“Perfect. After we hang up, call Tabitha and let her know what’s going on.”
“Hang on a second.” The phone was silent as though she had put them on hold. It beeped quickly before she was back. “Major, Everett has the shooters contained. I’m sending the coordinates for the safehouse to your in-car GPS and the security code for the door to your phone.”
“Thanks, Harlow. Mason, I’ll call you as soon as we arrive.”
“Stay alert, Major. We don’t know that those shooters were the only ones sent after Craig. I’ll keep Tabitha on standby after she drops Trista off at the airport in the morning.”
“Sounds good.” Major disconnected and glanced at the GPS. They had an hour until they hit the safehouse. Luckily, he didn’t need to stop for fuel, and they could drive straight there.
“Why is Tabitha taking Trista to the airport?” Craig asked.
Major checked his sideview mirror as he merged onto the highway. “Trista broke her contract and signed on to do a film with Roman Bane.”
“Oh. Well, good.” Craig blew out a breath and called his wife. She didn’t answer, and Craig left her a message to call him back immediately. It was half an hour before she did.
“Hey, Livvie.”
“Why is a detective calling wanting to know where you were on the fifth?”
Craig explained the best he could about his circumstances. Major actually felt sorry for the man. “Things are heating up here, and I need you to take a leave of absence.”
“You know I have patients, right?”
“I do, but I can’t have you in harm’s way while the cops figure out what’s really going on. I swear to you, Livvie, I don’t know this woman.”
“I believe you. I bet it was your asshole of a brother pretending to be you. Dammit. Let me go get someone to cover my patients for the next few days. I’ll go stay with—”
“No. Don’t say anything.”
Major held out his hand for the phone, and Craig handed it over. “Olivia, this is Major Lazlo. I’m your husband’s bodyguard. I need you to write down this number.” He told her Harlow’s number and name when she said she was ready. “On your way home to pack, you need to stop and get a prepaid phone. Call Harlow from the new phone and give her the number. As soon as we hang up, Craig needs to toss his phone in case it’s being traced. He’ll call you back once we get to the safehouse. I’m handing the phone back to Craig now.”
Craig stared daggers at Major while jerking the phone from his hand. “Livvie…”
“Keep yourself safe, Craig. I can’t do this without you.”
“I know. Me too. I’ll talk to you soon.” Craig disconnected, powered the phone off, then rolled down the window and chucked it as far as he could. He rolled the window back up, then scrubbed his hands down his face. He sat quietly as the miles passed by. Major wantedto call Tabitha, but he wouldn’t since Craig would hear his conversation.
There were no other incidents between Stone Mountain and the safehouse, which turned out to be an old farmhouse sitting well off the road that looked like it had seen better days. The barn out back was in shambles.
“You’re joking,” Craig muttered.
Major checked his phone for the access code. It was there along with Olivia’s new number. He palmed the pistol with his right hand and pulled the handle with his left. “Lock the door behind me while I check it out.” Major stepped down from the SUV and reached out with his Gryphon’s sight and hearing. When he didn’t sense anyone close by, he made his way to the side door where a keypad was. He typed in the code and entered the two-story house. After clearing each room, he returned outside and escorted Craig through the door. He reset the alarm and tucked the pistol in the waistband of his pants.
Craig rushed through the downstairs to the kitchen and searched all the drawers. “Where are the burner phones? I need to call Olivia. Did Harlow text you?”
“She did, and I have Olivia’s new number. One of the bedrooms is usually refitted as an office with supplies. I’ll go get one for you.” Major strode down the hallway until he came to said office. He opened a tall cabinet and retrieved one of the phones, programmed Olivia’s new number in it, then returned to the kitchen where Craig was checking out the contents of the refrigerator. “Here you go. I’ve already programmed your wife’s number in it. The bedrooms are upstairs, and the bathrooms should have any toiletries you’dneed for a shower. They might not be what you’re used to, but they’ll have to do for now. I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Major. I’m going to go call Livvie and make sure she got on the road safely.”
Major inclined his head and waited until Craig was upstairs to grab something to drink. He chose a soda and made his way to one of the sofas in the living room. Major popped the can, took a long swig, and set the drink on the side table. Reclining against the cushioned arm, he got comfortable. Major had his own female to call.
Chapter 12
Craven’s face resembleda tomato, and Tabitha worried he was going to blow all his gaskets. She stepped in front of Trista, but he bypassed them for Craig’s trailer. He banged on the door, yelling Craig’s name. Several cast and crew stopped to see what the yelling was about. When he got no answer, he turned toward Major’s trailer.
Tabitha sighed. She had been thrilled in the beginning to guard Trista, thinking being on a movie set would be exciting. It was, just not in the way she expected. There was more drama behind the scenes than would be in the film. “I’ll handle him if you want to make yourself scarce.”
“Thanks.” Trista rushed off, and Tabitha intercepted the irate director.
