Phoenix Rising by Ann Duran

Author:Ann Duran [Duran, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ann Duran
Published: 2019-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Jack paced the floor like a caged tiger in the reception area of the office. After reporting Quentin’s murder to the police, he made a quick inventory of the remaining bonds. As far as he could tell, only one certificate for a million dollars was missing.

His demeanor was calm but masked a raging inner turmoil. He was desperately worried about Alex. There had been no reassuring call from Paul as to her status. For the umpteenth time, he grabbed his cell phone and punched the familiar number on the keypad and for the umpteenth time, there was no answer. He impatiently hit the off key.

The sound of footsteps marching down the hall heralded the arrival of a small army of Phoenix Police, who took immediate possession of the office.

“What’s your name?” A burly officer demanded.

“Sergeant, my name is Jack Herrell. I was the one who reported the murder to 911.” Jack showed his driver’s license as identification. “I was working late and heard a gun shot. I ran to the back of the office and saw the assistant manager, Jordan Tabor, run out through the emergency exit. He had a gun in his hand. I then found Quentin Cole, the branch manager dead.” Jack nodded in the direction of Quentin’s office. “He’d been shot in the head.”

“Find the victim.” The sergeant jerked his head in the direction of Quentin’s office and motioned for one of his men to proceed down the hallway. “You stay with us.” Jack waited patiently with the Sergeant until his officer returned with the news that the manager was most certainly dead. The order was then given to secure the crime scene resulting in a flurry of activity. The sergeant escorted Jack out to the lobby where they waited.

A short time later, they were joined by Adam Conway, a representative of the Maricopa County Attorney’s office. He drew Jack into the break room and gestured for him to sit down. For the next thirty minutes, Jack recounted the details of the shooting not only to the County Attorney, but also to the Homicide detectives who had arrived shortly after.

Jack’s patience wore thin. His entire being ached to search for Alex. Just as he thought his tolerance had permanently evaporated, one more person entered the office, Paul Gordon, who gave his friend a surreptitious thumbs up gesture. Jack exhaled, his pulse slowing to a more comfortable rhythm. The look on Paul’s face conveyed reassurance, but something else as well. His friend had a private word with the detectives and County Attorney before entering the break room where Jack promptly grabbed him by the shoulders.

“What’s going on? How’s Alex? Where is she?”

Paul took Jack’s hands from his shoulders and pushed him lightly into an available chair while he pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He opened it, took a quick sip and handed it to Jack. “Here, drink this. It’s not bourbon, but you look like you could use something.” He sat down next to Jack and eyed his friend speculatively.

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