Mitch’s cover had been a stroke of genius. Retired and hanging out until he started looking for a part-time job. If he didn’t push too hard, he could close without making her suspicious.
Fuse stood, raking both hands through his hair, staring out the front window. There’d been nothing suspicious inside her apartment. It was time to take a look around the complex.
Pulling out a burner phone from a drawer, he called WES, punching in Dani’s extension. “Hey, it’s Fuse. Are you still watching Brit’s place?”
“Definitely, but she’s been gone since not long after they caught the snake. Whoever put it in her place should be hung by their thumbs.”
“Mitch is with her.”
“With her?”
“He found an opportunity to stick by her and took it. Mitch is clever and a quick thinker. Anyway, if you’re on the cameras, I’m going to do a perimeter check behind her apartment.”
“Go ahead, Fuse. If I see anything, I’ll be in touch.”
“Same here, Dani. Thanks.”
He took one last look at the screen, slipped on his sunglasses, and began his tour. It was early afternoon, the sun’s rays warming every surface. The middle of February and the temperatures were still at a comfortable level.
As he passed each unit, Fuse noted potted plants, a stained glass panel hanging next to one door, a small table with a candle. Nodding a greeting at a couple leaving their place, he continued his walk, heading out the back gate.
It was a complex of forty-five well-kept units and three stories. The parking area had carports with solar panels installed on top. The lot was almost deserted in the middle of the day.
He continued around the back, spending a few extra minutes along the section with Brittany’s patio. The same as all of them, it had a four-foot high, stucco wall. A small table surrounded by four chairs sat in the middle of the patio. Comfortable and inviting.
Studying the patio doors, he saw nothing suspicious. No marks, as if someone had tried to jimmy it out of the frame or remove the handle and lock. The glass was in pristine condition, not even a single handprint. In one upper corner, he spotted one of their tiny cameras. Waving at it, he smiled, knowing Dani watched.
He wanted to jump over the wall and make a more detailed inspection. The middle of the day wasn’t the time, though he might come back tonight.
Moving on, he continued to look for anything suspicious, frustrated when nothing caught his attention. He grabbed his vibrating phone from his pocket, not recognizing the number.
“Yeah.”
“Is this Scott McCall?”
He knew that voice. “Senator Blackmore?”
“Yes. Sorry to bother you, but I’ve received another threat.”
Fuse returned to the parking area, keeping a good distance between himself and anyone who might be listening. “You should be calling Kell Kirkland, sir.”
“I tried. He gave me this number to use if I couldn’t reach him on his cell. I did call Mitch first, but he didn’t pick up.”
“No problem, Senator. Tell me about the threat.”
“They know she’s in Phoenix, that she has a job with Senator Holden. And they know where she lives.”
Not a surprise. “I’m doing a perimeter check of her complex right now. Mitch is with Brit. She’s looking for a used car.”
“Mitch is with her?”
“It’s a long story, but it was a good move. She doesn’t suspect him, sir. Her move and employment would’ve been easy to discover, as would the location of her apartment.”
“There’s more.”
Fuse’s stomach churned, his fingers tightening on the phone. “Tell me.”
“To make certain I’m on the same page with them, they’re going to send a message to Brittany between Monday and Wednesday.”
“Did they say where the message would be delivered?”
“No. I assume it will be at the senator’s office.”
Fuse thought of the rattler, then dismissed it. “Are you sure they said between Monday and Wednesday?”
“Absolutely. You’ve got to protect her, Scott. Even if she learns I’ve hired you and WES, you have to keep her safe.”
“I will always protect her with my life, sir.” He heard Blackmore exhale a ragged breath.
“I know you will, son. I’ve always known where you place your loyalties.”
Chapter Six
Fuse stared at the phone. Son? The use of the word, coming from the man who’d destroyed any hope of a future with Brittany, chilled Fuse. Shaking off his personal feelings, he returned the phone to his ear, letting out an irritated breath.
“We will keep Brittany safe, Senator. I need to apprise Kell and Mitch of this new development. Is this a good number to reach you?”
“Yes. It’s a personal number less than a handful of people know. I expect to be kept updated.”
“You will be. Are you certain they made no mention of what they planned?” Fuse kept a watchful gaze on the apartments.
“Only that it would occur between Monday and Wednesday.”
“All right. Do you have your own security, sir?”
“Don’t worry about me.” His voice was clipped, inflexible. “I want all your energy focused on Brittany.”
“Yes, sir.” Ending the call, Fuse contacted Kell.
The head of WES offered to send a third man, but Fuse declined the additional help. Instead, they discussed letting Brittany know about the threats and the two men guarding her. They’d decided to hold off a little longer, until Fuse spoke with Mitch.
Pocketing his phone, Fuse made one more trip around the complex before returning to the apartment to watch the cameras. Even with Dani surveilling the images, he wanted to review them himself.
Another hour passed before Fuse leaned away from the screen, rubbing his eyes. Brittany’s apartment was secure, and she was being escorted around the car park by Mitch. Once they returned, Fuse would explain the call from Blackmore and subsequent discussion with Kell. He hoped to keep his part in protecting her quiet. At least for a little while longer.
Once she learned about his participation, she’d go off. On him, her father, Mitch. After a time, she’d settle down, the conversation would still be brusque, but Fuse knew Brittany would listen.
When they were still together, she’d bowed to all orders given by her parents. It was how their relationship had ended.
From the dossier provided to him and Mitch, he got the impression she’d begun disentangling herself from the influence of her father and mother. She’d left the analysis job her father had helped her obtain, taking one of her own choosing with Senator Holden.
She’d also left a boyfriend eight years her senior. A lobbyist and man her family approved of, until Brittany had caught him with a much younger intern. Other than Carl, the report mentioned no other boyfriends, fiancés, or husband. The same as Fuse, she’d spent most of the years since they’d parted alone.
Her life consisted of work, occasional drinks with friends, and spending time on weekends either at her parents’ cabin near Shenandoah Park or their home outside of D.C. Fuse remembered she enjoyed camping, hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, sailing, off-roading, and traveling. The same activities he did.