“Never too busy for you. What’s up?”
“Can I stop by later so we can talk?”
“Of course.”
Then I remembered I’d have a shadow and didn’t want to risk being overheard. “Actually, can you stop by Jack’s after work?”
I wanted to talk to her before my fake date with Matt. A date I should have declined; but I wanted a night out. Since he needed to tag along, there was no point in trying to make plans with anyone else.
Plus, he’s easy on the eyes.Sinfully so. And we had a relationship to sell.
“What time will you be home?”
“I should be there by six-thirty.”
“Okay, I’ll ask Jack if I can come over early and get my Natalie fix before then.”
“They’d love that.” It occurred to me that I might be interrupting her dinner plans. “We could meet after dinner if that’s easier.”
“Your father can fend for himself.” Her smile was filled with love when she looked at him. “He’s a big boy.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but we should go,” Dad said.
The meeting went well and, shockingly, Carol needed no convincing to install the cameras once Doug explained the closed circuit system. She even asked them to include a proposal for a full security system upgrade.
That made me happy; our security system consisted of deadbolt locks on the front and back doors. They served as a deterrent, but a determined person could easily break in.
“All I ask is for a guarantee my, our, patient’s privacy will be protected.”
Doug promised and said he’d be available after the installation to teach us how to use it.
“There won’t be any cameras inside. We’ll add a second one to the back, covering the entire backyard.” The clinic had one covering the door because a terrorist had used the back entrance to kidnap Ashley in his deranged attempt to get revenge against Nathan. “In the front, one will cover the porch, one the parkinglot, and the last will film the front yard with a wide angle to include the sidewalk and street.”
Carol nodded.
“Will they be discrete?” I asked. I knew the answer, but wanted them to answer for Carol’s peace of mind.
“Yes, we’ll hide them in plain sight.”
“And the video?” Carol asked.
“The footage will be saved for ninety days, then it’ll auto-erase. No one can view it without your permission,” Dad reminded her.
“What do you think, Madi?”
“I trust my father’s judgment.”
Carol and I signed the work order, and just like that I’d made my first business decision and my first financial investment in the clinic.
“Would it be an imposition to ask you to install everything on a Sunday?” Carol asked. “I don’t want to disrupt our patients.”
Dad looked at Doug, who answered, “That’s not a problem. I should have everything I need by the end of the week.”
This was the type of protection service I didn’t mind my father and brothers providing.Maybe once it’s installed, they’ll all relax.
Matt followed me home after taking me to the mechanic’s to pick up O.P. Jack was outside, so I texted Matt.
Thanks. No need to escort me to the door.
