"How is it different?"
"I don't know, but it is."
She gave him a considering look, then said, "Okay. I'll let you know when I find Arjun."
She'd saidwhenand not if. She wasn't just stubborn; she was confident, too. He couldn't help but like that. What he didn't like was her involvement in his investigation. Unfortunately, there was little he could do to get her out of this case. Her brother seemed to be at the center of everything. And if his death wasn't an accident, then someone was willing to kill as many people as it took to protect their secret.
ChapterSix
After getting in the car, Matt called Jason and related what he'd learned from Alanna Morris about Sabrina's connection to Landon Kenton's death at Westbridge University and a possible cover-up. When he finished the recap, he said, "Are you free to go to Adler and Briggs now?"
"Absolutely," Jason replied. "I'll meet you in the lobby of their building in fifteen minutes."
"See you then." Ending the call, he pulled away from the curb, joining the rush of traffic heading toward Century City, where Sabrina's law firm was located.
When he walked into the gleaming lobby of the ten-story glass tower just before one, he found Jason waiting for him, and they headed to the top floor, where the law firm had its luxury office suite.
The elevator opened directly into the elegant reception area of Adler and Briggs. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, while the interior was appointed with expensive leather furniture, original artwork, and fresh flowers. The receptionist, an impeccably dressed woman in her thirties, looked up from her computer with a polite but curious expression.
"Good afternoon. How may I help you?" she asked.
Matt stepped forward, showing his badge. "I'm Agent Lawson with the FBI, and this is Agent Colter. We'd like to speak with Graham Adler about one of your employees, Sabrina Lin."
The woman's perfectly composed expression flickered with surprise. "Oh. Sabrina. I just heard the terrible news. I couldn't believe it." She licked her lips, her gaze somewhat nervous. "Let me...let me check if Mr. Adler is available." She picked up her phone, speaking in low tones before hanging up. Then she got to her feet and said, "Follow me."
She led them down a quiet, elegant, thickly carpeted hallway before opening a heavy mahogany door and waving them inside. Adler's corner office with a view of Century City was a testament to old money and Ivy League connections. Diplomas from Harvard Law hung beside photographs of Adler with various politicians and business leaders. But it was the collection of Westbridge University memorabilia that caught Matt's attention—a pennant, several photographs of campus events, and what looked like a framed invitation to an alumni gala.
Graham Adler came around his massive desk to greet them. He was exactly what Matt had expected: silver-haired, sharp brown eyes, with the confident bearing that came from never having to worry about money.
"Jason Colter. It's good to see you again," Graham said. "I wish it were under better circumstances."
"So do I. This is Agent Lawson," Jason said.
Graham gave him a nod. "Please have a seat." He gestured to the leather chairs facing his desk. "I was shocked by the news of Sabrina's death. What a terrible tragedy," he added as he sat down behind his desk. "Such a bright young woman, with her entire future ahead of her." He paused. "How can I help you?"
Adler's expression was appropriately grave, but Matt noticed the way his eyes remained calculating, assessing. "What was Sabrina working on?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. Would you like me to call in her supervisor?" Adler leaned back in his chair, the picture of cooperation. "Lindsay can give you more specifics about Sabrina's current projects. I can't imagine they would have any relevance to Sabrina's death. Do you believe there's some connection?"
"We're looking into every part of her life," he replied.
Adler pressed a button on his phone. "Lindsay? Could you come to my office, please?"
As they waited for Lindsay, Matt's gaze wandered to the Westbridge photographs. "Did you graduate from Westbridge, Mr. Adler?"
"I did my undergrad there. Back then, they didn't have a law school, so I went to Harvard. The more recent photos are from my son Henry's time at Westbridge. He did both undergrad and law school at Westbridge and joined our firm two years ago. I believe you've met Henry, Jason."
"Yes. At a family golf tournament about ten years ago. Henry was a good golfer, following in your footsteps."
"He has always tried to do that," Graham said. "He thinks he's better than me now, but he's not. Are you coming to Valmont on Sunday for the charity tournament?"
"I might try to get out there."
"You should be playing. Your father won it twice."
"I did not follow in my father's footsteps when it came to golf."
"Only to the FBI."
