“Can I help you, gentlemen?”
She cast a flickering glance at Jenny’s desk, and Michael knew she’d noticed the opened drawer and the shifted jumble of papers on the desktop. She’d be puzzled, trying to figure out what was going on, but nothing of that was sounding in her voice.
“We’re here to see Mrs. Morrow,” the older suit said.
“Mrs…” There was a trace of uncertainty in Ellie’s voice, as if she was trying to place the name-which she wouldn’t be. Ellie knew the names of every one of her staff members and every detail of their lives, right down to what they’d had for breakfast that morning. Her uncertainty was assumed, buying time. Finally her voice cleared. “Oh, you mean Mr. Lord’s secretary, Jenny.”
“That’s right.” The voice was in no mood for hesitation. “Where is she?”
Silence. Michael couldn’t suppress a grin as Ellie gazed around the outer office with helpful and entirely assumed stupidity.
“She doesn’t seem to be here.”
“Can you open the inner office, please?”
“It’s the office of our security chief,” she apologized. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I don’t have authorization. Isn’t Mr. Lord inside?”
“He’s not answering, and we need to check. We’re from the Department of Immigration.” There was a pause as two ID cards were produced. In Michael’s arms, Jenny quivered once and was still. “Open, please.”
“I still can’t do that,” Ellie said apologetically. “Unless you people have a warrant.”
“We don’t have a warrant.”
“Has Mr. Lord done something illegal?”
“No. It’s Mrs. Morrow we’re interested in.”
“But she’s not here.” Once more, her tone conveyed helpful stupidity.
“She may be in with Mr. Lord.”
“If Michael was in his office then he’d answer the door.”
“Not if he was hiding someone.”
“Why on earth would he be hiding someone?” Ellie asked, exasperated. “Hiding Jenny, do you mean? Why would he be doing that? She’s been sitting out here for all the world to see for the past few months. She’s probably just gone to the ladies’ room. If you people would care to wait, there’s a coffee shop down the hall.”