The One Who Ran Away

Chapter Fifteen

"Bridget Halington; CEO of Morris & Co. Incorporated," Jo introduced herself. She shifted the briefcase she was carrying to her left hand and held out her gloved hand. The dainty white gloves were a last minute touch. They had seemed very Bridget-y. The ulterior motive however, was no fingerprints left behind.

"Sonya Lee. Nice to meet you, Ms. Halington. I'm sorry, but I've never heard of Morris & Co. Incorporated," the stout Asian woman said as she shook Jo's hand. She eyed Jo, taking in her crisp, black, business suit. Jo had tied her hair back into a chignon at the base of her neck and placed her mother's old tortoise shell glasses upon her nose. She frowned and released the woman's hand at her words.

"You've never heard of Morris & Co.? Why, Ms. Lee, you must be out of the loop! Let me formally introduce you, then, to Morris & Co." Jo reached into her breast pocket and produced a small business card. She handed the white card to the bank teller. "Our card, Ms. Lee."

"Mrs. Lee," she corrected. Jo made a gesture as if to say, "As you wish."

Sonya Lee inspected the card thoroughly until she seemed satisfied. She set the card down behind the counter, storing it away for another day.

"What brings you here, Ms. Halington?" Mrs. Lee finally asked. Jo had been standing expectantly, waiting to be escorted to the vault.

"What am I here for?" Jo scoffed. "Mrs. Lee, I am here for the bi-weekly inspection of your bank's vault. You do have a vault, don't you, Mrs. Lee?" Mrs. Lee's face paled at Jo's words.

"Oh! Of course, I am sorry, Ms. Halington. Right this way," she said quickly, her Asian accent spilling through in her moment of distress.

Jo was led through the same hallway she had been led down before. This time, Sonya Lee led her passed the main offices and to the very back room. She pulled out a key ring, similar to the one Susan, the other bank teller, had shown Jo. She selected a large brass key from the ring and slid it into the lock on the door.

"This way, Ms. Halington," Mrs. Lee beckoned. Jo followed Mrs. Lee into a large, spacious room. The floor was made of thick tiles, polished and waxed to pristine condition. The walls were washed white, a single security camera placed in the far right hand corner.

"This is a precaution room should anyone break in," Mrs. Lee explained. Jo held up her hand, signaling for Mrs. Lee to hush. Jo set her briefcase on the ground, facing away from Mrs. Lee, and examined the contents. First, she picked up the slim key card and discreetly slid it into her breast pocket. Then, she choose the only pen in the pen-holder, a blue, ballpoint pen. She had gotten a sleek design etched into the body of the fake marble. "M&C" was scripted in large gold letters. Jo had payed every expense to pull off this con. Jo picked up her new notebook, the kind that flipped open from the top, and shut the lid closed with two snaps, locking the briefcase tight.

"Mrs. Lee, I am well aware of what this room is for. I'm not a new inspector. I've been working for Morris & Co. for six years. Frankly, Mrs. Lee, one security camera isn't nearly enough. I'll spare you the full, detailed report." Jo removed her hard gaze from the tiny Asian woman and began writing, very carefully, a history report. She figured while she was here, she could at least begin the damn essay. She needed something to write, anyway, might as well keep appearances up.

Jo walked around the room, pretending to stop and analyze certain spots. In reality, she was pausing to think about whom she would speak of next, King George the Third or Ivan the Terrible.

"Ms. Halington? Are you quite through?" Mrs. Lee snapped. Her arms were crossed and her face was flushed a light pink.

"I'm sorry?"