Page 73 of Scored

She eyed my coffee mug. “Are you good or would you like some more coffee.”

“With the day I have planned, I’m going to need intravenous caffeine.”

When Jen returned with my mug refilled, I told her about the additions to my schedule. “Someone from Stephens Security will be here before the executive meeting. I only need a short time with them. And after the executive meeting, I’ll have a meeting with Cammy Wilcox and Tricia Loften. Can you order lunches and drinks for us?” I shrugged. “You know what I’ll eat. You can do it.”

She smiled. “I’ll have it all ready.”

It was after nine when Jen called through the desk phone. “A Virginia Athens is here from Stephens Security.”

“Virginia,” I repeated with a grin. “Please send her in.”

I stood and walked around my desk as Jen brought Virginia through the doorway. The woman who had been my bodyguard for a weekend was exactly as I remembered her. A simple dark-haired woman about my age, dressed in an understated yet professional blue suit with a white blouse, she was a model of efficiency. “You left Vegas for Lexington?”

She smiled. “Ms. Hubbard.”

Gesturing to the chairs near the window, I said, “Shall we sit?”

“Do you have the notes?”

“Oh, I do.” The day had started off with a bang, and despite waiting for someone from Stephens Security to arrive, I wasn’t prepared. “Let me get them.”

The first note was still in my top desk drawer. The second was in my purse. I carried them over to where Virginia was seated. “Here they are.”

She took them from me and read each one. When she looked over to me, she tilted her head. “What does this mean to you?”

I shook my head. “I don’t understand it at all. After the first delivery, my assistant contacted the local florist. They told her that the flowers were ordered through their nationwide floral relay network. The name on the order was Jack Sparrow.”

Virginia’s professional exterior cracked as she smiled. “Jack Sparrow sent you flowers? What about billing information?”

“They said they couldn’t release it.”

She nodded. “I’m glad you called us. Now, do I understand correctly that the first bouquet arrived here to your work and the second bouquet to your home?”

“Yes.” I sighed. “It bothers me that whoever this is found my home address.”

“I’d like to look at the security in your home, too.”

“It was state of the art when it was installed.”

“And when was that?” she asked.

I tried to recall. “Probably five or more years ago.”

Virginia nodded. “I’d like to take a look.”

I gave Virginia my address and security code. I told her I’d have a keycard waiting at the concierge desk for her. Tilting my head, I asked, “Did they call you here for me?”

“I’m not stationed in Las Vegas. Let’s just say that we and other security professionals rack up a lot of frequent-flier miles. When I got the call, I agreed to come to Lexington. We remembered that you weren’t too excited about professional security, and yet you and I made it work.”

My smile returned. “We did. Thank you, Virginia, for coming. I don’t anticipate needing someone with me. This facility and Crystal Light Stadium have security. And you’re going to investigate my home system. I just don’t know what to think about the notes.”

“And each one has accompanied a floral bouquet.”

“Amber-shaded roses to be exact. Beautiful yet creepy.”

Virginia stood. “I will look into this. I expect to have more information for you in a day or two.” She lifted the notes. “May I take these or do you want me to take copies.”

“They were composed by the local florist. It’s not like you can dust for fingerprints.”