Page 93 of Under His Protection
“Because we’re going to perform a sting operation. We’re going to apprehend this asshole and send him to jail.”
“Usingmy daughteras bait!” Mack yells. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious,” Jake says. “It’s perfect. The moment he steps into the restaurant, we’ve got him.”
“Can you guarantee Haley’s safety?”
“Yes,” Jake says without hesitation. “We’ll coordinate with the restaurant and with local police. I’ll be there, on site, along with the rest of my team. He won’t know what hit him, and Haley will be protected the entire time.”
Mack looks at Haley. “Are you okay with this? Can you do it?”
She nods. “Yes. I want this over with.”
“Haley,” Jake says, “text him back and tell him you’ll meet him, but you get to choose the restaurant.”
I hand Haley her phone, and she types a reply.
Haley – Okay, but I get to choose the restaurant.
A moment later, her phone chimes, and she reads his reply.
UNKNOWN – THAT’S FINE. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO MEET AND WHEN?
“How about Mama Bella’s?” Mack suggests. “It’s on Lafayette Street, not far from campus. We all ate there with Haley not long ago. It’s small, so it’ll be easy for us to manage. As for when, suggest Monday evening. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so there won’t be any civilians to get in harm’s way.”
“Will the restaurant agree to this?” Haley asks.
Jake chuckles. “They will once they get a call from Shane. Trust me, he’ll make it worth their while. We’ll have McIntyre staff on site to act as servers. The rest of us will be in the dining room, posing as customers, or hiding in the kitchen until we’re needed.”
“Everyone but me,” I say. “The stalker would recognize me.”
“We’ll keep you out of sight,” Jake says, “along with the police. Philip, why don’t you call Detective Bauer?”
I give Bauer a call and explain our plan. He promises to coordinate with local police to have them on site.
After ending my call with Bauer, I tell Haley to reply to the stalker’s text.
Haley – How about Monday at 6? Mama Bella’s on Lafayette?
UNKNOWN – I KNOW WHERE THAT IS. IT’LL JUST BE US, THO. RIGHT? DON’T TELL ANYONE. ESPECIALLY THE BIG LUG.
When Haley makes a face, I ask her, “What’s wrong?”
“He called you a big lug,” she says. “What a jerk.”
I try not to laugh. “Don’t worry, Hale. Nothing he says can hurt my feelings.”
Haley – Okay. I’ll see you there.
“Can it really be that easy?” Haley asks. “How could he possibly think I’d actually show up there, alone, to see him?”
“He’s not right in the head, Haley,” Charlie says. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be doing the things he’s doing.”
“I’ll be there for this operation,” Mack says. “I’ll be within arm’s reach of Haley in case something goes wrong.”
“We’ll all be there,” Jake says. “There’s no way we’re going to let Haley get hurt.”
Mack leaves, as does Jake. Then it’s just the four of us again.
