Chapter Eleven #2
A moment later Jules emerged from the washroom and they settled into Declan’s office.
Declan sat behind his desk, and Charlie and Jules took a seat in the two facing chairs.
Mrs B returned with cups of coffee, a bag filled with pastries and the dog, which trotted behind her.
She set the pastries out on a plate and handed coffees all around.
Charlie said, “Why is he still here?”
“I tried, Charlie, but my hands were full, and this one has a knack for slipping through doors.”
The dog snuck two of Gwen’s egg and cheese croissants off the plate and settled in under Charlie’s chair. Mrs B shrugged and left, closing the door behind her.
Charlie gave up. “Should we get this interview started?”
Jules took a sip of her coffee, turned to Declan and asked, “What do you want to know?”
“So, I understand that you’re heading into your first year at university,” Declan started. “A business program, is it?”
“Yes.”
“And your father has asked for someone to protect you. Can you tell us why he is so concerned about your safety?”
She leaned back in her chair and stretched out her long legs.
“Well, up until a few months ago it might have been about my psycho ex-boyfriend, but he’s been out of the picture since he discovered he likes guys better. Daddy’s concerned because my mother isn’t very stable and he’s not around to protect me from her.”
“Where’s your father?” Declan asked.
“He had to leave for a business trip to China this morning.”
“And what do you mean when you say your mother’s not too stable?” Charlie asked.
“Well, she started to develop mental health issues a long time ago, and my father thinks she’s a threat.”
Charlie took notes, recording everything she said.
“Has she tried to do something to you in the past?” Declan asked.
“When I was a little girl, Gloria—that’s what she called one of her personalities—Gloria tried to drown me.”
The dog let out a small growl. Without thinking, Charlie reached down and stroked the dog’s head, which seemed to calm it.
“So, she has multiple personalities?” Charlie asked.
“Well, the doctors said she did. There’s Sandra, who is kind and loving—that’s who gave birth to me.
Then there’s Gloria, who is convinced that I need to be killed because of some horrible thing I’m going to unleash on the world.
There were others, too. I can’t remember them all, but they were very different from one another.
They locked her away for a long time after she tried to drown me.
My father would never let me see her. He did tell me that he set her up in a nice place far from here where she wouldn’t be able to hurt me. ”
“So why is he concerned about her if she’s locked away?” Declan asked.
“Apparently, the last time he called the institution, wherever it is, he found out that she’s managed to slip away and nobody knows where she is.”
Declan asked, “Has your mother, in any of her guises, been in contact with you?”
“No. I don’t even know how she would begin to find me.
We moved to a different house a long time ago and we have an unlisted phone number.
And just to be safe, the people where Daddy works have been told to never reveal where we live, even if someone says they’re related to us.
Daddy’s convinced that if the personality named Gloria finds me and can get me alone… well, she’ll kill me.”
“Do you have a picture of your mother?” Declan asked.
“Ah…not on me, but I can send you an old one. And one of Gloria, as well.”
“They look different from one another?” Charlie asked.
“Like night and day. Gloria wears a jet-black wig and tons of makeup. She also wears brightly patterned clothes. Mom—that’s Sandra—is blonde and always dresses in muted colours. Of course, she’s probably changed her look by now.”
Charlie watched Declan. He seemed transfixed. Not by Jules, but by the story. He didn’t think Declan had ever had a case anything like this before.
“Has your dad ever hired protection for you before?” Declan asked.
“No. It’s just that with him out of town…
he wanted me to stay in the house until he gets back next month.
This week Dad’s got a work colleague staying with me, but it’s my first year of university and next week I want to move into the dorms. The first month is the fun bit.
You know—all of the parties. We fought about it, but I explained I’ll be surrounded by people all the time there.
He would only agree if someone like you was looking out for me.
Particularly if I’m going out somewhere off campus.
He wanted me to meet with you to see if I felt comfortable having you as my… protection.”
“And do you feel comfortable?” Charlie asked.
