That same guard was still behind the desk as he watched the controlled chaos in the lobby.
Straightening his tie and then his glasses, Graham strode toward the guard without looking right or left. His formal attire would hardly allow him to blend in with the dour-faced officers in the lobby, but more often than not an air of authority was all it took. Hed learned that lesson first from his father and then from his brother.
The guard didnt seem to notice as Graham approached. His attention was riveted on the SWAT activity outside the front doors.
Graham cleared his throat and stood a little straighter. Excuse me.
The guard turned. Something I can help you with? He was short and stocky, with thick blond hair and a round, boyish face.
I hope so, Graham said. Do you remember me? We spoke earlier when I first came in. I asked you about the baseball game.
Oh, yeah. Youre the architect, right?
Thats right. Graham Hollister.
What are you doing down here? I thought they were holding everyone upstairs. The guard nodded toward the elevators as he hitched up his pants. He had the kind of protruding midsection that made it difficult to keep the waist of his pants from sliding down. He also wore glasses with thick black rims. He reminded Graham of a comedian who used to be on TV.
I left before they locked the doors.
The guards attention perked up. Were you up there when it happened?
Yes, but I didnt really see anything. There were too many people around.
Doesnt matter. The cops are going to want to talk to you anyway. Theyll want to talk to everybody who was in that room.
I understand that, but Im looking for my wife, Graham explained. I just want to make sure shes all right. She came down a few minutes ahead of me. I need to know if she left the building before I arrived.
Not likely. HPD has the place surrounded. Nobodys allowed in or out.
She may have gotten out before the lockdown. You saw her earlier when we came in. Shes wearing a red dress. Tall, slim, brunette. Very attractive. She may have had a man with her.
The guard gave Graham a curious look. She didnt come through the lobby. Im sure I would have noticed.
What about the other exits?
The front entrance was the only one open tonight. The others were locked for the evening. And even if they werent, I monitor all the exits from the console. I would have seen her, regardless.
Maybe you stepped away from your desk for a moment. Went to the bathroom or something.
Been right here all night.
The guard was starting to get a little impatient, and if Graham wasnt careful, he might not get anything else out of him. Look, could you just please check the surveillance recording? It wont take long.
Im not authorized to do that. The guards voice noticeably chilled. Besides, Ive already told you. Your wife didnt come through the lobby. She didnt leave the building through the front exit or any exit. I would have seen her. If she left the party upstairs with some guy, maybe theyre just having a cozy little chat somewhere in the building.
He started to turn away, but Graham grabbed his arm. Wait!
The guard jerked away from Grahams grasp. Hey, take it easy, buddy. The feds are in control now, okay? I couldnt help you out even if I wanted to. Now back off before I call a cop over here and have him personally escort you upstairs.
The guards agitation attracted the attention of two men standing nearby. One was tall, thin and impeccably dressed in a dark suit while the other was shorter, stockier and more rumpled. But they both wore buzz cuts and the unmistakable air of federal authority.
The taller one said something to his partner and then strode over to where Graham stood with the security guard. Something wrong here?
His tone was low and amicable, but his eyes glinted with steel. He had the look of a regimented man, from his precisely knotted tie to his spit-shined loafers, and Graham knew instinctively that the guy was not someone hed want for an enemy.
Im Special Agent Delacourt with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He flashed his ID and badge. What seems to be the problem?
The guard spoke before Graham had a chance to. This man says his wife is missing. He wants to look at the security tapes so that he can see if she left the building.
The hard eyes turned back to Graham. When did she leave?
She wasnt feeling well earlier. She came down for some fresh air. I just want to make sure shes all right, Graham said.
You have some identification?
Of course.
While Graham fished his wallet out of his jacket, the security guard said helpfully, Hes the architect who designed this building.
Delacourt cocked his head. That right?
Yes. My name is Graham Hollister. He handed his drivers license to the agent.
Delacourt glanced at it briefly, then called his partner over. Becker, you still got that guest list HPDs circulating?
The shorter agent strode toward them. Whats going on?
See if you can find Graham Hollister on it.
While his partner scrutinized a sheet of paper, Delacourt refocused his attention on Graham. You were at the reception when the shooting occurred?
Yes.
Did you see it happen?
No. There were too many people around. The only thing I saw was the ambassador lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Do you know anything about his condition? Is he going to be okay?
We dont know yet. Did you notice anything unusual before the shooting occurred?
Graham didnt like the way Delacourt was looking at him. It was almost as if he suspected Graham of something. A waiter dropped a tray of glasses right before it happened. It caused a commotion.
Delacourt and Becker exchanged glances. Anything else you can think of?
Not right offhand. Like I said, it was crowded and I wasnt really paying attention.
Graham Hollisters on the list all right, Becker confirmed.
He says hes the architect that designed the building, Delacourt said.
Beckers brows rose. Oh, yeah? Thats convenient.
Isnt it? Delacourt turned back to Graham. Were going to need you to come with us.
Graham frowned. Why? I havent done anything wrong.
Delacourt and Becker exchanged another glance. No one is suggesting that you did.
Then why do you need me?
Were going to search this building from the ground up. You can save us a lot of time by going over the blueprints with some of our agents.
But
Delacourt gave him the hard look again. Maybe you didnt understand me. No one is leaving here until weve searched the entire building. The sooner we get started, the sooner you can get out of here and go find your wife.
The last thing Graham wanted was to be tied up for hours, but he didnt have a choice. He nodded wearily and followed the agents across the lobby.
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