Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
M aya Callahan blinked her tired eyes and leaned away from the information she was reading. As much as she hated to admit it, she was worried. Scared if she were honest. The package delivered last night had kept her awake. A delivery from one of her usual couriers had been sent up to her penthouse apartment. Her building security had signed for it. The company that’d delivered it had an excellent reputation and was on her trusted list. Only the credentials of the courier had been forged, and the package … well, the dead rat and bloody knife sent a shiveringly explicit message.
“Maya, are you ready?” Jessica Hall, her personal assistant, said from the door.
“What?” She glanced up at the clock. How in the world had it gotten so late? “Yes, thanks.”
“Are you not feeling well?” Jessica stopped at the door. “I can cancel the meeting or postpone it. It’s just a rehash of yesterday’s numbers.”
“No. We need to confirm the valuation with the financial advisors. We have a realistic and enticing valuation, and we need to ensure the numbers are precise. This late in the game, we need to ensure everything is in perfect order.” Maya stood up and ran her hands down her skirt to smooth it.
“You look tired. How late were you up?” Jessica came into the office. “Where’s your tablet?”
Maya opened her desk drawer and handed the tablet to her assistant. “I’ll be there directly.” She wanted to freshen her makeup. If Jessica could tell she was tired, the rest of the staff may see the strain of the last few days. She couldn’t let anything jeopardize this IPO; rumors could start from the most minute things.
“Okay. Main conference room.” Jessica smiled and headed out to the meeting.
Maya drew a deep breath and walked to the bathroom adjacent to her office. She added a bit of makeup to detract from the bags under her eyes, then glanced down at the bag that held the delivery from last night. She’d called Olivia as soon as she could gather her wits about her.
“What?” Olivia’s voice snapped over the connection. “That’s it. I’m calling in a favor, and you’re getting a bodyguard.”
“Olivia, do you really think …”
“Maya, I’ve been very clear. These things are happening because someone wants your IPO to fail.”
“Have you ever had anything like this happen?”
“The false reports to the media? Yes. All the other things? Never. Whoever’s doing this is sick. You can’t risk the IPO, but more importantly, you have to protect yourself. What kind of deranged psychopath kills a rat with a knife and sends it to a person? I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“But if anyone sees him, it’ll indicate a weakness.”
“Hogwash. A bodyguard is the ultimate status symbol.”
She laughed at that. “If you’re sure he won’t be in the way.”
“Guardian Security is the best at what they do. I’ll call immediately.”
“Olivia, it’s almost midnight.”
“I have close connections there. Don’t throw away that package. Take it to work with you in the morning so whoever they send can see what was delivered. Also, call the courier and find out where that thing came from.”
She nodded even though Olivia couldn’t see her. “Thank you, Olivia.”
“You have every right to be concerned. I’m hanging up and making that call. You’ll have protection by the end of the day tomorrow. I’d tell you to get some sleep, but …”
“You’re right, it won’t happen. Good night, Olivia, and thank you.”
“It will all work out,” Olivia said before hanging up.
Everything had to be perfect. The slightest hiccup could send her stock prices tumbling on the day of the initial offering. That wasn’t speculation. That was a fact. So many things went into a successful IPO; one item, tech failures, competition, operational issues, and management issues—which was where she sat—could cause an IPO to fail miserably. She’d worked the launch of three IPOs now. One of which had made her a multi-millionaire. This company, well, it was hers from the ground up. The others she’d pruned and redeveloped. Her mentor, Olivia Solomon, had taught her how to be strong. How to rely on only herself and a trusted very few. When things started to get weird, she’d closed herself off. But that wasn’t unusual. She’d isolated herself a long time ago. Relationships were used to broker successes. She’d learned that the hard way. The childish hope of a grand love or a prince charming to ride out of the darkness to sweep her off her feet had been dashed at a very young age. Nothing in this world came without a price. Everyone expected something. Everyone was a user to some degree.
Checking her hair in the mirror, she ran a comb through the shoulder-length tresses and then touched up her lipstick. Glancing down at the zipped-up bag, she shuddered at the thought of what was in it, then headed to her meeting.
The numbers were confirmed, and after an extensive questioning of her financial advisers, accountants, and bankers, she accepted the valuation and dismissed the meeting. Maya immediately ordered a public relations and social media campaign that they’d had on hold until the financials were solid.
“What about the investor roadshows?” Jessica asked as they worked at the conference room table.
