Page 43 of Better Watch Out
The phone in the office rang and Milo answered it.
Focus, Bishop.
Andrew started his text again but was interrupted when Milo called over.
“Your partner is here.” Milo pointed to a screen that showed the inside of an elevator and Andrew recognized his Defensemen colleague Mac riding up.
When Mac got to the door, Andrew let him in and gave a quick introduction before leading him to a small room off to the side that served as a break room. There was a Nespresso machine, snacks, a refrigerator, microwave, small table with chairs, and a couch. A large television screen mounted on the wall was divided into grids, giving them a visual on all of the surveillance cameras, including the twelfth floor once he set the screen to it.
“Amanda wants me to make sure you get some sleep.”
Andrew had a courier bring his overnight bag to the hotel for him while he was with Frannie. The security manager also gave him the key to a much more understated guest room than Frannie’s and Andrew was certain Doug or Mr. Malone was behind the accommodations.
“I’ll be fine for a few more hours,” he said to Mac now.
Mac nodded. “Amanda said you’d say that and told me to warn you that she would pull you from your next two assignments if you complain.”
“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt me.”
Mac lifted a blonde brow in a look that said exactly what Andrew already knew—Amanda would know. “I have some news on the Malones.”
That grabbed his attention. “Have they figured out who’s behind the ransomware attack?”
“No.” Mac shook his head. “They’re insisting Mr. Malone not go through with the investment in Hope Village and if he does they will release all of Kline Capital’s financial information for their clients. They have not claimed responsibility for the attempted attack on who they believed was Ms. Malone but Gerald Kline, Mr. Malone’s partner and Valentina’s great uncle, reported that he too received a threat of physical harm so the FBI believes they’re connected.”
The band between Andrew’s shoulders tightened. “Which means, Frannie’s still in danger of being mistaken for Valentina Malone.”
“It’s strange.” Mac sat on the couch, elbows on his knees. “You’d think someone skilled enough to send out a ransomware that has the FBI scratching their heads would be wise enough to know they went after the wrong girl.”
“I doubt they’re personally involved in the attack.” Andrew paced the small room. “I don’t know much about hackers or tech terrorists, but I don’t think they’re the kind to get their hands dirty.”
“Doug agrees with you. The FBI haven’t figured out how Jimmy Strazza’s connected to Kline Capital. Might just be a fast-paying job and Strazza got the call.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Andrew blew out a breath. “What about Mr. Malone? Is he going through with this deal?”
“As far as I can tell, yeah. He doesn’t seem like the kind that bows under pressure or threats.”
Andrew didn’t get that impression either but for the safety of his daughter—for Frannie—if they could make the case that this threat was serious, maybe he could postpone the deal?
“Doug said Gerald Kline is arriving tomorrow evening for Monday’s meeting and wants to hire us to protect him as well.”
“Do we have the manpower?” Their small agency was already stretched with him having to keep an eye on Frannie.
“Amanda’s calling in some favors. Brayden’s busy with another client, so Oskar and Doug will remain with Mr. Malone, you and I maintain watch on Frannie, and Joey’s stuck with the heiress.” He released a humorless chuckle. “He’s convinced he’s being put through some sort of hazing initiation.”
“Because being stuck in the penthouse at the Waldorf is terrible?”
“It’s not the White House but …” Mac grinned. “Let’s just say Ms. Malone has been testing Joey’s patience with her demands.”
Andrew groaned. He’d worked with his fair share of divas. “One of those, huh?”
“Oh worse, man, so much worse. She asked Joey to find her alkaline water at exactly twenty-one degrees because that’s what Beyoncé drinks.”
“What’s alkaline water?”
“No idea.” Mac shrugged. “All I can say is that I’d rather stay up all night watching nothing happen here than put up with that.” He looked at Andrew. “How’s your day been? Boring, I hope.”
Andrew swallowed and averted his attention back to the screen. Boring in their world was a good thing. It meant everything was going smoothly—according to plan. But given the way the last several hours spent with Frannie had turned him inside out,boringwas not how he’d describe it at all.
