Page 11 of Long Past Deadly

Turning off the shower, she dripped her way to the hot tub and eased into its heat.

Every muscle shivered in ecstasy. Fiddling with the switches, she figured out how to turn the jets on, leaned her head back against the side, and closed her eyes. She’d have to thank the stupid jerk for clearing time for this.

Later…

&&&&&&&&&&

Quaid finished his phone call and went to his grandfather’s room. Alanna was in his. He quickly shed his clothes, checked for injuries, and used the shower with it’s vibrating shower heads. He was hungry, tired, and feeling especially mean. How far could he trust Alanna? Further, he wanted his hands on that motherfucker for threatening everything that mattered to him.

Niles Benton, his body man and former MI-6, had not been surprised by his call which told him Mackey had briefed him. He hadn’t even questioned the need for supplies and clothes for both of them and informed him of the equipment and money Mackey was handing off for contingencies. Judging from her reaction to having to wear Cait’s clothes, Niles estimating Alanna’s sizes would not make her happy, but Niles would get it right. He always did. A headache broke through behind his eyes, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose to ease the discomfort.

Finished, he entered the living room, hoping room service wasn’t far behind. The shower was running in the other room, then turned off. Okay, so he had to listen at the door, but she was still here.

Sitting again, he debated calling his grandfather. Nope. Dropping his head back, he closed his eyes and let the tension knotted at the base of his skull ease. His grandfather had an efficient network. Guaranteed, he’d already heard what happened. Quaid didn’t have any answers to what would be probing questions, which was also why he hadn’t waited for police. Mackey would be deep into it.

A discreet knock announced the arrival of room service. Checking the peephole to be sure, Quaid opened the door to sumptuous smells and Barker, wheeling the cart.

“Did you get demoted?” Quaid eyed the former secret service agent as he wheeled the cart loaded with food into the room. The man was the head of hotel security for Patton Regency Hotels across the western United States. His homebase was here.

His quick smirk was the only acknowledgement until the door shut. “Didn’t know how serious this situation was. Didn’t want to take chances.”

Lifting the lid from one plate, Quaid sniffed the chicken cordon bleu. His stomach growled.

“Join me.”

“No thanks.”

Replacing the lid, he pushed the cart to the dining room and set a plate on the table. Alanna’s door was still closed. So she’d listened and taken more than fifteen minutes to get her feet under her. He should tell her dinner was here.

As soon as he thought it, Quaid dismissed the idea. She’d come out when she was ready. His quota of uncomfortable confrontations had been used for the day. Pointing to a chair, he lifted the lid and dug into the chicken. Barker sat.

Carl Barker had played linebacker for the Oklahoma Sooners in college. A big, Black man with piercing brown eyes and a bald head, he’d chosen the Secret Service over the NFL. A kidnapping attempt on the vice president’s daughter had nearly taken his life and ended his federal career. Zephren Patton, known for being swift and decisive, had swooped in and made a job offer before the ink was dry on his resignation.

“What happened?” Barker’s southern drawl was barely discernable.

“Not exactly sure. One gunman. In the parking lot of the office. Got through our security by sitting in his car during the wedding. My guess. Not fact yet. He waited the party out before taking his shot. Mackey and Harrison will investigate. I was taking a cigarette break in the lot when he fired.” God, he could use a cigarette right now.

Carl maintained his silence.

“Our FBI liaison was outside and tackled me to the ground. The man missed. Dozens of shots. I’d like to think our skills beat his, but I’m not taking bets.”

“Identify him?”

“No. Not at all. Too busy dodging bullets and staying alive. He followed us in a black sedan.” Quaid took a bite of the succulent melon that came with the meal. “It’s not enough to find him. I get it.”

Barker kept his fingers laced together and placed precisely on the table in front of him, but his eyes sparked with hunter intensity.

Quaid glanced at Alanna’s room. A hard, brief rap at the main door made him jump. Rubbing his temple, he silently counted to ten.

“I’ll get it.” Barker moved, quieter than a morning breeze.

Wiping his mouth with the linen napkin, Quaid waited. Only the staff knew they were here. Unless Niles passed on his message. The visitor was either Niles or Mackey, or both.

Mackey strode in, a menace in black. “The parking lot looks like a bomb exploded, and you’re sitting here like the King of Persia. Christ, Quaid.” Mackey pulled a chair and sat. He reached for a roll and buttered it swiftly. “Way to leave a mess.”

Niles Benton, arms full, stopped at the bar.

“I’m in grandfather’s room, Niles. Alanna is in mine. She’s showering.”