by Lorin Grace
Preston rubbed his forehead. “If she is someone from my past, she probably has the money to hire almost anyone to do anything. But what you say indicates that she might be someone I’ve overlooked.”
Jethro spoke. “As far as Patrick, I agree we should turn everything we know over to Boston PD. The fact we didn’t report our suspicions a week ago could upset the detective, and we don’t need an obstruction-of-justice charge.”
“How many more events do you two have to attend?” asked Adam.
Abbie consulted her calendar. “Tonight’s theater opening is the most public. Both Preston and I have shared our plans to be there on social media. And with the red-carpet walk, Dad already has extra security in place. Sunday afternoon I have the bridal shower. However, it’s at Mandy’s, and, as you know, Daniel is not overly happy and requested extra security. Tomorrow we are out on the lake, I think.”
“We added as much extra security as we could for the bridal shower. Mom is coming out of retirement, and all the ‘friends’ we have added to the list are pros,” said Alex.
“Next week, I have a final fitting, the rehearsal Thursday, and that night Candace is putting together a hen party.”
Preston put his arm around her shoulder and leaned in to show her his calendar. “We have the family dinner on Monday and a private dinner at our favorite restaurant on Wednesday.” He gave her a little squeeze. “Three of the Chicago-area morning shows have scheduled us for next week.”
How could having his arm around her be both comforting and disconcerting? Next to her, she felt Alex tense. She hoped no one in the room was studying her too closely, as her heart rate had increased considerably. Abbie couldn’t read the next item on her phone because her hand was shaking. She dropped both her hand and the phone to her lap, hoping no one had noticed. She couldn’t accurately claim wedding jitters.
Simon consulted his watch. “I need to get out to O’Hare. I haven’t told Patrick who’s coming, but I assigned him to go with me to meet with an important guest this afternoon. Wish us luck. Preston, I’ll text you where and when the detective wants to meet, if he does, after taking Patrick into custody.”
As soon as the door shut behind Simon, Jethro stood. “I think we are done here.”
Abbie turned to Preston. “Give me five minutes to grab my things.”
She closed the door to her bedroom as well as the one to the bathroom, then cranked on the sink faucet and took several deep breaths. The ring on her finger twinkled in the light. Adam was right about the dangers of this job.
Jethro and Adam waited for the others to leave. Adam took a seat near the hallway leading to Abbie’s room. Jethro took a place next to Preston. “We only have a minute. Abbie is going to be upset, but I am putting a tail on her. Adam is coordinating it. I called in a couple favors from old friends and got a few of their best to come in from New York and Dallas. Simon isn’t to know. Jethro opened his phone. Here are their photos. If they are as good as their bosses say, you shouldn’t notice them. But you need to know so you don’t hit your panic button.”
“What if Abbie spots them?”
“Play it down and let Adam know.”
Abbie came out of her room. “What is this? More threatening of the fake fiancé?”
Adam stood and put an arm around her shoulder. “We wouldn’t do that.”
“Liar.” She tried to punch him, but he blocked her.
Jethro stood and hugged his daughter, then said something to her. Preston couldn’t hear what they said. She hugged Adam too.
The door shut, leaving them alone in the apartment.
“Sometimes I am amazed they let me be alone in your apartment with you.” Preston took his water glass into the kitchen.
Abbie pointed at three cameras. “Eyes and ears.”
“Doesn’t it freak you out knowing your family can see everything you do?”
“Only Alan sees much of it. Sometimes when I am alone, I talk to him. And I can turn off my phone. The bathroom only records if the system says I am out. There are some parts of my life I don’t need an audience for. She smiled his favorite smile. I also play jokes on them.”
“Like what?”
“Make faces, chew with my mouth open. The other night after you left, I did the junior high thing where you hug yourself with your back to the camera. I’ve thought of stage kissing you to make Alex flip out.”
“Stage kiss?” His curiosity took over.
Abbie took his face in her hands, slid her thumbs over his lips, kissed her thumbs, and stepped back.
An emptiness settled in Preston’s center, something deep inside crying “No fair!” Not what he had imagined at all.
“Are they listening or watching now?”
Abby checked her phone. “Probably. She turned to one of the cameras. You did catch that it was a stage kiss, right? All thumbs.” She wiggled her thumb in front of the camera.
“Can you turn off the audio for a few? I want to talk to you.”
Abbie nodded and tapped on her phone screen. Preston held out his hand. “Out on the balcony, so all they see is our backs.”
Abby put her hand in his and followed him out. Preston didn’t drop her hand when they reached the railing. “I noticed your hand shaking during the meeting. Tell me how you are doing.”
She closed her eyes for a moment before answering. “I am worried about how this is going to affect people. Your mom let me wear her Dior. Your father thinks I can walk on water because I know starboard from port and pick up snakes. And you and I have become friends.” She squeezed his hand.
More than friends. He didn’t correct her.
