“No. The valet was busy helping Kevin when he saw the wound on his neck. By the time he called his co-workers, the woman was long gone.”
“That’s too bad. And did he get a good look at her?”
“From the rear view mirror, and a bit when she ran off. After the hospital releases him, we’ll drive him down to the local police station so he can sit with a sketch artist for a working description and picture.”
“Why the local police?”
“It’s because we don’t know if this attack is related to our investigation. He has to file a report locally, just in case we’re dealing with someone else.”
“Geez. How many crazy fans can one rock performer have?” Johnny asked rhetorically, clearly frustrated.
Larry directed us to a few available seats so we could wait. I sat on one side of Johnny, and Larry took the other side. My mind was reeling. I looked over at Johnny. He seemed stunned. He locked his hand into mine and gave me a weak smile while we waited.
It wasn’t my job to guard Kevin. My job was to protect Johnny, and I had been with him. Logically, there wasn’t anything I could have done. As I sat there, I couldn’t help wondering whether there was more we could have done to anticipate something like this. We could have warned him about the stalker having a presence at the recording studio. In all likelihood, she may have followed him from there—if it was her at all.
One thing was for sure—I was beginning to let imposter syndrome creep into my psyche. It seemed like as the days wore on for this assignment, I was more and more out of my depth, like my skill set would eventually get to the point where it just was not enough. It was becoming more dangerous for everyone, not just Johnny, and although the FBI were involved and providing significant leadership, they could not be everywhere for everyone.
Things were slowly spinning out of control. I had no idea how to stop it from getting worse. I began to entertain the thought that another, more experienced set of security professionals could do more to stop this threat. I cut myself some slack as I sat there. After all, the FBI was involved and this had still happened. No one was blaming me or suggesting I could have made a difference where Kevin was concerned.
Fred came out to get us a few minutes later. We followed him to a large room separated by drawn curtains on each side, presumably with several emergency room patients behind each one. Kevin was sitting in a hospital bed at the end of the row. I almost cringed at the sight of the horizontal stitches across the middle of his neck. Sitting in the only two chairs beside his bed were Jenny from the FBI, and the woman I instantly recognized as Lady Dame. I had to contain my star struck rush at seeing her. I had listened to her music since my teen years, so seeing her in person was surreal. Given the circumstances of our meeting however, I contained my glee—it was not the time to gush.
“Lorne!” Lady Dame stood up and rushed into Johnny’s arms.
She and Johnny stayed wrapped in a tight embrace for a long minute, until she peeled herself away and motioned for him to go to Kevin. Johnny walked to his bedside and slowly bent over him. They shared a genuinely warm man-hug—it was a comfort to know they could both look past their day-to-day bickering and be there for each other when it mattered.
“How are you feeling?” Johnny asked him.
“Fine, fine. It’s only a flesh wound. The doctor signed my release right after he stitched me up.”
While the two of them spoke, Lady Dame nodded politely at me. I approached her and she stood up to shake my hand.
“You must be Amanda. I’m Lady Dame.”
“It’s great to meet you, ma’am.”
She chuckled. “Oh, call me Lady, Amanda. I feel old enough as it is.”
“No problem, Lady.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Kevin.”
I cringed inside. It was probably all bad. “Okay.”
“And how is the assignment going?”
“Good so far, I think. Johnny’s still in one piece.”
“That’s what matters, dear. And for that, I’m grateful. Oh, and please don’t mind my husband too much. He can be intense sometimes.”
“Thank you, Lady.”
She gave me the warmest smile, one that almost brought a tear to my eyes. I had been under Kevin’s wrath for so long, I half-expected her to join in on his tyranny.
Kevin spoke up to everyone. “Let’s get going. It’s been a long day as it is. Fred, can this sketch artist thing wait until morning?”
