Page 54 of Benjamin and the Thief

“Yep. Security is a twenty-four-hour business.” He opened a door and led her inside. “This is my office.”

She entered the comfortable office, which had a large desk with a computer screen, several chairs, and a sofa in one corner. The window looked out over busy Mission Street. There were notes and files on the desk. She pointed to them.

“Have you found out anything more about the public defender?”

“So far, no. Given that we have more than just the public defender to look into, I need to delegate that to somebody else. Let me do that now.”

He sat down behind his desk. “Make yourself comfortable.”

She took the seat in front of the desk while Benjamin made a call.

“Hey, Nicholas? Are you in the building? … Great. Can you come to my office? I have a job for you. Thanks.”

He disconnected the call, then he pointed to his computer screen. “Anita sent me the security video that showed Santiago in the Prestons’ master bedroom.”

Eager to find out what he thought of it, she leaned forward. “Do you think it’s a deepfake?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have those skills.”

Disappointment flooded her. “Oh.”

“But I know somebody who can analyze it. I was about to ask him to help me with it when I found out that my father went to see you.”

“How did he even know where I live?”

“Well, that’s the problem when your entire family works at the same company. Nothing stays a secret. He showed the video with you and me on it to my uncle, who runs the IT department here with his husband, and he recognized you because I had him run your license plate to find out where you live a couple of days earlier.”

Now it all made sense. “You actually memorized my license plate?”

He smiled. “Well, you didn’t leave me a choice after running out on me that first night. You didn’t think I’d let a catch like you get away, did you?”

She felt her cheeks flush and heat engulf her head and neck. Benjamin could do that to her with his smile and those penetrating blue eyes.

“If I’d known that you were so understanding about my situation, I wouldn’t have left. But I didn’t want to burden somebody else with my problems…”

“I know that now, baby.” He tapped on his phone. “Let me call Sebastian. He can help with the video.” There was a short pause, then he said into the phone, “Hey, Sebastian. I need your help. Can you analyze a video for me to see if it’s a fake? Yeah. Great. I’m in my office.”

He disconnected the call. Then he looked around his desk. “Darn. I left my tablet up in my uncle’s office. I’ll be right back.”

“Do you want me to stay here? On my own?” she asked.

“The building is secure. Don’t worry. I’ll be just a couple of minutes.” He hurried out the door.

When she was alone, she felt silly having asked that. Of course, she was safe here. She’d noticed that Benjamin had not only had to swipe his access card but also scan his thumbprint to access the parking garage beneath the building. Even for the cafeteria, where he’d left her for a short while a couple of days earlier while he got changed, he’d used his access card to gain entry. This security company certainly practiced what it preached. Still, she felt a little awkward being alone in his office. She knew it was a sign of trust, and that feeling was still new and foreign.

Feeling a little on edge, she stood up and walked around the room. She went to the window and looked out at the street, where traffic was still heavy. When she heard the door being opened, she whirled around, expecting to see Benjamin. Instead, a tall, bald man entered. He was dressed entirely in black.

“Benjamin, I need⁠—”

He didn’t finish his sentence and stared at her, narrowing his eyes.

“Who are you?”

The question was barked rather than spoken, sending a shiver down her spine. Her neck prickled at the spot where she could have sworn that Benjamin had given her a hickey, even though there was no physical evidence. She rubbed her fingers over it.

“I’m… uhm,” she stuttered, her throat as dry as Death Valley. “I’m Benjamin’s girlfriend.”

He ran his eyes over her. “Hmm. Anybody could say that. You don’t have a visitor badge. So, where is he then? Your boyfriend?”