Page 20 of His Ex's Little Sister
“Of course. Just formermanagers,sir?”
“Yes. No time to explain. Highlight the ones who had access to my horse ranch. Email me the list, and copy Leo Connelly at Allied Force Security in themessage.”
“Will get the information to you right away, Mr.Mason.”
“One more thing,” I add. “We should also look at any managers who were affected by the downsizing efforts but are still employed by yourorganization.”
“What do you mean?”Masonasks.
“Former senior managers who were demoted, or given unfavorable lateral transfers or forced relocations, forexample.”
Mason nods his understanding. “Smart. Claire, did yougetthat?”
“Yes sir. I’ll have this to you withinthehour.”
“Thanks.” Mason hangs up, letting out a sigh of frustration. “It’s hard to believe someone still working for me could do this. Ungrateful sonagun.”
“We’re just ruling out some possibilities, but realistically, if an employee is disgruntled enough, and bold enough, anything’spossible.”
“Whoever it is, we need to get them to stop. The sooner the better. This string of fires is no good for business. Never mind my skyrocketing insurance. Just get to the bottom of this before there’s anotherincident.”
Leo nods politely, but I can see the annoyance flashing across his face. “We’reonit.”
“Is there anything else Icando?”
“There’s no quick fix solution that will eliminate every threat, as you know, given the sheer number of tourists, locals and other visitors that frequent your hotels and resorts, but it can’t hurt to have your Facilities VP beef up baseline security staffing at all locations and increase perimeter monitoring. Even if it’s a temporary measure, it may be enough of a deterrent to discourage anotherattempt.”
Mason nods, eying us with curiosity. “I much prefer working with absolutes, Connelly, but I understand what you mean.” He crosses the room and extends his arm for a handshake, first to Leo and then, to me. “Thanks for making the trip out here, Connelly, Atkinson. I’ll seeyouout.”
“Anytime.”
Mason leads us back to the mansion to the front doors, and before he returns inside, he adds, “Hang on, men. What are your best estimates of this douchebag’s nexttarget?”
“I’ve started running an algorithm on the potential sequence of targets,” I answer before Leo does. As Head of Security Strategy, Mason’s question is right up my alley. And the man didn’t just hire us to stand there and look like badasses. He brought us on board to protect his assets and mitigate hislosses.
He gives me an appreciative nod. “Good! What have you come up withsofar?”
“There’s a Rothman-Finch auction scheduled at the Royal Fenton Hotel in a week,”Isay.
“You’re right. There is. Do you believe he’s planning aheist?”
“No. Arsonists don’t typically transition to grand theft. They usually escalate to murder. So, worse than aheist.”
Mason searches my face, and puts two and two together. “Jesus. If his goal is to fuck with my reputation…my livelihood…they yes. I can see how ending lives at the same that as destroying a lot of precious antiques and valuables could do me in. You need to get in front of this potential shit show and catch this crazy littlefucker.”
“We’ll do our best,” Leoreplies.
“Make it happen,” he concludes, and letsusout.
Leo doesn’t mask his impatience when we’re back at our vehicles. “We’ve got our work cut outforus.”
I nod. “We do. At least he didn’t try to offer you the VP of Facilities gigagain.”
“True. We’re way better off operating as a business. There are far too many ways for this guy we’re after to make things go sideways, which means this contract with Mason Industries is already at risk. That, plus you know I’ve never liked the idea of putting all our eggs in one basket.” He unlocks the SUV doors with his remote and climbs into the driver seat. “See you back at theoffice.”
It’s not yet nine in the morning and already, I can use adrink.
