Chasing the Dime Read Online Free PDF Page B

the result was that the offices sometimes seemed to Pierce to be as soulless as they were high-tech. He had started the company in a low-rent warehouse in West-chester, having to take readings on experiments in between takeoffs and landings at LAX. He had no employees. Now he had so many he needed an employee relations officer. He drove a fender-dented Volkswagen Beetle then — the old kind. And now he drove a BMW. There was no doubt, he and Amedeo had certainly come a long way. But with increasing frequency he would drift off to memories of that warehouse lab beneath the flight pattern of runway I7. His friend Cody Zeller, always looking for a movie reference, had once told him that ‘runway 17’ would be his ‘Rosebud,’ the last words whispered from his dying lips. Other similarities to Citizen Kane notwithstanding, Pierce thought there was a possibility Zeller might be right about that.
    Pierce sat down at his desk and thought about calling Zeller and telling him he’d changed his mind about going out. He also thought about calling the house to see if Nicole wanted to talk. But he knew he couldn’t do that. It was her move to make and he had to wait her out — even if it never happened.
    He took the pad out of his backpack and called the number for accessing his home voice mail by remote location. He tapped in the password and was told electronically that he had one new message. He played it and heard the nervous voice of a man he didn’t know.
    â€˜Uh, yes, hello, my name is Frank. I’m at the Peninsula. Room six twelve. So give me a call when you can. I got your number from the website and I wanted to see if you’re available tonight. I know it’s late but I thought I’d try. Anyway, it’s Frank Behmer, room six twelve at the Peninsula. Hope to hear from you soon.’
    Pierce erased the message but once more felt the weird magic of secretly being inside somebody’s hidden world. He thought for a few moments and then called Information to get the number for the Peninsula in Beverly Hills. Frank Behmer had been so nervous while leaving the message that he hadn’t included the callback number.
    He called the hotel and asked for Behmer in room 6I2. The call was picked up after five rings.
    â€˜Hello?’
    â€˜Mr. Behmer?’
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Hi. Did you call for Lilly?’
    Behmer hesitated before answering.
    â€˜Who is this?’
    Pierce didn’t hesitate. He had been anticipating the question.
    â€˜My name is Hank. I handle Lilly’s calls. She’s kind of busy at the moment but I’m trying to reach her for you. To set it up for you.’
    â€˜Yes, I tried the cell number but she didn’t call back.’
    â€˜The cell number?’
    â€˜The one on the site.’
    â€˜Oh, I see. You know, she is listed on several sites. Do you mind my asking which one you got her numbers from? We’re trying to figure out which one is most effective, if you know what I mean.’
    â€˜I saw it on the L.A. Darlings site.’
    â€˜Oh, L.A. Darlings. Right. That’s one of our better sites.’
    â€˜That’s really her on there, right? In the picture?’
    â€˜Uh, yes, sir, that’s really her.’
    â€˜Beautiful.’
    â€˜Yes. Okay, well, like I said, I’ll get her to call you as soon as I get ahold of her. Shouldn’t take too long. But if you don’t hear from either me or Lilly within an hour, then it’s not going to happen.’
    â€˜Really?’
    Disappointment tumbled off his voice.
    â€˜She’s very busy, Mr. Behmer. But I’ll try my best. Good night.’
    â€˜Well, tell her I’m just in town on business for a few days and I’d treat her real nice, if you know what I mean.’
    Now there was a slight note of pleading in his voice. It made Pierce feel guilty about the subterfuge. He felt that he suddenly knew too much about Behmer and his