All The Beautiful People (A Dread Novel Book 1) Read Online Free

stopped talking and one last slide hovered over the wall. It was a picture of an average looking woman with a huge smile plastered on her face. In her right hand she held a mirror. The reflection that stared back at her was clearly someone else. The woman in the reflection had undergone hours of makeup work and had obviously been touched up by Photoshop. The likeness looked like a movie star ready to walk the red carpet.
    Taylor raised an eyebrow. There were a multitude of possibilities of what could have gone wrong with Mr. Jones. However, if Taylor followed her gut instinct, she would put her money on Vanidrum. The exact details evaded her but it wasn’t her job to theorize.
    It’s not your job to play Sherlock Holmes, Taylor reminded herself as she started moving toward the lobby’s main desk. You handle the mess when it comes, that’s it.
    Taylor stopped at a large semi-circular steel reception booth where two attendants smiled with perfect white teeth.
    “May I help you?” one of them asked.
    “Yes.” Taylor reached into her pocket and handed a Lazarus Pharmaceuticals ID card to the woman. “I’m a field tech, here to make a report.”
    The woman nodded as she entered Taylor’s ID card information into the computer. “Here you are, Mrs. Hart.”
    “It’s Miss.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You said Mrs. I’m not married so it’s just Miss.”
    The attendant blushed. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
    Taylor shrugged as she accepted her card over the counter. “That’s okay. I’m not.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 5
     
     
    Taylor made her way through the maze of stainless steel elevators and bare white walls. Her destination was a group of large offices equipped with desks and computers on the twelfth floor. These offices were kept apart from the rest and designated specifically for Cleaner use. Taylor wasn’t sure how many people with her job description Lazarus Pharmaceuticals employed, although for a company with as much to lose as they had, she guessed they would have multiple agents all over the world.
    The office she was instructed to use displayed a large number “7” painted on the door in bold black strokes. Taylor’s imagination painted two zero’s in front of the number seven in honor of her favorite hero. As soon as the image of James Bond came to mind she shook her thoughts free of such notions. She had a job to do.
    Her ID badge acted like a keycard and gave her access to the room with a loud beep that echoed down the deserted halls. Although hardly used, the office itself was spacious, indicating the financial power of the company. A window overlooking the property, an enormous metal desk, flat screen computer, and chairs rounded out the room’s furniture.
    Taylor flipped the lights and closed the door behind her. The smell of newly cleaned carpet made her wonder how often the room was used. Her mind was running blank as to what to include in her report. Even as she crossed the room she wasn’t sure how to start.
    She paused to look out the huge window. The report wouldn’t be easy but she would stick to the facts. She heard voices and tensed, her hands balling into fists. Then the door opened.
    Wade Treadstone poked his head into the room and smiled as he rapped on the door. “I hope I’m not interrupting you, Taylor.”
    Someone stood behind him, though it was impossible for Taylor to see him clearly from her vantage point. “No, not at all. I haven’t even started.”
    “Good, may we come in?”
    “Sure.”
    Wade entered the room, followed by a younger man with broad shoulders and thick, black-framed glasses. “Taylor,” Wade said, “you two have never met but you’ve spoken a few times over the years. I’d like you to meet Jason Waters. He’s your Operator.”
    Warning signs flashed through Taylor’s mind as she extended a hand. Why are we meeting now? Two years and he’s only been a voice. They’ve kept us separate this long for a reason. Now they’re