Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
The jeweler placed a yellow diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet on a piece of black velvet. Mrs. Zhang picked it up and held it in the light.
“What do you think, Tanner? Does this suit me?”
“It’s as elegant as you are, ma’am,” he said evenly. Tanner had his hands clasped behind his back, glancing from the front of the store to the back every few seconds.
She smiled primly, wagging a finger at him. “Very well, I’m not paying you for flattery.”
“Don’t worry, the flattery’s no charge,” he said automatically. They’d had this same exchange more than once. A little routine of theirs.
It was Monday, and they were shopping in West Oaks today. Tanner assumed the client frequented jewelry stores all over the world, but Mrs. Zhang seemed particularly fond of this one. Their client typically left this store with tens of thousands of dollars of merchandise.
Tanner didn’t see the appeal of the intricate metal designs and massive cut gems. The low light glinted off the facets, tripping along the silver and gold. It was all glare in his eyes.
He glanced through the front windows. Kozinski was outside. The kid was supposed to be keeping an eye on any pedestrians and cars that approached.
The jeweler brought out a tray of brightly colored rings. “We received a delivery of some brand new designs yesterday. No one else has seen them yet. I think you’re going to love these.”
The mention of a “delivery” made Tanner think of Faith. He checked his phone, just in case she’d called, even though he wasn’t supposed to deal with personal issues while on the clock. She was at work again today, and Tanner didn’t like not knowing if she was all right.
She’d told him Jon visited her office last Friday.
The delivery was supposed to come sometime tomorrow night, and Tanner was going to be there.
He’d already talked to Sean about their plan.
Sean had promised to come to West Oaks tomorrow, too, in anticipation of the delivery.
He was going to stay away from Sylvie’s house to avoid alarming Jon’s friends.
But the minute that package had arrived, Tanner and Sean were going to inspect it. They’d find out what Jon was really doing. And if it was drugs, as they all now believed, Sean would call his friends at West Oaks P.D. to bring down the hammer.
There would probably be a few tense days when Sylvie, Faith and Ethan could be in danger. But Bennett Security owned several safe houses. When it came to protecting people, Tanner knew exactly what to do.
And that buzzing in his mind that seemed to be ever-present the last few days? The nightmares that were keeping him up again? He was going to conquer all of it. He just had to work harder. Maintain his focus.
He kept a pleasant smile on his face, even though he was sweating through the armpits of his suit. There was no one else in this jewelry store, yet his nerves were on high alert. He could feel the threats waiting just out of sight.
Besides, in many ways his stress was justified. Danger was everywhere. He wasn’t imagining that.
This world was full of too many bad people. Hiding in the shadows, waiting for you to let down your guard.
“Thoughts, Tanner?” Mrs. Zhang had her hand up, a ruby and gold ring on her finger. The sharpness in her tone told him she’d had to repeat herself.
“Sorry. It’s…very nice.”
“You’re awfully dour today. Is anything wrong?”
“Not at all, ma’am. Just keeping an eye out.”
Kozinski was outside with his hands in his pockets like he was standing by to direct traffic, not protecting a wealthy woman whom any number of people would happily rob.
Suddenly, there was an explosion in the room. “Get down.” In half a second, Tanner had Mrs. Zhang on the ground, his body shielding her, his Glock in his hand.
He scanned for the threat in the room and found the store’s security guard staring sheepishly at him. The man bent to pick up a metal water bottle from the ground. “Sorry. My fault. Fingers slipped.”
Tanner pushed away from Mrs. Zhang as his mind caught up. That loud clang had been the metal hitting the granite floor. No attackers. No threat. But his body was primed to fight, and his pulse raced like a runaway horse.
He tucked the gun away and helped the client up. “Apologies.”
“It was rather loud, wasn’t it?” She brushed off her clothes. “I’m gratified to know your reflexes are in top form.”
Tanner felt the jeweler watching him. Mrs. Zhang went back to examining the rings.
Little had changed in the room, but Tanner felt his nerves fraying. Like the stitches at his seams were unraveling. His muscles tightened, trying to keep himself together. Even the gentle instrumental soundtrack coming through the speakers jarred him.
