“Seattle PD is not responsible for the costs.” Austin crossed his arms across his chest.
“Yes, yes. The OEO passed on the stance for both the US Marshals and local enforcement.” Kyle waved a hand in dismissal, aware of the way the gesture caused the good officer to turn red in the face. The man probably had been warned to ensure this expense didn’t hit the Seattle PD’s budget. Fortunately, a good project manager in the private sector easily commanded a six-figure salary. And Kyle had been very good at his chosen profession for a very long time. “It is within my means to foot the bill personally and I made it clear I would in exchange for coordination between the US Marshals, police and this organization. Until last night, my esteemed police escort might have scoffed at the idea, but the three men this woman so readily dispatched in under ten seconds—I timed her—were a step above the usual muscle sent to keep a normal witness from testifying. At least to my understanding. And your own commanding officer broke the news to me that they’d had orders to kill me, if possible.”
He’d dabbled in investment. Finance was a mental exercise for him and he’d made sure he had more than one nest egg tucked away. This expenditure, however costly, was most definitely warranted.
He wanted to live.
“If you’d stay put, you wouldn’t be caught out in the open by these people.” Weaver shifted in her seat, leaning forward and turning her body to face him.
“They knew my room number. I’m not certain it would have been better to have been caught in the hotel room by them.” The public nature of the confrontation had delayed the use of firearms. Otherwise, he could have been very definitively dead before he’d had any sort of chance to call for help. Grim determination made him set his jaw and return the officer’s glare. “As it was, I was heading back when they accosted me and the two of you were unreachable at the mobile phone numbers you so thoughtfully insisted I have on speed dial. I’m lucky the Safeguard operative was coming off duty and headed for the elevators.”
To be honest, the striking woman had completely distracted him as she’d approached. He’d lost a few valuable seconds where he could have tried to slip away when she’d started conversation. Instead, she’d been forced to engage and he counted himself lucky to witness the beauty of the entire altercation. Fast, decisive, and then she’d gone on her way without a single care for acknowledgement.
He’d been impressed. And not much in this world impressed him in a good way anymore.
Austin let out a tired sigh. “Either way, we’ve agreed to coordinate with your resource, Diaz. Is she available or no?”
Diaz slid a tablet out from under one of the side tables and logged in. He presented it to Kyle. “Here’s our standard personal security contract, adjusted based on the requirements and background information you provided during our phone conversation earlier. I’d like to be sure we have the details in place by the time she arrives.”
“What’s her ETA?” Weaver asked.
“Before noon. Considering her temper, I’d suggest we complete any adjustments to the contract before she gets here.” Diaz tipped his head to the side briefly. “Patience isn’t one of her favorite virtues to practice.”
“Not a compliment to your staff.” Weaver glowered.
“Oh no.” Diaz held up a hand to stall further criticism. “I didn’t say she wasn’t good at it. In fact, she may be one of the most patient operatives I’ve ever worked with, given the correct circumstances. It’s just not her favorite to put into practice.”
Kyle snorted and spared a glance at his glowering escort. “Join the party. What is one of her favorite virtues, then?”
Diaz didn’t hesitate. “Wrath.”
Chapter Three
Isabelle rolled her eyes. Diaz knew she was watching the feed from the pod. She always stopped in at his office first thing on entering via the back employee entrance on the opposite end of the building from the reception area.
And he’d left her a concise note: Watch and decide by 1200 hrs.
Her lead was nothing if not concise. She honestly thought if it couldn’t fit on a Post-it note, it probably had too much fluff for his standards of communication.
His message, though, could have a couple of meanings. She had a major decision to make when it came to continuing to take contracts through Safeguard. But Diaz wouldn’t give her a deadline with only a couple of hours’ notice on that.
No, this was about this specific contract and this particular client. Which was fine. But she still had a bigger decision to make. The reminder was there, in the note, and the way he’d decided to word it. Otherwise he’d have just said, “Watch. Let me know.”