Read Online The Inner Sanctum by Stephen Frey - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Stephen Frey
Tags: Fiction, General, Espionage, Mystery Fiction, New York (N.Y.), Business, Washington (D.C.), Bankers, Investment Banking, Securities Industry
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Chapter 8
Jesse moved quickly down the long corridor, a thick envelope from the records room under her arm. She had decided against contacting the police about being chased at Neil Robinson's house last night. Police complaints were a matter of public record, and they would probably be the first thing the person who had chased her would check.
Turning the corner into her office doorway, she almost ran into a man coming out. She didn't recognize him and was instantly suspicious, still on edge from the experience last night.
"Excuse me," he said softly.
The man had long blond hair and a beard and mustache. She noticed him pushing a cellophane bag into his pants pocket. "Can I help you?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for Sara Adams."
Jesse eyed the visitor badge clipped to his shirt pocket. Sara must be expecting him. The people at the front desk wouldn't have given him the badge without calling her first. "Go left at the next hallway." She motioned down the corridor. "Her office is the fourth door on the right."
"Thanks." The man moved past her without another word.
Jesse watched him walk away, limping slightly. Perhaps she should call Sara just to make sure. Then she shook her head and brushed off the odd feeling. She was just imagining things.
Jesse felt the tap on her shoulder and jumped, emitting a muffled shriek as she whirled about, hands over her mouth. She had been far away, replaying last night's chase through the woods and this morning's run-in with the bearded man coming out of her office. Wondering if she should have contacted the police. Wondering if the man was looking for her. Knowing he was.
"Sorry to startle you, Jesse, but I have someone I'd like you to meet." The professor nodded toward the woman standing next to him.
"Yes, of course." Jesse took several short breaths to calm herself.
"Elizabeth Gilman, meet Jesse Hayes," the professor said quietly. He didn't want anyone at the cocktail party to hear this, lest he be accused of favoritism. "Jesse is my best student."
"I think that was rather obvious, given the class discussion." Elizabeth smiled warmly at Jesse. "Honestly, I thought your comments were excellent. Best of the bunch."
"That's very nice of you to say, Ms. Gilman." Jesse's voice shook slightly, and with good reason, she thought to herself. Elizabeth Gilman was a legend in the financial world. She had organized Sagamore as a small life insurance company in the late seventies and expanded it into one of the best-performing, most highly respected investment funds in the country.
"Please call me Elizabeth." The older woman laughed. "Do I really look that old?" She pointed at the professor. "Don't answer that. Not if you want me to come back again."
Jesse saw Elizabeth's eyes sparkle as the professor laughed. Despite her age she was dynamic and beautiful. Stark gray hair swept back away from her classic, thin face--a face practically devoid of wrinkles or age spots, a face still full of energy and enthusiasm. Jesse glanced down at the floor. Her throat was suddenly dry, and she could think of nothing to say that might interest such an important person.
The professor sensed Jesse's unease and pushed the conversation forward. "Elizabeth, I can't tell you how much we appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to come down here and teach a class," he said. "It's terribly important for the students to see and hear from people in the real world, not just the academicians. And for us to have someone of your stature come here, well, it's--"
"Thank you." Elizabeth didn't take her eyes from the young woman as she politely interrupted the professor. "Jesse, I was impressed with your observations about the stock market." Elizabeth's diamond earrings shimmered in the chandelier light.
"Thank you."
Elizabeth leaned forward so the professor couldn't hear. "There's no reason to be nervous, Jesse. I eat and sleep just like you. I've just been a little lucky with a few investments." The older woman
Jesse moved quickly down the long corridor, a thick envelope from the records room under her arm. She had decided against contacting the police about being chased at Neil Robinson's house last night. Police complaints were a matter of public record, and they would probably be the first thing the person who had chased her would check.
Turning the corner into her office doorway, she almost ran into a man coming out. She didn't recognize him and was instantly suspicious, still on edge from the experience last night.
"Excuse me," he said softly.
The man had long blond hair and a beard and mustache. She noticed him pushing a cellophane bag into his pants pocket. "Can I help you?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for Sara Adams."
Jesse eyed the visitor badge clipped to his shirt pocket. Sara must be expecting him. The people at the front desk wouldn't have given him the badge without calling her first. "Go left at the next hallway." She motioned down the corridor. "Her office is the fourth door on the right."
"Thanks." The man moved past her without another word.
Jesse watched him walk away, limping slightly. Perhaps she should call Sara just to make sure. Then she shook her head and brushed off the odd feeling. She was just imagining things.
Jesse felt the tap on her shoulder and jumped, emitting a muffled shriek as she whirled about, hands over her mouth. She had been far away, replaying last night's chase through the woods and this morning's run-in with the bearded man coming out of her office. Wondering if she should have contacted the police. Wondering if the man was looking for her. Knowing he was.
"Sorry to startle you, Jesse, but I have someone I'd like you to meet." The professor nodded toward the woman standing next to him.
"Yes, of course." Jesse took several short breaths to calm herself.
"Elizabeth Gilman, meet Jesse Hayes," the professor said quietly. He didn't want anyone at the cocktail party to hear this, lest he be accused of favoritism. "Jesse is my best student."
"I think that was rather obvious, given the class discussion." Elizabeth smiled warmly at Jesse. "Honestly, I thought your comments were excellent. Best of the bunch."
"That's very nice of you to say, Ms. Gilman." Jesse's voice shook slightly, and with good reason, she thought to herself. Elizabeth Gilman was a legend in the financial world. She had organized Sagamore as a small life insurance company in the late seventies and expanded it into one of the best-performing, most highly respected investment funds in the country.
"Please call me Elizabeth." The older woman laughed. "Do I really look that old?" She pointed at the professor. "Don't answer that. Not if you want me to come back again."
Jesse saw Elizabeth's eyes sparkle as the professor laughed. Despite her age she was dynamic and beautiful. Stark gray hair swept back away from her classic, thin face--a face practically devoid of wrinkles or age spots, a face still full of energy and enthusiasm. Jesse glanced down at the floor. Her throat was suddenly dry, and she could think of nothing to say that might interest such an important person.
The professor sensed Jesse's unease and pushed the conversation forward. "Elizabeth, I can't tell you how much we appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to come down here and teach a class," he said. "It's terribly important for the students to see and hear from people in the real world, not just the academicians. And for us to have someone of your stature come here, well, it's--"
"Thank you." Elizabeth didn't take her eyes from the young woman as she politely interrupted the professor. "Jesse, I was impressed with your observations about the stock market." Elizabeth's diamond earrings shimmered in the chandelier light.
"Thank you."
Elizabeth leaned forward so the professor couldn't hear. "There's no reason to be nervous, Jesse. I eat and sleep just like you. I've just been a little lucky with a few investments." The older woman
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