“It’s best we get it done tonight, while her face is fresh in your memory. Tomorrow is also packed. We have to be at the awards show at three in the afternoon for the run-through, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. Wait a minute. Johnny, didn’t that technician install a dual car camera in our cars sometime last year?”
“He did.” Johnny turned to Fred. “Kevin’s car has cameras that point at the street ahead and inside the passenger area. They should have captured the woman. Depending on whether Kevin had it switched on.”
“Yes. I’m pretty sure it was on. The technician set it to run anyone turns the ignition. It had to be on when the valet brought the car around. Let’s go. Fred, remind me to take the camera from my car. The cops may not need a sketch artist at all.”
“Perfect. Jenny will get a copy of whatever is on it when we share it with local police. If it’s clear enough, we can compare any images on it to the footage we have from the Greek Islands concert, as well as what’s available from the building staff at the recording studio. Larry and Jenny will ride with you and Mrs. Dame.” Fred turned to Johnny. “You and Amanda can meet us at your house. We’ll come by after we’re wrapped up.”
Johnny shook his head. “No. We’re going with you…we want to be there for Kevin.”
“Not a problem. Actually, if that’s the case, I’ll try to get us a conference room to use. We need a short debrief, and to revisit the plan for the rest of the tour.”
Revisiting the plan. The idea made me nervous. Several scenarios began to race through my mind as we all left together and exited to the hospital parking lot. I shoved down the uncertainty. There was no point worrying—he would let us in on everything soon enough. We got to Kevin’s vehicle first. He, Lady, Larry and Jenny piled inside and left. Fred walked us to the limo and waited for us to get in. Johnny tried to let me in the car first, but I reminded him he was the client, and motioned for him to get in. He glanced back at me, his eyes full of confusion. I nodded and pointed to the open door to reassert the instruction, and he got in. I slid in after him, and Fred went to his unmarked FBI vehicle.
Johnny held my hand again inside. Neither of us had much to say. We rode in silence for the entire drive. Charles soon pulled up to the LAPD precinct. Larry was already waiting outside. Once inside, he led us through the wide hallways of the station to an available interrogation room. Kevin and Lady were inside with Fred, waiting to give their statements to a plain clothes detective. Jenny was walking away with a uniformed officer, holding the camera from Kevin’s car. The rest of us waited in a row of seating just outside. After what seemed like forever, the detective left the room. Fred asked us to come in and have a seat. A quick glance at the clock told me it had been over three hours since Johnny and I left the sports bar earlier. Everyone displayed distraught, tired faces around the table.
“Kevin and Mrs. Dame, Larry has brought Johnny and Amanda up to speed on what occurred earlier. Obviously, this incident ups the stakes of the investigation. It’s too early to tell if it was a random event or the work of our stalker. Either way, I have to raise the question of whether you want to continue the tour, in light of tonight.”
“Not an option,” Kevin fired back, fists balled up tightly on the tabletop in front of him. “We’re not cancelling the next five events because of this. This is minor.”
Fred shook his head pensively. “I beg to differ. The injury may be minor, but the physical assault is tantamount to attempted murder.” He cleared his throat when Kevin did not answer.
“I have to say, I expected this would be your stance. Please understand that I have to raise it as a strong recommendation. I doubt there’s any need to point out that we are not just talking about Johnny’s safety. If this is the work of the stalker, it means she’s escalating. Also, based on the threats on Johnny’s website that Amanda uncovered, we know she is planning something for an upcoming show, possibly as soon as tomorrow. We have to assume she can and will follow through on a public attack. And remember, this location will have potentially over four thousand people in attendance.”
“True,” Kevin said, “but think about it, Fred. The Disk Spinner Awards is probably going to be the safest place to be tomorrow. There will be local police doing crowd control outside, and one of LA’s most recognized security firms leading the event security. Plus, you and your very capable team will be there.” His voice was terse and matched his body language. Lady Dame reached over and set her free hand on his shoulder. “We knew from the beginning that we weren’t dealing with an enthusiastic fan. I wouldn’t have bothered involving the FBI if it wasn’t serious.”
