Chapter 17: Not Watching

The security guard at the Ellery Chicago stepped in front of the revolving door and held up one palm.

"Mrs. Whitcombe. I'm sorry."

"It's Ellery," Margot said. "What's the problem?"

"Mr. Whitcombe's office sent a notice this morning. Your key card is suspended."

Behind him the lobby was full.

A wedding party in matching dresses waited for the elevator, and two tourists were arguing about a luggage tag at the desk.

Everyone had turned to look.

She put her hand on the watch on her wrist, which steadied her more than she expected.

"This building opened in 1987," she said, "and the man who built it could not afford the marble."

"Ma'am."

"My grandfather paid for it one floor at a time."

"His name is on the plaque behind you. Is yours?"

The guard looked at the plaque.

At the desk, the head concierge put down his pen and walked around the counter.

"Miss Ellery," he said, and held out his own hand toward the elevators.

"Thank you."

"I've worked here nineteen years. Nobody told me you needed a card."

The guard stepped aside.

Behind her someone in the wedding party clapped, once, awkwardly, and then the whole group did.

Otto's voice cut in from the mezzanine stairs.

"Margot."

He came down fast, with Claire a pace behind him, and the smile was in place.

"You can't be here. You're a guest of the company, and the company is under review."

"I'm forty percent of the company," Margot said. "And I'm in front of forty guests."

She smiled at him.

"Would you like to tell them what you're reviewing?"

He glanced at the wedding party, and the lobby cameras, and the phone one of the bridesmaids had lifted.

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