The Light to My Darkness - Chapter 31
Monday
"Scar's at Hunter Tech?" I asked as I poured myself a glass of orange juice.
"She refused to go home," Daphne said through the phone. "She wanted to go to the office with Rob."
I set my glass down on the counter and sighed. "I'll go get her now."
"It's fine. Rob said it was a light day at the office anyway. He'll bring her by around lunchtime."
"Are you sure? I don't want her ruining his day." And I strongly doubted that it was a light day. If it was, he probably would have accompanied James to London.
"Scarlett's a doll. She doesn't ruin anyone's day."
A doll? I wasn't so sure about that. I could picture her spilling coffee all over Rob's desk and throwing papers around for fun. "I think I'm going to go get her."
"You're supposed to be on bed rest," Daphne said.
"You sound like a mother."
"I guess that's what happens when you become a mother yourself. Is James coming home soon?"
"Mhm. His flight is supposed to arrive this afternoon. So I'll have my whole family back soon."
Daphne laughed. "You didn't enjoy your night off?"
I thought about the will sitting on my desk. "Not really. This place is a little big for one person."
"Well, the whole gang will be back soon. Now go get in bed."
"Okay, geez. Thanks for watching Scar last night."
"It was my pleasure. Do you want to do lunch tomorrow?"
"Yeah, that would be great. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, Penny."
I hung up the phone and looked down at the omelet Ellen had made me. My stomach seemed to churn.
"Hon, is everything alright?" Ellen asked. "You haven't touched your breakfast. I made your favorite."
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm just not hungry this morning."
"Penny, you're supposed to be eating for two. You're not even feeding one."
I laughed. "Trust me, if he wanted food, he'd be kicking me mercilessly." I pushed the plate away.
She sighed and picked it up from the counter. "Do you want anything else? I'll make you whatever you want. You're not really supposed to take those on an empty stomach." She nodded at the pill bottle next to my glass.
I wanted ice cream. But I wasn't going to ask her to make a special trip for me. I had put it on the grocery list and she usually went in the afternoons. I'd have it soon enough. "I'm fine. Everyone is making such a fuss this morning."
"Of course I'm making a fuss. Exterminators are here, tromping mud all through the house. Throwing off my whole cleaning schedule." She seemed truly flustered.
"I'm sorry, Ellen."
"Oh, no, it's fine, dear. I'm just on edge this morning. Do you really think there are snakes in the house?"
"Honestly? No. I have no idea how Scar could sneak a snake into the house. I'm just being paranoid."
She smiled. "No, you're just being a mother." She turned off the faucet. "Are you sure you don't want anything else to eat?"
"I'm sure."
"Well, I'm going to go follow those men around with a broom."
I shook my head as she exited the kitchen.
I shouldn't have gone through with the exterminators coming.
It was completely ridiculous. Ow. I put my hand on the center of my chest. Maybe I should get that second opinion that Mr. Caldwell had advised.
I stood up and walked over to my purse on the counter.
My hand rummaged through my purse until my fingers found the card.
I pulled it out and looked down at the information. A second opinion never hurt.
"Mrs. Hunter, we have the all clear."
I looked up at Porter and dropped the card back in my purse. "They checked everywhere?"
"It's their job to."
"So...nothing?"
Porter nodded. "Nothing. I had them check for everything while they were out here. No rats or anything either."
"Well, that's good."
He smiled. "Scarlett is cleared to come back in the house now. Did you want me to go pick her up from Rob and Daphne's?"
"No. She insisted on going to work with Rob. He's bringing her by at lunch."
"Thanks for keeping her at bay."
"I didn't." I walked back over to my glass of orange juice. "She didn't want to come home." I took a sip of the sweet juice. "Are you sure there was nothing?"
"I'm positive."
"Then what is she so scared of? Why can't I comfort her?"
"Kids." Porter shrugged his shoulders. "You know how they are."
"Porter, you don't have any kids."
"Yeah, but I certainly hang out with Briggs' kid enough."
I laughed. "She's an angel. Whereas my daughter thinks something possessed by the devil is residing in our home."
"That's not true."
I suddenly wished my orange juice was something stronger. "I already know what's going to happen this afternoon. Rob's going to try to drop her off and she's going to put up a fight and scream at the top of her lungs. God, I hate that noise. When does James' flight arrive?"
"His plane should touch down around 2. William will be waiting for him at the terminal."
