Chapter 26 #2
Until Tash said, “The shooting at the resort. Everything that happened—the escalation—happened after that.”
Xander felt Freya’s body tense, and he glanced at her. “Frey?”
“Hazel’s interview with the news.” Sighing, she rubbed her temples. “I’m pretty sure she mentioned me by name.”
“On it,” Bean murmured, her fingers flying over her laptop. Within seconds, she spun her computer around.
Hazel was on the screen, and Bean pressed play.
They listened for about thirty seconds, and then Hazel said, “The lady was getting her hair done right next to me, and the guy just stormed in. He threw my coworker Freya Hansen to the ground and started screaming and yelling, trying to yank the lady out of the chair. My poor friend is all bruised. Freya and I both live here on Hudson. It’s a quiet and wonderful small town, and the resort is the last place you’d expect that kind of violence. It was just awful . . .”
The clip cut back to the reporter, and Bean paused the video.
Chills skated down Xander’s spine.
“The interview aired last Wednesday,” Bean said.
“Freya’s car was damaged at the resort on Friday.” Xander’s mind raced, desperate to find a link. He glanced at Bean. “What did you find on the security videos from Friday?”
She grimaced. “Unfortunately, not much. Our updated camera install for the employee parking lot didn’t happen until the weekend.
I ran the videos they had through my facial rec software.
All the people that were picked up by the existing cameras around that parking lot were either employees or guests. ”
“But it doesn’t really matter,” Tash interjected. “That employee lot was accessible from the forest, and there were no cameras along that edge until our team installed them later.”
Xander sighed in frustration. “So a whole lot of nothing.”
Warm hands squeezed his forearms, and he glanced at Freya, who was still sitting on his lap. She framed his face in her hands. “It’s okay. One step at a time, right?”
The rising tension squeezing his lungs released. He turned his face and pressed a kiss to both of her palms. “That’s right, baby.”
“Aww, you guys are cute,” Tash said, grinning into the camera. “B, what about the parade? Any usable security footage from there?”
Bean rolled her eyes. “No. Let’s just say that the security cameras on their buildings are about the same caliber and quality as the ones we have in downtown Hudson.”
“So complete and absolute shit,” Wilson muttered. “Got it.”
Bean shrugged. “You’re not wrong. They got just the crowds within three feet of the store entrances. Nothing showing the whole street, let alone Freya getting pushed.”
Xander ground his molars together, and again, Freya’s hands tightened over his forearms. He exhaled and worked his jaw side to side.
“Bean,” Wilson said. “You should have your team install cameras in Freya’s building tomorrow. Entrance and main hallway.”
Bean nodded. “Will do. I’ll have Abbot send one of her guys out.”
“You should have him dress like a plumber or electrician or something,” Esme called out from the video screen. “In case there are eyes on her place.”
“Do you think that’s necessary?” Freya asked, worry tinging her words.
Before Xander could respond, Wilson turned to her. “Yes, I think it’s absolutely necessary.”
“You’re completely secured at Xander’s place,” Frazier interjected. “But it’s better to be safe.”
“Do we have anyone still working at the resort?” Xander asked.
Bean nodded. “Abbot’s on-site. She’s still training their surveillance personnel on the new resort cameras and setups.
Witherspoon and Torres are doing some final camera adjustments, and then they’ll work on the perimeter and game-camera install since the security fence was actually delivered early. ”
“On that note,” Esme chimed in, “I spoke with the security-fence company, and they should wrap up by the end of next week. But with the storm rolling in, it may push to the following week. However, they’ve assured me they’ll finish before Thanksgiving.”
“Carmichael is still on-site as well,” Tash added. That news had Xander’s brows rising, and she held up her hands. “What? You were busy this evening.”
Xander frowned. “I thought he wrapped up training today.”
“He did, but then he sent Owen in undercover this afternoon and wasn’t impressed with the front desk’s performance.” Tash shrugged. “She basically walked right in, and no one stopped her.”
“Right.” He sighed and ran his hand over Freya’s arm. “I don’t mean to sound high-handed, but I’d like to have someone keep an eye on you. Until we know who’s sending you these photos, I want eyes on you when I’m not around.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He tilted his head in question, surprised she was readily agreeing.
“Xander, I’m not an idiot. All of you . .
.” She gestured around the table. “This is what you do. You protect people. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.
The pictures alone make me want to puke.
But knowing that this person knows where I work, where I live .
. . If you want to have someone parked at the spa with me all day, I’m in.
” A tremor rocked through her, and he ran a hand up her back and squeezed her nape.
“I can’t help but feel like the other shoe is about to drop. ”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Not on my watch, baby.”
“Not on our watch,” Wilson added, crossing his arms over his chest.
Frazier met his gaze and lifted his chin. “A-fucking-men.”