An hour before her day was through Mickey arrived, second shift security. There was 24 hour security in the office. Mickey was a big man, tall and broad in the shoulders, with unusually dark skin and coal black eyes. He moved with ease, unencumbered by his stature.

"Afternoon, Lea."

"Hey Mickey," she replied, "How's the weather outside? It couldn't make up it's mind this morning...pouring one minute, bright and sunny the next."

"It's nice running weather. Just have to watch the bums. Seems I see more and more. I swear somebody is busing them in."

Lea exaggerated a lopsided grin at Mickey.

"What are you worried about? Big strong man with..." she glanced at his belt, "pepper spray."

"Hey, that hurts." Mickey laughed as he passed through the door. Calling back, "You be careful...you might hurt somebody."

Lea finished up, organizing the paperwork she had printed throughout the day. Each project in a separate folder. On top of these, she placed the mail and requested appointments and engagements. She shut down her computer, Richard's policy, stowed everything in the credenza and locked it. She passed through the security door and walked back to Richard's office...which was empty. It was unusual for him to be gone this time of day. She considered, then laid the prepared stack of papers in the center of his desk.

On the way out she almost collided with Jorge in the hall. Jorge was Mickey's polar opposite. It appeared he worked out, but you can't change the frame. He was whip thin and shorter than Lea,

"Last sweep of the shift?" she asked.

Jorge always seemed a little embarrassed around her, something that surprised her for a security guard. He seldom looked her in the eye, at best she'd catch a furtive glance in her direction.

"Yeah." he mumbled, looking at his feet. "I have to check the storerooms." Lea wondered what his reaction would be if she asked to go with him. Instead, she just said goodnight and headed the opposite direction. No sense in making the man more uncomfortable.