Read Online BLACK in the Box by Russell Blake - Free Book Online Page A

African-American man at the back of the group raised his hand. “Didn’t we already do this last night? We’re way behind on stocking the shelves. No offense.”
    “Mr. Jacobs felt it would be a good idea to get fresh eyes on the situation, Kyle.” Mary studied the staff for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “Everyone do the best you can. I appreciate how hard this is. Let’s just get through it, okay?”
    There were a few grumbles, which Black ignored as he stepped forward.
    “Like Mary said, I’m here to follow up on Mr. Jacobs’ behalf. I’m not here to make your job more difficult. But there’s been a murder, and everyone here’s a suspect – let’s not forget that.”
    “I got an alibi,” Kyle said. “I was with Tanika. We were inventorying over in hardware. I’m not no suspect. I told the cops all that.”
    “That’s fine. We’ll get to that. And ‘suspect’s’ a technical term, so no offense. But I still need to talk to every one of you. It’s routine.”
    “It’s BS,” a young man Black recognized from the staff folders as Brent said in a low voice.
    “Yes, it kind of is,” Black agreed. “Look, I’m just doing my job, okay? I know this has been rough on everyone. I’ll be out of your hair shortly. Humor me – Jacobs wants to ensure everything’s been done to protect you all.” Black let that sink in. There was a murderer among them. If Jacobs’ name wasn’t moral authority enough, that would get their full attention.
    “Isn’t that the cops’ job?” a slight Asian woman asked. Black nodded. That would be Kristen Cho.
    “Sure. Like I said, this is a formality. But a necessary one.”
    “Merry frigging Christmas,” a stout woman with sandy-colored hair pulled into a ponytail said.
    “Tabitha, please. You’re to behave with Mr. Black as though it was Mr. Jacobs, is that clear?” Mary warned.
    Grudging nods ensued.
    Mary turned to Black. “How would you like to do this? Maybe hold your meetings in the employee break room?”
    “That’s fine. Although I might want to wander around some.”
    “Of course. Who would you like to start with?”
    Black eyed the group. “Let me think about that for a few minutes.”
    “Very well. Just come to my desk when you’re ready. I have a radio and PA there.”
    The group broke up and Black watched them go. Something about the whole situation was setting his internal alarms off, but he couldn’t put his finger on what. He reflexively tapped his jacket pocket. When he felt his phone, he sucked in a short breath.
    Damn.
    Sylvia.
    He’d forgotten to call her.
     

Chapter 13
    Black fished the phone out and eyed the screen. Two calls from Sylvia. Not good. He worked his way to the rear entrance and paused just inside the door as he dialed and listened to the line ring. It went to voice mail. Black hung up and tried again, and after three rings Sylvia answered.
    “What?” she asked.
    “Hello to you too. Sorry I didn’t pick up. I was…busy. With the case.”
    “Of course you were. As usual.”
    “I really was.” The conversation already wasn’t going well.
    “What do you want, Black?”
    “I’m going to be a while longer. I’m calling to see how you’re doing.”
    “Take your time. Take all night. Take the rest of your life.”
    Black closed his eyes. When he opened them, he struggled to keep his voice down. “Sylvia, I know how you feel, but it’s four thousand dollars for a night’s work.”
    “Might as well be thirty pieces of silver.”
    “You know I need the money.”
    “You always need the money,” Sylvia snapped. “You have a lot of needs, and you’re good at making sure they’re met, Black. But you never seem to care about mine. So take your money and have a nice life. I won’t be here when you get back.”
    “You don’t think that’s an overreaction?”
    “To having a nonexistent boyfriend who’s conflict-avoidant and afraid to commit to doing anything that would make me happy? No.