Page 44 of Splintered Security
“It wasn’t long, but long enough that he got in deep and had some debts. He bailed on his obligations, if you can call it that, and moved to Denver. That was fourteen months ago. His mother told authorities he was always running from a ghost, but she thought he’d finally managed to outrun it.”
“But why last week? Why at work in public? You don’t make that kind of splash with that potential for collateral damage to not collect.”
“DPD has no leads. We may never know, but I’m still digging.”
“I’ll do the same. I grew up in Pueblo.”
“I know.” His eyes level on me.
“Let me see what I can uncover. I’ll make a trip down this week.”
Christian’s eyes narrow.
“Get me everything you have,” I continue.
“Appreciate it. Now onto other business.”
I lift a hand. “Before we do, let’s discuss background checks.”
His brows lift, but he offers a hand in a “go on” gesture.
I can’t help but think that it’s not just me anymore. Everything I do now ripples to my wife. Anywhere she goes, anyone she visits, every place I frequent… all of it needs to be safer, more secure.
“We didn’t know Rosen’s past. I didn’t and, if you did, you didn’t say.”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t.”
“I assumed. If he got in, as tight as we hold security with you and your family, we need a more rigorous background check process. The hiring practices need to go from strenuous to… more.”
He nods.
“Think HR can get new backgrounds on everyone?”
He tips his head in thought.
“What’s changed?”
“Besides a bomb leveling the building I was standing in?”
“Point taken. What do you suggest?”
“I have a Marine buddy I know from my time in Pakistan who’s in the private sector now. Let me ask him what he recommends.”
“Perfect.”
“Though, a wine bar shouldn’t need military security for their sommeliers.” I offer, leaning back in my chair.
“No real sommelier will ping on that check. Besides, I’ll do it for all of Barone Holdings, not just the hospitality division. And I’m willing to pay…”
I don’t respond. With his level of fortune, he can afford to do a thousand dollars’ worth of research on a twenty-one-dollar-an-hour hostess. It’s a waste, but not if I want to take my wife for a fancy dinner.
We discuss a few things regarding his wife, Ayla, and her family. He has some concerns about safety. Neither of us need to worry about Liam Murphy—as far as what he can get himself out of. It’s what he gets himself into that could be a problem.
Then again, he saved my ass already this week, so I’ll have his six regardless.
By the time we’re done with all of our business, the sun is high in the sky. I’m hungry for more than just lunch as I head home.
Me: I need some advice. Do you have some time to talk?
