JACK AND THE GIANT KILLER Page 10

  “It’s a personnel issue, so I can’t comment.” Mike crossed his arms over his big belly.

  “Listen—” Replacement stepped forward, but Jack interrupted.

  “I’m just trying to get in touch with him because we found his lost dog,” Jack said. “We went to his apartment and left messages, but we haven’t heard back.”

  Mike exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I had to let Dan go.”

  “When and why?” Jack asked.

  “Three days ago. He was a no-call/no-show, two days in a row.”

  “Did anyone get in touch with him?” Jack asked.

  The secretary shook her head. “I sent him a certified letter and left two messages.”

  Now Jack’s voice started to rise. “Has anyone spoken with Daniel?”

  “Lots of guys just walk,” Mike tried to explain. “That’s why we have a rule. No-call/no-show, you go.”

  “How long did he work here?”

  Mike turned to the secretary, who held up five fingers. “Five years.”

  “Does someone work here for five years and not call?” Replacement’s hands flew out. “Does someone write on his Facebook wall that he loves his job and not show the next day?”

  Mike’s wrinkles deepened. “I still got rules.”

  Replacement’s eyes narrowed. “You can take your rules and—”

  Jack stepped back in front of Replacement. “So no one has seen him or heard from him, but you haven’t gone and checked if he’s okay?”

  “I just thought he quit,” Mike mumbled.

  “You’re some manager,” Replacement spat before she spun around and stormed out the door.

  Jack turned to the secretary and handed her his card. “If you hear from Daniel, please let me know.”

  She took the card with a trembling hand. “He’s okay, right? He was always real sweet.”

  “I hope so. Is there any other way you can get in touch with him?”

  She shook her head and Mike shrugged.

  “Is there someone here he would’ve talked to if he went away?” Jack asked.

  “Glen and Scott were on his crew. They’re outside now. He could’ve talked to them,” Mike said.

  “Thank you for your time.” Jack spun on his heel and headed for the door.

  “Hey,” Mike called out when Jack reached the exit. “You understand, right? If he walked, what am I supposed to do?”

  Jack didn’t look at him. He shoved open the door and walked out. He understood rules, but what he couldn’t understand was how this man could blindly follow them.

  Replacement stood next to a truck outside and spoke to two men. They were both big guys but one had a leer on his face that made Jack quicken his pace to reach her side. They looked up as he approached.

  “Hi, Jack.” Replacement gave him a quick wave. “I was trying to ask these guys about Daniel, but they told me to talk to Mike.”

  “Well, it’s good that I just talked to Mike so now they get to talk to me.” Jack stuck out his hand. “I just had a couple of questions about Daniel. Are you Glen?”

  The taller man looked hesitantly back to the office before he answered. “Yeah.”

  “You know Daniel?”

  “He was on our crew.”

  “Have you seen him in the last few days? We found his dog.”

  Glen shook his head. “I heard he quit.”

  The shorter guy, Scott, spoke. “No. He was a no-show. I think he went to Canada.”

  “Canada?” Replacement made a face.

  “He was always going on about going up north,” Scott continued. “I figure after last month, he might split.”

  “What happened last month?” Jack asked.

  “It was a real soap opera,” Glen said. “His ex’s new boyfriend showed up. This little guy started screaming and swearing at Daniel.”

  “About what?”

  “You know. Stay away from my girl type of stuff,” Glen said. “It was the new boyfriend marking his territory.”

  “The guy was really freaking out,” Scott said.

  “Did it get physical?” Jack asked.

  “No, they didn’t fight. This guy just got out of his car and began yelling up at Dan,” Glen said.

  “Did he threaten Daniel?”

  “Threaten?” Glen scoffed. “The guy was like a yappy dog. He just yelled a bunch of crap up at him.”

  “What did Daniel do?” Jack asked.

  “Nothing,” Scott said. “We were both up in the cherry picker. It’s not like the guy could do anything.”

