Chapter 43

“Good evening, Joe,” Marcus says as he crosses the lobby to the security checkpoint. He checks his watch, then looks again at the guard with the broad smile and tanned face. “Do you never go home?”

Joe’s smile widens and he taps the brim of his uniform cap with his forefinger.

“My work is my life, Mr. Steele.”

“Call me Marcus, and between you and me, that’s bullshit.”

“It’s the absolute truth,” Joe says. “Of course, my wife and my three girls are, too. And with Christmas just a month away…” His voice trails off and he shrugs. “What can I say? I love overtime.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” He jerks his thumb toward the elevator. “Can you let me up to the apartment? I have an appointment with Dermont in the morning, but I don’t think this should wait.”

“Come on,” Joe says, pressing the button on his console to call Dermont’s private elevator. “I’ll let them know upstairs. If he says no, it’ll be a very short trip.”

“Okay.” Marcus clears his