VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, [10] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 17:52:08 09/23/07 Sun
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: port180.dialup.bfree.on.ca / 66.207.116.180
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 126
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods" on 17:50:56 09/23/07 Sun

Minutes later both she and Monsieur Davenport were seated in a plush office after having shaken hands with one of the most attractive men she’d ever met.

“Thank you for coming to Samtech Industries today Constable Viscano.” Michael began. “First let me thank you for returning my son to me through my lawyer. I’d like you to know that she was very impressed with your professionalism and your vigilance while you had him in your care. Your Captain has been made aware that both of us approve of your actions that day as well.”

“I was only doing my job, Monsieur Samuelle.” Maria responded quietly.

“My lawyer tells me that my son felt very comfortable with you.” Michael replied. “I appreciate how well you cared for him.”

“It was nothing.” Maria said. “I like children.”

“Good.” Michael said. “I’m hoping you’ll keep that in mind after you’ve heard my request. It’s very important to me and I assure you will be compensated generously.”

Maria sat back and listened attentively.

“Adam’s mother and I are divorced. It was not a happy union. She won custody initially, but since then he’s been returned to me I’ve discovered that he was abused while under her care.” Michael began.

Maria sucked in her breath. Child abusers were high on her personal ‘hit list’. Her mind raced back to the reports she had glanced at that day and she recalled the housekeeper had a record for abuse.

“The housekeeper?” she ventured quietly.

“We’re not sure yet.” Michael replied, impressed at her powers of recall. “I can’t really comment on that any more right now, due to my lawyer’s advice.”

Maria nodded in understanding.

“In any case,” Michael continued, “thanks to your efforts, Adam is with me now and he’s safe. I’ve recently remarried and it’s important to me both personally and professionally to introduce my new wife to my friends and business associates.”

‘Lucky girl.’ Maria thought briefly.

“I am concerned, however,” Michael continued, “that an individual that I had thought was a friend might try to hurt my wife. I have known this man for some time and he’s slightly deranged.”

“Deranged?” Maria said softly as she frowned at this new piece of information. “Has he threatened your wife?”

“No, not directly.” Michael admitted. “In fact they’ve never met.”

“Then why…?” Maria asked, puzzled.

“He was instrumental in my first marriage failing.” Michael admitted candidly. “He holds a grudge against me based on past business dealings and he has threatened to ‘take payment’ physically with any woman I chose to be with afterwards.”

“And you want me to do what?” Maria queried, feeling vaguely uncomfortable with this discussion.

‘This individual sounds like a real creep! His poor wife! She must be scared to death!’

“About him?” Michael replied. “Nothing. I have a large security team that is going to blanket the party and the hotel we are presently living in. The hotel security will be present as well, but they’re not professionals. However, I am short one vital team member for the evening of this party.”

“And that team member’s purpose is?” Maria asked.

“To stay with my son during the party.” Michael replied.

“You want a babysitter?” Maria said in a slightly annoyed voice. “You could hire a hotel employee to do that.”

“No, he couldn’t.” Davenport finally inserted into the conversation. “A hotel employee wouldn’t have sufficient professional training to protect Adam.”

Maria glanced at Davenport briefly in surprise, and then fully focused her attention on Monsieur Samuelle once again.

“You think this man might come after your child?” Maria responded in a shocked voice.

“I don’t know what he’s capable of.” Michael answered honestly. “For all I know he might try to kidnap Adam and use him to trade for my wife, or he might just try to hurt my son physically. I won’t risk either thing happening.”

“I assure you sir, neither thing will happen. The profile we’ve worked up will prevent any anomalies.” Davenport interjected.

“I know you’ll do your best to prevent it Chris, but he worries me just the same.” Michael replied.

‘Oh my!’ Maria thought, as she watched the anxiety creep across Monsieur Samuelle’s face. ‘He’s convinced this man is going to do harm to his family. I can’t imagine living with that.’

“All I do know with any certainty is that Adam was abused recently and he liked you.” Michael continued as he looked into Maria’s eyes. “I won’t leave him with someone who can’t protect him or with someone he’s going to feel nervous around. In the end, this comes down to you Constable. Will you help me with this?”

Maria closed her eyes briefly at the pleading look in the green eyes of the handsome man before her. This party was obviously very important to him. Important enough to risk his wife’s and son’s security.

‘Oh… what the hell….’ She thought in resignation. ‘It’s just one evening and I really do like children. Besides, it isn’t as if I have a social life right now. How can I object to spending one evening with a sweet little boy and get paid for it in the bargain?’

“All right.” Maria conceded. “What exactly do you need me to do?”

“Thank you.” Michael replied with quiet relief. “I really appreciate this Officer Viscano. For some reason, Adam connected to you. What I need you to do is distract him that night. Amuse him… then put him to bed and guard him until my wife and I return from the party. I’ll pay you a thousand dollars for the night. Is that acceptable?”

‘A grand?’ Maria thought in shock. ‘Is this guy serious?’

“Monsieur Samuelle… ” Maria stuttered out in shock; seeing that Michael was regarding her solemnly. “I can’t possibly accept that kind of money from you for one evening. It’s too much.”

‘She’s right… it is too much… but her honest reaction tells me it wasn’t a mistake to offer that amount.’ Michael thought. ‘The reports weren’t wrong. She has a high sense of responsibility and honesty. Good. She also seems to be very down to earth and pleasant. That’s important. Kita and Adam will be able to relate to her quite easily, I think.’

