Page 26 of Better Watch Out
“You know we have to be fluid in our plans when it comes to protecting our clients,” Doug said. “Nothing ever goes perfectly and this is one of those times, unfortunately.”
Unfortunately. It felt a lot more than unfortunate. If whoever sent that note to Ms. Malone intended to up their game, then what happened to Frannie today could be just the beginning.
“Unless”—Doug met Andrew’s eyes—“you can get her on a plane out of the city.”
A burst of air passed through Andrew’s lips. “Sir, if we send her on the plane, what makes us think whoever is targeting Ms. Malone won’t follow her?”
Doug frowned, thinking for a second before he exhaled too. “Then she stays in New York and you stay with her.”
Andrew’s relief was weighted with this new responsibility. The woman had a bucket list and a determination not to leave the city until she finished it. If he was honest with himself, her insistence to check off her list irked him. He had a job to do and her silly list had interfered with it. However, seeing her face light up at Levain and then when he recommended checking out Dyker Heights—that innocent joyfulness stirred something inside of him.
And she had a great smile. One he wouldn’t mind seeing again.
That was the last thing he needed to be thinking about. He refocused his thoughts on finding out who was behind the note and who that man in the leather jacket was. “Does the FBI have any leads on the ransomware attack?”
“Agent Nash Martin from the Dallas Field Office is continuing to work with Mr. Malone’s team,” Doug answered. “But they don’t have any new leads. The field office here is sending out Agent Geneva Simpkins to take a statement from Mr. Malone.”
There was a knock on the hotel door and Joey walked over, his hand on the weapon holstered at his hip as he looked through the peephole. Being that Joey was the newest guy to the team, Andrew hadn’t really had an opportunity to work with him yet but he already appreciated the man’s professionalism to take this threat seriously. Andrew hoped to find out more about why the man left the Secret Service but for now he was grateful Joey would be keeping an eye on Ms. Malone.
Simon Malone entered the hotel room with Oskar behind him. It was protocol for clients to submit photos of themselves and Andrew noted the man was aging about as well as any other billionaire. The photos showed he had dark hair graying at the temples in a clean cut and only a few lines near the corners of his eyes, but the man stalking into the room right now looked like he had aged beyond his fifty-seven years. The distress shadowing Mr. Malone’s eyes reminded Andrew once more that having money might mean power but it didn’t solve everything. In his line of work, he’d seen the other side of wealth—the fear and problems it could lead to that required armed security.
“Valentina?”
“She’s safe and finishing up with her spa appointment in the main bedroom,” Doug said. “She doesn’t know anything about the note. Joe Caruso intercepted it.”
Mr. Malone’s shoulders relaxed but his hooded expression remained in place. “I didn’t think it would come to this.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket before dropping onto the couch, placing his elbows on his knees. “I had no idea they would threaten my daughter.”
Doug shared a look with Andrew before he sat in the chair across from Malone. “Mr. Malone, we have a local FBI agent coming over, Geneva Simpkins. She’s going to handle the investigation on this side and work with Agent Martin in Dallas, but I do need to ask if you know of anyone who might go after your daughter?”
“No.” His response came out rushed but Andrew noted something else there. Did he believe that? “About a month ago, the news came out about Kline Capital’s investment in Hope Village and a week later I got an email warning me I was making a huge mistake, but I didn’t take it seriously.”
“What is Hope Village?” Doug said.
“It will be a sister charity to Hope’s Children, a nonprofit my wife was a part of before she died. They will provide services to single parents, moms and dads who need assistance finding affordable living, childcare, jobs, medical, and legal needs.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t make any sense to me why someone would be upset by the expansion.”
Andrew couldn’t think of a good reason either but that didn’t eliminate the possibility. He stepped forward and introduced himself. “I was originally your daughter’s personal protection detail but Joey Caruso will be handling it going forward.”
Mr. Malone’s worried gaze moved between him and Doug. “Why?”
After a permissive nod from Doug, Andrew gave a brief rundown of what occurred outside the bookstore. He watched Mr. Malone’s confusion turn concerned as the pieces began to come together. “I think whoever is threatening you marked me and misidentified someone else as your daughter.”
Worry creased Mr. Malone’s forehead. “Is she okay?”
Andrew’s respect for the man rose. “She is.” He thought about the way Frannie worked hard to convince him she was perfectly fine, but she couldn’t persuade him the tremor he’d felt sitting next to her on the ride back to her hotel wasn’t from fear. He’d never forget the vulnerability tightening her pretty features, making him want to toss away professionalism and tuck her against his side. He rubbed the back of his neck, wishing he could shirk this attraction. He wouldn’t fail her. Not again. “But it’s our responsibility to make sure she remains safe considering the threatening message.”
“Yes, of course.” Mr. Malone stood. “I’ll cover all of the expenses.”
“You don’t need to do that.” Andrew and Doug spoke at the same time.
Andrew would’ve covered this out of his own pocket since it was his fault for putting her into this position in the first place.
The bedroom door opened and a woman with dark hair tied up in a bun exited, carrying a bag and a folding massage table. Other than a quick glance around, she continued to the door, pausing to address Joey, who met her there.
“Ms. Malone is getting dressed and said she’ll be ready shortly.”
Mr. Malone ran a hand down his face. “What a mess I’ve made of things.”
Andrew felt some solidarity with the man. He’d made a mess of things as well, but he couldn’t sit here and console the man whose money had likely made him, his daughter, and now Frannie a target.
