“I see my men are at the door. I have to clear them with the manager since they’re carrying. I’ll be back in a minute.”
It was longer than a minute. She could only imagine how Mr. Parnell was taking this. She made sure there was hot water for tea, a selection of tea bags, a carafe of cold water, and a pot of fresh-brewed coffee.
She’d found a tea set at an estate sale years ago and had brought it to the office along with two sets of finely embroidered napkins. Her clients seemed to enjoy the nicety and always complimented her on her office.
As the hand moved around the clock she became more and more nervous. Not about the client, but the situation, and all the precautions Dirk was so intent on. When the door opened, he stepped in.
“I’ll be close by. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, signal me by saying the word red.”
“You’re being overly dramatic. I’m perfectly safe here and I have the opportunity to land a very wealthy client.”
“It’s a precaution, Sky.”
He disappeared behind a closed door.
She was wondering if she was making a mistake by not removing the listening devices when there was a knock at the door. Mr. Parnell came in, a wide smile on his face. “Sky, this is Mr. Kamil Nasser. Mr. Nasser, Sky Chapman. Mr. Nasser is on a tight schedule. His plane leaves at four for Saudi where he has a business meeting. If your session turns lengthy, let me know and I’ll have lunch brought in.”
“Thank you, Mr. Parnell. I don’t think it will take that long.”
Sky showed the man to the chair. He was tall with a small mustache, longer-than-normal dark hair, and he carried a black, leather briefcase. He was dressed in an Arabic thobe that flashed iridescent in the overhead light from the metallic silver and gold threads woven through it. The robe spelled money. His stylish shemagh was edged with small black tassels. His dark eyes were framed with black-rimmed glasses.
When he sat down and crossed his legs, she saw that underneath he had on black jeans. Typically, men in the Eastern world wore jeans or slacks under their robes. However, most men from the East preferred to work with men, yet he’d chosen her. Insisted, actually.
“Make yourself comfortable, Mr. Nasser. Would you like tea or coffee?”
He leaned over to select his choice of tea. “This will do nicely.”
She poured the hot water, handed him the cup. “Do you live in the city, Mr. Nasser? Or just do business here?”
“My business here is booming, which is why I’ve selected a local bank.”
“I’m glad. Were you born in the States?”
He laughed. “I was educated here, graduated from Harvard. I’m surprised I don’t have a Boston twang.” No wonder he didn’t mind having a female financial consultant. He probably had an American girlfriend or wife.
Smiling, she relaxed a bit. She’d dealt with many clients from the East. “Shall we get down to business? How can I assist you?”
“I’m a simple man.” He brought his briefcase from the floor and put it in his lap.
She was a bit concerned that he was going to show her his holdings, and expect an immediate remedy to all he thought unwise. With an inward groan, she leaned over to take the paper he handed her. A quick glance and her hand went to her mouth as she read, If you scream, you’re dead!
Sky gasped, her gaze flying to him. The killer was sitting not five feet from her and she couldn’t do a thing about it. Her heartbeat drummed loudly in her chest and the room went out of focus. She took an unsteady breath. This was no time to pass out.
Next, he laid a plastic gun on the desk in front of him. “As you can see, my portfolio needs a push in the right direction.”
Another paper dropped in front of her. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t utter a word. Not only was her voice frozen, so was her body. Surely, Dirk would sense something was wrong and come to the rescue.
If anyone interferes with our conversation, they die!
Dear God, she couldn’t let Dirk or anyone else walk in. She had to act normal. Swallowing twice, she inhaled. “I can see how badly you need help.” Was her voice normal? It sounded frightened.
He added another paper on top of the others. Give me some financial advice.
“Since I don’t know you, could you tell me if you prefer to take risks, which I might add, I do my best to lessen? Or would you prefer going the safer route?”
“Let me think.”
Sky had to fight with herself to remain calm. Instead of sitting demurely behind her desk with her hands clamped tightly together, she wanted to leap up and gouge this man’s eyes out. He had killed her brother-in-law and tried to kill her sister. Forget the money…hurting her sister and destroying Sky’s apartment was enough to make her want to slice off his fake Arab head. Because as sure as she sat here, nothing about this man was real.
One more paper slammed on the desk. I want the money your sister stole. You have forty-eight hours to get it or everyone you care for dies, and your stupid sister will be first.
Sky opened her mouth to tell him where he could go and where he could stick it, when another paper slammed down with even greater force. If you think I can’t get to her—think again.
“Risk. Yes. That’s the way to go. I’ll get better returns.”
She glared into hard black eyes and knew she couldn’t reason with him. “You realize risks can also bring failure. There are no guarantees.”
A cruel smile formed on his mouth. “I’m accustomed to taking risks. The rewards are worth it.”
He put another paper on the desk. For the next ten minutes talk shop. You don’t want to die, do you?
Did she have a choice? Could she say the word that would bring Dirk in here, guns blazing? Of course she couldn’t. She would never risk his life.
He took the cup of tea and drained it. Then he held it close to his robe. What was he doing? Then she realized he was wiping it. There would be no fingerprints or DNA when he finished.
The guy was smart.
