Page 65 of Under His Protection
When Philip is out of hearing range, Shane says, “Haley, there’s something I want to ask you before we go into themeeting. I want to do it in private because I don’t want to put you on the spot or make you feel uncomfortable.”
I was doing okay until he said that. Now my belly is in knots. “Okay. Go ahead.”
“The actions your stalker has taken are escalating, and that is usually an indication of increased agitation on his part. And yes, at this point, we’re assuming your stalker is a male. We could be wrong, but based on statistical data, we’re probably not. This situation cannot be taken lightly. To put it bluntly, you’re not safe on campus at this time. Not until we apprehend the perpetrator. And we can’t keep you safe on campus. There are simply too many people there, too many variables we can’t control. So, I want to ask you a question. Have you considered withdrawing from school, just for the short term, until we can get this situation under control? You could move back into your parents’ house and hopefully reenroll next term.”
I feel sick. “My mom asked me the same question last night.”
“And what was your answer?”
I shake my head. “I’m not going to derail my education because of this nutjob. Besides, I’d feel like I was putting my mom and stepdad in danger if I moved back home right now.”
To his credit, Shane doesn’t argue with me. Instead, he simply nods as if he’s not surprised by my answer. “I understand. And if you did choose to move back to your mom’s house, I would be happy to provide protection outside the house around the clock. It’s your call, and I respect your decision, but I had to ask.”
“Mr. McIntyre, I don’t want to put anyone at risk.”
“Call me Shane, please.”
“Shane. You can’t protect me, my mom, and my stepdad. They go to work. They have busy, demanding jobs, and they can’t put their lives on hold just because mine is messed up.”
“Fair enough. Like I said, it’s your call. We have a plan and a team in place to ensure your safety while this stalker situation is under investigation, even if you continue attending classes.” He gestures down the hallway toward the conference room. “Shall we go in?”
I catch his sleeve. “Wait! What do you mean about having a plan in place? And a team?” I shake my head. “I can’t even imagine what something like this would cost. I have no money, and I don’t want to burden my parents financially.”
He smiles. “You don’t need to worry about the cost, Haley. I’m providing these services as a personal favor to your dad. He keeps my wife’s workplace safe every day. This is the least I can do for him.”
* * *
I feel terribly self-conscious sitting at this long conference table filled with some very intense people. All four of my parents are here. They’re seated together on the left side of the table. I’m near the end of the table with Philip.
On the right side of the table are two other people I don’t recall ever meeting—a tall African-American man with a strikingly handsome face and short dreadlocks, and an African-American woman with her hair up in a sort of messy bun, with a riot of curls hanging down.
At the head of the table sits Shane McIntyre, and to Shane’s left is his brother Jake, who is Philip’s boss.
Everyone’s looking at me.
Now that we’re all seated, the initial chit-chat dies down.
“Thank you all for coming,” Shane says. “I think many of you know each other already, but I’ll go around the table.”
Shane starts with my dad. “Mack Donovan, Haley’s father. He’s a McIntyre Security employee. His wife, Erin O’Connor Donovan. And next to Erin is Haley’s mother, Chrissy Williams, and her husband, Dave Williams.”
Then Shane motions to his brother. “This is my brother, Jake. It’s his team that will be managing Haley’s protection.” To Jake, he says, “Why don’t you introduce your team?”
Jake, whom I’ve seen on numerous occasions at company events, nods in greeting. “Thanks, Shane.” He addresses me and my parents. “I’d like to introduce you to my team. You already know Philip, of course.” Then he gestures to the tall, slender African-American woman. “This is Charlotte Mercer—better known as Charlie. She will lead the team in managing Haley’s safety and logistics. Last, but not least, is Mateo Brown. He’s the surveillance and technology expert on the team. Philip will be Haley’s personal protection detail—in other words, her bodyguard—until this issue is resolved.”
Both Mateo and Charlie smile warmly at me. They both look like they’re in their early thirties.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Haley,” Charlie says.
Shane takes over. “This morning, I made arrangements with the university that Haley will be granted a residency exemption based on the circumstances. We can move her off campus today. The question is, where to?”
My mom speaks up first. “I suggested to Haley that she withdraw from school and come back home to us, but she doesn’t like that idea.”
“Mom, no.” I shake my head adamantly. “I told you, I won’t bring trouble home to you and Dave.” And then I glance at my dad. “And don’t even suggest I come stay with you guys. That’s a hard no, too. I won’t endanger my family.”
My dad opens his mouth as if he’s going to argue, but he shuts it quickly. I can’t imagine he’d risk Erin’s safety under anycircumstances. She’s already endured so much. He would never expose her to potential danger, and I don’t blame him one bit. I wouldn’t allow it either.
“Obviously, we need a safehouse,” Jake says. “We need a secure location we can monitor and control around the clock, a place where Haley would feel comfortable.”