“And that is why we agreed to take the case, rather than pushing it back to a local police force. This threat is too big, and could affect too many lives in whatever state the stalker decides to attack. That is why I’m suggesting you reconsider postponing Johnny’s attendance until we can locate this woman and shut her down.”
“Do you think Johnny will be the only celebrity there who’s been subjected to threats by raving fans? Trust me, he will be safe. And we’re not cancelling his performance.”
I could relate to both sides.
“Can the event be cancelled?”
“It can’t. It’s not that kind of event. These annual awards shows are planned up to a year in advance…sometimes even longer than a year. It’s not in my hands. This is out of my control.”
Fred conceded. “All right. I see your point. I know we do not have a direct threat, but I needed to raise the option.”
I was unable to hold back anymore. “What about the website message? Could that be considered a direct threat?”
“It’s circumstantial at best. No one has outright said they will attack at the show, and even if they had, the organizing committee still won’t acquiesce.”
“Can you override them somehow? It’s a matter of public safety, isn’t it?”
He shook his head. “The threat is a public safety issue, but it’s unsubstantiated. That being said, we’re basing our recommendation to cancel on the unsub’s profile. It’s a private event, so the FBI will not force their hand unless we have confirmation of a significant threat.
Kevin spoke up. “Otherwise, all major events could be shut down at the whim of online comments. Look, the best I can agree to is ramping up Johnny’s security.”
“Kevin’s right,” Johnny said, his eyes deeply serious and intense. “It’s not an option. I have to do the show.”
My heart sank, but I could not blame him. This is how the entertainment industry worked.
Agent Carlson pressed his hands together and was about to continue speaking when Jenny returned to the room. She spoke quietly with Fred, and handed him a file folder before leaving just as quickly as she had entered. We all watched as he opened the envelope.
“Kevin, is this the woman who was in the car?” He asked, holding out a letter-sized glossy, black and white photo.
Kevin stretched out his arm and took it to look more closely. “Yes. That’s her.”
“You’re sure?”
He handed it back to Fred. “Positive.”
“Okay. With this high-resolution shot, we have lots to work with.” Fred held up the image so Johnny and I could see it. “By the way, Amanda or Johnny, do either of you recognize her?”
“No,” I answered.
I had not seen her before. Johnny studied the picture. He crinkled his brow, and for a moment, I thought he might say yes and reveal the identity of this horrible woman who had been overshadowing his life.
“No, I’m sorry,” he finally said.
Fred was about to slide the picture back into the envelope when I stopped him. “Wait. I’d like to keep this picture handy so I can study it. If this is the stalker, I want to be able to make out this face in a crowd if she shows up again. Can Jenny text the image file to me? ” I took out my phone and snapped a close-up shot of the picture in any case.
“Yes. I was going to hand it out to my team, but it’s a great point for you and the others to have it as well.” He set the image on top of a stack of papers on the table in front of him. “So that’s it for this evening. Jenny and I will accompany Kevin and Mrs. Dame home. Larry will follow you and Amanda, Johnny. We can brief you all on the rest in the morning. And until we leave for Vegas, Johnny, you should remain at home.”
We all got up to leave, and Kevin pulled Johnny aside to speak privately with Lady. Larry, Fred and I waited in the hallway. As I waited, I let this new reality sink into my system. The threat was real, and that message came dangerously close to home.
Chapter 2 - Johnny
“Why didn’t you answer the phone when I called?” Kevin hissed in my ear as soon as we were away from the others. The pain and disappointment in his voice only added to my guilt. “I tried you three times after it happened.”
“Kevin,” Lady stood up and squeezed his arm. “This isn’t the time.”
