Adam gaped at me, ‘How did you know? Do you have my office bugged too?’
‘We do, actually!’ I laughed aloud this time. ‘But that’s not how I know. There are a lot of men, and women too actually, out there who see what they do as nothing to do with their family. Their spouses condone it because, for one reason or another, it suits them. The partnership you and Lucy have is actually kind of special.’
‘I guess it is.’ Adam smiled at the thought of Lucy, then pulled himself back to the moment.
‘So, then I told him he had no right to interfere in my private life. If it wasn’t to do with work or work performance, then he should mind his own business. I was a bit short with him actually.’ Adam sounded rather pleased with himself. ‘I told him I neither wanted, nor would accept, advice from him.’ Adam gave a short, cynical laugh. ‘He wasn’t happy, but there was nowhere else for that particular conversation to go. I expect to be the topic of discussion in the exec dining room, though.’ He laughed.
‘And Eliza?’ I queried softly.
‘She wasn’t far behind,’ he grinned. ‘Just as well Jethro had given me a heads up! She came in, all sweetness and light, said she understood I had used you to break up with my wife, so that we, Eliza and I, could be together. She suggested that staying with you was not a good thing though, as it seems Kate’s getting ideas.’ That made us both laugh out loud.
‘She said I should just throw caution to the wind, and let the world know I wanted to be with her. Said she would fix it for me, and I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.’ He grimaced and looked uncomfortable.
‘I told her she had it all wrong. I told her I have no feelings for her, except pity. While it had been flattering to know that she fancied me, she needed to get over it and move on. I thanked her for helping to bring things to a head, making it possible for Kate and me to be together. I told her I was planning to start divorce proceedings in a month or so, then Kate and I could be married.’ He shook his head.
‘What came next rather surprised me.’ His voice shook slightly. ‘I was expecting her to be angry! But she went way beyond that! She went red in the face; her breathing was harsh. I thought she might have a stroke. Her voice though, that was the scariest thing. I have never heard such a cold, emotionless voice. It was in complete contrast to how she looked.’ A shudder went through him at the memory. ‘She called me a poor deluded fool. Said I clearly didn’t know my own mind, thinking with the wrong head.’ He grimaced. ‘Said Kate’s going to pay for stealing me away from her. I told her Kate couldn’t steal me away, I was never hers to begin with. I told her to stay away from Kate. She just shook her head at me and in the same cold voice, told me I didn’t understand anything, but I soon would. She turned, but when she got to the door she stopped and without turning, said quietly, still in the same voice, “This is your last chance, Adam. Don’t make me regret giving it to you”. With that, she walked out the door, closing it softly behind her. That was somehow scarier than if she’d slammed it, which is actually what I expected her to do.’
‘Well, it looks like she’s bought into it and imprinted on me.’ I was pleased. ‘That’s what we aimed for. It means she no longer sees Lucy as a threat, making Lucy now irrelevant. Of course, we’ll leave guards in place for Lucy and Gabe, just in case.’ I was thinking aloud.
‘Just in case what? Could they still be in danger?’ His voice was raised slightly. I touched the back of his hand and waited for him to focus on me.
‘Keeping the guards in place is merely a precaution. It seems she is well and truly focussed on me. Lucy and Gabe are safe, okay?’
Adam nodded looking relieved for a second, then his face changed again.
‘Hang on, that means you’re in danger now!’ Adam looked aghast and went to rise. I put my hand on his arm again, stopping him getting up.
‘This is what we wanted, Adam. Exactly what we wanted. She’s escalated, but now her focus is off Lucy, probably Gabe too, while she tries to make you see sense. She’ll want you to leave me too, that’s what she’ll be working on.’ Adam was still concerned, he wasn’t happy he was putting anyone in danger. ‘Come on, Adam, we want her focussed on me! I can handle her!’
I increased the pressure of my hand on his arm, making him refocus on me.
‘We still need to watch Gabe, though, because if she can’t make you come to your senses, she could decide having Gabe will help. That’s a good reason for us to maintain the guard.’
