“0800. Doctor’s orders, we let you sleep,” Tim said.
“I’m three hours behind.” Kip turned, placing his feet on the ground.
“O’Mara is working your schedule. The ambulance will be here any minute.” Tim crossed his arms over his chest.
“Can’t change it now. How’s my brave beauty?” Kip went to kiss her.
“I’m good. Honest,” she said.
“Are you up to telling me what happened?” Kip asked softly.
Through tears, Harper told Kip everything. With every word, he wanted to cradle her in his arms. She was so strong. He hated to go, but he had to. “I need to leave you in Tim’s good hands. I will see you at the health center.” After stepping into his shoes and putting on his belt, he kissed her nose and headed out. Josh met him outside the unit.
“Morning, Boss. I assigned Crescent 3 and 4 to swarm the ambulance to get Harper into the building.”
“Good, she’s the weak link for them. She knows too much,” Kip grumbled.
The penthouse floor was abuzz when Kip stepped onto the floor. “How’s Harper?” Elin asked.
Kip smiled. “Doing well.”
Josh rounded everyone up as Kip closed his ensuite bathroom door behind him. When he exited after a shower and stepped back into his office, his executive staff plus Kyle, Wes, Rich and Bruce were waiting, as well as a large cup of steaming black coffee and some ham and cheese breakfast burritos.
“Morning. Harper is doing well and will be transferred soon. She named the woman, Serafina, as the shooter. Before I left this morning, Harper confirmed both Matins were involved.” He told them about the ledger. “We need to follow the money.” Kip noted the places Harper remembered were paid with the drug trial money. “Harper surprises me every minute. She stabbed her with a knitting needle! I’m not sure Serafina is a real name.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“Interpol is slow. I’m still waiting for those results. I know it shouldn’t matter, but I had tech remove her hair from the pictures Zayne shot. I put those shots in for a complete rerun. I also have a BOLO for a woman with a stab wound. I’m worried the storm will give her cover,” Mia reported.
“I spoke with Tuck. We decided to let Harper tell Chantal, who currently thinks Harper’s sleeping after an overlong shift. Licensing is under control. After the storm, we can reassess staffing needs.”
“All systems are tested as best we can. We’re ready,” Bruce said.
“Life jackets are distributed,” Wes added. “I spoke to those with rescue training. Most haven’t done it in years. When the storm ends, I will institute a refresher program.”
“All tech systems have a redundancy on standby in Houston. Half the staff will remain here. I’m evacuating with the other half to Houston,” Fabiana Trehan said.
“I’ll run the transport for Harper. Take the wrapping off your command center,” Julian said.
After the rest of the group gave their report, Kip looked at Rich. “Greta.”
“0100 tomorrow, cat 5, right at us. Winds will start picking up by 1800 tonight. There is another front coming down from the Great Lakes and another from Canada. We’re at risk for the storm to slow down. The slower it goes, the more water.”
“Great. Bean, would you stay? Everyone else, double-check your assignments. Change into tactical wear. We are spinning out into the storm.” Kip sighed.
“Great news about Harper,” Bruce said as soon as he was alone with Kip.
“That’s what I want to talk to you about. I want to be a swim coach.”
“I’m sure after the storm you can find a group to work with.” Bruce chuckled.
Kip’s chest bounced up and down. “No, a boyfriend role. I need someone to run the investigation into who wants Harper dead and keep her and Chantal safe.”
“You got it. I’m going to need to speak with her.” Bruce opened his notebook. “I’ll head to the Matin home right away.”
“As long as medical says it’s alright, speak to her. Bean, wherever it leads...” Kip popped the rest of the burrito into his mouth.
“Elin, could you come in here?” Kip asked. “I want to thank you for your good work. You jumped in with both feet.”
“Just my job,” she said.
