Chautona Havig [Havig - Effective Immediately

The night air, cooler than it had been in weeks, descended upon them as Keith led Monica Sheridan out the French doors, around the side yard, through a gate, and to his car. Get in the back seat, he murmured. Buckle, and then lie down.

The young woman nodded and crawled into the back of the sedan. Once shed settled herself, he zip-tied her hands and feet. Sorry about that.

Not until they hit the Pacific Coast Highway did she speak. I thought they said I was safe

Well, youre not anymore. Mark doesnt know what changed, but they decided to take you in the morning when you stepped into the store.

I dont understand.

Keith shrugged. I dont either. Are you sure you didnt say something to tip them off? He shook his head. No, you couldnt have. They wouldnt have let you leave. Someone else is watchingsomeone we dont know. He turned onto Malibu Canyon Road and sped toward the 101 Freeway. And that means my job just got ten times harder.

I wish the police believed me.

Well, I bet they want to, he tried to explain. But if you were a cop and a girl walked in and said, I overheard someone planning to kidnap me, what would you think?

Her silence spoke the proverbial volumes. Several miles passed as they drove out of the hills of Malibu and onto the Ventura Freeway. A sniffle preceded Monicas reply. I would probably think it was some prank or a spoiled little rich kid with an ego.

And thats why they gave you Justins card. He checked into what you said, there was something off, and he passed it to us.

Where are we going?

Sorry, Keith murmured as he changed lanes, trying to dodge an idiot with a desire to play Indy 500 through Agoura Hills. Cant tell you.

So, why did you have to tie me up? I mean, Mark said you would, but he didnt say why. He said hed leave that up to the agents discretion.

Its protection for me. If you were someone trying to infiltrate The Agency, or just out to get me, you might be insane enough to concoct an elaborate hoax like this.

Expensive one. My dad is still Hulked out about the cost.

Keith tried not to grind his teeth at the thoughtand the ridiculous slang. A man with Sheridans kind of money shouldnt be stingy about his daughters safety. He contacted us, though. He made that call.

He was mad that I went to the police.

The pout in her tone sent a wave of frustration through him. The next few weeks are going to be torture. Shell drive me crazy inside twelve hours. Menboys reallyher age probably found that pout attractive. He could imagine her lips with their perfect pucker at just the right moment. Monica had probably perfected it as a toddler and enhanced it with collagen for her high school graduation. The thought nauseated him. Why arent girls ever satisfied with the bodies God gave them? He could almost hear Erikas response, Because they dont believe in your god. Hollywood is the god of this country, and she demands physical perfection.

Who ever said plastic was perfect? Keith muttered as he changed lanes once more, watching the rearview mirror for any copied moves.

What?

I just said, Not when his daughter arrives home safe and the men who plotted to kidnap her are behind bars.

Sounded like something about plastic.

Sorry. Plotted, not plastic. Lord, forgive me for the lie. I cant antagonize her at this point. I need her to trust me. Attacking her devotion to her appearance will kill any chance of that.

Will you call Daddy and tell him you took me early, or what?

Thats Marks decision. My job is to get you to safety and then keep you safe. He calls the shots.

Silence hung heavy in the car for several minutes until she sniffled once more. Have you ever lost a client? You know, like dead?

Me personally? God, please let her say yes.

Well, yeah. Who cares if someone else has? Youre guarding me.

Ive never lost anyone, but one of my more recent clients shot herself in the leg with a tranq gun. He waited for the shockthe gasp of surprise. It didnt come.

I thought that was all TV stufftranq guns.

Stupid cop shows give folks all kinds of semi-accurate informationjust enough to make it dangerous for them. Mark had them specially formulated. Its hard work to judge if we should take one shot or two, but were not in the business of killing folks. He couldnt help but add, If we can avoid it.

For the next hour, Keith answered questions and considered the circumstances. Nothing felt rightnothing. Why hadnt Monica gone to her father first? She claimed she was terrified and went straight to the police, but the words rang false. Still, he would have done the same thing before he had Mark and the other agents to help him.