“Austin, this is Jericho Hess. I’m assigned to protect Sean Fitzpatrick in four-oh-four. If any packages, deliveries, or people show up asking for Mr. Fitzpatrick, he’s not here. He left the country, and you have no idea when he’s going to return.”
The deep chuckle I heard in response didn’t make me feel as if he was paying attention. “Is there something humorous in what I just said?”
The guy cleared his throat. “No, sir. Those are standard protocols in a protection detail of this sort. I work for Golden Elite Associates-America. I’m aware of the situation, Mr. Hess, and I won’t let an ant pass the threshold of the building.”
Something occurred to me, and I didn’t exactly like the idea of it. “Are you here to replace me, Austin?”
After what went down at the police station earlier, I didn’t want to walk away. There was something about Sean Fitzpatrick that touched me bone deep, and the draw to protect him was too strong to be shoved aside.
Sean might not be the most ethical guy in Washington, but then again, I was pretty sure those were in short supply anyway. I could say, after what I’d witnessed today, he was fighting for my rainbow community, and I would make sure he lived to fight another day.
“No, Mr. Hess. We’re just here to provide support should you need it. One of our operatives was able to find out that the bike messenger injured in today’s attack has a broken leg, but he’ll beokay. My partner will question the young man when he gets out of surgery and is able to have visitors. I understand you and Mr. Fitzpatrick are pretty shaken up, so if you want to order some dinner, I’ll bring it up myself.
“Also, would you call Casper and give him any details you remember from the drive by so he can access the closed-circuit security cameras of businesses in the area to try to find the SUV. It would be helpful if we could narrow down where the vehicle originated.
“The police will have already seized the street cameras surrounding the station, but we’d like to access the cameras on the streets that feed into Indiana Avenue, Third Street, and D Street. The sooner we can get ahead of their lockdown, the better equipped we’ll be to ferret out the aggressors and trace their whereabouts.”
“Thanks. I’ll take care of dinner, so we won’t be ordering anything. Who’s Casper?” I had no idea who the man was referring to.
Austin chuckled. “That’s what we call Lawry Schatz. You’ll have to come up to New York and meet everyone. Casper—uh, Lawry—had great things to say about you. Many of the guys I work with were military, and you’d probably get along well.”
“Okay, but let’s keep Sean alive before we start planning cookouts. Are you here overnight?”
“Yes. My husband and I are taking turns staffing the front desk. His name is Dominic. We gave their people the week off. One of us will be here if you need anything.”
“Great. Thanks, Austin.” I hung up the receiver and turned to see Sean standing by the couch, chewing his bottom lip with wide eyes. He had his arms wrapped around himself as if he were trying to hold himself together. Obviously, he was still affected by the events of the day.
I exhaled before I smiled and walked out of the kitchen. “You want a drink? I saw some vodka in the fridge and some whiskey in the cabinet. Come into the kitchen, and I’ll make you one while I fix something to eat. You like BLTs?”
Sean didn’t move, so I stepped closer to him. His forehead met my collarbone, so I gently placed my hand on the back of his neck and wrapped my arms around him, placing a soft kiss in his beautiful red hair. Yes, he was a client, but he mattered to me. More than I was willing to admit to myself.
“I’m here, Sean. The guys from Golden Elite Associates in New York are here. They’ve replaced the doorman and the concierge, so nobody’s getting in here tonight. Now, how about that drink?” I placed my cheek on the top of his head, his body trembling in my arms.
“Please.” Sean’s voice wasn’t steady, but his warm breath on my neck made me smile.
“What’s your poison?” I stepped away a bit and pulled him with me to the island, sliding out a stool for him.
“Will it bother you if I have a drink?” I glanced at him to see him squirming in the seat.
I chuckled. “Look, Red. Over the last few years, I drank enough tequila, rum, whiskey, and vodka to last me and ten other people a lifetime. Seeing you enjoy a cocktail won’t bother me at all. Which one would you like?”
“Vodka rocks, please.”
I went to work making his drink of choice, hoping that if I loosened him up a little, he might tell me more about himself. Opening the freezer, I pulled out the chilled bottle of vodka and placed it on the counter before adding ice to the glasses. I opened the fridge, grabbing a bottle of sparkling water for myself and opening it before I set it down next to one of the glasses.
I poured some vodka into Sean’s glass and scooted it in front of him before returning the glass bottle into the freezer. I filledmy glass with sparkling water and held up my glass. “Cheers to being alive.”
Sean laughed. “No shit.” He took a healthy swig of his drink and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his white dress shirt.
“Before we dive into that clusterfuck, tell me what happened with the police— Oh, Representative Chu called Spencer Brady, and he said he’d meet her, so you’ll need to touch base with him.
“I need to call Lawry Schatz and tell him what I saw at the scene so he can check security cameras in the neighborhood to find the SUV.” I swallowed hard. “I saw two magnetic signs on the back of the SUV. One had a cross draped with an American flag and the other had the wordsDefenders of the Faithfulin red, white, and blue letters. No license plate.”
I opened the fridge and grabbed a package of bacon, a ripe tomato, and a bag containing bib lettuce to make us something to eat. I rummaged around to find a skillet and turn on the burner. I cooked for Mom sometimes, so this was nothing different.
“So, then, you think it’s a hate group?”
I spread the raw bacon in the skillet and then washed my hands, turning to him. “Oh, I’msureit’s a hate group. I heard of them when I was in the Army. Don’t take this the wrong way, but do you pull shit like you did this morning with blindsiding that senator with his hookup?” I was referring to Baggett and the Checker guy.
