The Legacy: A Kimberly & Sykes Mystery Novel Read Online Free Page B

seconds, the elevator moved swiftly upwards. Lauren had never been in a car elevator before and peered out of the window only to see her reflection bounced back in the dim light.
    The elevator came to a stop with a soft bump and the doors opened slowly. A large sign displayed they were on the sixty-fifth floor. Sykes pulled out smoothly, drove a short distance, and parked next to a row of vehicles. Stepping out of the limousine before Sykes could open the door, Lauren admired the cars that were lined up neatly: a dark Blue Audi TT, silver Jaguar XF, Black BMW M6, white Land Rover SUV, two cars she had never seen before and didn’t know their make, and, a bright red Chevy Corvette Stingray. Her eyes looked back at the BMW and instinctively, she knew this belonged to Smith. Sykes nodded in the affirmative when she asked him to confirm her assumption. He also filled her in on the other two vehicles; one a Lamborghini and the other a Bentley. Without asking why she was interested, Sykes held out his hand to direct her forward.
    Lauren looked down at her clothes and felt foolish. How on earth could she think that her best work clothes would prepare her for a meeting with a man who had more money that she could even imagine? Lauren straightened her jacket and brushed imaginary lint off the shoulders and sleeves. She gave the front and back of her dress pants a light brush with her hands but only succeeded in reminding herself that she was out of her depth.
    Lauren’s forehead creased with a frown. “Who else is here? I thought I was just meeting Mr. Smith?”
    “Ms. Kimberly; if you could please follow me. Mr. Smith is awaiting your arrival.”
    “Well, he can darn well wait a few minutes more!” Lauren blurted. The friendly repartee she had enjoyed with Sykes quickly evaporated. She had felt safe in the comfort of the limousine but now she was feeling vulnerable. Glancing back at the opulent vehicle she wanted to jump right back in and go home. Sykes seemed to read her mind. Taking two steps towards her he placed his fingertips on her elbow.
    “This way Lauren,” he said softly.
    Lauren clutched her handbag close to her body, took a deep breath, and walked with him. Feeling like little Red Riding Hood entering a lair of wolves, she walked into the building.

Chapter 4
     
    Lauren’s feet sank into thick carpet. Sykes’ hold on her arm was light as he steered her forward through the office. Strategically placed lighting cast a warm glow around the expansive room. Sniffing the air Lauren recognized the subtle aromas of cedar and pine. Furniture polish? The heavily polished dark furniture was no doubt the source.
    Glancing around, Lauren was surprised by the wealth and tried to imagine her father sitting at one of the majestic desks. It was certainly a few steps above the government office building she worked in, the carpet kinder underfoot than the grey linoleum she was used to walking on at work.
    Lauren stepped toward the windows to take in the breathtaking view of the city but she felt Sykes fingertips pressed press into her elbow and he guided her forward.
    “They don’t like to be kept waiting.”
    Leading her to a low leather sofa Sykes left to announce her arrival. He knocked twice on a large ornately carved wooden door and walked in, seemingly unannounced. Lauren clasped her hands and rubbed her palms together. Moving from foot to foot she looked at the sofa but didn’t sit down. She walked to the large window and looked out over the city. It was a view she had never seen before. ‘I can see to the ends of the earth,’ she thought. As she looked for landmarks, she saw the reflection of Sykes in the window and turned around.
    “They will be ready for you in a few minutes. Would you like some coffee? Water?”
    “No thanks, I just want to get this over with. I assume you are going to be giving me a ride back home?”
    “I’m not sure.” Lauren raised her eyebrows in alarm.
    “If not me, then someone else.