Harold sorts through the documents on his desk, when the phone begins to ring. He glances at the unexpected caller ID and picks up. “You should know better, you aren’t supposed to call this number unless it is an emergency,” Harold flatly said.

“Sir, I thought you should know that Sheriff Hadfield is dead,” the male caller said.

Harold brows furrow and says, “Was it foul play?”

“Uh, no Sir, a suicide,” the caller nervously replied.

“And how is that not suspicious?” Harold growled as he impatiently drums his fingers against his cherry oak desk.

“Sheriff Hadfield, uh, had stage four cancer. He was going painfully fast, it was merely a matter of weeks, if not days,” the caller stuttered.

“Fine. But don’t call this number again unless it is an emergency,” Harold coldly said, before terminating the call. Furious at being interrupted Harold returns to the task at hand. Before a minute has gone by, the phone begins to ring. Furious, Harold snaps and roars into the phone, “What?”

Giselle snorts and says, “That’s a fine way of answering the phone.”

“What do you need, Giselle?” Harold said through gritted teeth.

“You didn’t tell me, I was going to be working as a secretary in a maximum state prison!” Giselle unhappily pouted.

“I warned you that it would have to do with orange uniforms. And secondly, you accepted the contract and payment already,” Harold crossly hissed. “Now more importantly, given that you called me it saves me the trouble of calling to ask, what have you found out?”

Giselle nervously says, “Well, that is to say not much yet.” Harold lets out a low growl as Giselle hastily adds, “But I’m working on it. Though if I were you, I would keep a close eye on Senator Ricks.”

“Why? Have you found something?” Harold swiftly asked.

“Nothing concrete, but the warden is awfully chummy with him,” Giselle pauses and says, “Gotta go.” The phone call ends as Harold frowns at the information. His instinct told him something else was going on. But if he put anymore manpower into the search, he could be caught. With a grunt, he returns to his work as he reads the documents to ensure everything is correct one last time.

*

Warden Walter waves goodbye to the smoking hot new secretary. He closes the door to his office and surveys his brand new renovated office. With glee, he sits down to survey his kingdom when the phone rings. “This is the Warden,” Walter answered without checking the ID.

“Quite cheerful this morning, Walter,” a voice said over the phone.

Walter sits up and says, “Yes, sir. Everything is in order and running smoothly. What can I do for you sir?”

“I need you to check something for me, Walter,” the voice calmly explained.

“Of course, sir. What is it?” Walter responded.

“I need you to check on a Sheriff Hadfield for me,” the voice asked.

“Yes, sir! I’ll have the information for you in an hour,” Walter declared.

“Good, that’s what I like to hear,” the voice coolly said, before sharply ending the call.

Warden climbs out of his office and throws his door open. “Jenny, I need to find everything there is no know about a Sheriff Hadfield!”” Walter yelled.

“Yes, Warden. It’ll be done within the hour,” the new secretary sweetly said. The warden happily puffs out his chest and struts back to his desk.

The new secretary reads through the information on file and finds no red flags. She subtly calls a familiar phone. “WHAT GISELLE?!” The cranky voice of Harold said.

“Why is the Warden asking about Sheriff Hadfield?” Giselle asked as she glanced through the files.

“WHAT? Tell me everything?” Harold asked sitting straight up in his chair.

“I found nothing much, other than he committed suicide because of terminal cancer. But if isn’t foul play, why is he asking about him? So, either Sheriff Hadfield knew something he shouldn’t have or Ricks is ensuring that the suicide remains a suicide,” Giselle softly said.

Harold swiftly opens the file on his own computer to review. “There is nothing that catches one’s eye except,” Harold pauses as his eyes zero on a name. “Mary Hadfield, his wife served as security on a certain project,” Harold swiftly stated upon instantly recognizing the name of the project. A project deemed even more dangerous than project CYHPER, before being forcibly shut down.

Giselle excitedly whispers, “So could she have told her husband something he shouldn’t have known?”

Harold frowns and says, “I think I am going to have to send a couple of my people to verify that it was a suicide.”

“But even so, there’s something afoot. Can’t you sense it?” Giselle muttered.

“Yes,” Harold flatly said. “Call me if you find anything else out.” And without further ado the call ends.

Giselle mimics Harold’s voice, “Call me if you find anything else out.” Giselle sniffs pointedly before finishing her job for the warden. She sashays to the warden’s office, knocking gently on the door and entering without permission. “Sir, the information has been sent to your computer for review,” Jenny (aka Giselle) said.

“Thank you, Jenny,” Warden Walter sincerely said. “And um, Jenny would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

“Why I would be delighted, Warden.” Jenny said with a wink and sashayed out the door. Walter grins like a love-struck fool as the door closes on him. Remembering himself, he excitedly reads the information, before dialing the return call.

“Well?” The smooth voice said.

“Senator, sir. Sheriff Hadfield committed suicide,” Walter swiftly said.

“Suspicious circumstances?” Senator Ricks asked.

“No, sir. He had terminal cancer, it was voluntary,” Walter hastily replied.

“It is for certain and has been confirmed?” Senator Ricks firmly asked.

“Yes, sir. It was voluntary, no forcible entry or any other signs of foul play,” Walter answered, before hesitantly adding, “Sir, may I know what this is about?”

“It’s nothing, just a curious fancy. Anyhow good work, Walter,” Senator Ricks smoothly said.

“Thank you, sir. It is entirely my pleasure,” Walter said with a beaming smile.

“I am certain it is,” Senator Ricks drily said, before ending he call.

Walter puffs out his chest and does a little jig. Not only was he having a dinner with a beautiful woman, but the Senator was happy! Walter scurries over to his drinking cabinet and pours himself a sherry to celebrate. And on second thought, then pours himself a brandy. Because one can never have enough drinks to celebrate a joyous occasion.