CHICAGO - ROSS INDUSTRIES - NEXT DAY - 8 AM
 

Becca Ross, wearing a conservative business suit, stands in an elevator staring at the metal grating that lines it on all sides. Her face registers a hint of claustrophobia as she remembers the prison bars of her cell. She reaches her floor and exits the elevator outside the executive offices, approaching a set of double doors. She looks around at the bare hallway, devoid of furniture and pictures. "Just like prison," she mutters, "only here they lock you out." She presses a buzzer beside the doors to the executive suite. She is conscious of the security camera overhead as the intercom comes alive and forces herself to smile.

"Yes? Ms. Ross, is that you? Come right in."

The door is unlocked and swings open as a woman rushes over to greet her. "Ms. Ross, your father told us you were coming back to work today. Its so good to have you back after…" Her voice trails off in embarrassment. "I'll tell your father you're here," she says, turning away.

Becca takes a seat while she waits for the woman to return. She takes in the elegant surroundings inside the suite, admiring the redecorated office with comfortable furniture and large paintings set against a muted color scheme of mauve and pale green. She looks up as a man in an expensive distinctively-cut three piece suit walks over.

"Becca! So good to have you back. You look…good." He pauses, unsure what to say next.

The receptionist's return saves him from further conversation. "Your father will see you now, Ms. Ross."

Becca excuses herself and walks toward the large corner office.

Behind her another man approaches the first. "Say, who's that, Harry?" he asks with admiration in his voice.

"Old man Ross's daughter."

"I thought…"

"This is his other daughter. I wouldn't get any ideas, if I were you. We used to call her AB. 'All Business'. I'm surprised she's back. They had a falling out. She's obviously back in the old man's good graces, so just watch your step." He turns and walks away.

Up the hall, Becca walks past her father's secretary, who gives her a frosty look as she enters his office.

"Becca!" Ross says enthusiastically, rising to greet her. "It's good to have you back. Its going to be just like old times."

Becca gives him a tepid smile as he resumes shuffling through the papers on his desk and continues without noticing, "I'm placing you back in charge of mergers and acquisitions. Harry can fill you in on the companies we're researching."

He rises to see her out. "Mrs. Cummings, Becca will be moving into the office just down the hall. Whatever she needs, see that she gets it."

"Of course, Mr. Ross." As he turns back to his office, she calls after him, "Mr. Ross, did you remember I have a dentist appointment at 3 this afternoon? You said Ms. Green could cover for me, since you'll be out this afternoon."

"That's fine. See all my calls are forwarded." Without another word, he withdraws into his office, leaving Becca to explore her new office.

LATER THAT DAY 3PM

Becca emerges quietly from her office, after watching Mrs. Cummings leave for her dental appointment. She moves quickly to the secretary's desk and attempts to use the computer, but is disappointed to see it ask for a screensaver password.

"Damn!" she mutters, as she tries the desk drawer only to find it locked.

She turns to the filing cabinets behind the desk, rapidly scanning headings on the file folders looking for those that are unfamiliar. She finds several that look promising and scans their contents, looking for the names Alcini or Gagomiros. A small envelope taped on the back side of the second drawer catches her eye and she reaches in to find a small key - small enough for the desk! Quickly, she extracts it and inserts it in the desk drawer, delighted to find that it works. She begins to search, careful not to disturb the contents, until she finds what looks like an appointment book.

Becca holds her breath as she opens the book and realizes the entries go back to 1998. She quickly finds the date Helen mentioned in her diary, when she met her father for lunch, and hurriedly copies out all the names scheduled for that day. She returns the book to its place, careful to put everything back as she found it, before closing and locking the drawer. Turning to the file cabinet, she is slipping the key back in its place when she hears footsteps behind her. Thinking quickly, she reaches up and removes an earring, dropping it in the drawer. Behind her, she hears Harry's voice.

"Becca, what are you doing?" His tone is joking, but Becca hears the suspicion underneath. Or it is just her imagination?

She turns to face him, forcing a smile. "I was doing some research in these files today. I just realized I had lost one of the earrings Daddy gave me for my birthday." She pauses briefly, satisfied that the mention of her father has had an affect and conscious that he is looking at her empty ear lobe. "I thought it might have fallen off in the drawer."

"Did you find it?" Harry asks, bridling his curiosity.

"Not yet." Becca turns back to the drawer, rummaging between the folders for a few seconds before exclaiming with delight, "Here it is!" She retrieves it and makes a show of putting it on her ear. "Another mystery solved!" she exclaims, conscious of the irony of her statement. She shuts the drawer and stands up. "I should have a preliminary report for you on those two companies by tomorrow morning," she says briskly, turning back toward her office.

Harry stares after her retreating back. "Same old Becca. AB," he mutters, following her down the hall.

NEXT