“But we are so close. I think quitting now will bring even worse repercussions in your life. You can’t ever be happy if you are worried about the woman you love being stalked. I’ve watched Daniel and Mandy live with the effects of the crazies who went after her. Even though there has only been one credible threat relating to Mandy since their wedding, Daniel still goes overboard with her protection sometimes. He finally learned to live normally, and then he realized he was going to be a dad, which, understandably, made him go overboard again. I know in the back of the minds of many people in your social circle is the need to protect children and grandchildren and spouses from crazies. But you shouldn’t have to start a relationship off that way.” Abbie stuck out her hand for a shake and deepened her voice. “Hi, my name is Preston. This is my bodyguard. Would you like to go on a date?”
Preston smiled at her joke. “There will always be the crazies and those who threaten to kidnap the family dog. And I am sure there will be other stalkers in the future who aren’t afraid to make things dangerous.”
“I know. Thanks to them, I make a pretty decent living. But this one has added stress to your life for three years. I suspect part of the tightness around your eyes has to do with #Prestoned and with how the media treats you like an uncaring, unemotional playboy who can’t find the right trophy wife.”
“Is that what you thought of me when you took the job?”
Abbie turned her head to look out over the lake. “Does it matter? I know I was wrong.”
“Yes, it matters.” The voice in the emptiness yelled at him to do something, but Preston wasn’t sure what.
His phone beeped. “Simon wants us at the main office in half an hour.”
“I’d better grab my real ID.” Abbie went back into the apartment, leaving Preston alone with his thoughts.
eighteen
Among all the couples, the single man holding a long-stemmed red rose in the theater lobby caught her attention. Abbie scanned the crowd and noticed three other men doing the same thing. She adjusted her grip on Preston’s arm. “Something is wrong.” She hit the panic button Simon had given her.
The first man stepped forward. “Gale 24? You promis
ed to meet me here. What are you doing with him?”
The other men rushed over. “No, she promised to meet me.”
“No, me. And I have the chat to prove it.”
One man pulled out his phone. “This is what she promised me.”
She caught a brief glimpse of a woman in lingerie.
“She said she’d go home with me.” The first man threw a punch at the second.
Just as fast, two uniformed and two plainclothes security guards joined them. The bodyguard she recognized as Preston’s skillfully separated Abbie and Preston from the rest.
“I want Simon to question them all,” Preston said to the guard.
Five minutes later, Abbie and Preston waited outside an unused dressing room. Abbie typed a message to Adam.
I’m ok. Just give me 10 to figure this out. I’ll put my phone on speaker during the interview.
— It’s already on the news feeds. ‘Men brawl over Preston’s fiancée.’
She turned to Preston. “Does the media usually report things so quickly?”
“Only when they already happen to be there. I am assuming the photo the one guy flashed wasn’t you.”
“No. I have never been dressed like that in my life.” Her cheeks grew warm at the thought.
Simon came down the hall. “Glad to see you two are unharmed. Never thought I would see your panic button light up. Glad I made you take it. By the way. Patrick didn’t say anything more before leaving with the Boston detective. Let’s see if these yahoos have anything to say before Chicago PD sticks their nose in.”
Abbie and Preston followed Simon into the room. “Ok boys, this is how we are going to play this in the next five minutes. You answer questions, and I don’t press charges when I turn you over to the boys in blue. Gale, ask away.”
Abbie started with the first man. “Why did you call me Gale 24?”
“That is your profile name on HotDatesNow.” The other men nodded. “Look at my phone if you don’t believe me.”
“I’ve never heard of this site. What is it?” Abbie took the offered phone.
One of the bodyguards cleared his throat and answered, “It is a pseudo escort service masquerading as a dating site.”
Simon took one of the men’s phones. “Decent manipulations, but they aren’t you.”
Abbie tried not to stare, but even she did a double take. “So, I agreed to meet all four of you here tonight?”
“Yes, you even sent my ticket for tonight to me after I paid my thousand dollars. I don’t suppose I am getting my money back since I didn’t get any action.”
Preston growled. Her brothers were rubbing off on him.
Abbie touched his arm and shook her head. ”When did I agree to our date?”
“Tuesday afternoon.”
“Wednesday morning.”
“2 am on Thursday after chatting with me for an hour.”
“Wednesday evening.”
“Well, gentlemen you have been set up. I suggest you cooperate with Mr. Dermot here. I am not a legal expert, but this sounds rather iffy. We can’t protect you from the law if you were paying for services, but your cooperation will soften it. Now my fiancée and I are going to go enjoy the show.” Abbie took Preston’s arm and left the room.
— Alex just put his fist through the wall.
I think Preston wanted to put one through a face.
— Alan is already on the website doing his thing, so go enjoy the show.
Abbie looked up from her phone at Preston. The concern in his eyes nearly invited her tears of frustration to come to the surface.
He pulled her into a hug. “You going to be all right?”
She nodded into his shoulder. “I just feel oddly dirty, like I am covered in slime. Who knows how many men saw that profile.”
“Stalker. Not you. Let’s go enjoy as much as we can.”
