“Yes, sir.” Agent Tanner nodded. “Our command post is in the condo next to yours so we can monitor the surroundings and be close by.”
“What happened to Mrs. Ruff?” I wondered. It had been a few days since I’d seen my elderly widowed neighbor, but I didn’t think she found a new place to live—or worse.
“She moved,” he simply replied.
I looked at Agent Davis for more details, but he didn’t speak.
“She moved …” I repeated Tanner’s words in disbelief as I leaned against the back of my couch. I hadn’t seen anyone coming and going from her place. Mrs. Ruff and I crossed paths several times a week when I would stop by to take out her trash or ask if she needed anything, so she’d had plenty of opportunities to tell me she was leaving. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
“Yes,” Agent Tanner confirmed.
“You made her move? How the hell did that happen so fast?”
“We’re Secret Service, sir,” Agent Davis stated. “We can make anything happen.”
“What does that mean?” I challenged. It wasn’t even eight in the morning, and they had kicked an old lady out onto the street? I was pissed.
“Mrs. Ruff is staying in a suite at a very accommodating hotel until we can find a suitable place for her to live for the next four or so years. I promise the agency is taking good care of her,” Tanner advised.
“You better, or I’ll have someone’s head.”
“Understandable, sir.” Tanner nodded. “We need to review your schedule and then let you get to class.”
I snorted a small laugh. “My schedule? It seems you already know it since you know I need to get to class.”
“We know of your law school schedule, but we would like to be briefed daily if you plan anything other than attending class and coming home.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “If you know my school schedule, then you know I don’t have much time for a social life.”
Agent Davis grunted, and both Agent Tanner and I turned our attention to him. What the hell was that about? Had he seen Declan leave my place? Since they were stationed next door, they probably knew, but why did Agent Davis react that way? Could he possibly be jealous? Was Agent Hottie gay?
Agent Tanner turned back to me. “Yes, we are aware of your heavy course load, but we also know you like to have fun. We ask that if you have plans, to please let us know so we can do whatever is necessary to ensure your safety.”
“And what if I don’t know in advance?” I questioned.
“As you’re probably aware, we will be with you twenty-four seven from this moment forward. We’ll always be there to protect you, but we ask for a heads-up so we can conduct security sweeps and anything else we might need to do beforehand,” Agent Tanner explained.
“All right. I can do that. I have no plans today except for school.”
“Great. Agent Davis will be with you in class, and we will have two other agents on campus as well. When you’re home, someone will be inside your condo while other members of the team will be in and around the building as well as manning the command post.”
I stared at the two men as I let Agent Tanner’s words sink in. For the next four years, I wasn’t going to have any privacy. While I expected to have protection, I didn’t realize how invasive it would all be. “Why does someone need to beinmy condo?”
“For your safety, sir,” Agent Tanner replied.
“I get that, but why inside my place? What if I want to walk around naked and shit? Have friends over? Have someone stay the night?” My eyes moved to Agent Davis’ to see if he had another reaction, but he remained stoic.
“We know this will be a change for you, sir, but we aren’t here to cause you distress. You can live your life normally and certainly have people over, but know we will be with you. It’s our duty.”
“Are you going to watch me fucking sleep?”
Agent Tanner shook his head. “Of course not. The agent will stay in your living room unless he is needed somewhere else. The agents assigned to you, of course, will be laxer than those with your father, unless we learn of a direct threat to you.”
“Right, you won’t need to watch me pee. Got it.” I pushed off the couch. “I need to jump in the shower.”
“Yes, we’ll let you get to that.”
I started toward the hallway but turned back. “Do I get to drive myself, or do you have to escort me now?”
