Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(43)

“So you think within twenty-four hours of getting kicked out of a computer system, someone tried to kill you and Avery? That sounds a little extreme, don’t you think?”

“You don’t understand what we’re dealing with.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I don’t completely understand what I’m dealing with, yet, but I can guess.”

“Well, I’m all ears.”

“Billions and billions of dollars are exchanged in the banking industry every day. If we were looking into something someone didn’t want us to find then it could be devastating for an individual or group of individuals. Look at Enron, the Madoff investment scandal, large banking conglomerates like Wells Fargo and The Bank of America; prime examples of people and institutions who did a lot of bad things. The one common factor in all of it is greed. And greed is a powerful thing.”

I tried to digest everything. “Okay, but if Avery was here and you had the secret meeting where no phone calls or emails were exchanged then how did someone find you in New York?”

“Easy.” He laughed and the tips of his ears turned pink. “The IP address off my computer. It led them straight to me. Like I said, I thought he was overreacting, so I didn’t take proper precautions.”

I exhaled and sat for a moment to let it sink in. “This is nuts.”

He nodded. “I know.”

“And how did all of this lead back to me?”

“These people seem to want to kill anyone connected to Avery. After I left you, I couldn’t stop thinking I might have put you in danger. I had to come here and check on you for myself. I know Avery. You know Avery. I thought if these men saw us together it could be really dangerous for you.”

“Oh.” I swallowed hard, knowing they already had. “But I don’t know what you guys discussed.”

“But they don’t know that. When you went on your run through your neighborhood yesterday.”

I gasped. “You were there?”

“Yes. I was behind you. I had to see you again, even if it was from afar.” He smirked.

“That was you?” I laughed a little.

He nodded. “I had to make sure you were safe. When those two guys came up to you at the café.”

I interrupted. “You saw that too. Where were you?”

“Inside the grocery store across the street. I think that might have been them. You were lucky you were on a public street. That’s probably the only thing that saved you. I have a feeling those guys are bad news.”

I grunted. “There’s something else too.”

“What?”

“When those guys were talking to me, they asked me about you. They threw a picture of you down on the table in front of me. It was from the parking lot outside of the restaurant where we had dinner.”

The color drained from his face. “They were there,” he whispered as if confirming a suspicion he’d had. “I knew it. I felt it.”

I got up and went to grab the picture off my kitchen table. I walked back over and handed it to him. “They came back later and left this taped to my door.”

His fright as he stared at the picture was apparent. “I’m so sorry. I should have kept to myself. I never should have asked you out to dinner. I shouldn’t have come here. I should go.” He started to stand, but I stopped him.

“Try to relax a little. I’m not scared by these men.”

“You should be.” He put his head in his hands. “What have I done?”

“Well, there’s no undoing anything now, that’s for sure, so let’s look ahead. What do we do?”

“That’s the other reason I’m here.” He hesitated. “I need your help.”





Fourteen



“I need somewhere safe to stay while I figure this out. And since you’re a bodyguard, I thought this might be an ideal place,” Stephen said with a timid grin.

“You want to stay here?” I asked almost laughing, my voice raising an octave higher than normal. “Um, no.”

“Please, I don’t have anywhere else to go. I need someone who can keep me safe. I won’t be any trouble. I’ll stay out of your way and I’m a very tidy houseguest.”

“You want this to be your safe house and you want me to be your bodyguard?” I walked into the kitchen and leaned my weight against the table.

“Yes, please,” he said. “You probably hate me and you have every right, but I need your help.” He paused. “I could pay you.”

I held up a hand and shook my head. “Keep your money. I don’t know anything about you. I can’t let you stay here.”

“Please.”

“Get a hotel room or something. I don’t let strange men who’ve ditched me in the middle of the night stay in my home.”

“I can’t get a hotel room. They need a credit card and it’ll lead them right to me. I know they’ll find me and kill me. Look at me. I’m not a threat.” He stood up and held his arms out wide. “Pat me down, do whatever you want, but without you, I’m dead.”

I walked in front of him and looked into his eyes. I wanted to help him but I was reluctant. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If—and that’s a big if—I agree to help you, I have rules.” It was an unusual situation which would require special attention. I’d have to have his consent before I could even consider an arrangement.