Page 24 of Covert Affair

“Okay. Sit tight. Taylor’s with me. I’m going to hang up but we won’t be long.”

“Okay,” she sniffles.

“Stay on the line with me Stacey, until either Stefan or Taylor’s got you,” I tell her while speeding way too fast out of my neighborhood.

“I-I-I will.”

Time feels like it’s moving in slow motion until I hear Stefan’s voice in the background and then shuffling on the other end of the phone. “Hey, Cody. I’ve got her. Waylon passed out on the bed. I’m taking her to my room and Taylor’s going to stay with him in case he wakes up. I’m in room 234.”

“Thank fuck. I’ll be there in twenty-minutes.”

Stefan chuckles. “I’ll see you in ten.”

Yeah, he knows me well.

The call disconnects and I immediately dial directly into TPD’s desk line.

“Tallahassee Police Department, this is Maureen.”

“Maureen, it’s Cody from Cole Security. Who’s working tonight?”

“You’re in luck, we’ve got the whole trifecta on the schedule tonight. Dylan, Rhys and Logan are all working.”

“Great. Thanks, Maureen.”

“You want me to have one of them call you?”

“Nope. I got it.” I quickly hang up before she can ask anymore questions then quickly text the three of them. The last thing I need is Maureen’s nosey ass getting involved.

Maureen’s the night shift desk sergeant, and we’ve worked with her on things before but we all also know that she’s a fucking gossip girl. None of us have time for that shit. I only called in because I didn’t want to wake up one of them if they were not on the schedule tonight.

C: Who’s available? Call me.

It only takes a minute before Smitty’s calling my cell phone.

Good.

He’s who I would have picked for this anyway, seeing as how he’s moonlighted for us over the years.

“Smitty, I’ve got a situation. Need you to keep it under wraps though. Can you meet me at the Courtyard Marriott, room 234, like now?”

“Yeah, I can. I’m gonna need some details though, man. One sec.” Smitty calls in out of service in the background. “Okay. Now, what’s going on.”

“High profile client was assaulted tonight. She called me. Assailant is currently passed out in his room. She’s with her bodyguard.”

“She pressing charges?”

“She damn well better be,” I grunt.

“Alright. I’ll meet you there. Don’t do anything stupid. I’d hate to have to arrest you, too.”

“Fuck off.” I roll my eyes and hang up just as I take the exit for the hotel district.

I’m parked and outside the lobby waiting to be buzzed in within minutes. Stefan must have let the front desk know I’d be coming because they don’t give me the usual run down when I tell them my name and that I’m with Cole Security. I give them a heads up that I’ve got a uniformed officer on the way as well, and to keep a low profile.

Lucky for us, most of the time places like this don’t want to draw attention to any kind of situation happening so I don’t think it will be a problem for the front desk clerk to keep quiet.

The need to know that Stacey is okay drives me forward. I don’t bother with the elevator and instead take the stairs two at a time then race down the hallway to get to Stefan’s room. I don’t even get a chance to knock. Stefen must sense me, because the door opens almost immediately.

---