Page 76 of The Agent
“Yes. She has a bag with her and she looks scared shitless.”
“Where is she?” Natalie couldn’t believe this was happening right now. She had never felt less able to be someone else’s pillar of strength. And her stalker was watching her house.
“She’s in the kitchen,” Deion said. “But before you start with her, you need to make sure that she’s really a client.”
“Why would she lie about that?” But Natalie flipped open the laptop to query her client database.
“Because of the timing. Maybe your stalker sent her.”
Natalie glanced up at Deion’s stern expression. “Wow, you’ve already gotten in the security mindset. But it seems a little farfetched.”
He shook his head and shifted his gaze to her laptop.
Natalie typed in the woman’s name. “Sarah is one of Gino’s clients. She’s been coming here for about two years.”
“I want Gino to see her in order to confirm she’s really who she says she is.”
Natalie was touched and a little impressed. Deion was taking this seriously. “I’ll get him and meet you in the kitchen.”
“Jenya should join us too.”
“You know Jenya?” When Natalie had left her chair to come to her office, Jenya had checked in on where she was going.
“She vetted me before she let me come to your office,” Deion said. “She’s good.”
As Natalie and Deion walked into the spa room, Jenya got up from the sofa and joined them, a frown on her face. “I think we should find Sarah Lacey somewhere else to stay.”
Natalie was tempted but she couldn’t do that to a woman in need. “It’s not just a room. It’s support from someone who’s been there.”
Jenya and Deion both looked unconvinced. She waved them down the hallway and detoured through the salon to find Gino.
“What’s this about?” Gino asked as she led him toward the kitchen.
“Sarah Lacey is your client, right?”
“Yeah, since a couple of years ago. Why?”
“She’s here.” Natalie lowered her voice to a murmur. “She wants to stay in my guest room. I just want you to confirm it’s her.”
“Not good timing with the stalker around.” Gino kept his voice low as they passed the reception desk. Halfway down the hall, he came to an abrupt halt. “Shit, could this have something to do with your stalker?”
“So now you’re jumping on the bandwagon? Jenya and Deion are worried about the same thing.” Natalie just didn’t see how Dobs Van Houten could persuade one of the Mane Attraction’s clients to pretend she needed Natalie’s help. What would he gain by it, even if he did?
“You can’t be too careful.” He squared his shoulders, shifting into the role of protective male. “Let’s see what’s going on here.”
She didn’t need Tully now, did she? She had plenty of people to protect her. The thought didn’t cheer her up.
They walked through the kitchen door to find Deion, Jenya, and a young woman seated at the long table where the staff ate. Sarah Lacey’s hair was brown with subtle blonde streaks, cut to just above her shoulders. Natalie gave Gino kudos for his good work.
The woman had wide blue eyes in a fine-boned face and wore a pink polo shirt, gold shell earrings, and a diamond engagement ring and matching wedding band that seemed too big for her delicate hand. Deion was right: she looked nervous to the point of terror, her pink lipstick half-eaten off her tightly pressed-together lips, her gaze jerking toward Natalie and Gino in panic.
“Sarah, so good to see you.” Gino flashed his flirtatious smile. “When Natalie told me you were here, I had to say hello. How’s the brightening shampoo working for you? Good?”
Sarah looked confused. “The shampoo? Oh ... it’s fine, I guess. Yes, it’s great.” She nodded emphatically. “I love it. Thank you.”
“Great! Just wanted to check in.” Gino turned so his broad back was to the table. He nodded to Natalie and gave a thumbs-up close to his chest to indicate Sarah was the real deal.
Natalie gave him a nod in return. “Thanks for checking on Sarah, Gino. I know you have a client waiting.”
