Three Fates

walked to the east corner, where the office area opened into an alcove. The chilly early morning air came through the empty window. Crime-scene people were measuring, dusting, picking at the window frame for trace evidence.
    “Must’ve counted on the upper window being most vulnerable,” Jack began. “That glass is reinforced and wired. They had to circumvent the primary alarm system to get this far. Serious tech capabilities required for that. How’d they get up here?”
    “Rappel lines. Looks like the alarm went, and they took off in a quick hurry. Left the lines behind.”
    “Huh.” Jack frowned, tucked his thumbs in his pockets. “Might be they didn’t count on the secondary system.” He explained the setup as he and Lew walked downstairs and into the utility area, where the main security panels were installed.
    “I should be able to do a run, see how long the system was down—maybe how it came to be put down—once you guys are finished doing what you do. But I can tell you just from what I’ve already seen, they didn’t do it from down here.”
    “Who knows the system? This particular one.”
    “My team. You know how I screen my people, Lew. Nobody who works for me had a part in this. If they did, and were stupid enough not to take out the secondary, hell, I’d have to fire them for it.”
    Lew gave a snort, scratched his jaw. “Need the names anyhow, you know how it goes.”
    “Yeah, part of the job description.” He blew out a breath. “I’ll have to check, see who worked with me on this job. Original system was put in for the old man, Paul Morningside. I’ve done some upgrading since. The widow insists on the latest, and not just in her designer shoes.”
    He opened his mouth, then shook his head, shut it again.
    “Spill,” Lew demanded.
    “I don’t want to influence the angle of your investigation.” As if reluctant, Jack dragged a hand through his hair, glanced toward the stairway. “I just want to point out that the client knows the system—or its basic makeup.”
    Lew looked decidedly cheered at the notion. “Guess she would, wouldn’t she?”
    “Now I’m going to have to go up and let her bust my balls.”
    “Got a next of kin I should notify?”
    Jack spared Lew a sour smile, then headed back up.
    Anita was just slamming down the phone when Jack walked into her office again. He wondered, fleetingly, who she’d called to berate at five in the morning. Then saw the insurance file open on her desk.
    The lady didn’t waste any time.
    “Have you decided you can spare a moment for me?” Her voice dripped, like sugar laced with strychnine.
    “I won’t do you any good unless I know what happened. I can’t figure out what happened until I see the system and the breach.”
    “I’ll tell you what happened. You were paid to design and install a security system to protect my business from vandals and thieves. You’re paid a monthly retainer to maintain, evaluate and oversee that system, with additional fees for upgrading as the technology becomes available.”
    “I see you read your contract,” he said mildly.
    “You think you’re dealing with a bimbo here?” Her voice spiked as she stalked around her desk. “You think because I have tits I don’t have a fucking brain?”
    “I never underestimated your brain, Anita. Or commented on your tits. Why don’t you sit down?”
    “Don’t tell me to sit down.” She jabbed a finger into his chest, and her eyes widened in shock when he closed his hand over her wrist.
    “Watch it.” His voice remained level. “A cop might have to tolerate a civilian’s bullshit, but I don’t have to tolerate a client’s. Pull yourself together.”
    “Do you think you can speak to me that way?”
    And he saw, by her expression and the tone of her voice, that she liked it. Go figure, he thought in disgust. “Slap at me, I slap back. I didn’t roll out of bed at four in the morning because you snapped your fingers. I’m here because I stand by my work. Now sit down, and calm down.”
    He could almost see the instant she decided to change gears, the moment she opted to turn on the tears. “I’ve been violated. I feel so exposed, so helpless.”
    My ass, he thought, but played the game with her. “I know you’re upset, and scared. Sit down now.” He led her to a chair. “Do you want me to get you anything? Some water?”
    “No, no.” She waved a hand, then dabbed delicately at her cheek with the side of her finger.