Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Okay,” he agreed easily.
“And I need a driver for her.” I handed him her schedule. “Nondescript car. Two drivers, varying their schedule. But they make sure she gets into the hospital and the apartment building safely. They open her door, and they watch her walk in. I want them armed. If there is any trouble, they act. No questions.”
He nodded. “Why don’t we add a fake car service sign to the car? If anyone sees it, it looks like they’re hired. As if her car isn’t working or something.”
“Good idea.”
“Darnell and Samuel would be good,” he mused. “Big guys, fast, well trained. Both ex-cops and good men. They’d watch over her.”
I nodded in agreement. I knew them both well. They were strong, fast, and often requested by our celebrities. They were excellent marksmen and would keep Sofia safe. Damien had hired them and they had great respect for him, so they would take this assignment personally. “Okay. Bring them in so I can talk to them, please.”
“Sure.”
He typed for a few moments, speaking as he did. “Any ideas on how Alex knew your schedule?”
“No. The system is clean. No one has tried to hack into the software. Sofia and I come up clean for tracking devices. Nothing on our cars, our persons, anything. Damien could be right, and this guy could be an amazing tail. Hiding in plain sight. I’m being extra vigilant.”
He glanced up. “Hiding in plain sight. Like Raven’s stalker?”
I suppressed a shudder. “I hope not.” Andy had been a nutjob of epic proportions and kept us guessing and chasing him for weeks.
“Maybe we need to add some equipment around you. Some cameras to see if we spot some coincidences that aren’t coincidences. The same hat behind you as you walk somewhere. The same van six vehicles down, that sort of thing.”
“Not a bad idea.”
He frowned. “There are bugs now that I can’t even trace without specific equipment.” He glanced around. “This building is safe, especially this office. Your apartment should be okay as well, but out there…” He trailed off.
“I’ll be careful what I say.”
He nodded. “You can’t be too cautious until we figure out what they want. Why they want you specifically. No offense, but there are lots of people who could blow up a building for them.”
“I know,” I agreed, not offended at all. Leo was right. There were others who could bring down a building, and I needed to know why they were focused on me.
And how they’d found me.
Life seemed normal for the next week. Sofia was picked up and dropped off every day. She waited in the car until her driver assessed the area and gave her the okay, and they stayed until she had walked in, not leaving until she was safely in the building—either the hospital or the apartment block. She had no idea that if they were uneasy, she would remain in the car, and they would leave with her and take her somewhere safe. I wasn’t taking chances with her. She did agree to another tracker in her purse and on her phone, which surprised me. Then I realized Damien had spoken to her. He had told her to take it easy on me and cooperate.
I appreciated his backup.
I had two of our ex-HJ agents follow me from a distance. They changed all the time, and I was never able to spot them right away. But they, in turn, never spotted anyone following me. I didn’t see Alex again, and there was no contact. Still, I was worried. I knew they were simply biding their time.
The day of the charity event, I pulled out my tux to get ready. I was going early as was our protocol, to check everything out. Sofia’s driver would pick her up along with her friend Sally and bring them to the event. I was contemplative as I got ready, tucking in my shirt, making sure my bow tie was straight, and adding my favorite cuff links to the sleeves.
I didn’t want to be attending as personnel. I wanted to sit next to Sofia. Be able to wrap my arm around her. Laugh and talk with her. Dance with her after. Peruse the auction tables and buy her something that caught her eye. She had only shaken her head when I told her what I was thinking, and she assured me these events were as boring as any other charity dinner.
“Lots of people wanting to be important. So much chatter and money being thrown around,” she said. “The meals are the same, the speeches too long, and the liquor flows far too freely. I rarely dance unless someone I know is there and we take a turn on the dance floor. I dislike the dinners, but we are asked to support. I’m usually one of the first to leave.” Then she smiled. “At least I’ll have an excuse. Tonight, I’m working, so I can’t drink, and I can leave with an emergency if I have to.”