“We’ll do that. But after we get our prospectus out and finalize our webinars and presentations, we’ll be able to address the common questions we have from those events during the roadshows.” Maya pulled up her schedule. Four months until they were going to go public. She had a ton of work to complete. Book building was necessary to gauge investor demand and was ongoing at that point because it would be the most important tool for setting the final IPO price. That was where the financial team would concentrate their efforts for the next one hundred and twenty days.
“I think you’re making a mistake by not doing the roadshows earlier.”
Jessica’s comments brought her head up from her work. Jessica had become increasingly vocal about her thoughts on the IPO. It was an interesting and sometimes irritating occurrence, but the woman had been with her since they were both just out of college. She’d earned the right to speak her mind. “Why’s that?”
“Well, it will help build a narrative about us and the company and highlight some selling points and maybe some competitive advantages.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s what our history, mission, vision, and growth potential will highlight. The leadership team will establish the company's credibility.”
Jessica narrowed her eyes. “You mean you, being the owner and CEO, will establish the company's credibility.”
Maya shrugged. “It’s one of many things that will enhance the company’s value.” She’d been successful, but she wasn’t resting on her laurels.
Jessica smiled at her. “The best thing as far as you are concerned, right?”
Maya laughed and closed her tablet. “I’m not sure I’d say the best thing.” She glanced at the clock. “I have several more hours to put in before I can even think of going home, but you should head out. Get some rest. The next four months will be a sprint, not a marathon.”
“I’ll clean up in here before I head home. Some people don’t know how to pick up after themselves.” Jessica started gathering pens and pushing chairs around the large conference table, straightening things.
Maya left her to work. “Have a good night.”
“Thanks,” Jessica called after her.
Maya opened her tablet and was reading her email when she slipped. The elevator door pinged as it opened, diverting her attention, and she lost her balance.
Elliot was not impressed with the building’s security. He merely mentioned he was there to see Maya Callahan, and he was let through the lobby and directed to her floor—after hours when most of her staff would not be present. That would change immediately. He noticed the cameras. They were pointed at the reception desk, not at the elevators. Again, a correction would have to be made. When he entered the elevator’s car, he looked at all four walls and corners. No surveillance. Another grain of irritation and more work to add to the mounting tasks that would need to be completed immediately.
The elevator door opened at the floor where his primary was located. As he took a step out, his mind and body reacted, and he lunged forward with his arms outstretched. A woman wearing incredibly high heels slipped, and her tablet flew up in the air. He slid his arms under her head and shoulders, controlling the fall as much as possible as they landed on the marble floor with a resounding thud.
Elliot’s elbows shouted in discomfort as they took much of the impact of the fall. “Are you all right?” he rasped out in a hushed whisper.
The woman’s dark brown hair fell over her face, but he could see her chest heaving from the scare. She nodded, and her hair fell away from her face, revealing a pair of beautiful hazel eyes looking at him. “I slipped.” The face he’d memorized from the digital file stared back at him. Maya Callahan was indeed a beautiful woman. The stare that joined them sizzled with a heat he didn’t expect. Damn. Sparks … no, flames leaped through him, igniting an insanely hot fire. She broke eye contact first. Thank God. He didn’t think he’d be able to.
He lifted away from her carefully, ensuring she wasn’t injured. “What did you slip on?” Elliot made a move to help her sit up, trying to ignore the heat from each point of contact. Refocusing on his surroundings, he pulled his attention from the woman to what glistened on the floor under them. He swiped at the marble. Some type of slick, wet substance covered the floor and the back of his charge’s shirt and skirt. “This could’ve caused the slip and fall.”
She turned around and looked at what he was talking about. “What is that?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
She frowned and returned her attention to him. “Why would you do that? Who are you?”
“Elliot Sawyer, your new personal security officer. Olivia Solomon and my company, Guardian Security, moved heaven and earth to get me here today.” He stood up and offered her a hand up. The relief on her face was instantaneous.
“Well, for that and the great catch, I’m thankful.”
“Maya, what was that ruckus?” a small blonde woman asked as she walked out of the rooms down the hall. Her eyes grew large, and Elliot could only imagine what she was thinking with him towering above her boss. “What happened? Should I call security? Are you all right? Who is he?” She ran toward them, and both he and Maya held their hands out.
Maya yelled, “Jessica, stop!” The woman skittered to a halt.
