AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Melanie knew Gilmour always had her covered, but this was a whole different ball of wax. “Intellectually, I know that.” She was about to say something very foreign to her: “But emotionally, I’m a little scared.”
Gilmour wanted to get up and hug her. Instead, he reached out for her hand and looked her straight in the eyes. “I got you. Always know that.” He gave her fingers a little squeeze. That’s when she knew it was true. Not that she’d ever doubted him, but this was the validation she needed. Or was it something she wanted? Maybe both.
* * *
Lynch offered to feed Melanie’s dogs while she was out of town. After Lynch had retired, he’d worked for a fellow retired Navy Seal named Terry Magovern. Terry owned and operated a K-9 training center outside of Anacostia. Lynch spent two years learning about animal behavior, with another big dose of human behavior. When Terry had moved the kennels to New Jersey, Lynch went to work as a security guard in the local school district. Now, he was more than happy to spend time with a couple of military vets, canine or otherwise. It was good that Melanie’s trip was taking place over the weekend so as not to interrupt their work schedule.
Saturday morning came quickly. Lynch arrived at Melanie’s at eight o’clock to go over Cosmo and Kramer’s routine. “You are welcome to spend the night if you want. There’s a sofa bed in the den upstairs, or you can make yourself comfortable on the couch. Whatever floats your boat. I really appreciate this.”
“No problem. My wife is visiting her sister in Atlanta, and the kids are away at college. I just might take you up on the offer, that is if Cosmo and Kramer don’t mind.” He looked at the dogs, who were looking right back at him.
She gave Lynch a peck on the cheek, and then gave each dog a peck on the head. “You be good for Mr. Lynch, okay?” They both went into a downward dog yoga pose.
Lynch chuckled. “I think we’re gonna be fine.”
“Thanks again!” Melanie said. She pulled her overnighter behind her and got into the car, driven once again by James. Or was it Charles?
* * *
The train pulled into Penn Station right on time. She found her way to the underpass, where her car was supposed to be waiting. It took her a moment to realize her alias would be on the sign in the car window. Leonora Stavolo. She gave a wave, and a female driver opened the trunk and got out. “Welcome to New York, Ms. Stavolo. I’m Jennine.”
“Thank you. It’s been a few years since I’ve been here.”
“It’s been a few years since a lot of people have been here.” The driver was referring to the extremely slow flow of people returning to the city. “Staying at the Warwick?”
“Um, yes.” Melanie, dressed in one of her travel outfits, sported auburn hair, and green contact lenses. She didn’t want to seem rude, but she was still a little anxious. New York was a big city, where people could get swallowed up and never be heard from again. But so were Chicago and Detroit. Can someone say Jimmy Hoffa? Even though it had happened almost a decade before she was born, the disappearance of the country’s biggest union boss was noteworthy. Speculation was rampant, but to this day, no one knows what happened to him after he left that diner outside Detroit in 1975.
The driver looked in the rearview mirror. “Not to worry. We got you.” Gilmour’s words echoed in Melanie’s ears. She relaxed into the seat as Jennine jockeyed her way to 54th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, just around the corner from the Baccarat. When they arrived, a poshly dressed bellman in a red-velvet uniform greeted them. He took Melanie’s luggage and escorted her to the front desk. Jennine called out, “We got you,” and waved. Melanie knew that was a message from Gilmour.
Melanie walked to the front desk. “Good afternoon. Checking in. Leonora Stavolo.” She presented her fake passport.
“I see you will be with us just one night. We will need a credit card for incidentals.” Before Melanie could open her purse, a gentleman approached the counter.
“Please use mine.” The nametag said Giorgio Mancini, but the face said Gregory Gilmour. “I’m with Hanover Real Estate. We are taking care of all your needs.”
Melanie tried not to laugh at Gilmour’s fake mustache. “Thank you, Mr. Mancini. It’s totally unnecessary.” Melanie played along.
“We insist, and we hope to develop a strong relationship with your firm.” He addressed the associate behind the counter. “Please charge everything to my card.”
“Of course, Mr. Mancini.” The associate typed the instructions into the computer. “Ms. Stavolo, someone will take your bags to your room. Enjoy your stay.”
Melanie and Mr. Mancini walked toward the elevator together. “I see we are on the same floor. Splendid,” Mancini said with his mustached mouth.
The bellman showed Melanie to her room, and Mancini went in the opposite direction to his. While they were in the elevator, he passed her a note that said, “jewels inside bouquet.”
At first, Melanie wasn’t sure what it meant, until she saw a beautiful floral arrangement sitting on the small table in front of the window. She tipped the bellman and locked the door behind her. A small pouch containing a pair of gold dangling earrings was stashed among the exotic flowers. She put them on. One side was the microphone, the other was an earpiece. No camera? She fished further and found a gold ring with what appeared to be a very large topaz. She held it up to her eye. She heard a crackling sound, then a voice. “Love the green contacts. They go well with the auburn hair.”
“And where will you be during this dinner and soiree?”
“For dinner, I will be in a car outside the restaurant. During the intimate gathering, I will be in the room below with the crew.”
“Please don’t use the word intimate,” Melanie requested politely.
Gilmour laughed. “I knew that would get to you.”
“You need to get a job at Comedy Central,” Melanie barked back.
“Looks like we’re all set. See you later.”
