Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 78142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
She taps on the screen, looking up my recent calls. “So this is the number.” She pulls an iPad out, sets it up, starts typing on it. “Looks like you called the number a few seconds after the call ended. I’m assuming it just rang and didn’t go to voicemail?”
“That’s correct.”
“All right. Let me take a look here.” She types several things into her iPad. “Nothing’s coming up right away, which is per usual, but we have to try all the standard avenues first. Can you tell me exactly what the person on the other line said?”
“It was a low voice. A man. And he said my name. And then he said, ‘I know where your sister is.’”
She looks up. “Is your sister missing?”
I lower my voice. “This is confidential, correct?”
“Of course.”
And I begin.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Diana
As I step through the polished glass doors of the building that houses Lund & Lopez, my heart races with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for—my first day as a professional architect at one of the top firms in Colorado. The lobby is adorned with architectural models, photos of ornate buildings, and plush seating. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the day ahead.
Dragon and his meeting with the investigator try to edge their way into my mind, but I don’t let them. He didn’t talk to me last night after Alayna left, and I left this morning before he came out of his room.
I take the elevator to the top floor. A receptionist greets me with a warm smile as I approach the front desk. “Good morning, and welcome to Lund & Lopez. How can I help you?”
“I’m Diana Steel. I start work today.”
“Right, of course.” She pulls something up on her computer screen. “Mr. Reynolds told me you’d be here this morning.”
I return her smile. “I’m excited to be here.”
“Great to have you,” she says. “Mr. Reynolds is in his office. It’s down the hallway to your right, next to Mr. Lund’s office on the corner. His door should be open.”
I nod. “I should go right in?”
“Yeah. He said to send you to him when you got here.”
I give her a nod of thanks, and once I leave the reception area, I enter a hive of activity, with architects and designers engaged in animated conversations and poring over blueprints at sleek, minimalist workstations.
No one gives me a second glance as I walk to the office. The gold nameplate says Rodrigo Reynolds. The door stands ajar, inviting me in. Still, I knock softly.
Mr. Reynolds, presumably, looks up from his desk. “Yes?”
I wave timidly. “Hi. I’m Diana Steel.”
He flashes me a big corporate smile. “Diana, welcome.” He rises. “Please come in.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.” I take a few steps into his office.
“Call me Rod. Have a seat.” He gestures to a leather chair on the other side of his desk.
Rod is tall with dark hair, though it’s graying around his temples. He’s wearing khakis and a white button-down, no tie. I guess this is what he considers business casual. His office is spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of Denver. The walls are adorned with architectural sketches and framed awards. Mr. Reynolds—Rod—is clearly a respected expert.
“Let’s get started.” Rod pulls out a folder from his desk. “Here’s a project we’re currently working on—a mixed-use development downtown. We’re in the initial stages of design, and I’d like you to take a look and offer your insights.”
I accept the folder, slightly disappointed that it’s not the mountaintop project. But this is my first day. You don’t send a rookie into the majors. I flip through the plans and sketches, envisioning the possibilities for the project. This particular development is a great candidate for vertical urban farming. Portions of the building’s facade or rooftop could be dedicated to hydroponic or aeroponic agriculture, providing fresh produce to residents and local businesses and promoting self-efficiency. There are also spaces that could be used as pop-up shops, coworking areas, or event venues. One particular area could serve as an interactive art installation. I could get my cousin Gina—the artist of the family—to come down and help me out with that.
I expect Rod to ask me what I think, but instead he takes the folder from me. “Look at me, handing you work as soon as you arrive. We should take a tour of the office first. Who did you do your interview with?”
I try to hide my disappointment that he didn’t ask me for my thoughts. “Um… It was someone in HR named Kathleen, and then I spoke to Mr. Lopez and to Ms. Wallace.”
He nods. “Good, good. Judith Wallace is no longer with the firm, and Mr. Lopez is on vacation for the next two weeks. I’m handling his projects while he’s gone. He’s requested that you work with me, and if we work well together, he’ll probably pair us up permanently.”