At his gasp, I rubbed his arm gently. ‘It’s okay. It’ll do her no good! She won’t be able to get to him! Even if she were to get past the people she can see around him, he has a silent minder with him all the time! He’ll only be seen if needed. You need to trust us, we know what we’re doing.’
Adam took a deep breath, shook his head, and then nodded. He understood, sort of, but he was out of his depth. His eyes focussed on a distant point, almost as if he was trying to see a better future.
‘Now that she’s come out in the open, so to speak, we’ll need to be really careful.’ I waited for him to look at me.
‘And when I say we, I mean YOU!’ I caught his eye and held it.
‘Don’t eat or drink anything you don’t open or make yourself. Don’t let yourself be lured anywhere alone, no matter what the provocation. Even if she says she has Gabe, Lucy or me. It’ll be a lie. She can’t get to us, and you need to believe that. Always check any messages by ringing me or Jethro.’ I paused and, looking at him, asked, ‘Do you understand? I mean, really understand?’ Adam nodded.
‘You and I are going to be glued to each other. This is really important!’ I emphasised ‘Are you okay to keep going?’
Adam looked down at his hands, this was getting very real. Finally, he looked at me.
‘I do trust you, and I get what you’re saying. It’s just scary as hell, thinking about her targeting my family. I know you have them protected, but still—’ His throat moved with a gulp.
‘But I also know, it’s the only way we can get our lives back.’ He straightened his shoulders. ‘So yeah! I’m okay to keep going. Let’s get this bitch out of our lives.’
I grinned at him. ‘That’s the spirit.’ I held up my hand and he high-fived me.
I lay back on my elbows, relaxing in the sun, and encouraged Adam to take a similar position, giving the appearance of ease. We sat quietly like that for few minutes, just soaking in the sun. Then I started to speak, softly, making Adam focus to hear me.
‘Now to the next order of business. Your secretary is going to need some urgent time off.’
Adam spun his head to look at me, then realised I must have something planned and wasn’t being psychic. I gave him a grin, having got the desired effect. He grinned back, finally relaxing. I continued.
‘Her daughter is going to call her, and ask her to come look after the kids for a couple of weeks. She’s been offered a gig she’s been after for a long time. Of course, her mother will want to support her.’ I sat up and poured us both a coffee from the Thermos and paused to take a sip.
‘You, of course, will be accommodating, like the good boss you are.’
Adam nodded on a smile. ‘Of course. Do I get another, or are you going to station yourself in my outer office?’ This was said on a grin. He was getting into this again.
I grinned back. ‘You should be so lucky,’ I teased. ‘Actually, though, we’ve arranged a temp for you. Mike Callahan. He’s an excellent secretary, not as pretty as me of course, but it’s his other skills that make him the perfect man for the job. He’s someone we use for protection detail from time to time. He’ll come in as soon as he can, but it may not be until tomorrow. I’ll stay with you till he comes.’
Adam waggled his eyebrows at me, making me laugh. I was still laughing as I continued.
‘At work, Mike will keep watch. When you’re not at work, you’ll be with me. There can be no going off on your own!’ My voice became serious on the last point. ‘That is not negotiable!’
&n
bsp; I focussed my gaze on Adam, waiting for his response.
‘I’m not going to be stupid or try and play the hero. I know full well I’m out of my depth.’
He held my eye, so I could see the truth in what he said. Then, with his gaze still focussed on me, he said, ‘I need to know, though, what precautions are you taking? Because it seems to me, you’re in more danger than I am!’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve been doing this a long time. I’m too smart to put myself in danger. Believe me when I say I, too, am covered.’
Chapter Twelve
We returned to Adam’s office. I went in with him. I wasn’t prepared to leave him unguarded. So, until I had Mike in place, I was it!
As soon as we walked in the door, a very excited Mrs Nielsen approached. She explained that her daughter had been offered the chance of a lifetime, which she could only take if her mother was able to come and help with the children.
She really needed time off, immediately! Please! She couldn’t stand it if her precious daughter was to miss this opportunity.
Adam calmed her down, assuring her immediate leave could be arranged.
