Chapter 27 #2
"Yes, I've known Greg for several years; his son is my partner.
I've not gotten the job yet, there was some extra paperwork and special considerations to make for both Derek and myself to double over.
Nevertheless, yes, I'm a sniper. I also help with Special Services as a close protection operative.
I have extensive training in most handguns, hand-to-hand combat, and I'm a second-degree black belt in Krav Maga.
I've also trained since I was a teenager in Israeli tactical knife fighting with David Harel.
I speak many languages. What more do I need to say?
I'd say whip it out and let's compare, but you know I don't have one, and that would be too much for my man. "
The way she says my man makes my chest swell. I want this restaurant cleared so I can show her how her man feels about all that. Joshua starts laughing.
"Okay, Maya, you made your point. I'm sorry to infer that you're less than you are. What languages do you know?"
"Well, I'm fluent in Yiddish, Hebrew, Arabic, French, German, Gaelic, and Italian. I know Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Spanish, Mandarin, and I'm currently learning Indonesian and Japanese."
"Bloody hell, woman, are you a linguist?" Joshua exclaims, making me smile with pride at my girl.
She's added a couple more languages to her knowledge base in the last six months.
"Well, yes, I have a photographic memory and was raised speaking many languages.
My mother taught me Irish Gaelic. My father spoke Yiddish, Hebrew, and Arabic.
We spoke them regularly in our home. He also expected me to learn more.
" I see the bitterness and hurt in her eyes.
I know from our phone conversations she feels her father took much of her youth from her.
It was his attempt to make her as perfect as he wanted.
I reach under the table to hold her hand. She turns and smiles at me.
"You know David Harel?"
"He was an old military friend of my father's."
"He runs a security company too."
"I know. He’s asked me on occasion to help him."
"I’ll admit, I've done some checking on you."
"You have?"
"Well, after Duncan accidentally hit the FBI security net on you, yes."
"I explained to him about that."
"What about that IA investigation?"
"How do you know about that?" I watch her spine straighten. She's wary about something.
"I have my ways. Care to explain?"
"It was a misunderstanding. My locker at ERT headquarters was broken into. Two of my tactical knives were stolen. One was used to murder another ERT officer. I was cleared."
She says everything with little emotion, but I can feel the energy radiating off her body.
"How did they know it was your knife?"
"I had my initials etched into the hilt."
"Did they find the suspect?"
"No." I can tell she isn't going to say more but my hand tightens on her thigh. She turns to look at me, but her eyes and feelings are blanked. She is hiding something. Joshua interrupts my thoughts.
"Well, Maya, I'd love for you to come work at Securities International. I'd make it worth your while and I'd pay for all your belongings to be shipped here. I know Gregory would have a fit, but I'd personally love to see him pissed off. He beat me at poker badly a couple months back."
"Thank you, but I'm not interested. Oh, you're the Englishman he beat. He loved that."
I stiffen next to her. I want her here with me. I can't go without her. The thought of her returning to DC, where this arsehole is, makes my skin crawl.
"Well, the offer stands. Let's have dinner and get to know each other. I can't believe you have my mate here tied up as he is. If it's not too personal, what happened today that has you both skittish?" She actually looks at me and I nod before she begins.
"My condo in DC was broken into and ninety-nine red roses were left for me with a note, candles, and rose petals. I've had an admirer for years, but they've never done this."
"You have an admirer and you aren't concerned?" Joshua looks at her shocked.
"I'll take care of them or they'll go away on their own. They were harmless until recently. They're getting closer and more daring."
"Tell him about the other one," I grit out.
After a huge sigh, she says, "In June, the morning after Duncan and I met for the first time, I was left a package of pictures.
This is another person who is angry with me.
Greg walked in and saw them or I would have handled them on my own.
It was pictures of my whole day, including meeting Duncan outside the bar and one of me sleeping in my condo. "
"Someone got into your condo?"
"I was extra tired and forgot to set my alarm.
Since then, he has slashed the tires on my bike, painted my door red, and sent me pictures of my day.
I believe that the IA investigation is a result of him, but I can't believe he would kill another ERT officer.
Officer Yancy was on the call that night in June, he was suspended shortly after, but he and I were friends.
He had called shortly before he died, asking to talk to me. "
"What did he want?"
"He never met with me."
"How did they clear you?"
"I was teaching a class during the murder. Plus, I gave them reasons why it wouldn't be me."
"Such as?"
"Look, do you fight with knives?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."
"Then you know that most knife fights result in a slashing cut, very rarely are they stabbed unless you sneak up on the person and take them by surprise.
I'm trained enough that I would have slashed him from his navel to his neck or across his abdomen.
I wouldn't have stabbed him in the chest, unless I throw a knife.
Also, the perp was close enough that Yancy pulled a patch off them. "
"You never told me this." I pull away slightly.
