Shattered

Chapter 9:

The first thing that caught Chester's attention in the parking lot for ACME's headquarters was the police car. Second noticed was the navy colored '90 Yugo GV parked beside it. Cop cars were a normal sight on some days in the lot. But the Yugo? It didn't belong to any of the workmen and clients hadn't been stopping by the office since the remodeling had started. Then again a police car here now? That was worth looking into in combo to the other car. Putting aside the thought about unknown company in the building he parked his car in its normal spot.

After stepping out of the vehicle he put his attention to being focused on opening up its rear seat door to his side. The back seat held special cargo, his fax machine and a folder stocked with important papers in it. It was loaded into a box as a safety measure in hoping the box did something to protect the expensive gadget. Also to insure he hoped a good grip on a conforming angled surface. It weighted, he guessed hefting into his arms tightly, maybe forty pounds? At least the trip to the meeting room wasn't a long one.

Getting open the front door while still carrying the box. He'd forgotten the fun of that task while carrying the fax machine. Funny how memory could be on some things he mused. Solving the problem of opening the door. It wasn't a matter of remembering what he'd done the last time. Common sense told him what to do even if it came across as awkward looking to anyone looking on at him. Of him tightening his grip on the box and then carefully lowering himself, his nearest elbow to the door, on to its handle. He got caught in the act and felt good when that happened the surprise didn't have him drop the box.

"I'll get that for you," came from one of the workers. Something not so hands on had to be his job. He wasn't covered in signs labor involving numerous building compounds, paint, saw dust, plaster, or powdered cement. A supervisor was probably his job and the local ACME chief felt ashamed he didn't know his name. As the man then opened the door for him so he'd be sparred the further effort.

A head shake of a nod yes was all Chester could think to do first towards the helper. That wasn't the appropriate response he knew as he turned into the building. To correct the mistake in judgment and to hopefully get an answer about the parking lot. The chief added while walking towards the elevator. "Thank you for that. Say, you wouldn't happen to know anything about the cop car and navy sedan parked by it would you?"

Following the more permanent guest of the building with an easy guess the wanted floor wasn't the basement level. The assumed supervisor from FOX said while pressing the button for the directing up arrow for the elevator. "To my knowledge there isn't some form of a crisis going on. That said, I don't know why the police are here except maybe in connection to that other car you're curious about. I think that one belongs to an employee here. One of yours."

"What does this employee look like?" Chester asked intrigued as he looked up to witness where the lighting notation was for the elevator carriage box just then.

It was at the third floor; with a second later having its signal shine for the building's second floor. A fourth floor existed to the building but like the rest of headquarters, the fourth floor had been largely abandoned since the remodeling had started. Most of the employees had opted upon choice to work from home mainly, only returning to the office when absolutely needed. This fact of the carriage box's position wasn't being noticed by the man as he answered. "Gal who looked about as old as yourself. Poofed hair, dark, business casual look."

A pause didn't happen in thought to voice. When the elevator from it's lit up signal met the first floor and the doors opened up for Chester to enter its carriage box. He stated, "Cheri, she's another chief. She's visiting from an east coast office. Thank you for that."

No workmen were around the indenting nook to the hallway that was the lift lobby on the third floor. Even to be seen in the hallway, Chester didn't spot a one of them but knew they were near by. He could hear them talking and moving around in what was and would be again in time, the building's client wait room. Music could be heard playing softly out of the room as well. A touch that added to the atmosphere, told him this was clearly their time. If he butted into their time, he would just be seen as an unwanted intrusion. Getting open the next door, the meeting room. No help would happen this time and it was solely up to him & the unhelpful cargo taking up his arms.