“I did.” When it comes to the food bank, I’m certain Vince has done his best to keep any records clean. “I doubt it will turn anything up. But my gut says something is going on there.”
Hawthorne clears his throat. “Do you think someone at this food bank is the one threatening Joseph?”
I sigh. “No.”
“Okay, then you have to let it go. We were hired to protect this guy, not investigate him.”
I knew he would say that. “Your cousin hired us, right?”
“I’m not sure why that matters.”
“Because Joseph has lied to me many times. I don’t know why, but I want to be sure he isn’t hurting the university.”
Hawthorne is silent for a moment, then finally lets out a breath. “You’re right. You should at least check it out. But I can’t send anyone to help you because everyone is out on assignments.”
Well, shit.
“Thunder is working with Morgan Thompson Security out in that area. When he’s done, I can send him to help you. It might be a week though.”
Thunder is a good friend and damn good at his job. But I can’t wait a week. He’s worked with most of the guys at Morgan Thompson Security, or as we call them-- the MTS guys. I wonder if any of them could help out.
“Any chance one of the MTS guys could step in?” I ask.
Both Reed and Hawthorne are friends with Stormy so I can only hope they can talk him into sparing someone. But I know I’m pushing here so I brace myself to hear him say no. Hawthorne swallows, and I imagine him drinking his fifth cup of coffee of the day by now.
“Look, I can call Stormy and see if any of his guys are available. He owes me a favor.”
“Thank you. I would really appreciate that.”
“No promises.”
“I understand.” I end the call.
As much as I want to stay out here and try to catch a glimpse of Lucy, I have to get back to Joseph, so I head back inside to his office.
“Hey, I’m glad I caught you,” he says as I walk through the door.
Joseph is wearing another expensive Italian suit. This one is blue and even though I dislike the guy, I can see why Lucy might have fallen for him. I glanced in his closet while he was at the food bank one night. The man’s closet is amazing. It’s bigger than his damn bedroom and filled with at least twenty suits along with an assortment of other nice items. Not my style, but clearly he cares about his appearance.
“I got called into a meeting that will go the rest of the afternoon. Why don’t you meet me back here at four?” Joseph says as he fiddles with a cufflink.
“Where’s your meeting?”
He buttons his suit jacket and smiles. “Just down the hall. I’ll be fine.”
Of course, you will.
I’ve concluded there is no real threat against him, but the fact he’s gone through the trouble of making his boss think there is one is concerning. I need to figure out his end game.
“Let me check out the room first,” I suggest, “then I’ll see you after your meeting.”
Joseph’s smile falters for a moment.
One thing I’ve figured out about this man, he’s all about his image. And while he wants to appear threatened to his boss, he hasn’t wanted me in any of his meetings with his colleagues.
Finally, he huffs out, “Sure. Follow me.”
I hide my smile.
