“According to my watch, it's 1359. Open a Bluetooth channel to Verna for me,” Troy instructed. “Hey, beautiful. They rushed me out of the building. You're going to start getting calls. The official company position is no comment. My position is also no comment. And warn anybody inside the company that sharing any of the materials with anyone will be met with discipline.”
Verna chuckled. “There’s that young operator who carried Mr. Kieran out of a room before he got shot.”
“No tales out of school. Verna, hold the line.”Troy laughed. Then the car got quiet.
“Now, son, that was quite an opening,” the general said.
“We were protecting Monique, who is now Kieran’s wife, after she was almost killed by a crazed co-worker. We were hired as private security, and Kieran fell in love with her. The police were not moving fast enough for him. One detective made a wise crack, and Kieran swung, breaking his nose. When the detective’s partner stood and pulled his gun, I hip-checked the partner, took possession of and cleared the weapon, and tossed Kieran over my shoulder to keep him from making matters worse. Kieran spent a night in a cell, but he was alive. Ian flew out here. Between Julian and his brother Tag, an SDPD sergeant, it was smoothed over. I think I still have a bite scar in my scapula from Kieran.”
* * *
“This isSierra Delta Tango Whiskey requesting 3-Romeo leader to tach up to Channel 4,” Trask asked.
“Go, Tango Whiskey.”
“Request an itinerary change. Traffic is intensifying. I’d like to continue straight through to Litter Box 2. Let 3-Romeo 4 pick up food and rendezvous at Litter Box 2.”
“Roger.”
Trask checked the rearview mirror. Gwen, dozing, had rested her head on Troy’s shoulder, with his arm protectively around her.
The convoy pulled up to the gate of the new estate. Two armed Eagle’s Talon operators stepped from the guard house in front of a large ornate wrought iron gate. Troy gave Gwen a squeeze. “Hey, open your eyes, sleepyhead.We’re here. Time to look at your new home.”
Through the gates, beautiful landscaped grounds were blooming with a combination of brightly colored perennial and annual flowers and shrubs. And the driveway, paved with pale bluestone, was bordered with small lighting fixtures. The gates swung open, and the convoy entered the long drive toward the main house. Troy stared out the Tahoe’s windows, just taking everything in.
Pulling up in front of the main house, the group saw and heard a thin man with blue spiked hair, a white chain t-shirt and skintight leather pants yelling at another man for painting something in the wrong shade of blue.
“That’s Owen Errol.” Troy thought to himself,How many shades of blue are there??
Gwen leaned in and yawned. “There are probably at least three hundred shades of blue.” Troy laughed and pulled her tightly to him.
As soon as the SUV was parked, Janice and Trask stepped out first and opened the doors for the general and Troy. “Don’t even think about it,” Tim Holland called to Troy, stepping in front of him to help Gwen out. Troy grumbled at Tim, but his eyes never left her.
Owen ran to Troy. “Hey, handsome, you're here. You look magnificent. Now, I promise you, some work still needs to be done, but the home is pure perfection. I will bring in all the knickknacks and goodies and pictures for the walls, but the rooms are completely functional. And you, my dear, who are you? Aren’t you a beauty? Well, perhaps there'll be some knockin’ boots in that splendiferous bedroom. Come, come, come, let me show you around.”
Troy chuckled. Owen jumped when General North growled.
“Owen Errol, this is General Glenn North, and this is his daughter, Miss Gwendolen North. She had surgery yesterday. She needs to rest.” Troy pulled Gwen under his protective arm. “Welcome to the world of Owen.”
She leaned into him and joined him in laughter.
The room beside the master suite Troy named “the daisy room” for its pale yellow walls and the touches of yellow and cream throughout. Large windows overlooked the small stable, and French doors opened to an enclosed patio, connected by a screen door with the master suite’s patio. Sheer cream curtains matched the primary color of the queen-sized bed. Aqua pillows highlighted the bed and a tufted chair. Both sat atop a hand-knotted Mamluk Zeigler rug.
Lit by a four-candelabra cut-crystal chandelier and matching bedside lighting, the room was warm and cozy. The bathroom had a large soaking tub and rain shower. The vanity and closet were roomy.
Gwen yawned. “It’s beautiful.”
When Troy placed his hand against her cheek, she turned her lips against his palm. “You’re tired, and my delay leaving the office didn’t help. Come lie down? When you wake up, we can explore the rest of the house.”
She nodded. “You’re right; the last few days are catching up with me.” Her eyes were growing heavy.
Troy pulled down the covers and patted the mattress. “Sit.” He removed her shoes and lifted her legs into the bed. Covering her, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Happy sleep.”
He ached. After today’s threat, he knew more information about what happened when she was a prisoner was necessary. Could he stand by and let someone else go through her past life? Or would he raise his walls and do it himself? He walked to the door and called for Tim.
“I’ll bring you something to eat and drink,” Troy said. What he really wanted to do was climb in beside her and cuddle her body to his. He shook off the feeling and gave a two-finger salute to Tim before heading out of the guest room to continue his tour.
The master suite was set deeply in the home. Inside the bedroom, exposed beams crossed the ceiling, forming a peak. A fireplace occupied the wall across from the foot of the bed. A king four-poster bed, carved of white oak, was covered with a down comforter in shades of blue and beige. A sitting area centered by two loveseats, two large chairs, a blue glass geode coffee table and end tables lay beyond. All overlooked an arch of glass leading to a slate patio, decorated with white rattan furniture with blue and yellow pillows.