She turned to the dog. “What do you think? Can these guys be trusted?”
The dog barked and Jules laughed. “Well, I guess that settles it. You will both do fine. Do whatever you need to do and Daddy will send you whatever payment is owed.”
Declan shrugged. “Good. I’ll have our office manager send the contract for our services to your father at his email address.”
Jules rose. “So, is there anything else you need from me?”
“Yes,” Charlie said. “Can I have GPS access to your phone tracking? That way I’ll know where you are at all times.”
“Sure,” she said, hesitantly.
“What kind of phone do you have?”
“The latest iPhone,” she replied.
“May I?” Charlie asked, holding out his hand. “And can you unlock it please?”
Jules pressed her finger against the screen and passed it over to him.
Charlie quickly accessed the phone’s settings and activated both Find My Phone, Find My Network and Send Last Location. “I promise to only use this in case of an emergency.”
“In the meantime,” Declan asked, “do you need around-the-clock protection or do you just want to do check-ins?”
“Well, I think it’s a lot to ask for you to be there all the time.
This week I’ve got Daddy’s colleague looking out for me, but maybe when I start my move this weekend, we can work out how much time you have to be around.
Of course, I don’t expect you to be there twenty-four hours a day, but maybe at times where I might be more vulnerable, like when I’m out of class.
Unless, of course, I’m…doing something personal, if you know what I mean. ”
“Don’t worry. We’re not doing any of this to spy on you,” Charlie reassured her.
“For now, we can arrange for regular check-ins. If you miss one, I can give you a call on your cell. You’ll respond with a code word, then we’ll know you’re okay.
Now, in cases where you might find yourself in large crowds—a football game, maybe, or a large party…
it might be best if we provide you with a date who can offer protection if needed. ”
Jules pointed to Declan. “Him?”
Charlie shrugged. “I was talking about me. I’m more familiar with the university, and I’d probably blend in a little better.”
“I see,” she replied.
Declan interjected, “If you have any doubts about Charlie, I’ve seen him deal with attackers before. You’ll be in good hands.”
Declan leaned toward her. “Are you feeling worried about this?”
She shrugged. “Not as worried as Daddy. I don’t know why my mother would come after me now. It’s been a really long time.”
“Well, just in case, when the time’s right, we’ll get Charlie to set you up with any safety equipment you might need for your dorm room. Don’t worry, no cameras, just sensors and panic buttons.”
“It seems like a lot, but okay.”
“Any questions?” Declan asked.
“Nope.”
Charlie and Declan walked Jules to the front door. The dog followed at Charlie’s heels.
“Mrs B,” Charlie said, “would you send George Slate a standard contract for the monitoring and protection of his daughter. I’ll provide you a report on what was discussed and agreed upon at the meeting. Just attach it to the contract.”
Mrs B smiled and nodded.
“Once your dad has signed the contract,” Declan said to Jules, “Charlie will do his thing. Until then, if you have any problems or questions call either of us, or Mrs B here, and we’ll be there for you.”
Declan grabbed two business cards from the holder on Mrs B’s desk and handed them to Jules.
“In the meantime,” Declan said, “it would probably be to your advantage to stay out of the public eye as much as possible.”
Charlie added, “You don’t want a perfectly good watchdog, do you?” The dog leaned up against his leg, barked, then trotted into Charlie’s office.
“That’s okay. I have my fill of doggy love from the vet clinic I volunteer at,” Jules said. “So, I guess I’ll see you around. Or at least find you lurking about in the shadows, waiting to save me.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Charlie replied.
After she left, Charlie turned to Declan. “Do we even have such a thing as a standard contract for monitoring and protection?”
“I guess we will now.” Declan laughed.
“I’ll get onto that report for you, Mrs B,” Charlie said, heading to his office. He found the dog standing on top of his desk. “Get out of here!” he yelled, but the dog stayed where it was. Charlie sighed, shifted the dog to the floor and started his paperwork. He’d deal with the mutt later.