Chapter 28
Vee
“We’ve been reviewing film on Houston,” Don said, seated in my office, his cup of black coffee in hand.
The sun had yet to rise, but my day had begun. I sipped my coffee with cream. “Last night, the talking heads said the Coopers had a statistically higher chance of winning.”
Don shrugged. “I don’t trust stats. We need to play the Texans like we played them before, only better, stronger, and faster.” He turned to me. “What did you think about Saturday’s game?”
“It was amazing. Honestly, standing on the sideline, feeling the energy from the players and the fans, it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. There’s just an electric current during the playoffs.”
“I kept wanting to pick up the phone and call your daddy.”
I nodded. “I wanted to run up to the suite and hug him.”
“He sure would be proud.”
“I hope he would. What were your thoughts on offense and defense?” I asked.
“Defense was damn good,” he said. “After how the Bills outscored the Jags, Darius Brown had his work cut out for him. I would’ve liked to see more scoring from the offense. The Bills beat the spread.”
A smile lifted my cheeks. “We won, Don. I don’t give a damn about the spread.”
“You mean you’re not betting on our boys.”
I lifted my hands. “I’ve never placed a bet in my life. And I’m certain the NFL wouldn’t look too kindly on that if I had.”
I furrowed my brow. “Any complaints about our offense?”
“The Bills’ defense was tight. Drew and I dissected the game and plays.
Dennison is quick on his feet. He sees the plays.
Our offensive line can’t let Houston’s defense shut us down like Buffalo did.
” Don stood. “It’s a little early this morning, but we have two weeks’ worth of work to accomplish in six days.
We’ll be working every day. Yesterday was the day off. ”
I also rose to my feet. “That’s the plan. I know you and the other coaches will have us ready.”
“A Detective Oldson came to talk to me the other day.”
I inhaled. “I told him about your and Dad’s standing meetings.”
“I wish I could be more help. Reid was never late. I hadn’t put the time of his accident together with our meeting until you mentioned it to me.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad Detective Oldson followed up.”
Jen wasn’t in the office yet when I saw Coach Tilson to the door.
Pouring myself another cup of coffee, I made my way back into my office and sat behind my desk.
The small readout in the corner of my screen said 7:24 a.m. It was fine with me that Don left earlier than usual.
I needed every second of this day that I could get.
I was wading through emails when my cell phone rang from within my purse inside the desk drawer.
The sound startled me as I usually turned off the ringer when I entered Maker’s Mark.
Opening the drawer and digging through my bag, I found my phone.
Cammy Wilcox’s name, the Coopers’ head of legal, was on the screen. I swiped to answer. “Hi, Cammy.”
“Vee, I spoke with Tricia Loften. She can be to Maker’s Mark at noon today.”
“Noon,” I repeated. I was meeting with someone from Stephens Security at noon. “Cammy, what is this about?”
“It’s big, Vee. Are you on your way to the football facility?”
“I’m here, tucked away in my office.”
“Oh,” she said, “I called your office line, and I received a recording.”
“My staff won’t be in until eight.”
She hummed. “That makes sense. Tricia has a small window of availability. Can you make noon work for you?”
I exhaled. “This can’t wait until after the Texans’ game?”
“No. It really can’t. I would come to you right now, but Tricia and I have been working on this together. She wants to be here.”
“Okay,” I conceded. “I’ll make it work.”
“Great. We’ll be to your office at noon.”
Disconnecting from Cammy, I called the number for Stephens Security.
As I did, my day’s schedule was mapped out in my head.
Ten a.m. executive meeting. Noon meeting with attorneys.
One p.m. to five–five thirty p.m. meetings with all six of my stadium operations directors individually.
Maybe out the door by six–six thirty p.m.
“Hello,” I said when the call connected. “This is Maeve Hubbard. I’m afraid I’m going to need to postpone my appointment.”
After a short discussion, the gentleman from Stephens offered to have my representative come to Maker’s Mark right away. It was better to get started sooner not later. He said they would need copies of the cards that came with the flowers. He promised it would be a short visit.
