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Looking at the man sitting across from me, I can see the likeness in our features, but they’re subtle. Bennet’s eyes are green too, but they’re dark enough that you might miss it unless the light hits them the right way. We have the same shaped jaw and the overall same build, but the differences in our race and the way we dress make it difficult to see the similarities. No one would guess we could be related.
Bennet sits across from me, calmly analyzing my silence. I have to admit that I would not be as kind or understanding to someone that had been following me. I almost want to tell him, but I’m not sure I can trust him not to shut my whole investigation down when I’ve only just found leads. He might tell his father, or he might kick me out of this little party. I can’t have that. I feel extremely protective of her, and I’m feeling antsy being away from her for even this short time.
“You ready to head back, then?” The smallest look of disappointment flashes over his features, but he lets it go.
“What are your thoughts on this whole situation?”
“Honestly? I don’t know yet, but I think you came up with a good plan.” I hate admitting when I’m wrong. “I would do a lot to protect her.”
“Yeah, me too, man.”
“There’s something about her… I don’t know what it is. But it feels…”
“Important.” He finishes my sentence. Yes, that’s exactly it.
We walk in silence for a second before Bennet speaks again. “I keep going over what might have happened to her, where she came from, who she is… why are those men searching for her? There are too many questions. I’d feel better if we knew who we were hiding from and why.”
“Agreed. Do we have any way to look closer at the security footage?”
“I have a digital copy of the footage from our hospital, and a few still photos from other area hospitals. I’m sending it to a contact of mine, but I’m trying to minimize the number of people we bring in on this. I trust my people not to go public, but there’s always the chance my father could catch wind of it, and I don’t want him involved.” I’m pretty surprised by his admission.
“You think he wouldn’t approve?” I’m curious about the depths of their “tumultuous relationship” as he called it.
Bennet eyes me a little warily. I know he’s been trying to decide if he can trust me, the same way I’m trying to decide if I can trust him. It’s a delicate game we’re playing.
“I’m not sure if my father would have the same… care… for a ‘random’ young woman in her position,” he answers carefully. “I don’t want to take any chances, so I think it’s better that I keep him out of it.” That’s understandable, but I feel like there’s something he’s not saying.
I’m looking forward to getting to know Bennet better, if anything.
Bennet
My conversation with Luis doesn’t lead to any real answers, and instead I walk away with more questions. I knew he was following me yesterday, but he didn’t come off as threatening. He kept his distance and wasn’t taking any photos, so I left it for the time being. He seemed oddly familiar to me, but I couldn’t place his face.
Maybe it’s pretentious, but he doesn’t look like someone who would move in the same circles. I figured he might approach me at some point, but the incident in the park kind of made the whole thing obsolete.
I get the feeling he wants to ask me about something, and I’ve noticed he’s been questioning my relationship with my father. My best guess is, he either wants something or my father has done something to slight him or his family in some way. It’s possible he’s not comfortable discussing anything with me because of my father, only time will tell.
When the incident happened yesterday, I assumed he was only there because he was following me. Once we got her revived though, I looked up and noticed him staring at her with a similar look of concern that I was feeling. So, I invited him, and all the other guys who had the same dumbstruck look on their faces, to ride along with me if they wanted to. Call me an idiot if you want, but it felt like the right thing to do.
I’m feeling good about the plan, although we won’t know how well it’s going to work until we pull it off. I’d rather if we were moving ahead now, but there are still a few small loose ends to tie up. I’m having my SUV picked up this afternoon and an unmarked vehicle delivered in its place. Something a little less ostentatious, with license plate blockers and darker tinted windows. I need to go over a few specifics with each of the guys, and we each need to take some time to pack a bag, assuming everyone plans on staying.
It’s probably best to start by running everyone through specifics and get the agenda set in stone. I’ll also give everyone an easy out, in case they aren’t all in. I’m not sure about Lukas yet. He seems level-headed and serious, but I can tell he isn’t all that comfortable with everything that’s been happening. Jackson seems on board for now, but I have an inkling about something and I’m not certain how he’ll take it. I just need to make sure that every loose end is tied, so I can only hope that they take my “control freak” methods in stride.
Luis and I return to the room as Nurse Irene is coming out, having checked on our patient. She returns to the nursing station and sits down, so I’m hoping I can assume it’ll be a little while before she needs to come back in. I close the door and blinds behind us and hope it’s enough to suggest that we need privacy.
“Okay, there are some specifics we need to go over and some things that need to be done before tomorrow. If everyone is okay to discuss, I’d like to go over details so we can start moving on preparations.”
I approach them all like I would a board meeting, it helps me process. They’re all staring at me rather blankly, apart from Luis who has an eyebrow crooked up to his hairline. The serious face he makes when he’s displeased is a little disconcerting, it weirdly reminds me of my father. I shake off their less than enthusiastic response and move on, expecting a little backlash for what I’m about to ask of them.
“First of all, I think we need to establish the importance of confidentiality. I have already gotten any staff that has seen you in this ward to sign an NDA, as well as the Coolsons, who will be on staff at the estate. I think it would be prudent if everyone in this room did as well.”
“An NDA?” She questions.
“A Non-Disclosure Agreement, so we are all legally bound to complete secrecy regarding any activity that concerns you or your interests,” I explain.
“Is this necessary?” Lukas questions.
“There is a possibility it could be overkill, but I think it’s in her best interest to know that everyone here has her safety and confidentiality prioritized. We don’t know what or who we’re dealing with, so any information leaks could lead to trouble. At least until we know what our next steps are, yes, I think it’s necessary.”
