Chapter 26 – Philip
As we head away from campus toward Lincoln Park, to the bridal shop, I see the instant change in Haley. Everything about her has softened. It’s like she can finally relax, and she doesn’t feel the need to be on guard every second.
What happened back in her chemistry lab concerns me, but I keep my observations to myself.
For the entire class period, I observed Mark Hoffman.
I noted how he stared at Haley when she wasn’t looking.
Even the blond kid—Christian—noticed Mark’s behavior because he kept tabs on Mark, too.
And when Mark scowled, Christian would grin and shake his head.
I don’t think Mark said one civil word to Christian during the entire class, mostly because I think he was pissed that Haley and Christian had switched places.
* * *
Millie’s Bridal Shoppe has got to be the fanciest place I’ve ever set foot inside. The floor is a sleek burgundy carpet. The fixtures are gold.
A sales lady directs us to a private room, where Layla, Jason, and Jasmine are seated on leather sofas.
“Hey, guys,” Haley says as we join them. “I hope we didn’t miss anything.”
“You’re just in time,” Layla says. “My bridal consultant is going to bring out the bridesmaid dresses. I hope you like them.”
“What the hell is a bridal consultant?” I whisper to Haley. “Does she really need a—”
She playfully elbows me. “Hush.”
A middle-aged woman with her dark hair up in a fancy twist, wearing a skinny black skirt, a white frilly blouse, and a black jacket, walks through a curtained doorway pushing a clothing rack holding a number of identical sage green dresses.
“Why don’t you pick out your sizes and try them on for fit? ”
After they each choose a dress, Haley and Jasmine follow the bridal consultant—how’s that for pretentious—into a dressing room. A few minutes later, they come out, Jasmine first, then Haley. They stand side by side in front of three huge mirrors trimmed in gold.
My jaw drops.
Haley’s stunning.
She smiles at me, looking a bit self-conscious in a long, flowy dress that nearly touches the floor. It’s got those skinny little spaghetti strap sleeves, showing off her beautiful arms, and the neckline swoops down to show a hint of cleavage.
Jasmine looks gorgeous, too, of course, wearing the same dress, but I can’t take my eyes off of Haley.
The sales woman fiddles around with Jasmine’s dress, and then she does the same with Haley. I don’t see what she’s concerned about because the dresses look amazing on both of them. Liam’s going to flip when he sees Jasmine.
“What do you think, Layla?” the woman asks.
Layla is beaming. “They’re perfect.” She turns to Jason. “Don’t you think so?”
“Yes, they’re beautiful,” he says as he puts his arm around Layla and pulls her close to kiss her cheek.
Personally, I think Jason couldn’t care less what the dresses look like. He just wants Layla to be happy. If she’s happy, he’s happy. I can relate.
After Jasmine and Haley change back into their own clothes, Haley comes to sit beside me. “What did you think?”
I pull her close. “I think you’ll be the prettiest bridesmaid ever.”
* * *
On the drive back to the safehouse, Haley is beaming. She’s excited about Layla and Jason’s wedding and about being part of the bridal party.
“I can’t wait to see you try on your tuxedo,” she says. “You’re going to look amazing.”
When we arrive home, Charlie has dinner ready for us. The four of us sit at the table and dig into whatever Charlie made. At first glance, I can’t quite tell.
Then I take a bite and groan. “What is this dark magic you’ve concocted, Charlie? It’s so good.”
She looks pleased at my response. “Chicken meatballs in buttered noodles.”
Haley’s phone chimes with a text notification. As she reads the screen, her eyes widen, and she looks like a deer caught in the headlights.
I hold out my hand, and she gives me her phone. What I read makes my stomach turn. “He’s tracking her!”
I read the text aloud for Charlie and Mateo’s benefit.
UNKNOWN – WHAT IN THE HELL WERE YOU DOING AT A brIDAL SHOP??? YOU CAN’T MARRY THAT GUY!
Charlie jumps up from her seat. “Where are your things, Haley?”
“In my room,” she answers. “On the bed.”
Charlie runs upstairs to get the backpack and Haley’s purse and brings them back down to the kitchen. She sets them on the island and begins to empty them.
Charlie has checked her bags every day since she arrived at the safehouse, and they’ve always been clean.
That means the stalker managed to slip something into one of her bags today.
I make a mental note of anyone who came within reach of her things today, but I realize it could have been any number of people.
