Page 47 of The Agent
Regina shook her head. “I planned to just show up. So my cousin wouldn’t have to lie if Dobs called him.”
“Good move,” Tully said. Natalie could see Regina’s confidence returning under Tully’s compliments. “Now we need to get you out of here.”
“Can I stay in the guest room?” Regina’s eyes filled with tears again. “Just for tonight?”
“Not a good idea.” Tully said gently but firmly. “Your husband has already confronted Natalie at her salon. How did you get here from the bus station?”
“I took the PATH train to Newark and a taxi from there to the end of Natalie’s road and then I walked. I paid cash.”
“You are a very resourceful woman.” Tully picked up his gun and stood. “I’m going to make some phone calls. Nat, could I talk to you a minute?” He tilted his head in the direction of the foyer.
Natalie pressed a cracker into Regina’s hand. “Eat something. It will help your stomach.”
She followed Tully to the foot of the stairs. He was in tactical mode. Eyes like steel, jaw tight, and gun in hand. “Could you put the gun down on the table while we talk? It’s a little frightening.”
“Of course, sweetheart.” He laid it on the foyer table, the barrel pointed away from both of them. “But when it’s in my hand, this gun is your friend.”
“I get that but it makes the whole situation seem even more like a scary movie. And I don’t want to be the star.” Natalie tried to smile at her weak joke.
Tully skimmed the back of his hand down her cheek. “This will all be over soon.”
“God, I hope so! Where are you going to take Regina?”
“To my place in the city. However, I don’t want her to be there without a friendly face because she’s nervous, exhausted, and pregnant. Would you be willing to go with her? I know you have to work and I’ll get you back in time for that.”
“I could get Gino to open up for me and reschedule my appointments.” Natalie didn’t want to leave Regina alone, either, and she trusted Gino to take good care of the salon.
Tully thought for a moment. “I’m afraid that might tip Dobs off that something is up.”
“Then let’s take her to Dawn and Leland’s. Dawn is in and out with her personal training appointments. I know it’s safe because you supervised the security system.” She gave him a slanted smile.
“I like it.” Tully nodded before he grinned. “And it’ll be a pleasure to wake up Leland before the crack of dawn.”
“This is good coffee,” Tully said, taking a swig from a steaming mug as he sat down on one of the ergonomic chairs in Leland’s home office. He’d left Natalie and Dawn to settle Regina into the large guest suite in Leland’s Manhattan penthouse.
“It’s arabica from Costa Rica.” Leland swiveled his chair to face Tully, the multiple computer screens painting a glow on his face. “I looked into Van Houten’s finances.” He smiled. “Killion isn’t the only one who can read a brokerage statement. At any rate, the man has serious bucks, so he’s going to be tough to fight in court. He’ll hire a battalion of lawyers.”
“Did he make the money or inherit it?” Tully asked.
“It’s mostly family money but he’s added a little bit to the pot.” Leland shot him a look of understanding. “You’re trying to figure out how smart he is.”
“How smart. How driven. How crazy.” Tully needed to meet the man to get an accurate assessment. “I plan to pay my man Dobs a visit.”
“The estate he lives on in New Jersey has a value in excess of twenty million dollars. You’re not going to have an easy time getting in there.” Leland shrugged. “If he’s even home. He owns a ski house in Aspen and several beach houses scattered around the world.”
“Oh, he’s there and he has some security.” Tully’s team had reported back to him about the cameras, alarms, and staff.
“Well, security won’t stop you any more than firewalls stop me.” Leland’s eyes glinted with amusement.
“My first approach will be just a straightforward, walk-up-to-the-door visit, so no need to worry about guards.”
“More a drive-up-miles-of-driveway visit,” Leland said. “What excuse do you have to visit him?”
“He’s a man of wealth who needs reallygoodsecurity, which he hasn’t got. I think KRG might want to court his business and I’m willing to stroke his ego by making a house call.”
“Ah, yes, a full partner coming to see him. He won’t be able to resist that,” Leland said.
“Not if he’s the kind of asshole I think he is.” Tully slowly swiveled his chair back and forth, holding his mug in both hands. “I’m trying to figure out how to make the connection between Van Houten and Natalie’s stalker.”
