Page 76 of Stalk Me (The Keatyn Chronicles 1)
“Okay. ”
“My job is to figure out all the possible ways he could find you, think of them first, and then do something different. One way we often find people is through social media. I know James took your phone and your computer. ”
I nod while he reaches into his bag. He pulls out a new phone, iPad, and laptop. “These are your new toys. We’ve preloaded your phone and email list with the only people you are allowed to contact. ”
I scroll through the list and read. “B, D, Garrett, Grandpa, James, Kim, Mom, Sam, Spa, Tom. Not very many. Are the B and D for Brooklyn and Damian? Why did you spell Kym’s name wrong, and who is Sam? And did you already find me a good spa to go to?”
“Both Brooklyn and Damian have unusual names and are in the public eye. We didn’t want to list Tom as Tommy or make Kym stand out with the unusual way she spells her name. We don’t want anyone to connect any dots. We’ll talk about Sam in a minute. Notice I added myself. You need anything—help, advice, anything, anytime, twenty-four hours a day—you call me. No question is too stupid regarding your safety. If for some reason I don’t answer, call the spa. The spa is code for my security firm. They will always answer the phone and can get you whatever you need very quickly. ”
“Okay, thank you. ”
“Now, for social media. I know it’s part of your world, but trust me, with facial recognition software, finding any new account you might form on the sly would be detrimental to your well-being. Just don’t do it. ”
“Okay. What else do I need to know?”
“Money is the other way to track people. Your being a minor complicates the issue, so we had to take a few drastic measures. ” He reaches into a file folder and hands me an official looking document. “You’ve been emancipated from your parents and are officially an adult. ”
“How does that help?”
“It helps us in quite a few ways. You know all those notes you bring home from school that your mom has to sign?” I nod my head yes. “Obviously, they can’t know your mom is Abby Johnston, so we can’t have her signing anything. With this, you are able to sign for yourself. ”
“All right. ”
“This is a lot of responsibility that we’re putting on you. James seems to think you can handle it. Can you?”
“Considering the alternative, I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“Are you scared?”
“Um, yeah. Shouldn’t I be?”
“I want you to stay scared. The problem is, once you get there, you’ll probably start to feel a level of safety. That’s when people slip up. You can’t slip up. This is your life. ”
“I won’t slip up. I promise. ”
“Good. So, back to money. James and I have been working closely with your grandfather. He says you are aware of a trust fund he set up for you. You were supposed to get part of it when you turned eighteen and the rest when you turned twenty-five. You’re getting it now. I’ll give you your new identification and account information later, but it’s important that you understand how it all works. Your grandfather asked a friend of his in Atlanta, Sam, to come out of retirement to handle your accounts. All your bills for school, your phone, your credit cards, etc. , will go through him. Your grandfather trusts him completely, but it’s my job to not trust anyone. We had his background completely checked, and I feel comfortable letting him handle your accounts, but I couldn’t allow him to know who you really are. The story your grandfather told him is that you are the granddaughter of a friend of his. Your parents recently passed away, you have a large trust, and he was afraid someone unscrupulous would rip you off, so he asked Sam to handle it. Sam only knows you as Keatyn Monroe. Your trust money was run through numerous accounts, a few shell corporations, multiple countries, scrubbed clean, and finally, put back into a trust in your new name. ”
I nod my head and try to absorb everything he’s saying. Keep memorizing my new script.
“Any questions so far?”
“What about a car? Am I going to need to get around?”
“As soon as you get settled at school, you will need to buy a vehicle. Be sure to do that right away. I want you to have a car at school. Keep your gas tank full and your keys with you at all times. Your car is another way for you to escape, should he find you. ”
I smile. “So I can buy whatever car I want?”
He grins back at me. “Yes, although I would avoid buying the same car you got for your birthday. There aren’t that many of them and it’s easy to run DMV reports. Remember, you’re going to have winter to deal with up there. I’d suggest something with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. ”
“I drive a Range Rover now. Would that be a good choice?”
“Absolutely. I also want you to get to know the train routes. ” He reaches in a file and hands me train schedule print-outs. “Traveling by train means you’re not alone, and it’s a quick way to travel anonymously. ”
“Okay. ”
He pulls out the locket James got me for my birthday.
“Why do you have my locket?”
“James gave it to us to modify. ” He opens it up to show me a picture of a young boy. I’d recognize those eyes anywhere.
“It’s my dad, but James told me I couldn’t have a picture of my dad. ”
“No one will recognize him at this young age. And after what you went through, I know it’s important. ” He leans over to clasp the necklace around my neck.
I get tears in my eyes. “Thank you. It really does mean a lot to me. ”
“You’re welcome, but this is more than just a locket now. We’ve inserted a tracking device in it. Don’t take it off. Ever. ”
“You’re going to track me?”
“Yes. Our computer programs will be constantly comparing your GPS coordinates with those of your campus. If you go off campus, we’ll be alerted. ”
“And then what?”
“Well, if you haven’t told us you’ll be off campus, we’ll assume you’ve been kidnapped and send in the calvary. ”
I smile. “That’s reassuring. At least if he did find me and take me, you’d be able to find me. So how do I let you know if I’m going off campus?”
He holds up my new phone. “See this application? The compass with the black background?”
“Yep. ”
“If you leave campus of your own free will, click the app before you leave. If something happens on campus, click the app icon three times, and we’ll know you’re in trouble. ”
“Three times. Just like Dorothy? Click your heels together three times?”
Garrett smiles. “Obviously, it’s important to keep your phone charged and with you at all times. Try to always sit with your back to a wall, not with your back to the room. Try not to go off campus alone. Be sure to look inside your vehicle before you get in it, and if you leave campus, vary the routes you take. Don’t be predictable. No standing nail appointments. ”
