Momentary surprise crossed their faces.
Finley leaned forward, the earnest look back on his face. “Mister Baker, we’d rather you not delve too deeply into that particular matter.”
Time to tread lightly. I put a serious expression on my face. “No problem, Mister Finley. Any other questions?”
Ten minutes later I was at the front of the building, shaking Hilyard’s hand. “Sorry about upsetting your boss. Make sure and tell him I won’t pass on anything we talked about today.”
Hilyard grinned. “Hell, he’s more upset someone smarter than him was in the room. Kinda touchy that way.”
I shrugged. “In two more days, I’ll be out of your hair and on my way to the writer’s retreat up by Little Switzerland. Probably the last you’ll see of me.”
Mike smiled. “Doubt that. You seem to be a magnet for trouble, Francis. And if you remember anything else, give me a call.”
I lifted a hand in farewell and trotted down the steps of the Federal Building. Nice guy. Hard to believe he was an FBI agent.
* * *
Bernard Monroe dropped a file in front of me. “Mister Baker, this is a stack of letters several of our employees wrote, praising the quality of your presentations over the past two weeks. We’ve never had this positive a response before.”
I placed a hand on the file, warmth filling me. Wow. Nice. And having the number two man in the Carolina State Bank acknowledge them was especially gratifying. “Thanks, Mister Monroe. It was a pleasure putting on the classes.”
He leaned back, a smile on his lean face. “Would you happen to be available next year about this time frame? Instead of just fifteen banks, we’d like to have all our personnel throughout the state take part, over a three week period. Interested?”
I straightened, eyes widening. Wow, this was the big time. “Uh, well, I’m sure we could come to an agreement…”
His eyes glinted. “Twice as much for the next contract, and we’ll pay federal per diem for meals, plus hotel and rental car costs this time.”
Jesus. I leaned forward, trying to look relaxed as he was. “Agreed. Now as far as the time frame…”
Fifteen minutes later Monroe stood, a satisfied expression on his face. “Thank you, Mister Baker. I think we both have a very good deal here. My people will be in touch to work out the paperwork. Until then, have a safe trip back home.”
I shook his outstretched hand, trying not to squeeze it too hard in my excitement. Damn, wait’ll I told ‘em back at the office.
I walked down the five flights of stairs rather than take the elevator. Too excited to stand around on an elevator at the moment. A couple fist pumps were in order, though, when I went through the revolving doors at the front of the bank.
A familiar face stared at me from a car across the street, bringing me back to earth with a crash. Reddish hair, big chin—yeah, that was one of the dudes from the restroom. He was in a dark blue four door Caddy, with two others in the car. I turned right, picking up my pace towards the parking garage a block away. When I looked over my shoulder they were pulling out into traffic. I lengthened my stride.
* * *
After an hour of winding my way through heavy traffic I loosened up, feeling I’d lost them. Now my first order of business, get a bigger vehicle. A quick trip to the airport and I turned in the Focus, trading it for an Escape. I was pleasantly surprised at the lease rate for three weeks. Only a bit more than the Focus would’ve been. Its gray color tended to blend in, too. I headed for my hotel, still on the lookout but calmer.
Once in my room, I called my office back in Seattle.
“T & M Security, may I help you?”
I smiled, fully relaxing for the first time in hours. “Alice, I hear you want to dump that worthless husband of yours. Ready to run away with me?”
She guffawed, almost breaking my ear drum. “Francis, you sonofabitch! We was just talking about you. How’s it going back there?”
“Heh. Not bad, dearie. Got an offer to do their security training next year, this time for all their banks and at twice what they paid me this time.”
Good for you. ‘Bout time you hit it big with your training. I always said…”
I waved my hand as I cut her off. “Alice, sorry to interrupt, but a problem has come up.” I proceeded to fill her in on what had happened, including my concerns about being followed.
“My God! Why didn’t you tell us yesterday you got some crooks chasing you?”
“Mea culpa, dear. Didn’t really know they were interested in me till today. I suspect they would like to get even for what I did to them. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I’m leaving here today rather than tomorrow. I’ll touch base with you once I get in a motel tonight.”
“Well–stay safe, Francis. Tony’s out of town, but my hubby’s still here. I’ll make sure he’s available.”
“Thanks. Talk to you then.” I hung up and immediately turned to the chore of packing.
Once on the road towards western North Carolina, I had a belated thought. Should I weapon up? All my toys were packed. Might be a good idea. Maybe when I stopped for coffee at Lincolnton.
It was verging on five PM when I rolled into the Comfort Inn just east of Marion. Within minutes I was in a second floor room and unpacking. I’d kept an eagle eye out for anyone that might be following, but no one seemed so inclined.
The clothes with blood on them from yesterday’s adventure were in a plastic sack I’d brought with me for some reason. Should’ve thrown them away back in Charlotte. A quick check of the pockets and I’d...I felt the outline of something in my jacket pocket, and