‘In fact, why don’t you go now? I’ll put in all the papers for you and arrange a temp to cover. How long will you be away?’
‘Mr Sullivan, you’re a gentleman,’ Mrs Nielsen gushed, then, sobering slightly, she added. ‘I’m not sure how long I’ll need. Kirsty couldn’t give me too much detail as she told them she had to check if I was available for the children before she could be free to accept the offer. She thought it would be about three weeks. I would of course give you the details as soon as I have them.’
‘You must tell Kirsty to accept the offer. We shouldn’t stand in her way,’ Adam said kindly. ‘Don’t worry about work, just take the time you need and good luck to Kirsty. May I ask about the chance she’s been offered?’ he enquired. Mrs Nielsen smiled, pleased at his interest. He really was a lovely man, I thought as I watched.
‘Oh yes. She’s always wanted to manage her own salon and it seems she’s been headhunted by a prestigious salon chain to possibly head up a new salon in the area.’ Mrs Nielsen was overjoyed at the chance her daughter had been given. ‘This gives her the chance to show what she can do, and if she’s successful she’ll have her dream job. It’s all so exciting. I’m so proud of my baby.’ Mrs Nielsen couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
‘Of course you must help her,’ Adam said. ‘Family always comes first. Give her a call immediately and let her know, so she can accept the offer. Take the time you need, just please let me know details as soon as you can.’
Mrs Nielsen quickly phoned her daughter and then, with a smile, was gone, not giving Adam a chance to change his mind.
Adam looked at me and quirked his eyebrow in question. I nodded. Yes, we had engineered this. ‘She gets a chance, that’s all. The rest is up to her,’ I murmured. ‘It’s a happy bonus.’ I winked at him.
‘Now, my love,’ I said brightly. ‘Unless you want to act as your own secretary, I suggest we get on to the agency. Let me play secretary and get them on the line for you.’
I flicked a text to Jethro, waiting while he acknowledged it, then called his number. I recognised Amber’s posh voice. ‘Corby and Foster Staffing, how may I help?’ This was name of the temp agency most firms in the area used, and who Eliza would expect to be called if she was indeed monitoring us.
‘Mr Adam Sullivan of Davis & Co would like to talk to an agent about a secretary, please.’
‘Putting you through.’
As Jethro came on the line I said, ‘Please hold for Mr Sullivan.’ I covered the mouthpiece and laughed, adding in a louder voice, ‘Maybe I should be your secretary.’
Adam laughed in response. ‘I’d never get any work done,’ he responded as he took the phone.
Having explained his requirements, he was advised that they had just the person for him. He would be sent straight over.
I did hope Ms Eliza Roberts was listening.
Half an hour later reception advised a Mr Mike Callahan was there to see Adam. He was shown in at Adam’s request. He walked in the door, a solid man, broad of shoulder and narrow of hip. He had dark eyes in a craggy face and blond hair. He radiated peace and calm. This was a man of contradictions. He could diffuse most situations and always looked first for a peaceful solution, but he could react with lethal force if required. He was a man I trusted with my life, in fact I had on many occasions. He sent me a nod but otherwise didn’t greet me.
‘Mike Callahan, Sir. I understand you have requested cover for your secretary.’ He reached out his hand to Adam.
Adam grasped his hand. ‘Adam Sullivan,’ he responded. ‘Welcome aboard, Mr Callahan. I’ll give you a quick tour but then I’ll have to let you find your own way around Mrs Nielsen’s filing system. I’m afraid I won’t be much help there.’
‘That’s all right, sir. I’ll be able to sort that out, no problems.’ He winked at me but kept a straight face. I knew from experience that he would fit into whatever system was being used. He was more than up to the task. The bonus would be that now we could be sure Adam was safe at work.
I left them to it, telling Adam I would meet him after work.
After work I waited for Adam outside the building. He greeted me enthusiastically.
‘I love my new secretary. He’s efficient, he doesn’t hit on me and he understands a good joke. Can I keep him? Please? Pretty please?’ Adam laughed. He was much lighter than I’d thus far seen him. Having an ally in the office was obviously making a difference.
