Page 65 of Degrees of Innocence
I back out of the hallway and head toward my office feeling confused and frustrated with the way the morning is turning out. I sink into my chair and fire up the computer to see if I have any messages from Chase or Mark and find absolutely nothing to give me a clue as to what Jenny and Chase were talking about. Jenny apparently wants Chase to be the one to fill me in on whatever is going on. I type Chase Prestian in Google images and am overwhelmed by the surge of jealousy I feel at seeing him with a barrage of other women. As I’m scrolling through the hundreds of images one of the security details pokes his head in to see if help is needed with the boxes.
“I’m no longer in need of them,” I say, thumbing through the multitude of pictures splashed all over my screen.
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, leaving the office.
A few moments later the swoosh of my phone interrupts my thoughts.
Message:I’m told you aren’t packing?
Reply:You were told correctly. We need to talk.
Message:You have my attention.
Reply:In person. I’m on my way.
Message: I see.
I close out of the pictures and head toward the elevator. The proximity and even the need for security are more annoying to me at this moment. He has apparently alerted Jay, who already has the car pulled around.
”Jay, can you take me back to Prestian? And, when did the other car join us?” I ask, getting into the backseat of the limo.
“The second car has been with us the entire day. We weren’t taking any chances with what’s happened to you in the past few days,” he says, pulling into the heavy city traffic.
“I didn’t recall seeing it on the way to Torzial.”
“It’s a different car, different team than we used on the way in,” he explains.
Of course… more teams.“Do you have any leads on who may be targeting me, Jay?”
“I think it would be better if you ask Chase. I’m really not at liberty to discuss it,” he explains apologetically.
“What the hell, Jay. Why can’t you tell me? If I recall correctly, it’s my life that is in jeopardy. I don’t see anyone going after Chase,” I say.
“Kate, I understand you are upset, but please talk to Chase. I’m really not at liberty,” he says.
I realize he is only following orders and out of frustration decide to text Chase.
Message:Would you give Jay permission to tell me who the hell is targeting me and why?
Reply:I would prefer we discuss it when you arrive at Prestian.
Message: Security is in the car, behind the car, in the elevator, waiting rooms. EVERYWHERE!
Reply: Katarina, they are making sure you’re protected.
Message:Which I wouldn’t need if you didn’t lead the life you do.
Reply:We’ve had this conversation.
Message:And I think you may have left out a few details…
Reply:You obviously have something on your mind.
I decide not to respond and instead get some work done. I need to think. I push shuffle on my iPhone and put my headphones on during the ride across town.
Jay pulls up in front of Prestian and the car doors are opened for us. There is an awkward silence as we ride the elevator to the top floor. Once in the administrative suites, Jay tells me that Chase is expecting me and that I should go straight in. I open the door to his office and he looks up from his work.
“Katarina,” he says, walking around his desk to stand in front of me. “So, you have something on your mind?” He is standing so close that I can feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.