  “When was this?”

  “About a month ago. Maybe a little more.” Glen looked at Scott, who nodded.

  “Do you know if Daniel has any family?”

  “I don’t think so. He never talked about any,” Glen said.

  “Did he talk about quitting?” Jack asked.

  “No.” Glen shook his head. “I thought he liked it here. I just got back from vacation and I was like huh? I called him a couple of times, but he hasn’t called back.”

  “When did you get back to work?” Replacement asked.

  “Yesterday.”

  “Did you go over there?”

  Glen shook his head. “Not yet. I was going to swing by after work today. He’s okay, right?”

  “I hope so.” Jack handed them cards. “If you hear from him, please give me a call right away.”

  They both nodded and then Jack and Replacement headed back to the Bug. Replacement was seething when they reached the car. He barely pulled the door closed when she gunned the gas and the Bug’s tires sent dirt and gravel flying. The dog barked and Jack swore. Replacement gripped the steering wheel and sped up.

  Jack grabbed the handle on the ceiling. “You want me to drive?”

  “No,” she grumbled and flew into the turn.

  Jack pressed against the door and the dog lay down in the backseat.

  “Where are we going?” Jack pulled his seat belt on.

  “Sandra Hughes. Daniel’s ex-girlfriend.”

  “Why?”

  “He may have reached out to her again.” Replacement tapped the steering wheel. “She posted on her Facebook something about missing old friends. It could have meant him. Do you have another idea?”

  “I know you’re upset—”

  “I’m beyond upset. I’m really mad.” Replacement blew by a stop sign. “You don’t get it. He wrote a lot on Facebook about those guys and his work. I mean, come on. They don’t go over there? How far is his apartment? They saw him almost every day for five years.” She yanked the car into another turn.

  “I agree.” Jack put one hand on the dash and the other held onto the ceiling handle. “Look, we should go back over to the apartment complex. I’ll speak to the office and get them to do a wellness check on him.”

  “Good. I’m just getting more and more worried about him.” Replacement slowed to a stop at the light and then she banged the steering wheel. “Can you believe his ex-girlfriend? Sandra.” The name almost dripped out of her mouth. “She sends her new boyfriend to Daniel’s work?”

  “You don’t know that—”

  Her stare cut him off. “I do know that. She wrote it down. All Daniel did was send her some letter. She went off about how he was desperate and couldn’t let her get on with her life.” The light turned green and she punched it.

  “Where did she write it down?”

  “Facebook.”

  “Can anyone read it? People just write stuff like that for anyone to see?”

  “Some people write everything about their lives. Sandra is one of them.” Replacement reached back and patted the dog.

  “Did he say anything about her?”

  “Nope.” She popped the word. “He didn’t mention her. And you heard the guys. The new boyfriend, Wade, is my size. Daniel would’ve pounded him.”

  Jack rolled his eyes.

  “Don’t make a face.” Replacement made a sour one. “You saw how big Daniel is.”

  �
�I’m not saying anything about Daniel, but anyone can get their butt kicked no matter how big they are, and that’s without bringing weapons into the mix.”

  “But Daniel’s a giant.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  She slowed down and her lips mashed together. “Who’d try to fight him?”

  Jack let go of the handle. “You’d be surprised. Chandler got picked on a few times.”

  “Chandler?” Her mouth fell open, but she quickly shook her head. “No way.”

  “He did. Some guys go after the big man. It’s like in the Old West and the fastest gun or something. It’s a way for guys to make a name for themselves. They pick the biggest guy, and if they win, they get bragging rights. It’s like getting a shot at the title without having to work your way up.”

  “But you said Chandler could fight.”

  “He never lost. But he tried not to fight, and he wasn’t in many.”

  “Then how did he get picked on?” Replacement asked.

