Black tie it was. Noreen didn’t do anything casual or half-assed. She was a stickler for details. I’d bet she had the entire evening mapped out to the second, including when the security detail took their bathroom break. It’s why I didn’t feel guilty about not giving her my full attention when she started laying out her plans.
Me: Hey, baby. How’s your day been?
Her response was immediate.
Waverly: Uneventful.
Me: How would you feel about accompanying me to a work party Friday night?
Waverly: What kind of party?
Me: The fancy kind. Me in a penguin suit, you in a gorgeous gown.
Waverly: What’s the occasion?
Me: It’s an appreciation dinner for my employees.
Waverly: I’ll need to go shopping. I don’t think I have anything to wear to something like that.
Me: I’ll take you.
Waverly: What? Shopping?
Me: Sure. Why not? It’ll be fun.
I hated shopping, but I’d take her to every shop in Huntington if that’s what she wanted. Waverly was due for a little spoiling, O’Lachlan style. Plus, I had an idea. It would be perfect, if I could pull it off with such short notice.
Waverly: You’re weird.
Me: You love me anyway.
Waverly: Heaven help me. I do.
Me: I’ll pick you up at six. We’ll grab takeout on the way home.
Waverly: Sounds good.
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?"
At some point, Noreen had fully entered my office, planting herself in one of the high-back chairs in front of my desk. The smirk on her face told me she knew exactly where my mind had gone, or rather on who.
“Guilty.” I winced.
Folding my hands on the desk, I was about to ask for her help when Wes barged into my office. A red-faced Joel stormed in after him. His tie was askew and his normally slicked-back hair was standing on end, like he’d run his fingers through it over and over. He was also pissed.
“Sir. We have an issue.”
“It’s more than a fucking issue, Wes,” he spat.
Noreen quickly excused herself, giving her husband awide berth as she left the room. Both men stood, hands fisted at their side.
“Are either of you going to explain?”
“Agent Palmer is on his way. It’d be better to wait for him.”
“Why’d you call Duncan?”
I knew the answer before I posed the question, still I wanted confirmation. And I got it when Joel clenched his jaw.Dammit.I’d been delusional to assume my stalker might have begged off since we hadn’t had any other incidents recently. Delusional and naïve, it appeared.
