Page 32 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
“If you will excuse me.”
September sat in the chair in the living room. The walls were decorated with family photos. September studied them as Harmony ate. What would Adam’s children look like? A dangerous thought to follow. September focused her thoughts on the lyrics of her favorite songs instead. Maybe it was time she start singing again.
17
Adam didn’t haveto wait long for the games to begin. Deidre called him a few minutes after he arrived at the office. “The tail I put on Sven says he ordered an Uber and drove to Eastland hospital. He paid the driver to wait, and looks like he is headed to the office now. I am working on swapping the Uber driver with one of my crew. I’m coming into the office now.”
“Good, I need you at the front desk.”
“What about Elle? I thought she wanted overtime.”
“Alan put her on dispatch. Doesn’t think she is ready for whatever may happen.”
Deidre harrumphed. “I’ll be there. Just because I am a woman, I’ll man the desk.”
“It has nothing to do with your gender. Its Saturday, and there are only four people here. I can’t sit at the desk. Ditto for the dispatcher who is training Elle. Alan is in the monitoring room, and I’d rather Sven does not meet all the Hastings in one day.” Adam once thought his sister had a chip on her shoulder about the female bodyguard thing, but compared to Deidre... He shook his head. Not everything it the world was gender-based or biased, as the case may be.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t assume.”
Adam rubbed his temple. “I’ll see you in a few.”
Deidre arrived sooner than expected. “Everything’s ready to make the driver switch when Sven gets here. He walked in and out of the hospital within three minutes. I don’t think he learned anything.”
“Probably not. You can’t ask for a patient by name, and you need their code and to be on the approved visitor list. I don’t think bluffing works.”
“Do you have any idea how this will play out?” Deidre ran a hand over her dark hair and smoothed her jacket.
Adam straightened his tie. “No idea. Buzz me and I’ll meet him out here and then move our chat into the small meeting room.” Adam pointed to the glass-walled conference room at the side of the lobby. I don’t want him getting a look at the back offices if I can help it.”
Deidre’s phone beeped. She tapped her earpiece. “Two blocks away.”
Adam returned to his office and waited for Deidre to page him. He pulled up the front-desk camera and watched as Sven sauntered into the office and leaned on the reception desk.
Deidre smiled sweetly at him. “May I help you?”
“I’m here to see Mr. Hastings.”
“And you are?”
“Sven Bent, from California.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Hastings is out today. Would you like to make an appointment? He has an opening Wednesday morning.”
“I don’t have until Wednesday morning to stay around waiting for your boss.”
“I might be able to schedule something with Jethro Hastings on Tuesday.” She was pushing his buttons, and the tanned and bleached-haired bodyguard was falling for it.
“Who is Jethro Hastings? I’m here to see Adam Hastings.”
“Do you have an appointment?” Deidre played the secretary part well.
“No, I do not have an appointment. May I see Mr. Adam Hastings?”
“I can see if he is available.”
Sven leaned farther over the reception desk. “Do that.” Sven muttered something else the audio didn’t pick up. Knowing Deidre could take the man down almost as fast as Abbie used to, Adam admired her self-control.
“I’ll ring him right now.”