“There’s something all over the floor,” Maya said as she accepted his help to stand. “If it weren’t for Elliot, I’d probably have a fractured skull.” She stood up with his help and adjusted her clothing, but he kept his hand on her elbow to ensure she was steady because she was shaking like a leaf in a windstorm. “I twisted my ankle a bit, but other than that, I think I’m okay.”
“Who’s Elliot?” Jessica squeaked the question and then asked, “What’s on the floor? What happened?” The blonde’s face was red, tears were in her eyes, and her voice trembled.
“He’s Elliot, and he’s my new bodyguard,” Maya said while rubbing her neck.
“Personal Security Officer,” Elliot corrected.
Maya looked at him and then rolled her shoulders. “Okay, whatever you want to be called is fine. He’s from Guardian, and he’ll be in charge of my security from now on. Olivia arranged it.”
“Ms. Solomon? Why? What happened? You said none of the things that have happened are related. They are, aren’t they? Someone is trying to hurt you. I knew it. I just knew it.” Jessica sniffed, wiped her eyes carefully, walked past them, and picked up Maya’s tablet. He made sure to be close enough that if she fell, he could catch her. The write-up on Jessica Hall included a picture and a briefing on her education and employment. She had no criminal record, paid her bills on time, and had no known issues that could be used for blackmail or exploitation. She’d dated a couple of men, but nothing serious, and she wasn’t currently in a relationship.
“Things?” Elliot’s briefing didn’t include a list—just a notation of a suspicious incident that had recently happened.
“Yeah, the letter, the false whistleblower thingy, and the slashed tires.” Jessica handed the notebook back to Maya as Elliot escorted them both onto the carpet in the reception area.
“I’ll need all the details on those things.”
“I can get you the letter,” Jessica said. “I kept it.” She looked at Maya. “I was afraid for you. I kept it in case we ever had to call the police.”
“Please retrieve it for me.” Elliot smiled at the woman, and she seemed to grow in stature under his smile.
“I’ll go get it. Maya, are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I'm embarrassed and slightly slippery.” She motioned toward the back of her clothes, but she was fine.
Her assistant’s eyes flashed, and Elliot wasn’t sure he liked what he saw. He registered that gut feeling. Then, Jessica looked at him, blinked, and said, “I’ll be right back.” She turned and hot-footed it to one of the doors nearby.
“May I escort you to your office?”
Maya glanced up at him. “Thank you. I’m sure the stuff on the floor was just an accident. Somebody must have spilled something.”
“Of course.” Elliot agreed with her, though he wasn’t so certain. “How long have you and your assistant been up here alone?”
Maya frowned and motioned toward the end of the reception area. “My office is this way. And we’ve been here since seven this morning. The last meeting ended at four. We worked until just now in the conference room.”
He followed her into her office, noticing no cameras on the floor. Maya’s limp was slight but evident. He glanced around and asked, “You both stayed in the conference room the entire time?”
“I did. Jessica had to run some information to ground.”
“And your employees normally leave at what time?”
“Five. Everyone except Jessica. She’s on salary and is my personal assistant, so she works until I release her.”
“And is it routine for you two to work late?”
Maya chuckled. “Twelve to fifteen hour days are my norm.”
“And not only because of the upcoming IPO,” Jessica said as she entered the office. “Maya works long hours. Here. I put it in a sandwich baggie to protect it. It’s been in my desk drawer since I found it on Maya’s desk.”
“You found it?” Elliot asked as he took the letter. He’d examine it later when he had gloves. The letter was folded in on itself so he couldn’t read it through the plastic bag.
“I did. I came in to put several messages on her desk, and it was lying right in the middle of it.” Jessica bit her bottom lip. “It isn’t a nice letter.” Elliot registered an ick factor on that little bottom lip thing. She was trying hard, too hard.
He nodded and placed the letter in his suit jacket pocket. “Who’s touched the letter?”
“Maya and me.” Jessica looked at Maya. “No one else, right?”
“Not that I know of,” Maya said. “Jessica, it’s been a long day. You go home and be careful around the elevator. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay. I’ll stop at the reception desk and ask them to send the custodians up about that mess. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am. Thank you.” She smiled at the smaller woman and waited until she left the office. Then, she motioned at the door. “Would you be so kind as to shut that?” After Elliot shut the door and turned around, she said, “Something happened last night. I was sent a gift. I’d guess you’d call it that. Just a moment.” She opened the door to what he assumed was a bathroom and returned seconds later. “Here.” She extended the bag to him.