the receptionist’s lair, Lily right behind him. Within minutes he was in another world, clicking away at the speed of light. He spoke once. “Where are the old files? Where are they archived?”
Winston growled, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end.
“I don’t know. I swear to God I don’t know. I’m allergic to dogs and dander. I’m also afraid of dogs.”
“You should work to overcome those fears,” Lily said. “I’d also consider another line of work if I were you.”
The receptionist gaped at her. It was Lily’s turn to shrug as Winston offered up his paw. The woman ignored it. Winston growled. He offered up his other paw.
Lily said, “I think if I were you, I’d shake his paw.”
Tentatively, the woman touched the big dog’s paw, then withdrew her hand as though she’d just touched a snake. Winston barked happily.
“What you’re doing here is illegal,” the woman said. Suspicion ringing in her voice, she addressed her next comment to Pete. “Don’t I know you?”
Pete half-turned in his chair. “I doubt it. People say that about me all the time. Now, which one of these e-mail addresses is for the person you have the most contact with?”
The receptionist pursed her lips. “I’m not telling you anything. Furthermore, I signed a confidentiality agreement when I was hired. I have no desire to be sued. I need this job and the benefits.”
His face buried in the computer, Pete said, “Winston, take care of it.”
Before the woman could gasp, Winston had her arm in his mouth and was leading her toward Pete. He gently released her arm when Pete said, “Thank you, Winston.” The big dog took up his position next to the receptionist.
Pete swiveled around and locked his gaze on the woman, whose nameplate said she was Ina Jones. “Listen to me very carefully, Ms. Jones. I want my old donor records, and so does my friend,” he said, pointing at Lily. “I never take no for an answer. Having said that, I now want to give you a heads-up on what’s going on. I’m sure you saw the news and the massacre at the boys’ school.” Pausing for a second, Pete continued by laying out for the frightened woman what he was increasingly becoming sure was correct. “Those youngsters originated in this…this place. Now, where are the old files?”
The woman started to wail. “I told you, I don’t know. I just collect the specimens, keep the records, and create the files. And I pay the donors. That’s the total of my job description. I’m sure you’re wrong about what…what happened at that school.”
“What do you do with the files, say, for the past month?”
“A courier picks them up the first of every month. There weren’t many lately. Spring is always a slow time. Actually, both spring and early summer are slow.” Ina was babbling now, her face mottled with fear.
“Do you call the courier, or does he just show up?” Pete asked.
“He comes on the first Monday of every month. I always have the package ready for him. He signs a slip and leaves. I have no idea what he does with the files or who he gives them to. I wouldn’t …I wouldn’t work for a firm that wasn’t ethical. What you’re implying is absurd.”
“Where are the donations?”
“That’s none of…”
Winston growled.
“In the clinic. There are two nurses back there who handle the specimens. Talk to them.”
“I will. Where is the emergency number you call if something goes awry?”
“What…how…?”
“Winston.” The one word was a command the shepherd acted on.
“All right, all right.” Jones rattled off a number that Pete committed to memory.
“Call the number now and tell that person there are two people here demanding their donor information because they say that information has something to do with the shooting at the school.”
Ina Jones sighed as she picked up the phone.
“Speakerphone, please,” Pete said.
The woman pressed a button. A rich baritone invaded the room. Winston’s ears perked up as he tried to figure out where the voice was coming from.
“This is Ina Jones at Unit Four.” Pete watched as the woman kept her eyes on Winston. “There are some…there are two people and a killer dog standing right here in the office who are asking for their donor files. He said…he said their…donations have something to do with that private school shooting. Here,” she said, thrusting the phone at Pete.
“And you would be who?” Pete asked coldly. “Me? I’m Donor 8446. My friend is Donor 1114. The dog doesn’t have a donor number. Police? That’s probably the best idea I’ve heard all day. If you don’t call them, I will.” Pete listened, his expression stoic. He finally interrupted the rich baritone. “Scratch the police, I think the FBI would be a better bet. Yeah, well, that was then, and this is now. You led me to believe I would be helping childless couples back when I made those donations. The media said the kids gunned down at that school were orphans. Right off the bat, you people lied to me, and you probably lie to every other donor who walks through these doors. I saw my kid at that massacre, and I sure as hell am going to want a DNA sample.”
Pete turned to Lily when the telephone unit emitted a high, keening sound. “The bastard hung up on me!” His eyes accused Ina Jones, who clasped both her hands over her heart, fear showing in her eyes.
Lily reached down to scratch the shepherd’s head. She could feel his huge body tremble against her leg. Clearly, the dog was reacting to the stress in his master’s voice.
“If there’s anything you know, anything at all, this would be the time to tell us.”
“What…what…you said just now… Is it true? Was one of those boys your son? How…how can you know that for sure?”
“I know,” Pete said. “He’s one of the ones who got away. At least I think he got away. What if anything do you know about that private school?”
“I don’t know anything. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. This is just a run-of-the-mill job. There’s no stress, the pay is decent, and it provides good benefits. It’s an eight-to-six job, with plenty of time for me to catch up on my reading.”
“Where does your check come from? Who pays the bills? Who signs those checks?”
Tears were rolling down the woman’s mottled cheeks. “I don’t know who pays the bills. I assume some management company. My check and those of the staff come by UPS overnight every Friday. I hand them out. The bank is First Sovereign here in town. I can show you my check since I haven’t deposited it yet. I was going to do it yesterday, but I didn’t get to the bank on time.”
“Let’s see the check,” Pete said.
Ina bent down to open one of the desk drawers to get her purse. She pulled out her
