Page 41 of Almost Home
“Anthony, is it? Welcome.” Wilder extended his hand, and I saw the moment Anthony took in Wilder.
His eyes widened comically, and he gasped loudly enough I could hear it from fifteen feet away, where I stood in front of my desk.
“Oh. Uh, yeah. And this is, uh, is… Ms. Madeline Reynolds.”
A woman and an absolute giant of a man stepped inside behind him and the man shut the door. My heart rate rocketed and I willed my cheeks not to flush. There she was.There she is!
“Please, come in. We’ll be in the conference room this way.”
Wilder gestured toward me, and I smiled and forced my lead legs to move. Aside from encountering people around town the last year, I’d never really met anyone famous other than Calla. Certainly not up close like this, and not someone who I admired.
The three followed silently behind me, and I wondered if they’d be so stoic the entire meeting. I still hadn’t gotten a good look at the guest of honor because Anthony stood in front of her, and she hadn’t taken off her oversized sunglasses.
In the conference room, we’d set out five places as Anthony had told us her retinue would include two others, but no matter. I quickly slipped the two folders into my hands and waved to the table but had to lightly clear my throat before I managed to speak. “Please have a seat. Would anyone like coffee?”
“I’ll take some,” the larger man said.
“We’re all set,” Anthony said, apparently in answer for both him and Ms. Reynolds.
“Of course. I’ll be right back,” I said, and hustled out the door, flashing Wilder a grin as I passed.
A few minutes later, Wilder sat at one end of the table, and I sat to the left with my back to the door. Ms. Reynolds sat opposite Wilder at the other end, her bodyguard on the far side of the table, Anthony next to me. After everyone had settled in their seat and the bodyguard introduced himself as Brad, Ms. Reynolds removed her sunglasses.
Thankfully, I managed to hide the shock that seeing her sans glasses caused. Her familiar, lovely face was shadowed. Removing the shades had revealed dark circles and swelling around each eye as though she hadn’t slept in days—maybe weeks.
“Thank you for meeting me,” she said, her voice calm.
“Happy to have you. Ms. Christensen gave us an overview but mentioned you’d have some needs you’d only discuss in person. While I respect the need for privacy, I can assure you I’ll be able to put together a plan that meets your needs more effectively if I have all the information.”
Madeline Reynolds’s gaze didn’t waver from Wilder’s. She took his measure as much as he took hers.
Meanwhile, Anthony bristled. “Ms. Reynolds isn’t required to divulge every security challenge she has. She doesn’t plan to—”
“It’s all right.” Her voice cut in, somehow both decisive and gentle.
Anthony’s head whipped to her, and after a moment assessing her, he nodded.
All attention focused back on her, and she spoke for herself. “I’ve taken a sabbatical from work. I’ll be in town full time starting in May until at least the end of June.”
Wilder nodded, signaling he was listening and already tracking this. Juliet had given us this basic info.
“I’ve had some trouble with a stalker lately. It has become rather disconcerting, and I’m hoping a change of scene will help. I’m also hoping that adding your security measures will do the same.”
By some miracle, I didn’t gasp or let my jaw drop like I wanted to.Stalker?No wonder she looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks—still expertly composed and calm as she reported this messed up situation, but clearly affected. I hated it for her, even though I didn’t know her. No one should feel unsafe like this.
“How long has the stalking been going on? And what level of involvement has law enforcement had?” Wilder set his pen down.
“It’s been a little over four months now. LAPD and NYPD are both aware of the situation. The FBI is also aware.”
The FBI? Whoa. Two police departments and the FBI seemed to me like a really big deal. Based on the unconcealable reality of her exhaustion, I wondered what all had happened, worried it was something much worse than this very composed, calm woman indicated.
Wilder didn’t seem concerned. “If you’re going with us, I’ll want you to connect me with your FBI contact. I know a few people there but not anyone close in domestics. We’ll want a brief on what that’s looked like for you so we’re aware.”
Brad nodded. “Ready whenever she gives the word. But heads up, I’m keeping man and cyber.”
Wilder squinted, assessing the guy. “Is that firm?”
Brad nodded, those giant arms still crossed. “Yep. It’s mine. No flexibility.”
