Seasons of Love by Elizabeth Goddard Read Free Book Online

of Cyphorensic Technologies to see Chelsea stashing personal items into a cardboard box. He stopped in the middle of the small lobby. “What are you doing?”
    She curved her lips without flashing her usual bright smile. “Mr. Baldwyn, sir, you don’t need me. There’s nothing going on here. Hardly anyone ever calls. And except for when Mr. Connor was still alive, well, no one stops by anymore. I wanted to be a receptionist so I could see people. I love people. I’ve filed everything there is to file. Twice.”
    She smacked her gum in sheer freedom. “Besides, I got a new job. I’ll be working for a veterinarian. I love animals. Oh, and I almost forgot. The police are here. I didn’t know that Mr. Connor’s computers were stolen, but I showed them his office.”
    Zane hesitated, absorbing her news as he stared at her. He hadn’t noticed any cruiser in the parking lot. “They’re here?”
    “They only just showed. They’re looking around Mr. Connor’s office, taking pictures and prints, I think.” She cleared her throat. “The investigating officer said he needed to ask you questions. He’s so cute.”
    Zane sighed. “Well, I’m here now.” He headed back to John’s office.
    “Mr. Baldwyn. Glad you could make it.” One of the two uniformed officers greeted him with a smile. “I’m Sergeant Draper.”
    “Sorry I’m late. I phoned in not that long ago. Figured it would be awhile before anyone showed.”
    The officer’s smile flattened, but he maintained his friendly, relaxed stance. He proceeded to question Zane regarding the theft. Zane answered with the facts, leaving any of his qualms out of the equation. No need to introduce his theories at this point.
    “Your alarm system’s been disabled. I suggest you invest in something that can’t be disabled through the simple cutting of wires.”
    The information startled him. Had setting the alarm become such a rote operation that he’d failed to notice the system hadn’t armed? “Thanks. So what happens next?”
    “There’s been a rash of electronic thefts in the area lately. TVs, stereos, and computers. Unless you have something else to add…”
    Zane shook his head. What was he going to say? His partner had died in a car crash a month ago but had sent something he thought might be a matter of life and death to his sister? He’d had a nefarious history of hacking? “I need to take some files home. That’s okay, isn’t it? I’m a workaholic.”
    “I think we have all we need.” Sergeant Draper nodded his dismissal of Zane and headed out of John’s office along with his partner.
    A rash of electronic thefts.
Zane tugged at his collar. Was he being paranoid to think that the stolen hardware had anything to do with John? Still, there was his strange comment about life and death….
    Zane stood in the hallway and watched them stroll through the reception area. Chelsea’s smile brightened. Sergeant Draper lingered longer than necessary before leaving. Once the officers were gone, Zane approached Chelsea. She resumed stacking various pictures of family members and friends into the box next to something pink and fluffy that Zane didn’t recognize. He knew she was right, of course. There was no reason for her to remain at Cyphorensic. She was a vivacious, attractive young woman and needed interaction.
    “I mean, if things were busy, I wouldn’t leave you. You could count on me. But except for Mr. Connor’s client, well, you don’t need me.”
    Zane froze. “What did you say?”
    Chelsea stopped chewing and gave him a look that said she thought he was old and losing it, apparently forgetting her earlier infatuation with him. Zane knew she hadn’t intended to appear that way, but it cut him nevertheless.
    “I said you could count on me if things were busy… if you needed me.” She went back to smacking, even attempting a bubble. “But you don’t.”
    “You said something about Mr. Connor’s client.” Zane didn’t want to sound as