Chapter Three
The conference room was like most of the others in the building: carpeted floors, solid oak desks, and leather chairs. No one said the company wasn't well funded. But it wasn't the conference room that made Alexander falter at the entrance to the room.
In one of the chairs sat a woman with lush long chocolate brown hair, dressed impeccably in jeans, a t-shirt, and a blazer. Her long legs were crossed at the knees, as she sat languidly in the seat. Dark shades covered her eyes, but Alexander knew that they would be the same chocolate brown as her hair.
Seeing Gustavo and Alexander enter, the slender woman smiled and took off her glasses.
Alexander felt his stomach tense.
It was Linette Rose.
*
Realizing that Gustavo was standing beside him, watching him to see if anything was wrong, Alexander made himself walk into the room normally.
"Ms. Rose, it's good to see that you're well after the other night," Alexander began, offering his hand to Linette. "I trust that you're not too shaken up over the incident."
Linette took it, showing her pearly white teeth. "Quite the opposite—it was just like being in an action movie. Very thrilling."
Alexander smiled tightly before releasing Linette's hand. The woman held onto his hand for a moment too long before letting it go, keeping her eyes trained on Alexander. Not showing any reaction, Alexander grabbed one of the chairs across from Linette and sat, motioning for Linette to do the same.
As Linette sat, Alexander glanced at Gustavo, reassuring him that everything was fine. Reading Alexander's eyes, Gustavo quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. Alexander turned back to his client.
"So, Ms. Rose, what can I do for you?"
Linette crossed her legs. "Please, call me Linette."
Alexander smiled but said nothing. Seeing that Alexander was going to ignore her request, Linette continued. "I was hoping to employ you as my personal bodyguard. After seeing your work the other night—"
"I'm sure that if you require our services you could go through the proper means to employ one of the members of HAN Securities. Of course, you must realize that requests for a specific member will not be granted unless the reason is legitimate—everything is done through a selective process—"
Linette cut him off. "Oh, I know all of that."
"Then, may I ask why did you request to see me?"
Linette smiled. "It's because I actually don't have a legitimate reason for requesting you. I wanted to ask you personally and see if I could convince you to take my case."
Alexander shook his head. "I'm sorry Ms. Roseー"
"Please, Linette."
"—but that is impossible at the moment. I have other cases that I must finish. As you can expect, HAN Securities has a number of cases waiting to be taken up. All future projects must be sent directly to management for processing—"
"Oh, forget about all that. I'm sure that if you say yes, Gustavo would be willing to make the exception."
Alexander didn't react to Gustavo's name. "Still, the rules—"
"Someone is trying to kill me."
Alexander tried not to roll his eyes. "Ms. Rose, as surprising as this may be, everyone who contacts us has someone trying to kill them."
"Ah, but I'm willing to bet that a great percentage of them are actually just paranoid individuals. I can assure you that I am not one of them."
That's what they all say, Alexander thought to himself.
"I truly am in need of your services. I've been looking for a company to deal with my security detail for a while now, but after seeing how you handled the situation with Jennifer, not to mention the fact that she gave you raving reviews for your work, I've realized you're the perfect individual for this job." She paused before continuing. "Of course, you can name any price you'd like. Housing and other expenses will be covered, as I'll be expecting you to live in my house with me until the matter has been—"
Alexander allowed his smile to drop. "Enough."
He stood. "Ms. Rose, you must understand that I have no intentions of taking your case. I suggest you find someone else, and soon, if your life truly is in danger." He bowed slightly. "Good day, Ms. Rose."
He turned to go.
"Alexander."
He froze at the sound of his name coming from Linette's lips.
"Are you sure you won't take the case?"
Alexander didn't look back. "Positive," he answered, closing the door behind him.
*
Gustavo was waiting for him outside the room. Seeing Alexander exit, he followed him down the hallway.
"How do you know Linette?"
Alexander frowned. "She's a friend of my previous client, Jennifer. She's the one who was shot in the shoulder."
"So, I'm assuming that you didn't accept the case?"
Alexander grunted.
"Why not?"
Alexander spun around to face Gustavo, about to ask something, before he thought the better of it. He turned back around and continued walking.
"I don't like her."
"I don't see why. She was polite, well-mannered—"
"She creeps me out. There's something weird about her."
Gustavo was quiet for a moment, digesting what Alexander had said. More than anyone, he knew the difference between being creeped out and being creeped out even when you could handle yourself. And if Alexander said the girl creeped him out…
Alexander continued. "I don't know what it is. I didn't get the feeling the first time I met her." He turned the corner. "But, sometimes after, when I was about to leave, I got the feeling that she was a little bit too interested in me. A little bit too aware." He entered his office, pulling his jacket off his chair and slipping into it.
Gustavo waited by the door. "Interested as in what?"
Alexander didn't answer immediately, instead walking out his room and shutting the door behind him.
"Gus, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Sure".
Alexander didn't look at him. "How do you know her?"
"Why would you think that I know her?"
"For one, you know better than to admit to anyone that I work here. Second, given the rules that you implemented in the company and the fact that you're a stickler for rules, there is no way that you would let me meet with some random person before they even filed a request. Just those two things alone, with a few hints that she let drop on her own, suggests that you know the woman. Not to mention the fact that you called her by her first name, Linette. " He glanced at Gustavo. "So, how do you?"
Gustavo smiled to himself… the ever-observant Alexander. "Would you believe me if I told you that today is the first time I've ever met the woman?"
Alexander searched Gustavo's eyes to see if he was lying. Gustavo didn't look away, knowing that all that Alexander would find would be sincerity. It wasn't that he was lying exactly—just leaving out a few truths.
Alexander huffed. "Bullshit."
Gustavo smiled. "You think I'm lying?"
"Gus, you know better than to lie to me. " He shook his head. "No, I just think that you're not telling me the full story. Just like how you didn't tell me that reports were a part of this job."
Alexander reached the elevator and pressed the call button.
"Speaking of reports—did you ever start the one for your last case?"
"Of course I started." Two can play that game.
Gustavo looked around. "Where is Connor anyway? I haven't seen him since this morning. Did he leave already?"
Alexander smirked. "Oh, I think he went out for lunch with Matthew. Something about Chinese food."
The elevator doors opened and Alexander stepped inside.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Leaving for the day already?" Gustavo asked with a smile.
Alexander grinned. "You know, it's a rough life."
The doors were closing just as Gustavo shoved his hand between them to open them.
"Oh, by the way, Alexander. You never told me what she seemed interested in."
Alexander looked at Gustavo, his good mood suddenly gone.
"If I tell you, will you tell me how you know her?"
Gustavo just looked at him. Alexander sighed.
"When she looks at me, it's almost as if… as if I were a big juicy steak and she just can't wait to eat me up."
There was silence. Releasing the doors, Gustavo stepped back. Just before they closed, however, Gustavo added "Oh, don't forget. I want that report on my desk by tomorrow morning. Eight sharp."
Alexander groaned and banged the back of his head against the elevator wall. Just when he'd thought he'd fooled the man, Gustavo still ended up having the last word. He chuckled. It wasn't as if he'd seriously thought he'd get away with it, but it never hurt to try.
The elevator doors opened to the lobby and Alexander stepped out. He'd been on assignment for the last few months and his break was long overdue. The report would just have to wait.