At around ten thirty, Josh popped into my office and closed the door behind him.
"Josh," I said, surprised that he had come to my office. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw the security video from last night."
"And?" I asked, my heart beating faster.
He took in a deep breath. "It's definitely the same man."
"Oh, Josh," I said in alarm. "What do you think he was doing?"
He shrugged. "Hanging around the building, watching for me, or you -- or us. For a while he stood across the street from the front entry and pretended to read a newspaper, but he kept a pretty close eye on people entering or leaving the building. Then, he crossed the street and stood outside, also pretending to read his paper. He stuck around for about half an hour and trailed us when we walked down the street to the restaurant."
"That's so creepy," I replied. "Who do you think he is?"
Josh folded his arms. "I have no clue. He could be a disgruntled employee who was fired. He could be a former business associate of my father's who is here to find out what happened to my father. He could be a private detective collecting info on me or you. He could be a nutcase, planning on harming one of us for notoriety or for some grudge."
"What do you think?"
He shrugged. "I have no idea. The best option would be a friend of my father who is curious about me but didn't want to bother me in public. We were out having dinner and maybe he didn't want to intrude. But if that was the case, he could have come up to my office at any time and introduced himself. The next best would be a private detective doing some research on me for a client. Could be my ex trying to find some dirt on me. Who knows?"
"And the worst?" I asked, although I already knew. I held up my hand. "I know. A crackpot who had a grudge and was trying to find a time to hurt you. Or me."
"I'm afraid so. Whoever he is, I want you to be extra careful until we know for sure. I'm meeting with the head of the firm that provides security for the building and will arrange to hire someone to act as a bodyguard. I should have done this a long time ago, but my father never had one and so I didn't think I needed one either. But there are nutcases out there who have weird political ideologies and think journalists and news organizations are fair game. We should be prepared just in case."
"Okay," I said and swallowed hard. "Now, I'm really nervous."
"I don't want to alarm you, but we should err on the side of caution in this case."
He came over to where I sat and bent down, kissing me quickly.
Just then, Sharon popped her head inside the door. When she saw Josh bending over me, she gasped a bit.
Josh stood up straight and stepped away.
"Hi, Sharon," he said and turned to me. "I'll talk to you later."
He passed Sharon, who stood in the doorway, at a total loss for words.
When Josh was gone, Sharon turned and watched him go down the hallway. Finally, she came inside and closed the door to my office.
"It's none of my business, but are you two a thing?"
"Yes," I said, deciding not to try to lie, given she probably saw him kissing me. "Please don't say anything about it to the other staff. Neither of us wants it to be a public issue."
"I understand," she said. "You can count on me to zip my lip."
"Thanks," I said. "Neither Josh nor I want any fuss made. Both of us have been burned before by office romances and so we're really hesitant."
"Mum's the word," Sharon said. "Can you come to my office for a chat? I have some questions on a few manuscripts and I was passing by your office from a meeting, I thought I'd ask you instead of sending a text."
"Sure. Do you want me now?"
"Might as well. Bring your notebook."
I grabbed my black Moleskine notebook and followed her down the hall, glad she was willing to keep mum about Josh and my relationship. I hoped she wouldn't see it as a negative thing and turn against me. She didn't seem to, but in the shock of seeing us together, she may have just been nice about it.
I'd know in the next few days or weeks if it would be a bad thing between us. If I was seen as the boss's girlfriend, she might feel uncomfortable.