“We suspect they grew up with enough fear from their father. He was an abusive figure; we have the police records to prove it,” Steve said.
Nash nodded and took a folder out of his briefcase. “Because of the wishes of Mrs. Wild, we’ll need to use discretion when speaking with Ms. Wild, but still impress upon her the urgency of the measures we’re going to propose. You understand?”
Bryce nodded. “The mother…”
“Linda.”
“Linda approves of enhanced security?”
“She wants top of the line, and a full physical detail until the stalker is caught. Then, they’d like to transition to 24/7 remote monitoring of the property. Up until now, Ms. Wild has only had personal security at concert venues, but this – as you know - proved inadequate after the local authorities’ investigation concluded an attempted abduction of her person earlier this week.”
“I’ve reviewed the police reports,” Bryce added. “He used false information to rent the car he used in the attempt. He either has a connection to someone who knew where she’d be and when, or more likely, he’s hacked into her phone or her car’s navigation system. Or both.”
Nash and Steve both nodded. “You probably noticed Ms. Wild has an outdated visual surveillance system, with cameras placed on the front and rear doors of the dwelling. Previously, these were analog devices, but the tapes have been replaced with a digital storage system now connected to the home’s WiFi.”
Nash opened the folder on his lap and took out photos he handed to Bryce. “However, the Wi-Fi network has minimal security. We’re working to rectify that now, but that’s partially why you’re here. Look at these -” He pointed to the folder, which held a stack of photos.
Bryce studied the photos. They showed Hayley sunbathing on the patio by the pool he’d seen through the living room’s back windows.
“These are from the security camera back there?”
“They are,” Steve confirmed. “And mailed to the residence with a note. And this.”
Nash handed a paper that looked like a certificate and a photocopied note written in a word document to Bryce. Bryce read the certificate first. “A fake marriage certificate?”
“Read the note.”
Bryce scanned it quickly:We are destined to be together. Our marriage is blessed by the lord and sealed by fate. I look forward to holding you, my wife, in our bed, forever.
“Even creepier than I expected,” Bryce said. “So, the stalker hacked the Wi-Fi and got these photos.” He handed the documents back to Nash.
“There’s more,” Nash said. He shuffled the papers and pointed at a printed email.
Bryce read:I have more photos like these, sights only a husband should see. Answer me, my darling. Wear my ring, or I’ll release all.
Bryce shuddered. He could see why Hayley’s mother wouldn’t want her to see these; they made even him feel sour. “Can I have copies of those?”
Nash handed him the folder. “You can take those. There’s more in there. Hayley’s stalker also likes to use Twitter to send her messages – usually bible quotes about woman submitting to man – and call her his ‘wife,’ at one point. But we haven’t been able to locate the server they’re coming from. We don’t know if the man is local or came in from out of state prior to the attack in the car.”
“I can trace him,” Bryce said. He thumbed through the folder. “It will take some time but I’ll find him.”
“He got into her email,” Steve said. “So, we told her to start using a new one we set up as dictated by our security contract. The cameras are offline. A new system is arriving tomorrow.”
“What’s protecting her until then?” Bryce stuck the folder in his bag. Nash raised his hand.
“I’m staying in the guest room for now,” he said. “We’re setting up private servers in the pool house to get the new system online and hacker-proof. That’s where you come in.” Nash and Steve stood at the same time. “Follow us.”
Bryce fought the urge to ask if and when he’d get to meet Hayley himself. It wasn’t unusual to ask for an introduction to the client he’d be protecting, right?Focus, he told himself.You’re not here as a fan.
The men led Bryce through the living room toward the back patio. Hayley’s teen sister, Valerie, eyed them as the three men walked past, creating enough of distraction for her to look away from the screen of her phone. Nash slid open the back door and walked across the patio toward a cottage on the opposite side of the pool. Bryce eyed the lounge chairs, half-hoping to see Hayley lying by the pool in a bikini.
Professional, he reminded himself again. Besides - the chairs were empty. Disappointment washed over him and he forced a casual smile on his face.
Nash opened the pool house door and gestured for Bryce to follow. Boxes of monitors sat unopened in the middle of a small, cottage-style living room. “We’re going to use one of the bedrooms as a server room,” Nash said. “And set up manned security surveillance until this guy is caught.”
“Who’s doing the manning?” Bryce asked.
Nash pointed at Steve. “He’s on duty tonight.”