His disguise proved it. He could have come in here in a suit and tie; a mustache that she now realized was fake, and longer hair. But he’d gone further.
He cleared his throat.
“Sorry. I was thinking.” She handed him a list of investments that were on the risky side. He took them and put them in his briefcase. “Let’s talk about these.”
He didn’t break eye contact as he carefully took the threatening notes off her desk and added them to his briefcase as well.
For the next ten minutes, which to Sky felt like ten hours, she gave him the talk she always gave a new client. Thank God, it was a routine she didn’t have to think about. “You will have to make your own decision as you can see the selection is a large one.”
“Give me your recommendations.”
Shut up and get out of here. She wanted to scream. But if she did, Dirk’s life would be at risk.
“Can you tell me approximately how much money you’re willing to invest?” None. Mr. Parnell had been taken in by nothing more than this man’s word.
“Let’s just say it will be substantial and leave it at that.”
Ten minutes later, he looked at his watch. “You’ve been most helpful, Ms. Chapman. I look forward to our next meeting.”
She heard the veiled threat. Another note was put on her desk. We’ll walk out together. You’ll smile and we’ll have a conversation. You’ll take me to the door and I’ll leave. If you don’t do as I say, people will die. If you agree, nod.
Sky nodded. If she had a gun she’d shoot the bastard right now, but she had nothing more lethal than a letter opener.
“You can be sure I’ll contact you, Ms. Chapman. Thanks for your email address. Expect to hear from me in forty-eight hours.”
She hadn’t given him her email.
He stood, motioned for her to stand. She didn’t know if her legs would hold her weight.
He jerked her arm as they headed to the door, squeezing so hard it brought tears to her eyes. “Thank you fo
r your time, Ms. Chapman.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you like what I showed you.”
They were out the door now. Dirk was there, but she dare not signal anything was wrong. If he, or anyone else, was hurt because of her, she would never forgive herself.
She had no idea what she said, but the killer laughed, patted her hand. They were at the front door. He gave her a warning look that she took to heart. She had no doubt the man would kill whoever stood in his way. He shook her hand. She stepped back when he went through the door.
For a moment she watched him leave.
Then Dirk was at her side. “Looks as if you have a new client.”
When she turned, she threw herself into his arms. “All I see is red. I couldn’t let you know because he threatened to kill me, my sister, and anyone else who stood in his way.”
Dirk pushed her away, looked into her eyes, and took off running.
Chapter Twenty
Dirk yelled for his men and flew out the door. In seconds they were beside him. “The killer fooled us. By now, he’s gotten rid of his disguise and could be miles away.” The bank stood at the intersection of two busy streets in the Galleria area. The suspect wouldn’t go on foot, as it would be too slow. He most likely had a car stashed nearby and could have gone in any direction. Dirk pointed the men in three different directions and hurried for his truck. They ran for their vehicles.
The hell of it was, they had no description. The suspect could be anyone.
Dirk got into his pickup and burned rubber as he headed west. He punched out numbers on his cell phone. Thankfully, FBI agent Hansen answered on the first ring. “Just listen. Sky Chapman was at the bank this morning to meet a potential client. He came in disguised as an Arab. Though I had listening devices in the office, he managed to threaten her and everyone in the bank without me knowing. He got away. We have no idea what kind of car. I’m sure the disguise has been ditched, but he was here not five minutes ago. I have men looking in every direction. I’m headed west, coming up to 610.”
“Give me the address of the bank and I’ll see what I can do.”
After giving him the address, Dirk threw his phone on the seat beside him. When he got to 610 he made a loop, turned around, and went back to the bank. They had no idea what kind of car the guy was driving or what he really looked like.
Maybe surveillance cameras would tell them more.
Then it hit him. Sky could have died. The thought burned deep. The thought of losing her was like a hot poker in his gut. He should have taken better precautions. Done something.
Traffic kept him from accelerating.
By the time he pulled into the parking lot at the bank, HPD was on the scene. Dirk would prefer they not be. This was the FBI’s case. And his.
By the time he ran inside, two cops were with Sky and Mr. Parnell in her office. Everyone was talking at once.
“Out,” he screamed. “This is a crime scene. The FBI’s crime scene. Everyone. Out.” Not exactly the truth, but it might give them some space.
A cop came up and got in his face. “Who the hell are you?”
“Dirk Browning. Get your men out of here now or you’ll be on the FBI’s least-liked list.”
“This isn’t your call. We have questions for the lady.”
“You won’t get any answers.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Hansen showed his badge. In seconds the room was empty. Sky and Mr. Parnell were put in a conference room. HPD huddled in the lobby, sending threatening glances their way.
“Is this for real? Or is it a giant cover-up to keep us from looking at either of the sisters?”
The agent was bent over the surveillance monitor. The killer had walked up to the bank, opened the door and came inside. He acted totally normal, nothing out of the ordinary. When he left, he walked around the corner and disappeared.
Dirk had a hard time controlling the urge to slam the FBI guy against the wall. “Rather elaborate, don’t you think? I was with Ms. Chapman when Parnell called her to come in to meet with a potential wealthy client. I didn’t want her here, but she valued her job and came against my better judgment. The man threatened her and her sister’s life if Sky doesn’t come up with the money. And she has a very short window to do it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to talk to Sky.”