Her backpack and purse were hanging off the back of her seat during her classes, as well as at the cafeteria.
Anyone could have walked past her chair and slipped something inside.
Or, they could have done it while passing by her in the hallways.
“Damn it!” Charlie mutters. “Here it is. It was in her purse.”
Haley’s purse is open at the top, so it would have been easy for someone to slip something into it.
I hold out my hand. “Give it to me.” Charlie hands the tracker over, and I take it outside to crush under my heel. This guy is tenacious, I’ll give him that.
When I come back inside, Haley is sitting back down at the table, white as a sheet. She looks like she’s about ready to cry. “I swear, I didn’t see anyone—”
“Of course, you didn’t,” I say as I walk to her side and open my arms. “It’s not your fault, honey.”
She rises from her chair, and I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head.
“I’ll let Jake know the safehouse has been compromised,” Charlie says as she pulls out her phone.
I blow out a heavy breath. “I’ll call Mack.”
Haley pulls back to look up at me. “My dad will lose his shit.”
I nod. “I have to, Hale. When he finds out that you were being tracked—and he will find out, one way or another—he’ll never forgive me for not telling him.”
So I make the call.
“Philip?” Mack says as he picks up. “How’s Haley? Where is she?”
“She’s fine. We’re at the safehouse.”
“Can I talk to her?”
“Sure, but first, there’s something I need to tell you.”
His voice tightens. “What’s that?”
“We just found a tracking device in Haley’s purse. The stalker knows where she’s staying.”
“What the hell! Damn it, Philip!” Mack yells so loud Haley can hear him. She flinches. “I’m on my way,” he says. And then the line goes dead.
“Your dad is coming,” I say, even though I’m sure she probably heard him.
Haley winces. “I was afraid of that.”
“Get ready for more incoming,” Mateo says.
Charlie ends the call to our boss. “Yep. Jake’s coming, too.”
Damn, this is not going to be pretty.
* * *
Jake is the first one to arrive. He texts us to let us know he’s here. He lets himself through the security gate, parks near the house, and walks up to the back door. When he knocks, Charlie opens the door.
We’re all gathered in the kitchen. Haley’s seated at the table, and the three of us stand between her and Jake.
“All right, let’s hear it,” Jake says. With his hands on his hips, he’s a pretty intimidating sight. Jake is affectionately known in the company as The Enforcer. He is Shane’s right hand when it comes to doing the tough jobs.
“We checked her backpack and purse every day for trackers,” Charlie says. “When we checked this evening, we found one. The stalker knows her whereabouts, so he knows the location of the safehouse.”
“Where was the tracker?” Jake asks.
“In her purse,” Charlie says.
Jake nods, but he doesn’t seem too upset. “It’s unfortunate he knows where she’s staying, but the security measures in place are enough to deter him. I don’t think we need to worry on that score.”
“Mack’s on his way,” I say. When Jake winces, I say, “I had to tell him. He was going to find out eventually.”
“I get it, Phil. No problem.” He shakes his head. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” He looks past me to Haley. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” she says in a surprisingly calm voice.
We hear someone pounding a vehicle horn impatiently outside the security gate.
Mateo checks the camera view on an app. “It’s Mack.” He taps the screen. “I’ll let him in.”
“Haley, maybe you should wait upstairs,” Jake says. “Give me a chance to talk your dad off the ledge.”
She stands. “He’s going to want to see I’m okay. It’ll be better if I’m here.”
When there’s a hard knock on the back door, Mateo opens it.
Mack steps inside. “Where is she?”
“I’m right here, Dad,” Haley says as she steps around me. “I’m okay.”
The look on Mack’s face when he lays eyes on his daughter guts me. He really was worried.
“Sweetheart,” he says as he strides forward and embraces her. “Thank God. When Philip told me—”
“I’m fine, honest,” she says, her voice muffled against Mack’s shirt.
Mack releases her and holds her at arm’s length so he can scan her from head to toe. Once he’s assured she’s all in one piece, he says, “Haley, go to your room, please. I’d like to have a talk with your security team.”
“Dad, no. I’m not going to be sent upstairs to my room like I’m a child. I’m part of this. I’m staying.”
“Fine.” Mack pulls her close and kisses her forehead. Then he releases her to glare at Jake. “How the fuck did this happen, Jake? How did your people not know this asshole was tracking my daughter?”
Haley pales. “Dad—”
“No, not you,” Mack says to Haley. “I’m talking to the so-called professionals in the room.”
