So you going to go straight over there and present yourself, case they do want to take other measures.
Yes.
Which be why you inviting me along.
Yes.
We doing it to get even? Hawk said.
Were doing it because, right at the moment, I dont know what else to do, I said.
Theres a surprise, Hawk said.
An hour later, showered and dressed and looking like two million dollars each, we walked into the reception area of Soldiers Field Development and gave my name and asked for Felton Shawcross.
A moment, please, the receptionist said.
She looked at Hawk as if hoping for his name, too. Hawk didnt respond. She excused herself and went through a door behind her desk and in a few moments came back along with a tall guy in a blue suit. He eyed Hawk as he approached.
My names Hatfield, he said to me. What did you wish to see Mr. Shawcross about?
Nathan Smith, I said.
Hatfield frowned. Who?
Hard name, I said. Nathan Smith.
Does Mr. Shawcross know Mr. Smith?
Doesnt everybody, I said.
Hatfield frowned again, and stood for a minute. He appeared to be thinking.
Ill check with Mr. Shawcross, he said.
I nodded at the receptionist.
I thought she already did that, I said.
She checked with me, Hatfield said.
He had a thin sharp face. He looked formidable when he frowned. Which is probably why he frowned.
And you are?
Im the director of internal security, he said.
I looked at Hawk. He grinned.
Internal security, he said.
Wait here, Hatfield said and went back through the door behind the reception desk. Hawk and I went through it right behind him. He turned and started to say something. Hawk hit him with his left fist and Hatfield fell over backward. We were in a corridor. There were offices along the corridor. At the end of the corridor was a glass door that said FELTON SHAWCAOSS in black letters. We went in. Shawcross was sort of a fleshy guy with his black hair slicked back. He was wearing a charcoal pin-striped suit and a black shirt with matching satin silk tie. His face was wide and his mouth was small under his big nose.
What the fuck are you doing? he said.
I believe we are bursting into your office uninvited, I said.
He leaned back in his chair. Wheres Hatfield? he said.
My associate persuaded him to let us in, I said.
Shawcross nodded.
Well, he said. Youre in. What do you want?
Hawk leaned against the wall next to the door. I stood in front of the desk.
Why are you worried about me talking with Brinkman Tyler? I said.
Tyler?
Tyler. You had people following me for days until I talked with Tyler, then they made a move on me.
I didnt have anyone follow you, Shawcross said.
Behind me I heard people come through Shawcrosss door. I glanced back. Hatfield was one of them. The right side of his face was already starting to swell. With him were three other guys in blue suits.
Internal security, Hawk said.
I said, You think?
Hawk grinned.
You all right, Mr. Shawcross? Hatfield said.
Im fine, Shawcross said. Before you throw them out, lets hear what these gentlemen have to say.
Hawk stayed by the door. The Internal Security Squad ranged along the wall on the other side of the room. I took a seat in a green leather chair with little brass studs showing on the face of the arms. I crossed my legs and admired my ankle for a moment.
Nathan Smith has been murdered, I said. His wife has been accused of the crime. Ive been employed by her law firm to
clear her.
If she didnt do it, Shawcross said.
Im not sure the law firm cares, I said. But I do. We dont have to be silly here, right? Since Nathan Smith is listed on your board of directors, well agree that you know him and since you are on his wifes invitation list well agree that you know her.
Agreed, Shawcross said.
He was not a nervous guy. From their respective walls Hawk and the security squad were looking at each other.
So as soon as I get hired onto this thing, I pick up a tail. My associate, Mr. Hawk, here, followed the tail back to this building. The tail was driving a car registered to this company.
Shawcross nodded, and said, Um hm.
I didnt do anything about the tail, I said. Because I wanted to see if I could figure out why you were tailing me.
It was not necessarily me, Shawcross said.
Yesterday I talked with a guy named Brinkman Tyler, and after I finished, the tail made a pass at me.
A pass?
They assaulted me, I said. Wanted to know what I had talked with Tyler about.
Really? Shawcross said. Did you tell them?
No.
If youre trying to clear Mary Smith of her husbands murder, why are you talking to his broker?
Gotta talk to someone, I said. Did you do any business with Nathan Smith? I said.
Business?
You develop real estate. He has mortgage money. Hes on your board.
It would be inappropriate for him to lend money to a business he was involved with, Shawcross said.
How involved was he?
Not, Shawcross said. His presence on the board was a titular formality. But the bank regulators would frown on it nonetheless.
So why have you been following me?