I cursed under my breath. “That dumb fucker.”
Taggert Billings had worked for Townsend Security for three years. I had to let him go six months earlier. He was good at his job, but then he let the lifestyle get to his head. I’d seen it before. Security specialists who worked for high profile clients sometimes got confused. They mistook flying on private planes, eating at exclusive restaurants, and having chauffeured vehicles everywhere as their way of life, instead of their clients.
The reality was, we were guests in our clients’ worlds. There for a specific purpose, to keep them safe. But we weren’t the high-profile clientele we served. Our personal lives tended to be simpler, with a lot less money. At least, for guys like Taggert.
Yes, I’d amassed a small fortune working for the Townsends and no longer needed to work. And, I supposed, my relationship with them was closer than the standard security specialist and their client. But that wasn’t Taggert’s case. And he’d forgotten that.
On a few occasions, women who he’d promised to fly private or show the inner workings of Townsend Industries, had shown up to our office demanding private tours and whatnot. He also sought to take on more and more hours. Which inevitably was to fund the phony lifestyle he’d created. Then, I discovered that he’d been using the Townsend name to get into exclusive restaurants, social clubs, and even to make a few business deals.
That couldn’t stand, so he was let go with a warning to stay the hell away from everything Townsend. I also put the word out to my other security contacts not to hire him because he was a potential threat to the client. Essentially, he’d been blacklisted on my word alone.
“Did you remind the stupid fuck that he has no leg to stand on? And, in fact, since I kept all of the evidence against him, the Townsends have more than enough ammunition to sue his ass from here to kingdom come?”
“Not in so many words, but yeah, I told him.”
“And?”
“He backed off the lawsuit talk, but then he went on a rant about not being able to find another job and how you can’t do that to him.”
I grunted. “Fuck him. He made his bed. He’ll die in it.”
“He can’t even find a job working mall security.” Joseph chuckled.
I didn’t give a shit about Taggert’s whining. I kept a strict no bullshit policy for all the guys working under me. “Listen, keep an eye on him but he’s probably just blowing smoke. Anything else?”
“Yeah, someone just came in that wants to talk to you.”
I frowned.
“Hi, Mr. Brutus,” Anastasia, Aaron and Patience’s youngest child’s, voice pushed through the line.
Despite my earlier irritation on the topic of Taggert, a smile tipped my lips. “Hi, Stasi,” I replied to the three year old. “Helping your dad at work today?”
“Yeah.” She giggled. “Oh, Daddy,” she said before I heard rustling on the other end.
“Hello?” Aaron Townsend questioned on the other end. I assumed he’d picked up Stasi and taken the phone from her.
“It’s me,” I said.
“Brutus,” he replied. “Are you back in Williamsport?”
I glanced up the stairs again. “Not yet.” I paused for a moment, making a decision. “I’m going to need an additional week of my vacation.”
I hadn’t planned on extending my time in Mexico beyond the two weeks I scheduled initially. However, after one night with Mia, suddenly the fourteen days that felt like too much time away from work didn’t seem like nearly enough.
“That’s fine. Joseph’s handling things,” Aaron responded. “I suppose he told you about Taggert?” A thread of warning crept into his voice. He knew all about why I fired Taggert Billings.
“He did, and it’s being handled. He won’t disturb your family anymore.”
“I trust you’ll make sure he doesn’t.” There was a brief moment of silence. “Enjoy the rest of your vacation.”
“Bye, Mr. Brutus,” Stasi said before the phone was given back to Joseph.
“You know what,” I said to Joseph, “send Mike and Jake over to Taggert’s. Have them personally remind him why he should stay the hell away from the Townsend name and anything else security related.”
“How badly do you want him to get the message?” he asked.
“No broken bones,” I answered. “Just a reminder of how far and wide my reach is. Make sure he knows why it’s not a good idea to cross me.”
