Chapter 33
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
Natalie calmly stepped into her office, trying to appear like nothing was wrong. But she sensed Hudson had something on his mind.
As soon as the door closed behind them, he turned toward her.
“There was a man in the hallway. Mid-thirties, dark beard, blue eyes.”
She shrugged and shook her head. “Can you give me any more details?”
“I think his name is Derek Brassen. He has a slight limp.”
She shook her head again. “I’m sorry. That’s not ringing any bells.”
He grabbed his phone and began scrolling before muttering, “That can’t be right.”
“What can’t be right?”
“I can’t find any pictures of him. It’s like they’ve all been erased.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Who exactly is this Brass guy?”
“A colleague of mine who died in a helicopter attack.”
“But you thought you saw him. Here. In my father’s building.”
“That’s right.”
She paused. “Where did you see him?”
“He was coming out of a corner office. I wanted to follow him, but I couldn’t without blowing my cover.”
Her mind raced. “I wish I could help you. I really do. But I have no idea.”
He frowned and turned around as if unable to process that news.
Whoever this man was, seeing him had shaken Hudson to his core.
Did this have something to do with their current situation? Or was the stress of the situation simply playing games with Hudson’s mind?
Natalie stared at her computer screen, the press release she was supposed to be editing blurring before her eyes.
She’d read the same paragraph three times and still couldn’t comprehend what it said.
She was acutely aware of Hudson sitting in the corner. Watching. Waiting. Protecting her.
Or monitoring her.
She wasn’t sure which anymore.
Her phone buzzed, and she grabbed it.
Her heart stopped when she saw the notification:
INTRUSION ALERT - FRONT DOOR - 2:47 PM
Her breath caught.
Someone was breaking into her house.
Natalie was out of her chair before she could think, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
“What’s wrong?” Hudson rushed.
“I just got a security alert at my house. Someone is breaking in.” She turned and called out a quick excuse to her assistant before leaving her office.
Hudson fell into step beside her as she headed to the elevator.
“Should we call the police?” she asked. “They can probably get there before we can.”
“It’s better to keep this between us. For now, at least. Until we know what’s really going on. Do you have security footage?”
With trembling hands, she pulled it up on her phone and thrust it toward Hudson. “Here.”
He squinted as he watched the screen.
“Two men,” he murmured. “I’m guessing they’re professionals, not just some random thieves looking for jewelry.”
She frowned. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
They climbed into Hudson’s car, and he took off down the road.
She had no idea what she’d find at her house.
But this nightmare was getting worse and worse by the minute.