Last Fairytale, The Read Online Free PDF

brunette female, although her hair was pinned up in the video sequence. She must have been an industrial spy. She knew what she was doing. Her face was never revealed to the camera.”
    “She got in with someone’s key, though,” Gen said. “Do you think Ducane gave it to her?”
    “Perhaps. But it could have been stolen. I don’t see why Andrew would have any reason to stage a robbery of his research files when he could have simply taken them himself.”
    “How many people have access? Did anyone report their key stolen?”
    “No one reported anything missing other than the files,” Vonnegon replied. “But the key could easily have been borrowed, duplicated, and returned before anyone was the wiser. As for access, at least a dozen people come and go through rooms in that wing.”
    “I still don’t get what it has to do with me,” Bree said.
    “If I’m not mistaken,” Gen said, “when Mr. Vonnegon found you with Andrew Ducane’s body last night, he assumed you and the woman on the tape were one and the same.”
    “That’s right,” Vonnegon replied. “She was wearing a lab coat, but there are distinct similarities. It was only after I had a chance to do my own background check that I could safely be sure that Miss Butler was probably not the perpetrator. Of course, there’s still the outside chance I’m wrong.”
    “Bree, do you have skills I’m not aware of?”
    “No.” Bree regarded Vonnegon. “And I still don’t know why you didn’t tell the police all this.”
    “Because I wasn’t in a position to answer questions about our clients or our research. I asked you here today because I wanted you to know why I implicated you, and that I’m sorry I had to. The way I see it, you have nothing to worry about. Even without hearing my story, the authorities will do their due diligence and realize you’ve no connection. Cambria Marie Butler’s record appears to be squeaky clean. My guess is you wouldn’t do anyone harm.”
    Gen saw Bree’s eyes widen. Was she surprised he’d discovered her full given name?
    “Just how did you come up with all this information about me in a couple hours on a Friday night?”
    Vonnegon ran a hand up his forehead and pushed back the substantial bulk of his well-cut blonde hair. “I’m head of a successful corporation,” he replied. “I have online accounts with several identity search websites. I use these sites to gather information about competitors, meeting attendees, potential employees and business partners. And anyone else I need to know more about.”
    “Convenient.”
    “Look Miss Butler, it’s the Internet age. I didn’t actually need the big guns. In minutes, Google led me to your business website, your Facebook and LinkedIn pages. I read your blog, scanned your Google profile. I located past addresses, the number and street of the house you were born in.
    “I know where your one living grandparent resides. I know your birth date, your father’s profession, your sister’s husband’s name. I know you have three nieces and nephews but no spouse or children, and that your mother is no longer with us.”
    Bree scowled and focused on the menu.
    Gen changed the subject. “What type of private research was Mr. Ducane using the company lab for?”
    “I’d rather not say.”
    “Do you believe whatever he was studying has something to do with his death?”
    “I don’t see how it could.”
    “Then why won’t you tell us what he was working on?”
    “I’ll tell the police privately when I tell them about the break-in, Miss Delacourt. It has no bearing on the situation with Miss Butler–”
    Bree cut in. “Who was the woman in the hallway with you last night?”
    “My secretary.”
    Sarah appeared, balancing a tray on her fingertips. She deftly swung the platter down without spilling a drop, then distributed tumblers of water and tea and placed a plate of herbed bread and cheese in the center of the table.
    “May I take your orders now?” she