I bit the inside of my lip. William. My stomach seemed to churn again. I was starting to feel guilty that we were going to have to let William go. How was he going to take it?
"Before I forget, I have those resumes you requested," Porter said and handed me a stack of folders.
"Wow. I didn't realize there'd be so many."
"And those are just the vetted ones. A lot of good men in there. Lots of ex military."
"So tons of serious men like you that want me to call them by their last names?"
"Exactly." He gave me a smile.
"Well, let's find one with a soft side like you." I opened the top folder.
"A soft side?" Porter laughed. "I'd beg to differ."
I looked up at him. "You just had my home searched for snakes on a whim of mine. You're a sweet guy."
He shook his head. "Check out folder twelve. I have a feeling you'll like him the most. I should get back to my post."
"Thanks for everything, Porter." I picked up the stack of resumes and walked into my office. I had a few hours before Scar came home. Hopefully I could get a little writing done first. I dropped the stack of folders down on my desk and switched on my computer.
***
My eyes kept glancing at the time instead of focusing on the words I was writing. My ability to concentrate was officially gone. Besides, Rob would be here any minute, depending on when he was able to get away.
I pulled out the folder labeled with a twelve.
I could at least get started on sorting through these.
I opened up the folder. A picture of Ian stared back at me.
What? I flipped to the write- up Porter had made and scanned the information.
Ian had served in Iraq for three years. He was honorably discharged after a gunshot wound.
He passed the written admissions test for Quantico, but failed the physical examination due to the damage in his left knee from the previously mentioned gunshot wound in Iraq.
And last, he was a former member of Mr. Hunter's security detail.
Security detail. Ian wasn't a driver at all. How had I not known that? He had served our country and gotten injured. And he couldn't follow his passion of being an FBI agent because of his injury. I felt a pang of guilt. I should have known this. Why hadn't James told me?
I picked up my phone and clicked on Porter's name. He answered in one ring.
"Read the file?" Porter asked.
"Ian was one of you."
"Technically, he was my boss."
Ow. Why was this conversation making my chest hurt? "And William?"
"Also a member of your security detail. James asked me not to divulge this information to you. He didn't want you to know how much the security detail had implemented themselves in your everyday life. But I can't help it if you requested the files."
"Why did you want me to know?"
"Because you should know that Ian isn't just a driver. He's overqualified for the position, really."
"I can see that." I flipped back to the picture of him. "And what about William?"
"What about him?"
"Is he ex military too?"
"He was in the navy."
I put my forehead in my hand. No wonder he was so serious. He was younger than Ian. He had probably seen terrible things more recently. "Can we transfer him to a position like yours instead?"
"Certainly. Or Ian could be in our office instead of on the line of duty. That's up to you and James."
I looked up at the camera in the corner of the room. I thought about the things that Porter and Briggs could see. "I don't want him to have to watch me. I'd rather him be out in the field."
There was an awkward pause on his end. "Of course." He cleared his throat. "I'll draw up the necessary paperwork for William's transfer. And for rehiring Ian. I'll run through it with James when he returns."
"That sounds perfect." I bit the inside of my lip. Exactly how far had they implemented themselves in my life?
"Is there something else?" he asked. He could probably see my expression through the camera.
"What about Ellen? Is she..."
Porter laughed, cutting me off. "Ellen is the best housekeeper and chef I know. But no, she is not a member of your security detail."
I laughed. "I just had to check."
"Rob and Scarlett have entered the building. He'll be knocking in about a minute."
"Okay. And Cole?"
"Yes, Penny?"
I could hear the smile in his voice. "I appreciate everything you do for us. I hope you know that."
"I do. Have a good afternoon, Penny. I'll call you when Mr. Hunter lands."
"Thanks." I hung up the phone and slowly got up.
I was comforted by the fact that William and Ian were both members of the security detail.
But now it made even less sense that James hadn't taken Briggs with him.
Maybe it wasn't the reason I thought it was, though.
Maybe James knew how hard it was to be away from his family.
And he didn't want Briggs to be away from his own daughter. I smiled as I walked over to the door.
"Ow," I said out loud and put my hand on the wall.
"What are you doing in there?" I stared down at my stomach.
My son kicked me again. It felt like he was doing cartwheels in my belly.
The pain seemed to grow, spreading into my chest. I took a deep breath and told myself that the pain wasn't real. That it was all in my head.