“No… it’s not.” Michael replied seriously. “As you pointed out, you’re a trained professional, not a babysitter. What I’m asking from you is important to me and my wife. That means that the money is not an issue… especially not when it comes to my son.”

Maria just sat in stunned silence while she tried to take in his last comment.

‘Not an issue? Geesh…. Is this guy for real?’ Maria thought in wonder. “And after the party? What happens then?”

“She has a point, Monsieur Samuelle.” Davenport said seemingly deep in thought as he watched his boss’ reaction to this lady.

‘He’s considering her as Adam’s bodyguard. Good.’ Davenport thought. ‘It’s only logical that he’s going to need one, and at his age Adam’s profile suggests that he’d accept a woman in that role more easily than a man. I only hope his new wife won’t be intimidated by that fact.’

“She does indeed.” Michael said as he eyed the Italian beauty seated in front of him specutively. ‘Adam has to go back to school… but he can’t be unprotected. Nikita is going to be busy decorating our new house and I don’t want to overburden her in her condition…’

He and Davenport had discussed this earlier, but he’d had no intention of committing to a bodyguard until he’d met Constable Viscano. Davenport had suggested that she guard Adam during the party because of their earlier positive contact; and he’d agreed that it was a good idea. Adam would need someone that night to protect and care for him, and the officer was the most logical choice.

However, now that he’d met this lady, and looked over her references, Michael was warming to the idea of her as his son’s protector. All he needed to know now is how Adam would bond with her. That remained to be seen. He also wanted to discuss this with Kita before making any kind of decision.

“And?” Davenport prompted.

“We’ll take this one step at a time….” Michael replied, somewhat evasively, “….and if you’re agreeable Constable, we’ll discuss this further after the party is over.”

“All right. However, if I’m to guard Adam, then I’m going to need a complete briefing on who this man is and what you think he might do.” Maria replied.

‘What is he suggesting?’ Maria wondered. She wasn’t sure how to feel about this. She was a police officer and had vowed to uphold the law. As much as she wanted and needed to be away from Claude right now, she felt conflicted. ‘Is he hinting that he wants to make this position permanent?’

“Agreed.” Michael replied, impressed at the woman’s professionalism. “Davenport?”

“I’ll need some intel from my office in order to do that better.” Chris replied. He too was impressed with Constable Viscano and her swift grasp of what was required.

Picking up the telephone, Chris buzzed Sarah’s extension and instructed her to retrieve the items he required. Minutes later, the young woman entered the room after softly tapping on Michael’s office door. After she had wordlessly handed the information to her superior, she silently closed the door as she left.

Davenport swiftly outlined the details regarding Jurgen and what they expected he might do on the night of the party.

When he had finished, Maria examined Jurgen’s likeness and then stood, sensing that the interview was coming to an end. “Alright. What date and time am I needed…. And where do I report?”

“A week tomorrow at Le Chateau Royale. Report to the Drapeau penthouse at seven in the evening. The party will take place in the Trudeau ballroom on the main floor.” Michael said briskly. “Don’t wear your uniform. If Jurgen or anyone he hires attacks, we don’t want him to know he’s dealing with a professional.”

“Agreed.” Maria replied. “I will, however be wearing a vest and I will bring a child-sized one for Adam as well.”

Seeing vague signs of alarm on Michael’s face, Maria added; “I’ll make it into a game Monsieur. Adam will not be frightened, I assure you.”

Michael nodded. “But how?”

“A bedtime story that will make it seem like fun.” She said with a slight grin. “I have nephews Monsieur. I know how to fascinate a small boy.”

Chris grinned. “If I may make a suggestion?”

“Yes Chris?” Michael replied, and then grinned himself as he saw the attraction his normally aloof security chief was not bothering to hide as he looked at the pretty Italian officer. Apparently small boys weren’t the only ones this striking lady could fascinate.

“You asked me to drop by the penthouse and meet your wife.” He began. “As you know, I haven’t had the chance to do that yet. Perhaps Officer Viscano could accompany me there tomorrow morning before her shift and we could meet both your wife and Adam before the party. I’m sure your wife would want to meet her.”

“You’re right Chris, she would.” Michael replied. “That’s an excellent idea. Is that agreeable, Officer Viscano?”

“Yes, of course. However, I’m not on duty tomorrow. You can pick me up at my home address if that’s alright and drop me off there afterwards. In any case, I will wear my uniform so that Adam will remember me.” Maria said.

Michael acknowledged her comment with a slight nod of his head; impressed with her logic. It made sense. Seeing his ‘friend’ again in her uniform would likely dissolve any apprehension Adam might feel about this interview.

“Of course.” Chris said with a slight nod. “As you wish.” Then he turned to his boss inquiringly. “Say about ten in the morning?”

“That would be fine.” Michael said. “Is that an acceptable time Officer Viscano?”

“Yes. I assume you’ll need to pick me up earlier?” Maria asked as she looked at Chris expectantly.

“Yes, probably around nine.” Chris replied seriously. “Is that alright?”

“Of course. I’ll expect you then Monsieur Davenport.” Maria said quietly as she picked up her handbag.

“Thank you once again for coming today Officer Viscano.” Michael said as Maria turned to go. “I’ll look forward to seeing both you and Chris tomorrow morning.”

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.