Sarah didn’t flinch. “Better than lying on the sidewalk in a pool of blood.”
Joshua didn’t move.
“Josh,” Colin said gently. “Put it on.”
Joshua took the vest with stiff hands. He peeled off his jacket, tie, and shirt, unable to hide the trembling in his fingers. As he struggled to pull the Kevlar over his head, his frustration boiled over.
“This is nuts!” he snapped, wrestling with the stiff straps.
Colin stepped forward and helped him secure the vest.
“Ihatethis,” Joshua hissed out through clenched teeth.
“I don’t care,” Colin told him, voice flat. “It stops a bullet and keeps you safe.”
When they were finished, Sarah inspected them both with a practiced eye and gave a curt nod. “Good enough.”
She pressed a button on her radio. “Moving now.”
Then she turned to them, all business again. “We’re going out the back stairwell to the freight entrance. Vehicle’s staged in the alley. Stay close and keep moving.”
Colin bumped fists with Clayton. “Back in a few, boss.”
“Behave yourself!” Clayton commanded.
“Whyis everyone alwaystellingme that?” Colin fumed.
“Gee,” Joshua replied, linking their arms. “Onewonders!”
Clayton patted Colin’s shoulder as he moved to follow Sarah. “Stay safe,” he murmured.
Colin paused and gave him a one-armed embrace. “Will do, boss.”
They moved down the corridor to a seldom-used rear exit and then descended a narrow staircase to the ground floor. As they stepped out of the stairwell, Sarah Mitchell lifted a hand. “Wait.” She nodded to Sergeant Lopez, who moved to the exit,checked the surroundings, and met up with a third officer who confirmed that the area was safe.
“OK,” Sarah told Colin and Joshua. “Straight out the door and into the vehicle.”
Sergeant Lopez stood at the exit, and the third officer stood beside a black Chevrolet Suburban. Both officers had their hands on their weapons, and their eyes constantly searched the perimeter as Sarah Mitchell walked behind Colin and Joshua.
“Straight in,” she murmured, then turned her back, scanning the area as they scrambled into the SUV. Once Colin and Joshua were secured in the vehicle, she got into the back seat with the other two officers in front.
“Mygod!” Joshua said, clutching Colin’s arm. “This is…crazy!”
Colin heaved a huge sigh. “We’d better get used to it. It’s going to be SOP for a while.”
Once they were underway, Sarah introduced Colin and Joshua to the third member of their detail. “This is Officer Emily Hayes,” she told them. “She has ten years of experience in private security and law enforcement. She will be Joshua’s primary bodyguard.”
They greeted the newest member of their team, then settled in the back seat as they began the ten-mile drive to their home. As they traveled, the agents maintained what Sarah described as ‘heightened situational awareness,’ constantly checking for suspicious activity or vehicles that might be in pursuit.
When they arrived at the house, Sarah held Colin and Joshua in the Suburban while Sergeant Lopez conducted a quick perimeter check of the property, and Officer Hayes swept the house. Once they had secured the area, Sarah allowed Colin and Joshua to leave the vehicle and enter their home.
“Go ahead and pack,” she told them, following them up the stairs. “But please be quick. We can always send someone backfor anything you forget. This house is a prime target, and I’d like to get you two into a secured setting as soon as possible.”
“Ourhomeis a prime target?” Joshua asked, his voice wavering.
“Josh, it’s Colin’s residence, so of course, it’s a prime target. But don’t fret. The house is on the assigned patrol route for three different Charlottesville law enforcement agencies.” She patted his arm. “It’ll be protected.”
“Don’tfret?” Joshua repeated as they reached the top of the stairs, his voice edgy with sarcasm.
