Security Detail

by Lisa Phillips

  Sheriff Johnson continued, “No. I’m not letting him go until you’re out of here. And don’t think about hanging around outside either, waiting for him. You gotta be long gone before he shows his face. Go ask your boss what the plan is.”

  Conner figured that would work in the short term, but soon enough Manny would figure out that he and Andis had been played and come gunning for the sheriff. The Secret Service would protect him, though. The team would be broken apart to cover Kayla, Sheriff Johnson, Andis and his men, and Conner, but they’d get better results that way. More chances to land on something solid and cover everything—everyone—they needed to.

  Kayla’s fingers touched his hand and he realized he’d balled his fist tight. Conner unfurled his hand and took hers with a smile. Everything would work out—he’d make sure of that. As long as she believed it, that was what mattered. She had to know he would make everything good for her.

  “Whatever,” Manny said. “I’m out of here.”

  The voices faded.

  “Kayla?” Conner kept his voice quiet, just in case someone could hear. “You okay?”

  She shut her eyes for a second, dark circles there. She’d never looked more delicate or in need of him to… He didn’t know. Hug her?

  Conner gathered her into his arms and she tilted up her face. Kayla moved her mouth up toward his and her eyes drifted closed. She thought he was going to kiss her?

  Conner wanted to, sure. But this wasn’t the time. Wasn’t she worried about the timing? Before he left her hanging, Conner touched her cheek with his and hugged her with their faces side by side. Her hair touched his nose and he felt the intake of breath when she probably realized he wasn’t going to kiss her. Conner rubbed her shoulders and gave her a squeeze like he didn’t notice.

  “Kayla—Oh.” The sheriff cleared his throat. “Drew called back. He’s on the line for you.”

  Conner let her go. Kayla scooted past the sheriff and out of the room without looking at him. She had nothing to be embarrassed about, not as far as he could see. But she was.

  Conner touched the bridge of his nose and then followed her out of the interrogation room. One day he’d figure out how to do this without upsetting her. At least, he hoped he could.

  “Okay, thanks. I owe you. Now stay safe, and don’t go to work today. Okay? Good.” She hung up and turned to the computer, opened the browser and typed in an address.

  “Where is it?”

  “That’s what I’m finding out.” She didn’t turn around. The map loaded, and Conner leaned in. “Do you know where that is?”

  He nodded, his chin almost touching her shoulder. “I do.” Conner straightened and she turned, looked at him. The embarrassment had gone, or she’d chosen to set it aside for the time being. Later he could tell her how badly he’d wanted to kiss her. “That’s a construction site.”

  “Why would my laptop be at a construction site? Do they even have Wi-Fi for it to connect to?”

  He shrugged. “They’re building an apartment complex. And not well. The owner owes Andis a lot of money, so he’s breathing down the guy’s neck until he pays up or Andis can extract what he’s owed. He’d have me hang out at the site, make sure the guy showed up every day and track him down if he didn’t. It was basically babysitting, watching the man cut corners every which way.”

  “And now my computer was taken there. By Jan Barton’s boyfriend.” She said it like she hardly believed everything that was happening.

  “Does he work for Andis?” The sheriff’s question brought Conner’s head around.

  He thought it over for a second. “What were the charges on the boyfriend’s convictions?”

  The sheriff read them off.

  Conner could have kicked himself. “Andis doesn’t make the money. He hires it out.” Conner pointed to the mug shot. “To this guy. Tim Harmer. Everything about that history says counterfeiter.”

  Kayla said, “So why is Tim Harmer after my computer? To try to find Andis’s wife and daughter, or to find Jan? Or is it some other reason?”

  “That’s a great question.”

  One Conner had no idea the answer to.

  TEN

  Conner drove with one hand and gripped the phone with the other while he listened to Locke. His former team leader was now a director, and not happy at all that he hadn’t been read in to what Conner’s new job was. When Greg had asked for a detail, the request had passed up the chain high enough that Locke realized what was happening. In true Locke fashion, that meant he was heading up the team on its way to town.

