Page 20 of Savage Peril

As the demand for personal security grew, Stealth Security expanded to accommodate new clients. Gunner was busy with investigations, as well as close protection assignments. But the heavy workload didn’t prevent him from thinking about Lori. She was on his mind every day.

Texting was better than no contact, but it didn’t replace seeing her. After Gunner was done for the day, he went home to shower and change. Lori had agreed to have a drink with him. She had offered to meet him, but Gunner wouldn’t have it.

Gunner drove to Lori’s house to pick her up. She was lovely, dressed in jeans and a blazer. Her perfume smelled like roses, drugging Gunner with the feminine scent. On the way over, she looked out the windows, appearing thoughtful. Once, Gunner caught her staring at him, and when he glanced at her, she blushed. He hoped that meant the attraction was mutual.

The Bungalow in Santa Monica was a fun, trendy bar. Gunner chose it for the atmosphere, since it was a relaxed place. There were heaters in the outdoor area, so Lori decided to sit on the patio. It was nice outside, if chilly. But the two-person sofa in front of a stone fireplace was acceptable. Gunner settled into the seat next to her, very aware of her presence.

Lori did something to him. She was beautiful and petite, but Gunner wasn’t captivated by just a pretty face. Her strong personality drew him as much, if not more. Sitting close with her scent wrapped around him, Gunner felt his loins heat.

A cheerful waitress came by to take drink orders. Lori selected a Grey Goose martini, and Gunner ordered a Corona. While waiting, they chatted and looked at the gardens beyond the patio. A server delivered the drinks, and Lori leaned back to take a few sips.

Gunner drank his beer and enjoyed listening to Lori. He learned more about Anna, her mother, and the pain she had lived with. It made sense why the clinic had been so important to Lori’s father, and meant so much to her.

Lori had mentioned having a brother, yet Gunner didn’t know much about him. But when he asked, Lori said, “Let’s not talk about him. It will only be depressing.”

That was fine with Gunner. She could tell him more whenever she was ready. It was a relief that she didn’t ask Gunner about his son. He wasn’t anxious to divulge more details. He would rather skip it.

Gunner ordered drink refills. While waiting, Lori nibbled a nut and pretzel mix that was on the coffee table. Gunner had run out of things to talk about, so didn’t try to make conversation. Sitting beside Lori without saying a word was enough of a pleasure.

But Lori didn’t resume the conversation. She had been talking freely, then went silent.

“You seem preoccupied,” Gunner said. “It makes me wonder if Matt is still pestering you.”

“Not in the way you think,” Lori said. “I don’t give him any opportunity to work his charms, and it seems he has finally figured out that I’m not going back to him.”

Gunner was relieved to hear that. “Is it something else, then?”

Lori put her glass down and turned to look at Gunner. “I’m not sure you want me to burden you with my problems.”

“Please…I’d like to hear about what’s bothering you.”

“Well, Matt is a problem, but not so much personally. It’s his performance as a manager I have issues with,” Lori said, then detailed a few of the inconsistencies in the records that she had discovered. She had confronted Matt with the evidence, but he had brushed it off.

“He can’t get away with that.”

“He thinks he can,” Lori said. “And the errors would be bad enough, but there is something else that concerns me more.”

“What’s that?”

Lori reached for her drink and took a sip before continuing. “This is hard for me,” she said. “I’m not comfortable with where my mind is going.”

Gunner wanted to help, but first he had to know what was wrong.

“A poison antidote called Prussian blue was listed on a recent order,” Lori said.

“For what type of poison?”

“Thallium,” Lori said. “It’s an old-fashioned chemical poison. Originally, it was used as rat poison, but has since been banned due to its toxicity from accidental exposure. I’ve asked my staff about the Prussian blue, but no one was aware of the order.”

“Who has the bottle of the antidote?” Gunner said. “That would tell you.”

“That’s the thing,” Lori said. “I can’t locate that bottle. It was apparently ordered, but it’s missing.”

The look of devastation on Lori’s face wrenched Gunner’s heart.

“I understand why that’s an issue,” Gunner said. “But why are you upset?”

“Thallium poisoning causes symptoms which match those of a variety of illnesses,” Lori said. “Ingestion can cause weakness, stomach issues, muscle aches, and much more.”

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