Chapter 2 #2
“Of course, sir.” But Peterson had already disconnected the call.
Kate pursed her lips. The chain of command existed for a reason—but she was on this assignment alone for the most part.
Playing a part was one thing, but protecting him and playing the part required she think ahead.
Miranda Keen had provided her with a great deal of information on how to manage Richard’s schedule, and his health since apparently he didn’t pay as much attention to it as he should.
Classic workaholic. Still, it seemed obtuse to think the only threats to him came from his association with the royal family. Better to be thorough and wrong, than overlook the real threat.
Checking Richard on the monitor, she reached for the phone on her desk and dialed security.
“Good afternoon, this is Kate Braddock in Mr. Prentiss’s office.
We need to conduct a full review of the security protocols governing visitors to the building in general and Mr. Prentiss’s floor in particular. ”
One eye on the screen, she waited to be connected to the head of security. The upgrades couldn’t wait and she’d have to apply a little judicious pressure to get the changes she wanted in place before Richard arrived in the office the next day.
He was far too exposed here.
Instead of thirty minutes, she gave Richard an hour.
He’d abandoned his desk and stretched out on the sofa in his oversized office.
Shutting off his phone from her desk took three commands.
The man’s previous PA had a rigid set of useful protocols in place and the detail sheet she’d provided included tips on some of Richard’s habits.
Switching screens, Kate pulled up a web browser and keyed in the address for a local dress shop.
Finding a dress, shoes and accessories set she liked, she put in a phone call and ordered everything in her size.
An extra fee hired a messenger to run it down to the building.
Fortunately, she’d been born lucky—store sizes fit exactly as they were supposed to if she stuck to similarly styled outfits.
In this case, an off the shoulder sheath that would hit her at mid-thigh.
She’d found the invitation for the six-thirty event, two blocks over at a very nice corporate ballroom.
Private security would handle admittance and they would have metal detectors.
She had a license to carry, but she’d have to leave her gun in the car safe if she didn’t want to have to explain the weapon to her protectee.
He was far too sharp to just accept on face value she happened to carry a . 45.
Mace would be more easily accepted and so would a taser. After all, she was a single woman and lived in a big city.
It would be so much easier if Richard were aware of her assignment, but she’d simply have to muddle through and be creative.
Reviewing the rest of Richard’s calendar, she checked every event they were scheduled to attend and changed his RSVP on the charity dinner for Thursday to a yes and included a plus one.
By the time the messenger arrived, she’d given Richard another twenty minutes to sleep.
According to the delightful Miranda’s notes, he kept clean shirts, ties and at least one tuxedo in a closet in the private bathroom off his office.
Locking her outer office door and advising the receptionist to divert all but the most pressing of calls to the answering service, Kate changed in her office and used a small mirror to touch up her makeup.
Her cell phone buzzed at the ten-minute mark and she checked the message—an advertisement for a twenty percent off deal on all sales made after 6:00 p.m. and before 10:00 p.m.
Familiar with the code, she dialed in then waited.
“He wants to see you this evening,” Peterson answered without preamble. “With a report.”
“It’ll be late. We have an event to attend and a meeting afterward.” She kept her gaze on the surveillance camera. Richard was still asleep, an arm slung across his eyes.
“Understood. Call when you’re on your way and come up to the security station.”
“Yes, sir.” They ended the call and Kate took the last few minutes to open the top drawer on her desk halfway, then secured a gun with tape.
No bullet in the chamber meant she would need three seconds to get the bullet loaded, but she wanted the backup.
Certain no one else would notice it without deliberately looking, she locked the drawer then got her evening bag ready along with a work case and stacked in the letters for Richard to sign.
Letting herself into his office, she knocked quietly on the open door. In her experience, most men didn’t like to be woken by a stranger and, despite their six-hour acquaintance, she remained the stranger in the situation. Richard’s arm moved away from his eyes and he turned his head.
“You’re ready.” Displeasure echoed in the drowsy statement. He sat up and swung his feet to the floor. “I said thirty minutes.”