  “Should be there in half an hour.”

  Conner gave him the address to the construction site. “When we get there, we’ll wait for you. I don’t want Kayla outside of protection.” The team could watch her while he and Locke found the computer.

  He hung up. Conner was so scared she was going to get seriously hurt that he was almost ready to tell them to take her in—okay…detain her. And he would do it. She’d be alive, out of Andis’s reach in protective custody. Sure, she’d probably hate him for doing it, but she’d forgive him.

  He’d seen evidence of faith in her life, at her house. The Bible in her purse. Scriptures scribbled on three-by-five cards she’d had hung on her fridge. God wasn’t someone he’d thought about since he was a kid. His mom had taken him to church every Sunday, but with college and then the start of his career, Conner hadn’t had much time or the inclination to keep up with it.

  Now they just had to stay far enough under Andis’s radar and out of Manny’s reach long enough to uncover the source of the counterfeit money, the superbills. Not that the Secret Service wanted to admit there were stellar forgeries floating around, but it was what it was.

  The only way he’d accept her having been in danger was if he fully completed this case. Lesser charges weren’t part of his plan. Conner wanted the whole operation brought down. Kayla had been hurt enough. He didn’t like the fact that Kayla was part of it, but if she was close to him, he could at least make sure she stayed safe. Otherwise he’d be so distracted he’d just worry the whole time. And if they got a win? It might actually be worth it.

  “You’re quiet. I don’t think that’s a good thing.”

  Conner smiled but didn’t glance over at her. “Have you prayed?”

  “I haven’t stopped praying since you walked into my office.”

  “My mom used to do that. Every single time, she’d grab my hand and close her eyes. I’d just stand there until she said, ‘Amen.’”

  “She didn’t say the words out loud?”

  “Nope.” He shook his head, the smile still on his lips. “Mostly I figure she didn’t want me to hear what she was saying to Him about me.”

  Kayla giggled. “Interesting.”

  Conner laughed. “It was effective, I’ll tell you. Who knew what she was asking? Or what she was telling God about me. I’d behave myself each time after. For at least a day.”

  Kayla laughed. The sound made his heart catch, but he couldn’t let it distract him. Conner had to concentrate, especially considering they weren’t going on the run. No, they were going right back into the lion’s den.

  Undercover work had taken all the dark parts of Conner and brought them to the surface. He couldn’t let Kayla see more of that darkness. Conner was no hero; he was just a guy trying to do his job.

  He blew out a breath and fought to gain control as they got closer to the construction site. He couldn’t go there like this. He’d blow it and Locke would know just how close to the edge he was.

  Kayla really had no clue how thrown he was by the idea of her being in danger. There was something about her that he couldn’t shake. She had to be safe, or he’d be no good.

  How he’d thought he would find peace with a woman like Kayla was anyone’s guess. Conner knew what he wanted, but the jury was still out on whether it was best for her. She probably didn’t need some hothead in her life, dictating security measures. He’d go too far, and she would have to put
space between them because he’d let his fear get the better of him.

  “How is it going to go with Locke?”

  Conner winced at her question.

  “I’m serious. He flipped out on the phone, right?” When he nodded, she said, “How can he not have known?”

  Conner clicked on his blinker and took the turn before he answered. “It’s need to know, and Locke didn’t. The fewer people who know the real story behind my being ‘fired’ from the Secret Service, the better. Andis checked up on me. We couldn’t hide the fact that I was Secret Service. That was public knowledge. But we could spin it.”

  “So they all think you betrayed the service. That you’re a bad guy.”

  “That’s the point, Kayla. It had to be believable, or Andis would never have bought it. I was ready for a change and thinking about quitting. But I was never sure I wanted to give up the Secret Service. A week later I got an offer to transfer and go undercover.”

