Sound of Darkness

Six

The man in the sketch was dark-haired with light eyes, probably early thirties, and dressed nicely in a casual jacket and open-neck tailored shirt.

He didn’t see Mark and Colleen at first as they stood by his table. When he looked up, he was surprised, but didn’t appear to be dismayed.

“Uh—hi. Can I help you?” he asked.

“You can,” Mark said, producing his badge.

That did startle the man.

Mark quickly added, “We just need to ask you a few questions.”

“Um, sure. I—I’m sorry. I can’t see what the FBI might want with me. I don’t even watch porn on the internet. Oh, sorry!” he said again quickly, glancing at Colleen.

“Not to worry,” she said, sliding into the booth across from him, close to the window so Mark could join her in the booth.

The man appeared completely bewildered.

“We just need some help with something you might have seen,” Colleen said quietly.

He reacted well to her words, nodding—while still looking confused.

“You eat here frequently?” Mark asked.

The man smiled. “Almost every night. I’m an accountant. My office is in the building over there.” He pointed across the street.

“And your name?” Colleen asked.

“Murray. Murray Calhoun.”

“Thank you, Mr. Calhoun. I’m Special Agent Mark Gallagher and this is my partner, Special Agent Colleen Law.”

Murray Calhoun nodded, still anxious and confused.

“We heard you were here the night before last, and you paid your bill at the same time as another couple, also leaving the restaurant when they did. The young woman was attractive, and you noticed her?”

Calhoun frowned and then appeared to remember. “I—yes. They were obviously a couple, but yes, I saw them when I was leaving. The guy walked her to her car. She got in and drove away.”

“Did you see her after?” Mark asked.

“What? No! I said they were a couple. She was certainly attractive—I’m not blind. But why would I have seen her again?”

“We’re just trying to put together puzzle pieces, Mr. Calhoun,” Colleen said. She gave him a smile that seemed to relax him a bit.

“Hey, I looked at her. People look at attractive people. Her guy was looking at a few people after she left too.”

“You saw where he went?” Mark asked.

He pointed down the street. “I don’t know where he was going, but I saw him pass by a couple of girls and he said something and grinned and they laughed back. He...” Calhoun paused for a minute. “It seemed he was in a hurry.”

“Where did you go after?” Mark asked.

“Back to work. We handle some major businesses. Taxes are a year-round thing when businesses are trying to pay as little as possible. Thank God there’s no flat tax. Accountants would be out of business.”

Mark wasn’t sure what their expressions might have been, but Calhoun must have seen or sensed something.

“Hey, I worked until nearly midnight. My secretary was there too. And a few other workers. You’re welcome to check on me.” He shook his head. “What’s this all about?”

“The young lady was abducted. Thankfully, she’s been found,” Colleen said.

There was no sense hiding it; the media had the information. Mark hadn’t had much time for the news, but he knew there were public records that could be accessed. Angela had been handling the reporters. They always had to be careful about just what information went out, but since women had been killed...

The public knew all about The Embracer.

“No! Oh, my God! That sick fuck who’s been killing women had her?” Calhoun asked. “Oh! Sorry,” he added.

“Not a problem,” Colleen said.

Calhoun’s horror at the thought seemed very real.

“We don’t know. But she was found,” Mark said.

“Thank God!”

“Well, we’ll let you get back to your dinner,” Mark said. “And thank you. You won’t mind if we verify with your office?”

“I’d think you were lax if you didn’t,” Calhoun said. “The name of the firm is Accurate Accounts. Stop by during normal hours and you can speak with whomever you want. There were several people working that night.”

“Thanks. We appreciate that,” Mark said, sliding out of the booth. Colleen followed him, adding her thanks too.

“Did you want to eat? We are in a restaurant. Or would you like to get back home and see your sister?” Mark asked her. “I need to get Red. And call—”

“I’ll call his office,” Colleen said. “And I guess I should get back. Though this place looks good.”

“Then we’ll get a table and eat quickly,” Mark told her.

They returned to the hostess stand and were seated. Calhoun was paying his bill as they sat. He nodded to them gravely as he left the restaurant.

They ordered, and as soon as they had done so, Colleen got on the phone. She managed to get someone to pick up the line, even though it was after hours and she’d initially hit an answering machine.

“I just spoke to an office manager, a nice, talkative fellow,” she said, after she’d ended the call. “Apparently, a lot of their people put in a great deal of overtime, which allows them to take personal days or vacations when they need them. I’m assuming someone should go there. One of us?”