The Group by Kevin R. Doyle

Author:Kevin R. Doyle [Doyle, Kevin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense Mystery
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Published: 2017-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“SO DID HE say what he wanted?”

This late in the afternoon, nearly six o’clock, Helen wanted nothing more than to go home, flop on the couch and order a pizza. Yet here she sat, trying to wrap her head around just what the hell Ronald Green could possibly be up to.

“He wanted records on the panel he served on last year,” Amy Baxter said.

“This would be the panel in connection with the Rawlings campaign?”

“Yes. Mr. Green wanted a look at the records of that panel and, although we didn’t quite get that far before your people showed up, I’m assuming he wanted to look for personal information on the participants.”

“And he said this was in connection with a book he was writing?”

“Yes, but I recognized his name right away and well…”

Helen frowned.

“Tell me this. If his story had been legitimate, would you have given over the information? If you didn’t know what he was accused of?”

The lady executive hesitated, and Helen could have sworn she saw some inner turmoil march across the woman’s face.

“I doubt it, for two reasons. One, we’re not in the habit of operating like that. We use testimonials, focus groups and candid discussions quite often, and it wouldn’t be very ethical to release private information about the people involved. Beyond just the squeamishness of it all, we could conceivably open ourselves up to all sorts of legal liabilities.”

Helen tapped her pen against her knee for a moment as she let that explanation roll around in her mind.

“I can see that,” she finally said, “but in this particular situation, since he’d spent almost two days with the people anyway, would it really be that big of a deal? After all, the man’s a trained academic, and these days anyone with a modicum of common sense can find out almost anything they need to know on the net.”

“True. If he had their names.”

“Excuse me?”

Before Baxter could answer, a knock sounded at the door. Without waiting for a response, the person outside came right on in.

Tall man, really, really tall. Helen guessed his height at nearly six four. Full mane of silver hair, even though judging by his features he wasn’t much over fifty. As for his clothing, while neither Helen nor any of the men she knew made a habit of shopping in the exclusive shops around town, she was experienced enough to recognize a hand-tailored suit when she saw one.

“Amy? I came right back as soon as they phoned me.”

The Baxter woman stood up, and to Helen she looked faintly guilty, like a kid caught sneaking gum out of mom’s purse.

“Mr. Kettering.” She smoothed her skirt down, then turned to Helen.

“Detective Lipscomb, this is John Kettering.”

Kettering nodded to Helen then moved up to the front of the desk, using the three foot wooden expanse as a solid barrier between him and his employee.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “Your people?”

“We’re fine, sir. No one got hurt.”

“I was filled in on my way here.” He turned to Helen now, a decidedly unfriendly look on his face.

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