“We’ll talk to her together.” The agent ordered a copy of the tapes before they headed in the direction of the conference room.
“Take it easy on her or you’ll not get another ounce of information from me or my firm.”
“Sounds like a threat.”
“Call it what you like.” When Dirk opened the door, his gaze went to Sky. Though she had to be a bundle of nerves, she sat calmly at the table, her arms crossed over her chest. When she saw him, she partially rose from her chair before she sat back. He went to sit beside her. “Are you all right?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know where the money is and he’s going to kill Dory if I don’t come up with it.”
“Tell us exactly what happened in there.”
When she finished, Agent Hansen had her write out exactly what was on the notes. Dirk was ready to go to war. If the guy was here now, he swore he’d kill him. “He threatened you as well as your sister.”
She smiled grimly. “You’re here for me. Dory has no one.”
Parnell sputtered. “He came to my office highly recommended by one of our biggest depositors. I don’t understand.” He turned to Sky. “Could you have been mistaken? I thought Mr. Browning had the office wired. If what you say is true why didn’t he hear anything threatening?”
“I told you, Mr. Parnell. He had it all typed out. He was smart enough to know there would be listening devices. The rest was just for cover.”
Parnell turned to the FBI agent. “Do you believe her?”
Hansen’s glance slid to Dirk. “It’s not my job to believe or disbelieve. My job is to get to the truth. Which is what we’ll do.”
“In the meanwhile my sister could die.” She turned to the FBI agent. “Can you do anything? Get her out? Find some way to protect her?”
“I want to know the name of the client who recommended him. Perhaps he can tell us what we need to know.”
Parnell ducked his head. “I’ve already called him. He told me he’d never heard of the guy and was incensed someone had used his name.”
Dirk was all over this information. “I’ll need his name to check him out.”
Instead of handing Dirk the information, Parnell handed it to the FBI agent. “It’s all there. But I believe him. He threatened to pull his account and put it in another bank.”
“Stop ducking the question, Agent Hansen. Can you do anything to protect the sister?”
“She’s in solitary confinement. I think she’s safe.”
Sky jumped out of her chair. “He smirked when I tried to tell him that very thing. He can and will get to her. Please. Do something.”
Dirk tried to tug her back into her chair. She pulled away and got in the agent’s face. Once again, Sky was more frightened for her sister than for herself.
Hansen sat down with a deep sigh, motioning for Sky to do the same. “I’ll take her into protective custody. We have a safe house. She’ll be fine.”
“How many men will guard her? The killer wants the money and will do anything to get it. One man in the house to protect her will be nothing to him.”
“We’ll have three, one in the house and two outside. The place is secluded and we’ve used it several times with no trouble. She’ll be safe. I promise you. I also promise that if I find this is a scam on your part to have us look elsewhere for the killer, I’ll see you in jail right beside your sister, and I’ll prosecute both of you to the fullest. Do you understand?”
“Perfectly. Just keep my sister safe.”
“If we lose a large client because of this, Ms. Chapman, you’ll lose your job.”
“Excuse me?” Sky’s voice was at least three octaves higher than normal. Dirk had never s
een her so incensed. “You’ll fire me? You were the one who ordered me to come in and see a potential client who turned out to be a thief and a killer. It seems to me, Mr. Parnell that it’s your job on the line. Not mine.”
She stood, as did the others. “Let me know when you have my sister in the safe house, Agent Hansen. No. Have her call me.” She gave him her phone number. “I had better hear from her today.”
Everyone left the room except Sky and Dirk.
“Will the FBI do as they promised?”
“They’ll keep her safe. I’m more worried about you. If you, nor anyone else, haven’t found the money by now, it’s not likely to be found in forty-eight hours.” He took her hand, brought it to his mouth and kissed it. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt.
“In the meanwhile, I have work to do.”
“Do you want to go home?”
“You have work to do as well. We’ll go to the office.”
When they left, the FBI was still at work fingerprinting Sky’s office and questioning the employees. Parnell was in his office on the phone. He looked desperate. It served him right. Sky had tried her best to get out of a face-to-face meeting. Parnell, however, had insisted on it.
They walked to Dirk’s truck. When he helped Sky into the passenger seat, he felt her trembling. She had to have been frightened out of her wits, but she’d kept it together. He couldn’t tell from the conversation he’d heard through his ear buds that there was anything out of the ordinary. The guy was good. But Sky was amazing. The way she’d carried on a normal conversation with a man holding a gun and sitting four feet away made him admire her just that much more.
“Do you like Chinese food?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I’ll pick some up just the same.”
By the time they were back at the office, he could tell she’d settled down somewhat. “It’s going to be all right, Sky.”
“I have to find the money in two days.”
“Maybe not. Maybe we’ll find him first.”
They had too many suspects. After putting the food in the break room, he invited Marshall and Buster to help themselves, then followed Sky into the office they’d given her. “Please try to eat a bite, Sky. You’ll get ill if you don’t.”
Wounded at Home Page 16