  “That scares me.”

  He pulled up at the stoplight and turned to her. “What scares you?”

  “You do. You’ve convinced everyone you’re a bad guy. You walk around all day pretending to be a bad guy. Don’t you worry you’ll start to believe it’s true?”

  The light turned green and he set off. She’d voiced the very worry he had in his report. Not the official report, but the one he had to submit to the shrink. Half the time he couldn’t remember any more if the real Conner Thorne was a good guy or a bad guy.

  “What do you think I am?” Maybe he didn’t want to know the answer, but the question was out already. Conner had to accept her honesty. She’d give him no less than that.

  “You’ve always had an edge, ever since I’ve known you. There’s something wild and dangerous in you, Conner Thorne. Something that is really, really bad for me.”

  Maybe she should pack a bag and get out of town if she thought that. He could clear this up and be gone before she got back.

  “And yet I can’t seem to bring myself to leave. Not now that you’re here.” She twisted in her seat. “There’s something about you. Something I never once forgot.”

  Conner nodded. That was so true. He felt the exact same way about her, to the point he’d stayed away for months when he found out she lived here. It was only because he’d heard Andis and Manny say her name that he’d made contact. If they hadn’t, Conner would not have shown up in her office the night before. He’d have stayed away, and she’d never have known he was there.

  Kayla went on. “Locke knows that, deep down, you’re a good guy.”

  Conner wasn’t so sure. And he didn’t want to talk about Locke. “Did the motel call back about Jan Barton yet?”

  She shook her head. “The sheriff should be there by now.”

  “So, what? You take the women to the motel and they have to make their own way to the ranch?”

  “No,” Kayla answered. “I have the house manager come and get them. It’s safer for me to be separate from it. Locke explains it better than I do. But I have to be one step removed. It keeps my involvement to a minimum. And it was the only way he’d let me set it up.”

  Conner wanted to smile. At least someone had been looking out for her, even if it did have to be Locke. The man thought Kayla was the little sister he never had. “When the sheriff calls, we’ll know for sure. He can ask Jan why her boyfriend wanted your computer.”

  Kayla nodded to the window. Fifteen minutes later he turned onto the street where the construction site was located. Conner glanced at her.

  She shrugged. “What?”

  “I don’t want anyone to see you.”

  *

  “Who came up with this plan?” Kayla muttered the question as she huddled down on the floor of the car in the backseat. Right. Like anyone who looked in the back window wouldn’t see her crouched down there. But they were counting on everyone being occupied with their jobs, or if they weren’t that they wouldn’t care enough to check for a possible stowaway.

  “Heads up.” They turned the corner and drove for a minute. Then Conner stopped the car. “Huh.”

  Kayla readied herself. “What is it?”

  “There’s no one here. The whole place is deserted.”

  “Is that normal?”

  “No. The owner is building an apartment complex that’s like a collection of hipster townhomes. They’ve been rushing to get it done fast. Probably laundering Andis’s counterfeit money through the operation, as well, to clean it up so his cash looks more legit.”

  Kayla lifted her head and looked around. Building frames, heavy equipment in the rutted dirt and a trailer that was probably the office.

  Conner’s chuckle shook the seat she was pressed against. “I’ve been alone for so long on this that…well, it’s just really nice to have someone to talk to. You know?”

  Kayla nodded before she realized he couldn’t see her. “I know what you mean.” Her independence wasn’t in question, but forging her own path had left her with clients and not many friends. Before Conner showed up, she wouldn’t have called herself lonely, but now she knew the feeling for what it really was. All those evenings with nothing to do. Weekends with no big plans.

  Kayla halted her thoughts before they went too far. She had to stop categorizing her life as time spent “with Conner” and time “without Conner.” It had to just be her life, no matter whether he was there or not.

  She sighed.

  “You okay?”

  “No one’s here. How long will Locke be?” She leaned forward to see him look at his phone.

