"Post, Judith - Something Subtle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Post Judith)

SOMETHING SUBTLE
By
Judith Post

They found poor Norm slumped over his terminal, his lips chalk-colored, his neck and face greenish-red. He didn't smell too good, either. He clutched the mouse of his computer in a rigid, tight fist.

"Dead as a door nail," Chaz Pickering proclaimed, "and he's been that way a while."

"But how did he get here?" Joshua Kendall asked. "The doors didn't open till eight this morning, and we were all waiting outside."

Jackie Sorensen glanced at Norm's computer screen. "The last transaction was dated late Saturday night. I don't think he ever left the office."

"All weekend?" Chaz asked.

"No way." Josh shook his head. "I saw him get his briefcase and leave Friday at five o'clock."

"Maybe the office, but did he leave the building?" Chaz demanded.

"The building? Why wouldn't he? He had on his long, winter coat and gloves." Josh glanced at the black, wool coat flung over Norm's filing cabinet.

"It was a trick," Jackie said, "so the rest of us wouldn't know he was going to pull a weekender."

"That's pretty damn dirty," Chaz said.

"I bet he hid in the bathroom till we all left," Jackie persisted, "then snuck back."

"Wish my wife would let me pull a weekend gig," Chaz said.

Jackie frowned at Norm's wrinkled shirt and pants. "He must have stayed in there a couple hours. I didn't leave until seven when my date came to pick me up, and I never saw him."

"I thought you said you were leaving just as soon as you redid your make-up, that you had a date," Chaz said.

"I did have a date, but instead of going home to get ready, I stayed here."

"You told me...."

Jackie interrupted. "I changed my mind. After you left, I called Tim and had him meet me here."

"Why, you conniving, little....."

Josh interrupted. "Hey, Norm's dead, and all you two can do is argue. Get a grip, guys.”

Chaz swallowed hard, glancing at Norm's screen. "Looks like old Norm got a big account before he died."

They all turned to look.

"Too bad we already reported finding him," Jackie said.

Josh gave a low whistle. "Poor guy, he'd have won the contest. And the boss isn't going to give his accounts to anyone else. We'll have to get our own."