Page 25 of Pieces Into Place

I stand up as well when she approaches. She’s changed into jeans and a baggy sweatshirt, while I’m still in my work pants and polo, having come straight here.

Henry extends his hand and she meets his shake, tentatively. “Olivia, thank you for coming,” he says. “I understand it’s been a rough day. I appreciate you meeting us.”

She nods and looks in my direction. I don’t say anything, and neither does she, before we all take our seats. We’re acting like petulant teenagers, and neither is ready to make the first move toward reconciliation.

Henry starts the conversation. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asks.

“White wine, please,” she says quietly.

Henry motions to our server and places Olivia’s order, and then we begin.

“So, like I told you on the phone, Ms. Monroe, Kane and myself are here at the request of someone who wants to keep you safe.”

“Who?” she asks.

“I don’t know,” Henry replies honestly. “Sometimes our clients do not want to be disclosed. We allow for them to remain anonymous and pay for our services without direct contact.”

Olivia shakes her head. “I’ve been thinking about you since you called. There is no one from my past who cares enough about me to pay someone to keep me alive.”

Her admission has me wincing, my guilt over my previous remarks intensifying. It’s clear that she feels so abandoned and disregarded that she isn’t even sure anyone would notice if she was gone.

“Well, somebody does,” Henry says. “Shaemus Kildare is sick. Did you know that?”

The server arrives with Olivia’s wine glass and sets it down in front of her with a soft clink. She curls her fingers around the stem and takes a sip before responding to Henry’s statement. “I didn’t know,” she said in a cold, emotionless voice. “And I don’t care.”

“Well, the Profaci family certainly does,” I interject quietly. “They seem to be searching for you for some reason now.”

“God, not those fucking lugheads,” she spews. “I don’t know why. I’m not interested in his line of work. I don’t want anything to do with him or the family. Whatever happens is of zero concern to me.” She shrugs.

The Olivia I’ve known for weeks is emotional, but the way she’s speaking now is cold and detached. She truly has no feelings for her father.

“In any case,” Henry cuts in, “they are looking for you. That’s the reason Kane and I are here.”

She turns to look at me and smiles weakly. With a small huff she says, “You never did figure as a janitor.”

“Pfft,” I scoff, “I was crushing it.”

“Was your rude demeanor part of your cover?” she asks snidely.

“No, that’s just me,” I reply with a shrug.

“Charming,” she says with a fake smile plastered on her face.

Henry interjects. “I need to know if you will allow Kane to guard you. You two obviously have some issues. I have other men, but I will be honest, he’s the best. It’s your decision.”

Olivia takes another sip of wine and stares blankly in thought over Henry’s shoulder at the wood-paneled wall. When she speaks, it surprises me.

“OK,” she agrees. “I’ve worked too hard for this life, and while it may seem pathetic to some, I’m free of that family and I like it.”

Ouch. Direct hit to the heart.

“You can operate in the background, right? No interaction?” she asks me.

“Yes.” I nod. “I’ll come by the school, but stay outside. I’ll check on your place in the evenings, just as I’ve been doing, but we don’t need to have much contact. It will be minimal just to do my job.”

She nods in understanding. “OK, then. That should work.” She turns her attention to Henry.

“I’m really curious to know who hired you. Can you work on finding that out?”