Page 33 of Smuggler's Cove
He patted the inside of his jacket.
“Oh . . .” Madison didn’t know if she had ever been that close to a gun before. It was likely, but she had never been aware of one. “You don’t think you’ll have to use that, do you?” Her hands began to sweat.
“No. You will be alright. I know Mr. Rothberg was concerned about retaliation, but you will be out of here before anyone has an opportunity to come near you.”
“I trust you are right,” Madison said with some trepidation.
He took her elbow with his left hand. “Let them get their photos. They will beat feet to their offices to see who can get their pic out there first.”
About a dozen reporters started calling her name and firing questions. “Miss Taylor? Did you know about all the money your father was stealing?” She remained mute.
“Madison? How does it feel to have your old man arrested for fraud?” Still no answer.
“Where is your mother?” Again, she did not reply.
The security agent gave them a look that said,Get out of the way. He was an imposing sort, and they parted, giving Madison clearance to get into a cab.
Once they were safely in the taxi, Madison let out a long exhale. “Wow. That was intense.”
“Now you know why Mr. Rothberg was concerned.”
“I suppose getting out of Dodge is the only thing for me to do.” She sat back. “I hope Lincoln is going to be alright.”
“We have someone on him. Fortunately for him, his face is not as widely known as yours.”
“Oh, lucky me.” She heaved another big sigh. “Well, I guess I’ll have to find something to do for the next three days.”
“You should plan to go to Connecticut early tomorrow. There will be more press coverage tonight, and you do not want them to be on your heels.”
“You’re right. I will call my grandmother and let her know when to expect me. I will also have to let Lincoln know. Your men will be keeping an eye on him, correct?”
“Correct.”
Madison felt reassured.
The agent told the cab driver to make several detours to throw off anyone who might be following them. But then again, it was New York City traffic. No one was going anywhere in a hurry.
They pulled in front of the hotel. The security guard got out first and sized up the entrance. One bellman, and a couple on vacation. He could tell by the fanny packs they were both wearing, baggy shorts, and T-shirts. The man wore black knee-high socks with sandals, and she was in clunky white sneakers.They wouldn’t be white for long, he thought.
The agent opened Madison’s door and escorted her inside. Some of the staff greeted her. Obviously, they had not made the connection. Or they had but did not care. That was the more likely of the two. It was, after all, New York. Nothing much fazed them.
The agent entered the room first. It was better to be cautious than surprised, at least under those circumstances.
“You can come in,” he said, and gestured to her. “I’ll be in the lobby until six, when the next agent will clock in. If you need anything, hit this button.” He handed her something that looked like a pen with a button on the top. “Just push this.” He made a motion with his thumb. Then he showed her a similar-looking object in the inside pocket of his jacket. “You push that, and this will buzz.”
Madison gingerly took the object from him. “This is double-o-seven stuff.”
“Keep it handy, but don’t try to write with it.” He chuckled. “I will be downstairs, and I will call you when Bennie comes on duty. You should know what he looks like. But I am better looking.” He grinned, then turned toward the elevator. Madison closed and bolted the door.
It wasn’t even noon. What was she going to do with all her time? She threw herself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. And stared. And stared. And stared.
Her phone rang, and she sprang to her feet so quickly, she almost lost her balance. It was Olivia. She forgot to return her call the night before. Now that the cat was out of the bag, she had no reason not to speak to her best friend.
“Livvy! I am so sorry I did not get back to you yesterday.”
“Are you alright? I mean, areyoualright? Geesh. Now that was some kind of news. My mother called and told me to turn on the television. Holy cow.”
“Holy cow is right. I’m okay. A little discombobulated but doing the best I can.” Madison settled in one of the club chairs. “I really don’t know much about any of it, except my father was arrested for fraud, remanded because he’s a flight risk, my mother is off to parts unknown, I am heading to my grandparents, and Lincoln is moving in with Tyler.”