  He sent a text to Locke and got a reply in seconds.

  A truck hit a car on the highway. Stuck in traffic.

  “So we just sit here?” Kayla glanced around. “The GPS said the laptop was here, and there’s no one around. It won’t hurt to look. I could grab it, and we can be on our way. That’s better than just sitting here.”

  Conner turned enough so she could see the look in his eyes. That hard business look she recognized from years ago. “Hold.”

  She didn’t smile until he got out. Studied the area, drew his weapon. It took a couple of minutes. Then he opened the door for her. He didn’t look at her when she climbed out; he was scanning their surroundings. When they set off, it was because he indicated to her that they were ready to move. The whole thing washed back over her like muscle memory. Being protected. Her single-man security detail. Yes, please.

  She didn’t want that from anyone else, just him. Just as long as he was doing it because he was willing to admit he cared for her, not because of duty. Head down, she strode to the wood steps and up to the office. God, please don’t let there be anyone inside. She stood back while Conner looked inside. He nodded to her—“Make it quick”—and then turned to guard the door while she went inside.

  Kayla passed him, but she didn’t pass up the opportunity to lean up on her tiptoes and kiss his cheek.

  Then she ducked inside.

  Kayla said a quick prayer she’d find the laptop and crossed to the desk. If it was here, it wasn’t in plain view. Covered in papers, the desktop computer’s keyboard had to be unearthed. She scanned the pages as she moved them aside. Invoices, lists of employee names and receipts. She jiggled the mouse and the monitor flicked on. The last person to use this computer had evidently not understood the clear line between work equipment and personal use, because while they’d logged off their social media account, the website was still open.

  That, along with a program that would have interfaced with her laptop. Sure enough, a cord on top of the desk was the kind used to connect the two computers.

  They’d accessed her laptop, but where was it?

  Whoever worked in here seriously needed a secretary. More papers and invoices filled the file cabinet, though not in any semblance of order. Was there a safe?

  When she found an inspection report, Kayla stopped. Three different things concerning the electrics had been flagged. She had no idea what they were or what the implications were of thei
r not being up to code, but someone had scribbled over the bottom half. Payment had been made. Kayla folded the paper, stuffed it in her back pocket and kept rifling through the file cabinet. If she couldn’t find the laptop, maybe she could find something else to help Conner with his case.

  Kayla pulled on the bottom drawer. Stuck.

  She’d have to find more evidence, fast, if she wanted to be done before someone came in. Conner had told her to keep it to a couple of minutes, but this would take time. There were a ton of loose papers in here. Before regret or worry could take hold, Kayla pushed aside the errant thoughts and kept searching. A bank statement. An email about a problem with a shower leaking.

  There was plenty to look into, but could they tie it back to Andis? She needed to find someone who could trace the information she had back to a company registered to his name or a business known to be his. It was all about association. There was a connection; she just had to figure out how to find it in a way that would make it hold up in court.

  And she would be there. When Conner ended this case, when he testified against Andis and the man was finally put away for his crimes, Kayla was going to be there to look the man who had tormented a woman and her child in the eye. When the sentence was brought down, she would figure out how to contact Sofija and Lena and let them know that he was in prison.

  That they were free.

  Outside, a car drove across the gravel. Conner ducked inside. “Time to go, Kayla.”

  “One second. I just have to—”

  “Now.” He disappeared outside again.

  Kayla yanked the drawer one more time, and it came open. “My laptop!” She grabbed it and ran to the door. Time to get out of there.

  But it wasn’t Conner at the door.

  It was Andis Bamir.

  ELEVEN

  Manny’s grin said it all. Conner stared at him, even as he watched Andis’s back inside the office over Manny’s shoulder. He could barely see the boss’s arm and his shirt. Conner started to move around Manny, but he took a half step to the side. “Andis wants to talk to her.” Like that was a good reason for Conner to stay out of it.