We walked home with Adam holding my hand. He had an earplug in and was chatting to Lucy. I pretended to be in conversation with him. To those around, we appeared to be chatting away, enjoying each other’s company.
I’d had a message from Pete that Eliza was waiting in the foyer of the apartment building, so as we approached I nudged Adam. He said goodbye to Lucy and prepared to face Eliza.
‘The look on her face says she was expecting you to be on your own,’ I murmured.
‘What now?’ he asked.
‘Follow my lead,’ I grinned.
We stepped through the doors, the hiss of them closing the loudest noise in the foyer.
Eliza just glared. Did she really think she looked intimidating? I think I was supposed to be quaking in my boots. Time to turn the tables.
I put my hand possessively on Adam’s arm. ‘Oh, Sweetie, it’s your little friend!’ I chirped. ‘Doesn’t she look so cute in that little skirt and jacket?’ Condescending much? Especially as she was slightly taller, but I wanted to bait her.
Eliza totally ignored me and spoke to Adam. ‘We need to talk!’ she stated firmly.
Adam looked at me. I gave a brief nod, one that Eliza couldn’t fail to notice. He looked back at Eliza. ‘Sure, come on up!’ he said. We both moved towards the elevator, still hand in hand.
Eliza stepped forward and put her hand on Adam’s chest, stopping him. ‘ALONE!’ she spat, looking at me in disgust. ‘You’re not going to let this little whore tell you what to do, are you?’ She looked back at Adam.
He glanced at me, making her hiss, ‘Are you?’
I stepped forward and, using just my thumb and forefinger, I plucked her hand from his chest and dropped it. Then I stepped between them, forcing her back.
‘Go find yourself another toy, little girl, this one’s mine, and I don’t share.’
Adam looked down, grinning at me. His eyes dancing. He was enjoying this. ‘A toy, huh? Wait till I get you upstairs.’
He looked at Eliza. ‘If you want to talk, you’re welcome to come up with us. But Kate stays, we have no secrets.’
Eliza stepped back a look of fury crossing her face. She turned to go.
‘So, you don’t want to talk any more then? Does this mean you’ll leave us alone?’ Adam asked in a quiet voice as she walked away.
She stopped and turned, the look of fury gone, replaced by a cold expression. ‘Not even close!’ She turned back
and left the building, the hiss of the doors again the loudest sound.
We headed for the elevator and didn’t speak again until we got inside, where we proceeded to discuss Eliza’s visit, or non-visit.
We laughed about Adam being my toy. Then I was very firm that Adam should have no more to do with her. That she was trying to come between us, and I wouldn’t stand for that. We sounded for all the world like a couple discussing a possible interloper. It should make Eliza Roberts mad!
Then we just chatted. Normal conversation about music and books. We also discussed if we should order in, or maybe go out, all for the benefit of the bug Eliza had planted.
We’d been there about 30 minutes and I was about to suggest we go out for a meal, when the connecting door opened slowly and silently. Jethro stepped in and walked silently to the bathroom, signalling us both to join him inside.
‘I need to wash off the day. We could have a shower. I’d be happy to share if you want,’ I giggled and winked at Adam.
‘Race you to the bathroom,’ he responded and loudly raced me.
I closed the door behind us loudly and then turned on the water.
We both looked at Jethro.
‘We have a bit of a development,’ he said with a grim look.
Chapter Thirteen
Adam put the lid down and sat on the toilet. I sat on the side of the tub. Jethro paced a little then joined me.
‘It seems she may have already killed,’ he stated baldly.
Adam made a choking noise and went pale. ‘Who?’ he gasped. I just watched Jethro and waited for him to continue.
‘When Eliza was in college she had a serious boyfriend. At least it seems she was serious.
‘Eliza was apparently, after being together for two years, planning a graduation wedding for the following year. However, her ‘groom’ was not of the same mind.
‘When he told her it wasn’t going to happen, she didn’t believe him. She kept turning up where he was, acting like nothing had changed, and worse, kept planning the wedding.
Stalker, Stalker Page 12
