Scorpion Strike by John Gilstrap

Author:John Gilstrap [Gilstrap, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-04-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

VENICE HAD NO IDEA HOW THE CLOCK HAD SPUN ALL THE WAY AROUND to one, but such was the nature of things when she lost herself in research. Jonathan’s revelation that there was a network of tunnels under the Crystal Sands Resort posed some interesting opportunities for research. She was looking for anything on the construction project—any small detail—that could lead to other small details. Those tidbits, when stitched together, could provide invaluable intel. The fact that she didn’t know exactly what she was looking for made the problem infinitely more challenging and deepened her mental rabbit hole.

When her phone rang—the landline, which she almost never used—the noise startled her. It was one of those old-fashioned rings, too, the kind with an actual bell. She lifted the receiver before it could split her concentration a second time.

“Hello?”

“Um, Ms. Alexander, this is Rick Hare at the security station.”

Venice’s insides tightened. While the phone rarely rang, the security station at the entrance to the office had never called her. She waited for the rest.

“There’s a visitor here who says he has to meet with you.”

“What does he want?”

“He says he can speak only with you.”

“Why?”

“Um, he said he’d only speak with you, ma’am.”

Venice chuckled. “That was kind of a stupid question, wasn’t it? Does he look threatening?”

“No, ma’am. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be calling you.”

Another stupid question. “Did he give you a name?”

“Yes, ma’am. His name is Derek Halstrom. He said he talked with you this morning.” Hare lowered his voice to a whisper. “But he doesn’t know how to pronounce your name properly. Do you want me to tell him to go away?”

A chill rattled Venice’s whole body, leaving her feeling light-headed and nauseous. Derek Halstrom was TickTock2. She’d screwed up big-time. This was a power play, and it scared the daylights out of her.

“Ma’am? Are you there?”

Venice shook herself back into reality. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, I’m right here. Tell Mr. Halstrom that it’s inappropriate to meet here in the office. Tell him to wait on the bench outside and that I’ll join him in five minutes.”

She listened as the guard covered the mouthpiece and delivered her message. It took longer than she expected. There clearly was some back-and-forth between the two of them. When Hare returned to the phone, he sounded agitated. “Yes, ma’am, I told him. He wasn’t happy about it, but he’s on his way outside.”

Venice closed her eyes. “Okay, thank you, Rick.”

“Ma’am?”

“Yes?”

“He told me to tell you that five minutes means five minutes. At six, he said, and I’m quoting here, your life will get very difficult.”

The chill returned. “I understand.”

“Perhaps you’d like me to go with you?”

Venice smiled, touched by the loyalty and commitment to duty. “No, Rick, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

“You can’t stop me from keeping an eye on you,” he said. “You need something, you just give a wave and I’ll be there.”

“I know you will, Rick. Again, thanks.” She hung up before there could be more conversation. This was bad. No, it was beyond bad.

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