"It was right before I met you in New York," she says by way of explanation, and I realize that explains some of her mood then.
"Joshua, can you have Timothy run a soft check on her flat and a few names if I give them to you?" I ask quietly.
"Of course. Are you sure you're okay? Most women would be freaking out."
"My partner is condo sitting for me, and I don't go anywhere without protection." He looks at her carefully, seeing if she'll give up anything else.
This is why Joshua is in charge, he can wait out anyone and can read people so well.
"Look, I'm not worried. I think the flowers are from someone that knew my mother or father because every year, for the whole month of June, flowers are delivered to their graves in Tel Aviv and to me in DC." I knew there was more. She keeps hiding herself from me.
"Is that all, Maya?" he asks her, his eyebrow arches. He knows there's more.
"What else? I think they might be working together. One of them has followed me to London several times or knows where I'm at here. Also, they can get onto police property."
"What?" I huff out. The more she says, the more I worry.
"After the shooting in November, there were flowers left at my condo door.
I was also sent pictures of myself from the news reports.
The photographs were left on my SUV and truck while they were parked in the police department parking lot.
That's why Derek and Greg have been so protective.
I think that's why Greg came over for the holidays.
He's worried. He knows that I received flowers when I was visiting here before. "
"Of course. Not because he thinks you should be with his son." I can't help myself, I'm so jealous right now.
"Duncan, enough, Derek isn't like that to me. I told you Greg is like a father. Stop, now."
"Why not let this rest and we will have an excellent dinner." Joshua cuts into our argument.
The rest of the evening goes by without a hitch. I finally begin to relax and feel comfortable. I see out of the corner of my eye how many men check her out, but I know that I have to control my jealousy or I'll push her away.
"It was wonderful to finally meet you, Maya. I hope you know the offer will stand as long as I'm in business. I'd be daft not to hire someone with your talents. I'll also be in touch after Timothy runs his checks," Joshua says when we're leaving.
"Thank you, Joshua, but for now, I'm happy where I'm at." I'm not happy, but I can't push her.
"Lunch tomorrow, mate?" I ask him.
"Sure, why not. I'll see you both then."
"Duncan, we will have Ana with us and possibly Greg," Maya states. I see Joshua pause and turn to look at me with a strange look on his face.
"Your sister will be with you tomorrow?" Joshua asks.
"We're picking up Ana in the morning to go with us to Maya's solicitor's office.
Maya has some paperwork to go over. The ladies wanted to go shopping after that, and I want to get my sister away from that smarmy arsehole for a little while.
I swear something is going on with him." I didn't mean to say so much, but I know Joshua would understand.
"What do you mean something is going on?" he asks.
"She's lost weight, her eyes look sunk in, she flinches when he touches her, and worst he controls her," Maya provides.
"Has she talked to you, Maya? Do you suspect what I think you're saying?" Joshua asks.
I know he has experience with situations like this.
"Yes, Joshua, I think he's abusing her, but I don't ever see any signs. Although, she wears different clothes than she used to."
"Duncan, why didn't you tell me?" Joshua swings around to me, his body is vibrating with tension.
"Well, let me see. I don't always tell you what's going on with my family. Plus, she doesn't talk to me."
"I'll try to speak to her tomorrow. Okay, guys, just relax, both of you. When she figures out what an asshole he is, it will be as plain as Rudolf's nose. Alright?" Maya tries to snuff out the rapidly growing fire between Joshua and me.
I don't know what his problem is except his personal background with abusive people. Maybe that's it, although he seems more agitated about my sister.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Duncan and Maya, goodnight."
I hope I don't get a phone call later from him at the pub trashed. I decide to call Ian and put him on notice. I pull out my cell and dial Ian's number as I walk Maya to the Rover.
"Hella." Ian's thick Scottish accent comes over the phone.
"Mate, tell me you're not already mullered? Did you not just get off guarding Ms. Patrice?"
"Na, mate, just thinking about where to head. Yes, I was just with her. You with Bossman or something?"
"Will you call Bossman and go with him. Something is up and he's not going to call me to come get him."
"What, don't want to leave those lass’s legs tonight? Got some shagging to do?"
"Something like that, mate. Now, take care of it, he's there for you."
"Don't go there, mate," he angrily replies.
"Okay, go!" I hang up on him and swing my girl around to me and kiss her thoroughly.
I want to infuse myself all over her skin.
I want every man around to know she's mine.
Mostly, I want my ring on her finger and her carrying my name.
I can't believe I feel this way, but after today with those wankers, I know she'll be mine.
"Sorry, I wasn't ignoring you, baby."
"What's that all about with Joshua?"
"I've no bloody idea. I’ve never seen him like that. He has situations in his past that he might share with you someday."
We head back to my flat and I make sweet love to her all night. I'll worry about my sister and Maya's stalker tomorrow.