleton crew and I’ll work from my home office until the police complete the investigation and the repairs are done. Of course, this means I will probably have to host the acquisition meeting at home, but we can arrange a nice catered meal.”

“I’ll help however I can.” I say, knowing I really don’t have a choice in the matter.

He grins and nods. “I knew I could count on you.”

With our conversation over, I walk inside thebuilding and gasp as my gaze wanders over the first floor. Caution tape blocks off most of the office, including several cubbies, the elevator, and the security room.

Paper, office supplies, and furniture are thrown around like a tornado flew through here, and the smell of fire penetrates the air.

It’s so much worse inside than I ever could have imagined.

Looking towards the back of the building, my thoughts shift to Peter. I wonder if he saw the intruder or the fire being started.

Did he fight them off?

Speaking of Peter, where is he?

I take the stairs two at a time up to the second floor, so Mr. Strickland doesn’t think I’m slacking. It’s bad enough I was the last one to show up here.

The police or firefighters must have carved a path to my desk and Mr. Strickland’s office because the tape is strung out, creating a walkway.

The intruders must not have come upstairs because everything is still in the same position it was in when I left the office yesterday evening.

Walking along the walkway, I head to Mr. Strickland’s office to help Alex pack up files.

It’s the typical CEO’s office with large windows, elegant furniture, and way too much space.

Alex is sitting in his dad’s chair, filling up another box of files. From the looks of it, he’s already almost done with the filing cabinet.

“Hey.”

I feel awkward saying that one word, but I don’t know what else to say.

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