Kieran swiveled in his seat to face them. “I heard back from Tony. SDPD thinks the manager was poisoned. They haven’t identified the substance, but they are sure it was not a heart attack that caused his heart to stop. And the acid placed in her seltzer is being investigated by the FBI. Their product tampering team is checking the entire lot. All the other bottles were pulled from the hotel with no sign of the acid. That means someone tampered with that bottle in her suite.
“I asked Tony to dispatch a squad of level-three operators to interview hotel staff. Maybe we should ask your brother to join the firm; he's doing quite a fine job with her. According to Tony, he's moved her to a suite in the hotel, along with the cat, and her two friends have taken her to the hospital to wait on her manager. Tony has a man in the waiting room.”
“Boss, I appreciate this,” Julian said.
“I told the fifteen of you when we started this company that the difference between us and other similar companies, as well as the level of service we provide, is that we would function as a family-first company. We all understand bureaucracy at its worst, and we promised you we would try to be bureaucracy at its best. Your families are our families. Your brother does his job day in and day out. Not once has he called you about a potential client.
“Something with Ms. Lillier bothered him enough to call you. And you, in turn, reached out to your work family. When we land, Tony will have more information. I've got a suite at The Omni, and I know you two already took rooms. If Ms. Lillier will let us help her, I will try to get her to take a suite there as well.” Kieran sipped scotch from a crystal glass.
“I'm concerned we’re cutting corners. The acid attack, and if her manager was poisoned, this rises to Eagle’s Talon level. I can probably manage to get Greece and Ice to come out here if we need them, but that's going to be the maximum we can spare from other cases. Julian, go rest with Delphine. Martin, take that couch, and I’ll sleep on the other one.”
Chapter 4
Monique sat in the ICU waiting area at University of California San Diego Hillcrest Hospital. A nurse promised her a doctor would be available to speak with her once they got Alain settled.
"Monique, you are exhausted, and you heard that police sergeant. I’m not sure you're safe. Why don't you come home with George and me?" Jack asked.
"I know you mean well, but I'm not leaving him. His family is coming here from France on the first available flight. I told them I would wait. And the sergeant has no idea how or why any of this has happened. The detectives were even worse. For all I know, these are two separate issues. Besides, what am I going to do alone in a hotel suite? Sitting in the hospital waiting room, how unsafe could this be?"
"Why don't you call the company on the card the sergeant gave you? What can you lose? A consultation can't cost more than a pair of Manolos,” George asked.
"Neither of you is giving up?” Monique’s shoulders sagged. “Fine. I'll call them in the morning."
"How long have I known you?” Jack tilted his head in her direction. "I will call them now. The card says you can call twenty-four hours, seven days a week. Give it to me please."
Monique threw her hands up. "Here's the card," she answered angrily.
* * *
Jack steppedout of the waiting room and dialed the number on the card. "Chase Security Communications, may I help you?" a female voice answered the line.
"Hello, I know it's late, but I’m calling for a friend. She’s been having some strange incidents happening in her life. She was almost killed this morning, and tonight her manager is in critical condition in the hospital. We were in touch with the San Diego Police Department, and a Sergeant Taggart Dupart gave us this company’s business card. He said you might be able to help."
"Sir, what is the potential client’s name, and where is she located at this moment?"
"We're at Hillcrest Hospital it the ICU waiting room. Her name is Monique Lillier." Jack sighed.
"May I have a phone number to reach you? Your name, sir?"
"Yes, ma'am, my name is Jack Martinez, and my phone number is 858-555-2119."
"Thank you, sir. I will have an intake manager to you within one hour. Should you change location, please call me back. Thank you for calling Chase Security Communications.”
* * *
There she is.How can she not remember me? We spent three days together.
She walked right by him toward the restroom. Two men were sitting with her in the waiting room. His back molars ground together at the sight of Jack Martinez.Damn pretty boy.
Clenching and unclenching his fists, he took a breath and entered the room filled with concerned families. “Excuse me, I’m looking for the family of Alain Charpentier.”
Jack and George stood. “Hi, our friend Monique headed to the restroom. She’s Mr. Charpentier’s friend. My fiancé and I are here for moral support,” Jack said.
“I’m Dean Henry. I’m the nurse taking care of Mr. Charpentier.”
George pointed down the hall. “Here she comes. Honey, this is Dean, Alain’s nurse.”
“How is he?” she begged.
