A/N Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story. Your feedback has made this story such fun to write. Stay safe everyone.

Chapter 4

Raymond came back shortly after, Melany looked up as he breezed in and closed the door after him.

"There's three police cars parked out front. Like does he work for the president?"

Melany didn't answer, she couldn't. She just stared at a spot on the desk.

"They wouldn't go to this trouble if it were me or you that's for damn sure."

"Where's Mrs Hart?" she finally asked.

"They brought her into Jonathan's office. Poor bitch, I guarantee they will find out he's shacked up with some whore and got wasted. He's probably not even aware of the fuss he's caused."

"Did…did you see him last night?" Melany asked, trying to sound casual.

"I saw him leave his office,"

"You should maybe say that to the police, you should talk to them."

He pulled a face "Ah they'll ask me if they want to know something. More than lightly he'll show up later. She's being over dramatic. Anyway Melany I don't want to draw attention to us. They may start asking questions about you. I promised I'd protect you and I will so don't worry."

That sounded hollow. It sounded so false it left a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. But she also knew he was right. If they found out that she was working here and getting money into her hand tax free she would be in a world of trouble.

"Can I go get a cup of tea?"

"Yeah of course. I know this is upsetting but mark my words he'll turn up looking the worse for ware sooner or later."

~O~

Melany headed down to the lunch room. She needed time away from him, she needed time to think. She entered the room but froze as just at the last table she saw Jennifer Hart.

She was sitting alone with nothing in front of her. Why did they leave her on her own. It didn't feel right to Melany.

She didn't look up. She didn't notice Melany's presence at all until the girl put a cup of strong tea in front of her.

"No thank you," Jennifer shook her head.

"Its sweet tea, it will help."

Jennifer looked up at her then. Her usually flawless makeup was streaked down her face.

"I didn't know where else to go. This place is his whole life,"

Melany didn't know what to say, she sat down awkwardly on the bench opposite and just listened.

"They keep asking me if he's ever done anything like this before. He has done nothing wrong. He's the victim here. Why can't they understand that."

Jennifer put a hand up to her face. She looked completely lost.

"Maybe those are just the standard questions they have to ask."

"Of course you're right but Jonathan isn't like that. If he goes away on business he either brings me with him or he rings me dozens of times. One time he had to fly to Seattle for a conference. He was supposed to stay overnight but came in at three in the morning. He said he got lonely and missed us."

Tears began to pool in her eyes once again.

"Oh where is he. If they hurt him I'll kill them. I'll kill them with my bare hands."

Melany hunted around in her duffel bag and found a tissue. She handed it to Jennifer as she began to cry in earnest.

"It's like a nightmare. Nobody can tell me anything. Apparently the security camera system has been broken a while and nobody reported it. It could have shown what happened."

"Do they think something happened to Mr Hart….here, in this building."

Jennifer shook her head.

"I don't know, they tell you nothing. They ask questions and just leave you to imagine the worst."

Melany looked around as Stanley Freenan approached.

"Mrs Hart, I'll drive you home. You'll catch a chill sitting here. You need to rest."

She could only nod in compliance.

Stanley put his jacket around her shoulders as she raised herself up from the bench.

"Thanks for listening," she smiled through her tears and gave Melany's shoulder a gentle squeeze as she passed her.

~o~

It had been a long and exhausting day. She couldn't just accuse him, she couldn't come out and ask did you kill Jonathan Hart.

"Did you have a fight?"

The question was out before she could think better of it.

Raymond didn't look up from his newspaper.

"Hmm?"

"Did you…was there an accident….did you….did you hurt him?"

"Who,"

He still didn't look up from his paper.

"Jonathan Hart."

He looked over at her with a smile.

"You're a nice kid Melany but you want to stay off the drugs."

"There's a stain here, under this chair you placed."

"Yeah you can move that chair back tomorrow. The stain is whiskey. Jonathan Hart used to come in here as you know and I was afraid he would spot it."

Melany felt a wave of relief wash over her, she let out a long breath.

"Oh, is that all."

"Why did you think I was a murderer?" he grinned as he came around his desk.

"I've been working you too hard. You get off home. We won't be working late tonight. It's been a crazy day. Oh and I spoke to the police. I told them all that happened last night. They have my statement."

Melany, as she rode home on the bus felt so much better. He had spoken to the police. It was whiskey. She shook her head. How could she think that. This isn't a crime novel. Jonathan Hart was probably shacked up with some girl. She smiled as she peered out of the window. Jonathan Hart is going to be in some trouble when he gets home. The smile faded as she remembered Jennifer's story of his time spent in Seattle. He came home at three in the morning to be with her.

~O~

Max set his mind to the task at hand. The grilled cheese sandwich was ready and he had made a cup of strong tea with sugar. Not coffee, she wouldn't sleep. He reached into a cabinet and pulled out a small bottle of brandy. He poured a thimble full into the tea and carried the tray into the living room.

Jennifer was on the phone. She gave him a look of disgust.

"I'm still waiting, doesn't anyone work at this hour. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Got forbid anyone should work past eight in the evening."

Max set the tray down on the coffee table. He went over and took the receiver from her hand and replaced it on the phone. He then took her in hand and walked her to the seating area by the fire.

"Max, I was on hold there."

"Yeah forever."

He sat her down and pushed the tray a little towards her.

"Max how dare you. I was on the phone to this…..eh detective agency I found. They could have helped. Instead you have me sitting here eating….."

"Yeah and when you're done eating you will go up and get some sleep."

"But I've phone calls to make. I have to ring around and see if there's any agency that can help. There's a long list of detective agencies on the back of that gun magazine maybe one of them could find him."

Max sat down beside her.

"Mrs H, you're holding up the phone line. The police will need that line clear in case they need to contact you."

Fresh tears began to spill from her eyes.

"I don't know what to do."

"Then let me take charge. You can't take this on all by yourself."

"I can't eat Max but maybe you're right. Maybe an hour or two in bed."

"Now you're talkin Mrs H," he gave her a gentle smile.

She got stiffly to her feet and walked exhausted towards the stairs. Max watched her go.

The smile faded from his lips.

"I hope I did alright Mr H." he muttered.