Page 5 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
“No one was injured. Following that, a second brick came through with a message that read, ‘Your wife won’t survive the wrong decision. Choose wisely.’”
“It said ‘your wife?’” Adelaide asked, her head cocked to the side. “What is this case about?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know.”
“Okay.” Adelaide nodded. “How afraid should I be?”
“The attack didn’t seem like the work of a professional,” Rick continued. “Of course, we can never be sure of a threat, but I would not label you as a high risk.”
“But I need a bodyguard?” Adelaide said, eyebrows knitted close.
“I was hired out of an abundance of caution,” he repeated.
“Sounds scammy to me,” Marilyn said under her breath.
Another older woman emerged from the back room.
For a small tea shop, it was filling up. He needed to lock that back door.
“Excuse me,” the woman said, “but I caught the end of this.” Her hands were behind her back, tying an apron string. “I’m Patty, the owner of this tea shop. If you are who you’re claiming to be, you should be able to provide identification.”
“Of course.” He reached into his coat pocket and handed her his driver’s license, military ID, and the credential card IronClad Elite had rushed to print for him.
“IronClad Elite.” Patty narrowed her eyes. “This is your company?”
“Not my company, no,” Rick said. “They hired me to fill this position. It was an emergency contract.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not a regular?”
“No.”
Patty frowned, handing his ID back. “If they’re so elite, why don’t they have staff trained and ready at all times?”
Rick glanced at Adelaide. She was seated, cradling her arm, her expression unreadable. Maybe in shock. “I can’t speak to that. I’ve worked personal security in the past and was called in by a friend at the company.”
“Well,” Patty said slowly, “I hope you’re good enough to take care of our Adelaide.”
“Okay, Patty. Thank you.” Adelaide stood, walking closer to him. “Rick, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but thank you for the information and…welcome to the mad house.”
He nodded. “Thank you. Glad to be here.”
Three
This whole thing was ridiculous. Addy didn’t need a bodyguard. No one was going to come all the way to San Juan Island to attack her, and if they tried to, she could take care of herself. She wasn’t some doe-eyed damsel in distress.
The one embarrassing thing that proved she wasn’t quite so savvy was her not asking Rick for his credentials. It felt too rude! Patty, on the other hand, had no qualms.
Maybe Patty could be her bodyguard.
Addy’s phone rang and she quickly pulled it out of her pocket. It was Shane. She rushed to the kitchen before answering.
“Hey, Shane.”
“Adelaide, hi.”
She bit her lip. He’d never used her full name during their nineteen years of marriage. It was alwayshoney, orboo-boo, orLay-Lay. It wasn’t until the end he’d transitioned to calling herAddy.
It was a standard nickname for her, but hearing it from him was jarring. She’d noticed it immediately. She knew in her heart then that it was over, but it took her another two years to accept it.