But he was sure of it now. The water bottle had been a false alarm, but something else was happening. Something was coming. He felt it with his entire being. His eyes strained to identify the source.
Then he found it.
Kozinski wasn’t out on the sidewalk anymore. He’d disappeared.
Tanner spoke into the comm system that connected him to Kozinski. “Where are you?” There was no answer.
The world pulsed with every beat of his heart. Tanner turned to the security guard, who was leaning his hip against one of the cases and sipping his water.
“I need to check on…” Tanner murmured. “Keep an eye out here.” There was no rear exit to the store, thankfully, which was far more secure. Just the front. But if Kozinski was down, that left the entrance vulnerable.
His fingers moved toward the weapon in his shoulder holster again. He didn’t draw it yet.
Tanner pushed his way out into the open air. Sun overwhelmed his vision for a split second, grinding his anxiety into an even higher gear. He’d taken off his sunglasses inside, and now he couldn’t remember where he’d put them.
Squinting, he scanned the sidewalk and spotted Kozinski over at the next store front. The kid was chatting with a group of college-aged women in front of an ice cream shop.
White hot fury filled Tanner’s veins. He stormed down the sidewalk. One of the girls noticed him coming and took a step back, her eyes bulging.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Kozinski glanced over his shoulder, smug grin morphing into a scowl. “What? They asked for directions.”
“Why?” Tanner glared at the young women, wondering if this was some set up. Were they here as a distraction? Was the attack already coming? They averted their eyes, shoulders slouching.
“Dude, you’re being an asshole,” Kozinski hissed.
Tanner grabbed the other man’s arm and hauled him back toward the jewelry store. “Get back to your position. We have to be ready.”
“Ready for what?” Kozinski shook him off. “For the little old lady to hand us her shopping bags to carry? I stepped away for a single fucking minute. You’re the one who’s making this a big deal.”
“Do you have any idea how many threats are out there? And you’re shirking your duty. Fooling around like it’s a game.” Any moment could mean life or death. Tanner had seen it happen. Someone could lurch out of the shadows and attack. You could be alive one second, then bleed out the next.
No one was safe. No one.
His breaths came faster and faster. He couldn’t get enough air.
“And you’re a damn head case.”
Tanner rounded on him. “The fuck did you just say to me?”
Kozinski must’ve seen something in his eyes because he held his hands up and started backing away.
“I’ve had enough of your antics,” Tanner barked. “You don’t deserve a place on this team. You’re fired.”
“You can’t fire me. You’re not Max, and you’re not a captain. So go to hell, Reed.”
“Fuck you, Kozinski.” Sweat rolled down the back of Tanner’s neck. He was gasping for oxygen. His vision was clouding at the edges.
He had to get back inside. Protect the client. That was his duty.
Tanner turned around and found Mrs. Zhang and the jeweler outside, watching them. Both wore shocked expressions. Mrs. Zhang’s elegant fingers touched the base of her neck.
“What on earth is going on?”
“Nothing. My apologies. It won’t…” He forgot what he’d been saying.
“Tanner, you don’t look well. Perhaps we should finish early today.”
“Not necessary.”
“I insist.” Her stern tone brooked no opposition. Her mouth was tight with discomfort. “I’m having my driver take me home now.” She took out her phone, turning her back on him.
He and Kozinski were both dismissed. Maybe not just for today. Shit.
She’d asked what happened, and he didn’t even know. He was only sure of one thing—if he didn’t get out of here, the scream building in his throat would escape.
Kozinski was just standing there, gaping.
“Go back to the office,” Tanner said. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer. He had to walk. Get away from the panic and the stares and questions.
Tanner took off his jacket and unbuttoned his collar. He crossed the street, and a car’s brakes screeched, horn honking. Tanner flinched at the onslaught. Too much input. Too much of everything.
He found his way to the beachside path. At some point his phone rang.
Noah’s name appeared on the screen.
Tanner switched off his phone and kept walking, no destination in mind. Just as long as he kept moving, he could breathe.