“Okay. I’ll see the representative as soon as they can arrive,” I said before disconnecting the call.
A knock came to my door, proceeded by its opening. Jen stepped through the doorway. “Coopers won.”
My smile returned. “Yes, now to beat Houston.”
“Again.” She lifted the sides of her hair showing the whiskey-barrel earrings. “These babies are good luck. I’m not taking them off until the Coopers are crowned Super Bowl champions.”
“I like your dedication.”
She eyed my coffee mug. “Are you good or would you like some more coffee.”
“With the day I have planned, I’m going to need intravenous caffeine.”
When Jen returned with my mug refilled, I told her about the additions to my schedule.
“Someone from Stephens Security will be here before the executive meeting. I only need a short time with them. And after the executive meeting, I’ll have a meeting with Cammy Wilcox and Tricia Loften.
Can you order lunches and drinks for us?
” I shrugged. “You know what I’ll eat. You can do it. ”
She smiled. “I’ll have it all ready.”
It was after nine when Jen called through the desk phone. “A Virginia Athens is here from Stephens Security.”
“Virginia,” I repeated with a grin. “Please send her in.”
I stood and walked around my desk as Jen brought Virginia through the doorway.
The woman who had been my bodyguard for a weekend was exactly as I remembered her.
A simple dark-haired woman about my age, dressed in an understated yet professional blue suit with a white blouse, she was a model of efficiency. “You left Vegas for Lexington?”
She smiled. “Ms. Hubbard.”
Gesturing to the chairs near the window, I said, “Shall we sit?”
“Do you have the notes?”
“Oh, I do.” The day had started off with a bang, and despite waiting for someone from Stephens Security to arrive, I wasn’t prepared. “Let me get them.”
The first note was still in my top desk drawer. The second was in my purse. I carried them over to where Virginia was seated. “Here they are.”
She took them from me and read each one. When she looked over to me, she tilted her head. “What does this mean to you?”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand it at all. After the first delivery, my assistant contacted the local florist. They told her that the flowers were ordered through their nationwide floral relay network. The name on the order was Jack Sparrow.”
Virginia’s professional exterior cracked as she smiled. “Jack Sparrow sent you flowers? What about billing information?”
“They said they couldn’t release it.”
She nodded. “I’m glad you called us. Now, do I understand correctly that the first bouquet arrived here to your work and the second bouquet to your home?”
“Yes.” I sighed. “It bothers me that whoever this is found my home address.”
“I’d like to look at the security in your home, too.”
“It was state of the art when it was installed.”
“And when was that?” she asked.
I tried to recall. “Probably five or more years ago.”
Virginia nodded. “I’d like to take a look.”
I gave Virginia my address and security code. I told her I’d have a keycard waiting at the concierge desk for her. Tilting my head, I asked, “Did they call you here for me?”
“I’m not stationed in Las Vegas. Let’s just say that we and other security professionals rack up a lot of frequent-flier miles. When I got the call, I agreed to come to Lexington. We remembered that you weren’t too excited about professional security, and yet you and I made it work.”
My smile returned. “We did. Thank you, Virginia, for coming. I don’t anticipate needing someone with me. This facility and Crystal Light Stadium have security. And you’re going to investigate my home system. I just don’t know what to think about the notes.”
“And each one has accompanied a floral bouquet.”
“Amber-shaded roses to be exact. Beautiful yet creepy.”
Virginia stood. “I will look into this. I expect to have more information for you in a day or two.” She lifted the notes. “May I take these or do you want me to take copies.”
“They were composed by the local florist. It’s not like you can dust for fingerprints.”
She grinned. “It’s a good thing we’ve improved our methods since the days of dark powder and a magnifying glass.”
“Go ahead and take them. Thank you for volunteering to help me.”
“It’s a pleasure, Maeve.”
“Vee is good.”
“Virginia.”
I showed her to the door.