“Easy work today, eh?”
A broad-shouldered man who Ethan assumed must be associated with the airport since he hadn’t been with the event organizers in greeting Theo, had joined Ethan at the edge of the tarmac.
Ethan smiled back. “I’ll take them when I can get them.”
“You go with him everywhere?” the man asked.
“Wherever he has appearances, yes.”
“Could be worse, I suppose. We’ve only had two other celebrities come through this airport—one a singer and one a magician. Both showed up with entourages so large you’d think the President had arrived.” The man shook his head, chuckling. “Both had attitudes to match, as I’m sure you can imagine.” He smiled at Theo’s antics with the fans. The group was doing the YMCA poses while an organizer filmed them on one of the girls’ phones. “Seems like a friendly, down-to-earth guy.”
“He’s good with his fans.”
The man’s smile widened further. “Can’t say, more, eh? You must see everything with your job.”
“I’ve seen a bit.”
“Anyone ever offer you a small fortune to leak a few juicy details? My wife is addicted to those obnoxious gossip sites. They seem to post gossip about anything and everything. Makes you wonder who tells them all that stuff.”
Ethan glanced at him. “My job is to provide discretion as much as security.”
“Of course. That’s obviously why Mr. Smith hired you.”
Ethan studied the man with more interest, wondering if he was, in fact, associated with a gossip website or publication. “You’re here representing the airport?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t say I’m representing, but I work here. I’m an applications developer. I write code for various airport systems, dealing with computer technicians more than planes, unfortunately. Aviation has always been my first love, but I hardly get near a plane these days. Today is a treat provided by my supervisor. My wife is hoping I can get Mr. Smith’s autograph.” He ended the statement on an up note, glancing hopefully at Ethan.
“I’ll see what I can do. Theo’s pretty generous with his time.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
The man extended his hand to introduce himself but the sudden screech of tire wheels over loose gravel demanded Ethan’s attention. At the opened fencing where the Elite Poole limo was parked, a small Ford had just pulled up and parked. A man climbed out from behind the wheel.
“Excuse me,” Ethan said absently, his eyes fixed on Freckles, the heckler at yesterday’s event. He strode forward to intercept the other man. “This is a private event,” he called out. “I need you to move your car.”
Freckles ignored him, his eyes pinned on Theo, who hadn’t noticed his arrival.
“Sir.” Ethan quickened his step as the man entered the tarmac. “Sir, stop, or I’ll have you held for trespassing.”
“Theo!” the man yelled.
Out by the helicopter, Theo flinched violently, his arms falling from their ‘M’ position above his head. Everyone around him paused in confusion as Freckles broke into a run.
Ethan bolted after him. He was in better shape and faster. He caught up with Freckles fifty feet from the group, throwing his arms around the guy’s arms and chest. Freckles stumbled beneath the force and fell to one knee, taking Ethan down with him. As two of the girls cried out, Ethan wrestled with the man, trying to keep his hands where he could see them and away from any pockets where weapons or a detonator could be hiding.
“He’s straight!” Freckles screamed as Ethan wrestled with him. Though slighter than Ethan, he was infused with unexpected strength. He managed to resist Ethan’s efforts to drive him facedown to the asphalt. “Loren’s straight! You’re just using him for the publicity! You don’t love him!”
“No,” Theo gasped, looking pale and stricken. He walked forward, leaving the girls and photographer behind. “You’re wrong. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“Theo, back away!” Ethan shouted at him as he managed to twist Freckles’ left arm up behind his shoulder blades.
“I would die for him,” Theo said in a louder voice. He was within thirty feet of them now.
“Theo, get back!”
Freckles grunted as Ethan forced him down onto his chest. He screamed against the asphalt, “You’re a liar! How could you love him when you’re not even with him?”
Theo let out a choked sound and dropped to his knees. “No,” he protested, his expression bleak. “I’d be with him if I could. If he’d let me. I’d do anything for him. You don’t get it. None of you get it. Loren is the love of my life. For the love of god, just leave us alone and let me love him!” He dropped his head forward and sobbed loudly from behind his hands.
Ethan managed to twist Freckles’ other arm behind him and used a zip tie to secure his wrists together. Breathing heavily, he climbed off the man and hauled him to his feet. “Call Security,” he told the airport officials.
“They’re on their way,” one of them assured him, white-faced.
Freckles hung his head and said nothing more as Ethan marched him toward the terminal. The man seemed to have lost his will to fight and was practically meek as Ethan turned him over to the airport police force.
“I’ll be right back to give you my report,” Ethan told the head officer. “I have to see to my client.”
He jogged back to the tarmac, expecting to see Theo hiding in the limo. But he was standing at the helicopter again, assuring his fans and the officials that he was alright.
“I’m not going to let that guy win,” he told them as Ethan jogged up. Theo’s expression was resolute. “You guys deserve a great time and you’re going to get it. High-five!”
Ethan absently brushed pebbles and dirt from his trousers as he watched the girls happily high-five Theo. Everyone was all smiles. In another few minutes, the pilot began helping the girls into the helicopter. Ethan took the opportunity to pull Theo aside.
“You don’t need to do this, you know. We could leave and the organizers would be okay with it.”
Theo clapped him on the shoulder, his expression grim. “That guy isn’t turning my day to shit. I’m carrying through with my responsibilities. No one will be able to say Theo doesn’t care for his fans.” He smiled wryly. “Nice tackle, by the way. Looked like something straight out of a cop movie.”
Ethan wasn’t amused. “Do you know that man? He followed you here from the other photoshoot.”
“No way. He’s one of those mouth-breathers I was talking about. I’m actually glad this happened because now he’ll have to leave me alone.”
“Maybe,” Ethan said, because there was no guarantee that being arrested or even issued a restraining order would keep delusional people away. “You sure you’re okay with the flight?”
“I’m great. Thanks, Ethan. I owe you.”
Uneasy, but with no other choice, Ethan watched Theo climb aboard the helicopter and fly off. Only after the aircraft was a speck heading toward the Strip did he turn to the terminal to deal with Freckles and the police.