At intermission, Abbie realized he’d never once let go of her hand, and she squeezed his. Someday she wanted a man who cared about her like this. If only this could be reality.
Saturday mornings were for sleeping in until at least seven, but Preston hadn’t been able to sleep. Sometime during last night’s show, a tabloid had discovered the fake Gale 24 profile. They’d left the theater by a back entrance before the curtain fell.
The stalker had gone after her reputation. It was also a blow to Preston’s family.
Abbie texted. We need to tell your parents.
Abbie’s text was more correct than she knew. Dad had wanted to call off the wedding last night because of the scandal. Mum had been near tears.
I’ll set it up. Sending a car in an hour.
Breakfast in the gazebo was about as private as he could get. Once they were served, there would be no reason for any of the staff to linger. Both his parents had been up early and agreed to the meeting. Preston assumed they thought the meeting would end the relationship.
Abbie arrived with sunglasses on, which she refused to take off. On the walk out to the gazebo, she confirmed his thoughts. “I couldn’t get the contacts in today. I guess I cried too much last night.”
“How are your brothers dealing with this?”
“Alex came over last night.” She didn’t say more.
His parents waited at the gazebo. They all sat in silence while the staff served breakfast. As soon as they were alone, Abbie removed her glasses. Her blue eyes were rimmed with pink. She pulled her hair into a ponytail.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, allow me to introduce myself: Abbie Hastings of Hastings security. I have been working with your son for the past month to put an end to the stalker who has been sabotaging your son’s relationships for nearly three years. I can guarantee those photos are not of me, but that isn’t the point of this meeting. The point is I have failed. The stalker is still working. Other than discovering she has been working with at least one member of your security team and narrowing the list of probable suspects, we have accomplished little. We have yet to stop her.”
Preston jumped in before his father could speak. “This was my idea. I originally hired Abbie to guard Yvette before I proposed, but a billion little spiders ended our relationship, which was for the better. Since I already had things set up for a quick wedding, I asked Abbie to be my fake fiancée. I didn’t realize at the time how complicated this would become. I figured we would catch the stalker in a week.”
“Three years?” Mr. Harmon leaned on the table. “Someone has been stalking your girlfriends for three years, and you never told us? Why not? I thought you couldn’t keep a woman.”
“I thought I could handle the situation on my own. If it helps, all of them turned out to like the money more than they liked me.” Preston took a drink of water so he didn’t have to look his parents in the eye.
Mum studied Abbie. “So, you are not engaged?”
“He never even proposed. Just went down on one knee and put a ring on my finger. Everyone in the restaurant assumed.” Abbie gave a little shrug.
“We have kept everything above reproach. The only time I kissed her was the night in the restaurant. Believe me, I knew those photos were fake the second I saw them.”
Dad leaned back in his chair. “What do we do now?”
“There are two choices,” Abbie began. “We call off everything. With the media showing blurred versions of the falsified photos, no one will blame him. Or we continue forward, hoping to catch the culprit so Preston can go choose himself a real bride without the stalker sabotaging her.” Abbie’s dispassionate layout of the options made the black hole in his heart grow.
“What happens if we get to Friday and you haven’t caught her?” Mum asked.
“I could refuse to say ‘I do’ and run out of the wedding, or Preston has arranged for an actor to conduct the ceremony. We will forget t
o get our license until Friday morning, and I’ll use a false name. All of which will invalidate the wedding. At the rate the stalker has been escalating, I doubt she will let me go on the honeymoon. Preston even joked about having the designer put Kevlar in the dress. Once she is caught, the story goes public. Preston loses much of his unearned reputation, and I go back to wearing dark suits and keeping someone else safe.
No one said anything for a moment. The food remained untouched.
Abbie broke the uncomfortable silence. “This is a family decision. Preston knows where to find me. She slipped off the ring. I understand this is a family heirloom. I feel more comfortable leaving it here. Margaret, thank you for loaning me your Dior. I wish I had been worthy of it.”
Preston wanted to go after Abbie as she left the table and crossed the lawn.
“Shame she isn’t—” Mum took a drink of juice.
“She didn’t say it, but if you call off the engagement now, she’ll never get to salvage her reputation, and in black-and-white, those photos look like the real her.” Mr. Harmon took a bite of his food.
Preston moved the fruit around his plate. “I know. I don’t think she wants us to think about that.”
They ate in silence.
“I think you should marry her.” Mum’s announcement caused a piece of muffin to get caught in Preston’s throat. “I mean continue with the plan. Catching the stalker is the only option to bring everyone’s lives back in order.”
“I agree, son. Let’s get this over with so we can move on. Seeing you went to a different security company, I suppose that means something?”
“Yes, only Simon knows, but that is how we realized Patrick Vonn was working with the stalker. Since he used to be on my team, it explains how the stalker accomplished some of the things she did. We are hoping that with a twenty-year sentence in Massachusetts for hoax bombs, Patrick starts talking. The Ritz could sue him as well.”