“I gave you an hour. I had the dress in the car,” she lied easily enough. “I’d forgotten about going to the cleaners. If you want to change, I can make you a cup of coffee and we can go over any notes before we leave.”
He scrubbed his hands over his face then nodded, his easy charm muted by sleep and deep thought. He needed a hell of a lot more than just the hour of sleep he’d taken. “Thank you. Excuse me.”
While he disappeared into the bathroom, she used the single cup coffee maker in his kitchenette.
By the time he returned—hair damp, freshly shaven and wearing a black suit with a deep blue shirt and tie—he looked better.
His gaze fell on the cup of coffee steaming on his desk and he tossed her a grateful smile.
“About earlier.” He took a drink of the coffee—black with no cream or sugar, she’d have to remember that—and set it down before continuing. “My father will not be something you have to deal with on a regular basis. I am very sorry you had to deal with him at all.”
“It’s no problem,” she told him honestly. She’d already handled the security on that issue. Benedict Prentiss wouldn’t get anywhere near him again on her watch.
A lock of dark hair fell over his forehead and she had the urge to stroke it back into place that went beyond the professional.
“Please, let me apologize. You’ve been swimming like a champion against the riptide.
My father is a mean drunk and he can push things.
If he shows up again, especially if I’m not here, I want you to alert security and the police immediately.
He is not your problem and I don’t want him to become one. ”
Nothing in the senior Prentiss’s jacket suggested violent offender, but the shadows in Richard’s eyes told an entirely different story.
“Absolutely, Mr. Prentiss, and speaking of security, they called. Tomorrow morning, a Mr. Hall will present some updated security protocols and deliver the keycards for accessing this floor.”
“Keycards?” Richard frowned. He took another swallow of coffee before closing the last two buttons on his shirt and fixing his tie.
“Yes, they are updating the elevators this evening. Only employees and residents will be able to access specific floors without checking in at the security desk below. Visitors will have to sign in and show photo ID. The scan of the ID will then be transmitted to Amelia at the front reception desk and to the personal assistant or secretary for whomever they have an appointment with. We’re the ones who will then authorize whether or not they can come up. ”
A scowl deepened the lines of his forehead. “That’s a little overkill, don’t you think? We see a lot of clients in this firm.”
“Mr. Hall suggested it’s been in consideration for some time and they’ve been preparing to make the necessary changes.” Especially after she’d finished speaking to him.
Hardly mollified, Richard frowned. “I’ll talk to him. Clients need to feel comfortable coming in here and not like they have to jump through hoops.”
That was the last thing she wanted. “I think it will be more comfortable for the clients.”
“How so?” His eyebrows raised in challenge. Even fatigued he didn’t miss much. That would make her job all the harder as he recovered.
“They will be met in the lobby directly and brought up by an assistant. As it is, we’ll be showing each client the type of attention only given to higher paying clients. This levels the playing field, at least on the surface.” Would he buy that?
Skepticism filled his expression. “Are you handling me, Ms. Braddock?”
“Absolutely.” She had no reason to lie about that. “You have enough on your plate to worry about, I’ll make a point of monitoring the new protocols and if there are complaints, we can address it then.”
“Fair enough.” Richard drained his coffee and circled out from behind the desk. “Is my tie straight?”
Canting her head to the side, she eyed it critically. “May I?” At his nod, she adjusted it a fraction, then smoothed his collar down. Warmth seeped through the fine material.
“Thank you,” but instead of moving away, he met her gaze evenly. Although she wore three-inch heels, he still topped her by a good two inches. She’d always found taller men attractive. “If you wouldn’t mind not mentioning my father’s visit to anyone.”
Odd that he’d make the request considering the non-disclosure, but the hint of vulnerability in his request was deeply personal and had nothing to do with business.
“It’s no one else’s concern.” And she meant it.
She’d take care of those details. Protectee or not, Richard seemed like a decent guy and deserved some peace of mind.
“Thank you,” he said again, then cleared his throat. “Ready? I promise a very nice dinner to say thank you for today.”