Free The Second Man by Emelle Gamble Page B

might not believe, but you must. It’s very serious. So please listen for a couple of minutes before you say anything.”
    “First, you tell me what Pandora Security is?” she asked. “I want to know what it is you do before I say anything else.”
    “It’s my company. I’m an investigator.”
    She leaned forward. “You were in jail for attempted murder. How did you get a license to be an investigator?”
    He flinched. “My criminal record was expunged because I went to rehab for two years. I have worked very hard to put my mistakes behind me. Especially the ones I made the night you left me.”
    She softened, but only a little. “Good. Good for you.”
    “Thank you. Now look, it’s unfortunate you have to deal with so much tonight, and that my showing up makes you feel awkward, but what I have to say can’t wait until it’s more convenient. It’s too important.”
    “To whom?” Jill said.
    “To people in our government, and out of it. Quite possibly to you and your family.”
    “This is crazy.” Jill sat and crossed her arms. “You’ve got two minutes to explain this.”
    “I work primarily with government clients, both here and in Europe, and South America. I was contacted a few weeks ago by the state department on behalf of another agency. They requested I informally look into the murder of an alumnus of St. John Vianney College.”
    Jill gasped. “Murder? Who was murdered?”
    “Ben Pierce.” Andrew’s voice was steely. “He was two years ahead of us. His sister, Marissa, was in our class. Do you remember either of them?”
    Jill’s heart fluttered with shock. She pictured Ben, heavy black glasses and smiling face, at the desk next to her in English. He had put off his required liberal arts classes until senior year, and always kidded her that he was copying off her exams.
    “I did know Ben. And I remember Marissa. She’s handling the reunion, right?”
    “Yes. Have you talked to her?” Andrew stared at her.
    “No. Not personally. What happened to Ben?”
    “He was an ATF agent. Last December, while attending a technology conference in Paris, he was murdered in his hotel room.”
    “That’s horrible. But why are you telling me about this?”
    “Because I need your help. I’m assisting in the investigation.”
    As she had with Max a couple of hours ago in his car, Jill was unable to control her nervous emotions. A full-out chortle rolled out of her. Because what Andrew said was so preposterous, she could not give it the credence his unsmiling face said it deserved.
    “Are you joking? I’m a community college English teacher, for heaven’s sake. What could I possibly do to help in an investigation?”
    Andrew leaned closer. “It’s believed the man who killed Ben also has a connection to St. John’s. Possibly a fellow student.”
    “What?”
    “Yes. Ben left a rather cryptic message the day he was murdered. He said he had run into an old classmate, and that there was something off about the guy.”
    “That’s rather ambiguous. This sounds like a movie,” Jill said. “And you still haven’t explained why you’re telling me this.”
    “If Ben’s killer was a fellow student, there is a very real possibility he might attend the reunion. So I need someone to act as another set of eyes and ears inside the parties, and watch for suspicious behavior.”
    Jill was slightly nauseous. “If you’re talking about me being some kind of what, spy for you, that’s ridiculous. I have no idea what you mean by suspicious behavior. What exactly would I be watching for? I mean, aside from someone pulling a gun on someone at the reunion.”
    “There’s no need for sarcasm.” Andrew colored. “I would like you to go to the events, all of them, and observe. See if you notice anything odd or unusual. Watch if anyone seems nervous, or asks a lot of questions about Ben.”
    Andrew reached into his coat pocket and took out an envelope. He pushed it across the table at Jill. “I’m prepared