Forty-Four: Harlow

FORTY-FOUR

HARLOW

I took an Uber to Pierce’s condo, desperate to make him listen to me.

It was just a sweet little lie. I didn’t hurt anyone...

Stepping out at the front entrance, I rushed toward the doorman.

“Good evening, Miss.” He smiled. “What brings you to Park Tower this evening?”

He must be new. “I’m here to see Pierce Dawson,” I said. “I know my way around inside.”

“Do you have a resident’s pass?”

“No…”

“Every current resident was given one this afternoon, because of the new building policy,” he said. “If you don’t have one, you’ll need the resident to call me. Then I’ll let you inside.”

“So, you’ve clearly just started your job today, but I’m Mr. Dawson’s nanny. I live here, too.”

“Do you have a nanny pass , then?” He crossed his arms. “Residents were given those, too.”

“Please listen to me. I swear?—”

“Step back onto the sidewalk, Miss.” His voice was firm. “This area is for residents only.”

Holding a sigh, I walked out of his line of sight and rounded the building.

“Jerry?” I spotted him near a staff entrance. “Jerry, it’s me, Harlow.”

He didn’t look my way.

“Jerry, can you open that door behind you, please?”

“Ma’am, if you’re looking for someone who lives in this tower, you’ll need to go through the front door like everyone else.”

“You’re going to act like you don’t know me?”

“I don’t know you.” He hissed, looking right through me. “The woman I thought I knew was a reputable nanny with an agency who would never put her coworkers at risk.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mr. Dawson suspended everyone who has ever interacted with you so he can do more thorough background checks,” he said. “He said that his judgment must be off, and he can’t trust anyone anymore.”

“I never thought?—”

“About anyone but yourself, I know.” He tossed his cigarette to the ground. “So, if you don’t mind, I have a job to do. I was only spared because, unlike you, I would never lie to someone for personal gain.”

“But I didn’t gain anything.”

“That’s even worse…” He left me standing in the cold, never once looking back.

“Excuse me, Miss?” A blond guy rushed up to me as I returned to the sidewalk. “Do you live here?”

“No,” I said. “I was just hoping to chat with an old friend.”

“Do you have your old friend’s contact information by chance?”

“Please leave me alone.”

“Have him or her call me.” He pressed his business card into my hand. “I’m willing to pay a high rate if they can give me any information on Mr. Dawson’s sudden staff restructuring. Bonus points if they can put me in touch with his nanny. I believe he’s been sleeping with her.”

I crumpled his card and left it behind.