Pierce immediately straightened to attention, old habits unforgotten. “Your majesty,” he said and nearly saluted, even though no one would see the gesture.
Farah’s mother laughed lightly. “Not any longer, Commander. I’m just a commoner these days.” There was nothing common about Yvette LeMayne-Rashid, but Pierce knew better than to argue with her about that.
“And I’m a civilian, ma’am.”
“Well, then,” Yvette mused. “How shall we address each other? I confess that I don’t know the protocol for this situation. Perhaps there isn’t any.”
“Mrs. Rashid, perhaps?”
Pierce heard the smile in her reply. “An ideal choice, as always, Mr. Aston. It was the most important title of my life and it’s still mine.”
“How may I be of assistance, Mrs. Rashid?”
“Farah tells me that she’s hired you.”
“Yes, Mrs. Rashid.”
“I must confess, Mr. Aston, that her choice gives me great satisfaction. I was always confident in her safety when she was with you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Rashid.”
“She’s just been here with her friends.” Pierce guessed that Yvette meant her Paris apartment. “They’ve gone on to London to shop and so forth, but she tells me that she has no plan to move back here. Neither does Michael. He likes living in America.”
Pierce waited, wondering what this had to do with him.
“I think it likely that you are aware that Rodrigo is no longer in my employment.”
“So he informed me this evening, Mrs. Rashid.”
“I intend to move, Mr. Aston, and take up residence in Boston. I will need assistance with the transition, with choosing a home as well as staffing it and ensuring its security, and I would like to retain your services, both for that move and for security afterward.”
“I had understood that was your family home, Mrs. Rashid.”
“It was, but it isn’t much of a family home without my family here. I want to be closer to my children, and that means selling this place to finance another property. It’s regrettable, but c’est la vie.”
“I would be honored to assist. Thank you for your trust, Mrs. Rashid.”
“How do you suggest that we proceed, Mr. Aston?”
“Perhaps you could send me a list of what services you would like to contract, and a timeline for your proposed move.”
She chuckled a little. “And you will fill in the gaps of all the details I’ve overlooked,” she said warmly. “Then give me a price.”
“Exactly, Mrs. Rashid.”
“You have always been so thorough, Mr. Aston. I confess that I’m relieved that you can take on this contract for me.”
“I am glad to be of service, Mrs. Rashid.” Pierce’s thoughts were flying. It was time to bring in Jimmy and Mack. “Do you recall Lisa MacAvoy, Mrs. Rashid?”
“That charming lawyer? Of course. She always had the most exquisite taste. Is she working with you?”
“She will be, Mrs. Rashid, and I think she might be the perfect one to find a property in Boston that best suits your needs. I’ll put you two in contact as soon as you and I have an agreement, and you can discuss the particulars. You should be able to do a lot of the work online with her help.”
“Well, Mr. Aston, you have become positively loquacious,” she said warmly and Pierce felt the back of his neck heat. “I think that is an excellent plan. I knew I could rely upon you. Don’t forget to give me a price for a monthly retainer after the move is completed.”
Pierce smiled. “If you wish, Mrs. Rashid.”
“I do.” She paused for a moment. “Thank you for taking care of her,” she said softly.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve, your majesty.”
Pierce ended the call, smiling to himself. He was officially in business. He definitely couldn’t manage both of these contracts with just Jimmy and Mack. He’d contact Bart, Regan, Noah and Jared, too. They wouldn’t all be interested but it would be good to check in with them.
If they were going to be big in the protection business, he should maybe hunt down Simon and Sam to find out what there were doing.
This wasn’t a gamble anymore or even a whim.
It was going to work.
Thirteen
Mr. Abernethy wanted to talk in person, so Jacquie took the train to Connecticut the following Saturday. It was a clear day with the promise of spring in the air, and the snow was melting quickly in the sunshine. She took a cab from the station to the address Pierce had given her and found herself in front of a nice bungalow, in good condition.
The man who answered the door was faintly familiar, but much older than she remembered, of course. They introduced themselves and shook hands. He had to be seventy, but he was obviously active. He was only a little taller than her but had a twinkle in his eyes and a ready smile. His handshake was firm.
He didn’t invite Jacquie inside. “Mr. Aston suggested that we should go for a walk while we talk,” he said. “Let me get my coat.”
She nodded agreement and waited on the porch. That was Pierce, ensuring that she didn’t feel compelled to enter the home of a stranger. It seemed that he was always going to be concerned for her safety and despite herself, Jacquie appreciated that.
She couldn’t help thinking of his conviction that risk could be managed.
Mr. Abernethy was quick to join her, then locked the door. “There’s a coffee shop about three blocks that way,” he said, pointing and they set off together. “Your friend said that you’d always wondered why Mitchell had made his choice,” he said before Jacquie could ask.
She nodded, glancing up in time to see that he was watching her. “Yes. I asked at the time but no one would tell me.”
“I think I was the only one who knew. In fact, I tried to make sure of that.”
“I don’t understand.”
“No, but if you want to know, I’ll tell you.”
“He was a good man,”
