Actually, no. And if Cruz hadn’t arrived when he had, she wouldn’t have been able to. Something she was going to fix, and soon. Maybe one of those tiny, super loud air horns to carry in her purse. “Not quite, but help was close by and the police were called as soon as possible.”
She was reluctant to mention Cruz saving her. It wasn’t that she wasn’t thankful. She was. But the idea of admitting to her stepfather that she’d needed rescuing stuck in her throat. She should have been more aware of her surroundings, should’ve been able to guard herself better. The nature of her job had her traveling alone most of the time and right now the idea of staying in a hotel gave her more than a moment’s hesitation. Suddenly cold, she shuddered.
“You’ve changed to a hotel with better security?” It was more of a statement than a question. Another assumption.
He made those a lot. And basically considered you an imbecile if you hadn’t done what he considered the most logical, best, or expedient thing to do.
This time, she was fairly certain he would be surprised but not disappointed. “Not a hotel. I’ve moved into guest accommodations directly on Hope’s Crossing Kennels property.”
Silence. Then, “Is staying on the premises a common practice when you are consulting?”
Oh no, judgment could stop right there. “With private clients, of course not. However, this is a professional kennel facility and it makes absolute sense to be as near Atlas as possible while I work with him. It maximizes my access to him and the increased exposure could potentially speed his recovery.”
There, refute that line of reasoning.
“Indeed.” Another pause. “And security is sufficient on the premises?”
Was he actually concerned for her safety? She checked her incredulity. She was getting petty and letting it go was still a work in progress. Recent years working on her own had helped her maturity in dealing with him but this contract and the sudden uptick in conversations dragged up too many old habits. It was time to think more constructively. “Security here is better than most hotels. Gated entrance, video surveillance, and dogs with various levels of advanced training.” She paused. It seemed thorough to her so she considered what else might be useful information to provide before he needed to prompt her again. “One of them has been caught.”
“How?” His voice turned sharp.
Puzzled, she answered, “He showed up here at the kennels while I was working with Atlas this morning. Atlas apprehended him.”
And she was incredibly proud of Atlas. She paused in her slow pacing around the room and turned to give the dog a soft smile. He was still in front of the couch, sitting now.
“Ah.” Her stepfather cleared his throat. “I wasn’t aware. It’s not likely you were targeted at random at the hotel, then. Do the police know why this man seems to have targeted you specifically?”
“That’s a good point.” It galled her to acknowledge it because any time he had one it was an assumption he was right about all things, in perpetuity. “The police took him into custody. I haven’t heard anything more.”
Silence.
“I guess you were only notified about last night’s incident so far?” She was walking out on thin ice and at any minute it was going to crack under her feet.
She didn’t want to think about the attack last night or the man showing up this morning. But there was a reason he’d come after her and there was another man still out there. It might be more trouble for Hope’s Crossing Kennels and she didn’t want to repay their generosity in letting her stay with the danger. Uneasy, she started to pace again. Maybe she should discuss this with David.
“I’m sure I’ll be notified shortly. I’ll also take steps to ensure there isn’t a delay in this kind of update in the future.” So matter of fact.
If he only said it was because he cared, it’d make all the difference. Instead, he made it sound like he was just making sure he could call in expedient damage control in case she managed to embarrass him. She used to think he was planning a political career the way he worried so much about appearances. But the two of them had never been on the same page, so neither understood the other’s aspirations.
She’d given up trying to share a long time ago.
“You were the one who wanted to be involved in this particular military case.” He had to bring it up. “There are quite a few eyes on the dog. He’s been prominent in the news and other media outlets.”
Of course. “I’m making good progress for having only recently met Atlas.”
“Good. I expect personal status reports.” Crisp. Maybe even cheerful? For him.
There was quite the range of moods from him today. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been on the phone with him for this long.
“Via e-mail?” she asked hopefully. Please. E-mail would be so much less awkward than phone calls.
“Secure e-mail correspondence with me, always. Use the encryption program I sent you.” He sounded distracted now. Already done with her and on to the next thing.