I was grateful to Lady for trying to intervene, but he was right. I should have been around to help him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls, Kevin. The truth is I didn’t want to talk to you. We’ve not had each other’s backs for a while now, and although I can’t take all the blame for that, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
Kevin did a double-take. He was probably expecting my usual rebuttal or aloof dismissal. “Well…it’s been a busy year. A lot of stress on everyone. I guess I’m sorry too.”
Coming from Kevin, that was about as gracious an apology I would ever get, so I nodded and accepted it. I wished he had ended it there, but as per normal, he had to run his mouth off.
“Look Johnny. We need to do something about Amanda.”
“What does she have to do with anything?”
“We need professionals now.”
I walked to the door and shut it. I did not want Amanda hearing this crap from Kevin. “She is a professional. She’s kept me safe up to now. Look. Let’s leave Amanda out of it. Go ahead and add more security if you want. Add a dozen, or more. I don’t care. But Amanda stays. You agreed to it the last time you tried to fire her. You gave your word to me, and to the FBI.”
“Yes, but have you seen his bandage on my neck?”
He had to go there. “I have. Maybe you need to think about getting a team to protect you and Lady. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“Tell me the truth. You can’t stay out of her pants, can you?” Kevin scoffed.
I spun and stopped in my tracks in the middle of the room. Kevin’s eyes were glued to Amanda through the glass window. Her back was turned. She was speaking to Fred and Larry. I did my best to keep my anger at bay. “I’m trying to make peace here.”
“Why can’t you leave her alone and focus? And don’t think I didn’t hear about what happened after I left the studio earlier. You think that soft ballad, cry-your-eyes-out love song will ever fly? You’re dead wrong, Johnny.”
He struck my last nerve with that comment. “I’m done with this, Kevin!” I roared. “Done. I want out of all my contracts.”
“Lorne. Timothy.” Lady stepped in, her voice sharp, warning us to stop.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Agent Carlson and Amanda turn back to see what was keeping us. At this point, I wanted nothing more than to go to Amanda, get her out of there and drive far away from this place, this town, this man.
“Lorne, I’m your manager. I know what’s best for you.”
I focused back on Kevin. “Not anymore. I’m serious, I want out. I don’t care how much mon
ey you take away. This isn’t about the money anymore. You refuse to treat me like I have an ounce of discretion, judgment or value, other than standing on a stage like your puppet. I’ve had it!”
Lady grabbed my arm as she spoke, slowly turning me to face her. “Lorne, I know you’re upset, but I’ll have no more of this talk. We’re family. You’re not going to cut ties and run away over this. We’re all going to go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow, Kevin and I will come over so the three of us can talk this out…as a family.”
I took a deep breath and nodded with Lady. As much as I wanted to deck Kevin, I could not hurt Lady. “Fine.”
Fred read our faces through the window and returned inside, shutting the door behind him. “Is there a problem?”
He was probably exhausted himself, and hoping the last task of the day would be to get us back to our respective houses in one piece, as opposed to unpacking a decade worth of family drama.
“No, Agent. We’re leaving now,” Lady said with finality. “We will work this out later.” She touched Kevin’s arm gently and they started out of the room, walking past Larry and Amanda as they made their way down the hall. Fred followed them out, and I trailed behind.
“Johnny, what’s going on?” Amanda asked. She and Larry fell in step beside me.
“Kevin’s being a prick.”
“About what?”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I told him I want out of our contracts.”
“Let’s get you to the car,” she said. “We can talk about it later.”
Jenny was waiting at the precinct entrance as we all walked out. She and Fred left in Kevin and Lady’s vehicle, and Larry followed our limo in the car Fred had been driving.
I continued as Charles took us home. “Amanda, I swear, I’m going to finish this tour, and then you and I can go away. Anywhere you want, for as long as you want.”
Her head turned quickly to looked over at me. “Sorry, what?”
“Let’s go somewhere together. I don’t care where. Mexico, Paris, Bora Bora, Arizona, Milan. It doesn’t matter. I want some time with just us.”
Wicked Bad Boys Page 86