Scratchgravel Road (Josie Gray Mysteries #2)(37)

Josie felt the heat in her face and hoped it didn’t show. “I would agree.”

Otto redirected the conversation. “We actually came by here today to discuss one of your workers at the plant.”

“Of course. What can I do for you?”

Josie glanced at Otto. He tended to judge people quickly and sometimes harshly, and she wondered if the abrupt turn in conversation meant that Otto had already made up his mind about Diego Paiva.

“We have some disturbing news and would like to ask you some questions concerning a possible employee of yours. Would you know if any of your employees have been absent for the past several days? Most likely an unexplained absence,” Josie said.

He raised his eyebrows. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t know that for most of our employees. All of our supervisors have been here. I’ll have to consult them to ask about their crews. May I ask why?”

“A man was found dead, about twenty minutes from here. His body was found by a hiker in the desert,” she said.

He gave a quizzical look. “How does that connect to us?”

“He was wearing the same black boots that the workers here used to wear. We’re not aware of any other local factories or businesses that use this brand of boot. We’re assuming he worked for you at some point.”

He frowned, his expression concerned. “I certainly hope it isn’t one of our employees. Do you have a name?”

She shook her head. “We’re hoping you might be able to help us figure out his identity.”

He placed a forefinger on his lips, nodding his head. “I do have a way we can narrow this down. Our attendance records are online. I don’t use the program, but Sylvia monitors the information.” He stood from his chair. “Excuse me a moment.” He walked over to his desk and picked up his phone to ask her to join them.

Sylvia entered the room, unsmiling, notepad clutched to her chest with one hand, a pen ready to take notes in the other. Diego said, “Can you please pull up the attendance program on my computer? I need you to check unexcused absences for the past—” He paused and looked up at Josie. “How many days?”

“Can you check for the past two weeks?”

Sylvia sat down in his desk chair and began clicking and typing.

“How’s the cleanup progressing?” Otto asked. “We don’t read very much about it in the newspaper anymore.”

Diego turned from looking over Sylvia’s shoulder and gave Otto a half smile. “It has been my experience that communities prefer the cleanup progresses quietly. Negative media attention causes exponential increases in time and resources for any project. I’m sure in your position you’ve experienced the fickle nature of the media. One never knows when the ally may become the opponent. It is in our best interest to do the work quietly and efficiently.”

Sylvia turned slightly and looked up at Diego to get his attention. She pointed to the computer screen.

“This doesn’t look good,” he said. He asked Sylvia to print the attendance record. He retrieved the piece of paper from his printer and read the name. “Juan Santiago. His job classification is listed as Unit Seven Shutdown Crew.” He ran a finger down the printout, squinting slightly at the page. “It says he’s been absent from work since last Wednesday.” He looked up from the paper, his brows furrowed. “I don’t know this person, but his supervisor is Skip Bradford. He’s supervisor in Unit Seven.” He looked at Josie and Otto. “Would you like to meet Skip in the unit? I’ll give you a brief tour of the plant and you can see the cleanup firsthand.”

Otto looked surprised, but pleased. He and Josie had both agreed on the ride over that they hoped for a look at the facility. There was something about off-limits areas that fed a cop’s imagination.

“Sure. I’d like to see the plant,” Otto said.

As they stood, Sylvia turned to leave the room. Before she reached the door Josie said, “Excuse me, Sylvia?”

The woman turned, looking startled.

“Could you provide me a home address for the employee as well?”

Something flickered across her face, but Josie couldn’t read her.

“Yes, of course,” she said, and left the office.

Diego pointed to a framed map hanging on the wall. “Take a look at the layout of the plant before we leave. It will give you a better sense of the scope of the cleanup.”

Josie and Otto stood behind Diego and looked at a series of buildings that were situated around an oval driving track, each one notated with a number from one through ten, except for one building labeled the pilot unit. It was the first unit past the building they were in now.

Diego pointed to the building labeled with the number one. “The processing started in Unit One with the uranium ore, and moved through each of the remaining nine buildings until enriched uranium was ready for shipment. Each of these buildings contained an amazing array of chemicals that we’re still working to dispose of.” Diego turned and motioned toward the door. “Let’s suit up and I’ll take you over to Unit Seven to meet Skip.”

*

Josie and Otto followed Diego to the back end of the building where they each grabbed a hard hat off a metal rack with a sign that read SAFETY FIRST. Before they walked outside Sylvia approached Josie and handed her a Post-it note with Santiago’s name and address neatly written on it. She said nothing, and turned and left after Josie thanked her for the information. Looking at the address, Josie realized his apartment was above the Family Value store.