Page 98 of What She Saw
“Patrolling the mean streets of Puckett Computers? I’ll wait until he can take a break. I’ll just sit over there.”
She frowned. “I’ll call the police if you don’t leave.”
“Okay. Call them. It’ll make for good fodder for my article.”
“I’ll buzz him again.”
Three minutes later, the side door opened. Kevin appeared. He wore his dark uniform, starched and crisp. This close, I could see he was heavier and his hair thinner than the young man in the picture with Debra at the festival. Frown lines etched heavy grooves around his mouth.
“Mr. Pascal,” I said. “Thank you for seeing me.”
He didn’t speak but guided me outside, away from the receptionist. “Why did you show up where I work?”
“It’s a good place to find people.”
His fingers tightened into a fist. “I don’t want any trouble.”
I smiled. “Neither do I. I just want to talk.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been all over town asking about the festival.”
“I’ve been busy, yes.”
He slid his hands into his pockets. “I don’t have anything to add. Why are you here?”
“You were part of the security team at the festival. You had a ringside seat to the chaos.”
“I barely remember the festival.”
“And Debra. Do you remember her?”
Hearing her name darkened his eyes. “I’ll never forget her.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“She was by the stage. She and Bailey were drinking and dancing.”
“She and Bailey were close?”
“As close as Bailey could get to anyone. Debra thought they were friends. But Bailey hung out with Debra to piss off her dad.”
“I thought Bailey was close to her father.”
“No. She hated the old man.”
“Why?”
He rattled pocket change. “You’d have to ask her.”
“You never saw anything suspicious at the festival?”
He looked over his shoulder to the company’s front door. “I saw a lot of trouble that night. But I put it all in a report to the sheriff.”
“Taggart searched your truck?”
He shoved out a breath. “He didn’t find anything.”
“That piss you off?”