  “You don’t have to get in a fight to get picked on. Teasing. Name calling. All that crap. Part of it was because he didn’t fight.” Jack turned in his seat to look at her. “Some people see not fighting as weakness. They’d say something to Chandler, but he’d blow it off and try to ignore it. Then they’d get a little bolder and say something else, and they’d keep escalating it. But Chandler had limits. Eventually, the guy would get stupid and throw a punch at him and then it’d be over.” Jack pointed to the right. “There it is.”

  She cut the wheel at the entrance to a small apartment complex. The Bug flew over the speed bump and Jack’s head smashed into the ceiling.

  “Damn. Slow down,” he grumbled.

  As she slammed on the brakes, a cloud of dust swept around the car, and Jack groaned against the seat belt.

  Replacement’s voice went flat. “I should get this one.”

  “You want me to stay in the car?”

  “Please? This is my case. It’s a girl and we’ll both freak her out if we go to the door.”

  Jack shook his head. “That’s not safe. The boyfriend may be there.”

  “I’ll be fine. Besides, I can’t take Muffin. Please?”

  “I don’t think—”

  “Please? Her apartment’s at the top of the stairs. I’ll be fine.”

  “Just don’t freak her out.”

  Replacement rolled her eyes as she got out of the car. “When do I ever freak anyone out?”

  Before Jack could argue, the dog scrambled into the driver seat and pushed Jack against the window.

  Perfect. I’m stuck in the car with a wildebeest.

  Jack powered down his window and watched Replacement walk up the stairs to a small landing. The dog whined. It was a pleasant apartment complex, but Jack’s chest tightened at the thought of Replacement knocking on the door. His years of police and military training kicked in, and he cringed as he watched her knock and then step straight back.

  She should move to the left. She’s standing right in front of the stairs too. Never put your back to the stairs. I have to start teaching her these things.

  The door opened and a woman in her early twenties stood there with her hand on her hip. She looked annoyed.

  That must be Sandra.

  Replacement’s hand went out, but Sandra just stared at it. Jack noticed Replacement’s whole body stiffen.

  Sandra’s medium-length black hair bobbed back and forth as she shook her head. Jack heard her voice rising, but he couldn’t make out what she said.

  Replacement pointed back to the car and then Sandra leaned forward and scowled. Jack gave a little wave and her scowl deepened.

  Pleasant girl.

  Sandra shook her head as her hands flew around like an angry bird. Her voice got even louder. He may not have been able to hear what they were saying, but he knew that the conversation wasn’t going well.

  Replacement put one foot back and Jack saw her right hand tighten into a fist.

  That’s not a good sign. Jack rolled his window down all the way.

  Sandra shouted loudly enough he heard her.

  “Dated. Past tense. I don’t care where he is. Bye-bye.” Sandra grabbed Replacement’s shoulder.

  Jack’s hand flew to the door handle, but he suddenly screamed in pain. The dog’s claws sunk into his inner thigh as she lunged over him. Jack’s face bashed into the doorjamb as the huge dog leapt through the open car window.

  “Get inside,” Jack screamed as he dashed out of the car.

  Sandra shrieked, but she stood frozen in place.

  The dog’s paws came together and her muscles rippled beneath her fur as she sprang halfway up the staircase in one leap.

  Replacement grabbed the railing as she tried to get her balance.

  Two more jumps like that and the dog will be on Sandra’s throat.

  The dog roared.

  Jack reached the bottom step just as the dog surged forward again. The dog jumped to the top of the landing. Sandra staggered back into the apartment. The door remained open. Sandra screeched with her hands shaking at the sides of her head.

  “Shut the door,” Jack ordered as he lunged up the stairs.

  The dog’s muscles contracted as she readied herself to spring again, and she growled low. Sandra screamed. Jack reached the top step, but he couldn’t grab the dog’s collar.

  “Shut the door, lady,” he screamed.

  The dog stopped. Sandra slammed the door shut.