Charlie steps forward, calm and collected as always. “Mr. Donovan, I understand your concern. But let me assure you, we checked her bags daily for devices. There weren’t any until today.”
“It’s too little, too late now, isn’t it?” Mack says. “The stalker knows where she’s at.”
“The townhouse is secure, Mack,” Jake says.
“I want her moved immediately.”
“To where?” Jake asks. “This is still a safe location.”
Mack opens his mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. That’s because there is no better place. This townhouse is safer than her dad’s apartment, and it’s safer than her mom’s house.
“I’ll ask Shane if she can stay at his estate in Kenilworth,” Mack says.
Haley steps forward. “No, Dad. That’s too far away from school for me to commute on a daily basis. I’m fine here.”
Haley’s phone chimes with another incoming text message. She picks it up, reads the screen, and then hands her phone to me.
I read the text aloud.
UNKNOWN – HALEY, WE GOT OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT. LET’S START OVER. WILL YOU MEET ME FOR DINNER? PLEASE? LET ME PROVE TO YOU WE’D BE GREAT TOGETHER.
The room is silent for a moment, so quiet the only sound is the hum of the refrigerator.
“This is good,” Jake says. “We can work with this.”
“Tell me how in the fuck this is good!” Mack demands.
“Because we’re going to perform a sting operation. We’re going to apprehend this asshole and send him to jail.”
“Using my daughter as bait!” Mack yells. “Are you fucking serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious,” Jake says. “It’s perfect. The moment he steps into the restaurant, we’ve got him.”
“Can you guarantee Haley’s safety?”
“Yes,” Jake says without hesitation. “We’ll coordinate with the restaurant and with local police. I’ll be there, on site, along with the rest of my team. He won’t know what hit him, and Haley will be protected the entire time.”
Mack looks at Haley. “Are you okay with this? Can you do it?”
She nods. “Yes. I want this over with.”
“Haley,” Jake says, “text him back and tell him you’ll meet him, but you get to choose the restaurant.”
I hand Haley her phone, and she types a reply.
Haley – Okay, but I get to choose the restaurant.
A moment later, her phone chimes, and she reads his reply.
UNKNOWN – THAT’S FINE. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO MEET AND WHEN?
“How about Mama Bella’s?” Mack suggests.
“It’s on Lafayette Street, not far from campus.
We all ate there with Haley not long ago.
It’s small, so it’ll be easy for us to manage.
As for when, suggest Monday evening. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, so there won’t be any civilians to get in harm’s way. ”
“Will the restaurant agree to this?” Haley asks.
Jake chuckles. “They will once they get a call from Shane. Trust me, he’ll make it worth their while. We’ll have McIntyre staff on site to act as servers. The rest of us will be in the dining room, posing as customers, or hiding in the kitchen until we’re needed.”
“Everyone but me,” I say. “The stalker would recognize me.”
“We’ll keep you out of sight,” Jake says, “along with the police. Philip, why don’t you call Detective Bauer?”
I give Bauer a call and explain our plan. He promises to coordinate with local police to have them on site.
After ending my call with Bauer, I tell Haley to reply to the stalker’s text.
Haley – How about Monday at 6? Mama Bella’s on Lafayette?
UNKNOWN – I KNOW WHERE THAT IS. IT’LL JUST BE US, THO. RIGHT? DON’T TELL ANYONE. ESPECIALLY THE BIG LUG.
When Haley makes a face, I ask her, “What’s wrong?”
“He called you a big lug,” she says. “What a jerk.”
I try not to laugh. “Don’t worry, Hale. Nothing he says can hurt my feelings.”
Haley – Okay. I’ll see you there.
“Can it really be that easy?” Haley asks. “How could he possibly think I’d actually show up there, alone, to see him?”
“He’s not right in the head, Haley,” Charlie says. “Otherwise he wouldn’t be doing the things he’s doing.”
“I’ll be there for this operation,” Mack says. “I’ll be within arm’s reach of Haley in case something goes wrong.”
“We’ll all be there,” Jake says. “There’s no way we’re going to let Haley get hurt.”
Mack leaves, as does Jake. Then it’s just the four of us again.
“Don’t worry, Haley,” Mateo says as he puts his arm across her shoulders. “It’s goin’ ta be fine. Charlie and I will keep a close eye on you da whole time. If this guy makes one wrong move, he’ll have to deal wit us.”