Page 46 of Not the Bodyguard's Princess
Thanks
Andrew stared at his phone. Jordan knew the schedule for today. His thumb hovered over the call button. Alan’s voice boomed in his ear. “One of the detained caterers has two outstanding warrants, one gun-related. Is CHP on-site?”
Andrew, check the monitors. “Not yet. Alex, are they still in holding?”
“Yes. Let me guess—the blond guy? He’s pacing like a caged tiger.”
“I’m putting in a call to the police,” said Alan. “Let me know if he gets too antsy. The female has worked with us before. She’s free to work with the caterer.”
“I’ll get her out here now,” said Alex.
Elle came back into the room. “I’d be better off in flats, but this is the best dress yet.”
Andrew turned from his computer screens. “Abbie picked it out. She’s missed being in the business. I believe the pockets are custom.”
“Tell her thanks and to ditch the heels next time.”
Andrew laughed. “You’re supposed to blend in at the end of the red carpet.” He snuck another look at his phone.
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s Jordan. She texted and asked for a phone call. I just can’t right now.”
Elle fixed her earpiece. “When I come back to change after the red carpet, I’ll watch the monitors for you and give you a five- or ten-minute break. Test my comm, will you?”
Andrew leaned close to the speaker. “Elle looks like a movie star.”
A grumble came over the line. Elle and Andrew exchanged grins. Poor Alan, back at the office. Elle waved and left. A moment later, she appeared on the monitor of the lobby camera.
Alex’s voice came over the comms. “The police escorted both new hires off in handcuffs.”
“Both?” Andrew and Alan asked in unison.
“Second guy tried to make a break for it and threw a punch at the officer. Any idea who he was, Alan?”
“None. Other than the name he gave us is an alias. Looks like the Ogilvies’ car is one minute out. You guys ready down there?” Alan asked.
Andrew broadcast onto all the communication devices. “First car is here.”
The next hour flew by. One aggressive photographer and a protester were easily taken care of. The only surprises came from his own family. Abbie and Preston arrived with Preston’s parents. Abbie, Preston, and his mother carried the triplets in their arms. September brought Harmony. All four children left with their nannies and bodyguards after the red carpet. Abbie borrowed Elle’s comm to apologize and claimed it was a last-minute change.
No one believed her. Nothing with the triplets was last minute. September had put in her security plan that Harmony’s attendance was a possibility.
Elle returned to the operations room. “Please let me get off my feet for a few minutes.” She plopped into the chair next to Andrew. “These shoes look so much nicer than they feel.”
“We are fifteen minutes out from September’s first song. Deidre is with her. Mrs. Crawford may need a female guard. She isn’t feeling well. We took Tonie off her team. Remind Alan to fix that.”
“Mr. Crawford knows she’s expecting?” As with many of their longtime clients, the Hastings Security bodyguards knew a fair amount of secrets by observation. Morning sickness wasn’t easy to hide. Elle hadn’t worked much with the Crawford’s, but she loved Mandy Crawford’s down to earth view of things.
“Her husband knew before we did, but they don’t want to make a public announcement.”
“Go make your phone call. I’ll change and let the Crawford’s detail know I am available.” Elle rubbed her feet.
“I shouldn’t leave.”
“You’ve looked at your phone twice since I came in, and everything security related from the app is on your laptop. Go make the call.”
Andrew picked up his phone.