  “Dog.” Jack reached out his hand for the dog’s collar. The animal whipped her head around and snarled at him. He looked at Replacement. “Get the dog and let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “I’m not done,” Replacement snapped. She stepped forward and pounded on the door. “I need to know where Daniel is.”

  Jack leaned down. “Do you think there’s any chance of her opening the door with the werewolf out here?”

  Replacement kicked the welcome mat off the landing, and then turned and stomped down the stairs.

  The dog looked up at him and he shook his head. “Let’s go, dog.”

  Replacement yanked her door open. “Come on.”

  “Keys.” Jack held out his hand.

  “No way.”

  “Keys. You’re a mini-volcano heading for Pompeii. Guaranteed the cops are on the way. I’m driving. Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Three Points

  As Jack drove down the main street, a police car flew by him.

  “Do you think she called?” Replacement folded her arms.

  “Without a doubt. You looked like you were going to smack her and feed her to the beast. What was that?”

  “What was what?”

  “You can’t just go around screaming at people.”

  Replacement put her feet up on the dashboard. “I had a good teacher.”

  Jack drummed the steering wheel. “Look. I have anger issues, but I’m trying. You can’t let it get personal.”

  “It is personal.” She sighed. “Daniel just seems like such a nice guy and she’s a shrew.”

  “What happened?”

  “I tried to explain that I was just looking for Daniel because we found his dog. She thought I came looking to get back some ring he gave her.”

  “He gave her a ring? Like an engagement ring?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Sandra got in my face and said it was a gift so she didn’t have to give it back. What a jerk.”

  “Sounds like he’s better off without her.”

  Replacement’s arms wrapped around her stomach. “Did you hear her? She doesn’t care if he’s missing. I mean, she said she loved him. In her earlier posts, she went on and on about what a great guy he is, but now she doesn’t care what happens to him?”

  “People are selfish.”

  “Selfish? They suck.” She pulled her knees up to her chest and put her chin on them. “I didn’t know he gave her a ring. It had to be an engagement ring.” She closed her eyes.

 
; “Love’s a funny thing. Looks like he got her wrong.”

  “She didn’t deserve him. You should read her page.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Where’re we going?” Replacement asked.

  Jack’s hand tightened on the steering wheel as he felt the invisible, cold bands of dread tighten around his chest. “We need to swing back over to Daniel’s apartment and ask them to do a wellness check.”

  The relationship was so serious he might have given her a ring. The girlfriend dumps him. She posts about her new boyfriend all over Facebook. Daniel gets embarrassed at work in front of all his friends. He loved the dog, but he left her tied up to the fence at the dog park. Maybe he left her there for someone to take care of her and then he went home and…

  They rode in silence back to the apartment complex. Jack took the first left and parked in front of a small building off to the left of the entrance. It was a one-story long ranch with an office on one side and a small gym on the other.

  “I’ll go in and get things started, okay?” Jack asked.

  The dog whimpered and Replacement reached back to rub her neck. “I’ll take Muffin out and walk her around.”

  As Jack walked through the door, he saw a woman in her late twenties working on a computer. Shoulder-length brown hair, thin build, and a business-casual blue blouse with gray slacks gave her a more professional look until Jack saw the tennis shoes under the desk. Two other desks sat on the right and large pictures of the different apartment layouts on easels to the left. Besides the woman, the office was empty. As Jack approached her desk, she looked up from typing and smiled.

  “Welcome to Archstone.” She stood up. “I’m Abigail. What can I do for you today?”

  Jack shook her outstretched hand. “Jack Stratton. I need to ask for a wellness check on apartment 403. Daniel Branson.”

  Abigail’s brows knit together. “Of course. Are you a relative?”

  “Actually, we found his dog. She was lost.”

  “The poor thing.” The woman’s head tilted to the side as she looked out the door.

  Jack turned to see Replacement getting out of the car. The dog’s head was down and her shoulders were slumped.

  “We’ve tried several times to call him and we also checked with his work. No one there has been able to contact him either.”