“You are about to be late, young lady.” The voice was familiar. The caller id said the call came from inside the hotel. “If you are lost, perhaps you should ask.”
“Who is this?” I turned around as if I were being watched.
“Randall.” He sighed as if talking to me exhausted him.
“How do you know I’m lost?” My eyes scanned the casino floor until it landed on a camera in the ceiling. It blinked as if it were winking at me.
“You enjoy spying on people from that situation room of yours.”
He chuckled. “Actually, I do, but be nice, or I won’t give you directions.”
“Fine.” I huffed. “Which way do I go?”
“Say please?”
“Please.” I sang.
“Head toward the lobby.”
I looked at my watch and then scurried towards Quad I lobby.
“See the door to the right of reception.”
“I don’t have access to that area.” I stopped.
“You do now.”
I swiped my badge against the reader, and the door opened into a long, brightly lit hallway. “Start walking and at the first turn, make a left, then enter the third door on the right, and the security area will be on your right.”
“I hadn’t come this way before. It’s not exactly helpful.”
“As I previously stated, if you get lost again, you can ask for help.” His voice in a sing-song tone made it more obnoxious. I could picture his smug face. “Say thank you, Randall.”
“Thank you, Randall.” My voice heavy with sarcasm.
“I wonder about something.”
“What?”
“Does Patrick know he hired a brat?” He let out a low, humorless laugh. “Enjoy the rest of your day.” I hung up the phone, but his cackle echoed off the walls.
I am not a brat and didn’t find his remark amusing at all.
I made my way through the labyrinth of behind-the-scenes Quad Vegas. Once I pushed my way through the last door, Patrick stood in the open hallway looking frantic.
“Kylie.” Patrick approached the security area. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I stepped around him and into the security department. It was an open room with cubicles scattered across the floor. About twenty people stood in the same uniform of black polos with the Quad Logo on the left chest and black slacks. I wasn’t the only woman.
“Come with me.” Patrick pulled on my sleeve. His fingers grazed my arm and sent a jolt through me. It got me moving and prevented me from staring.
The room settled and turned toward Patrick in front of a podium, with me standing to his right. Two others of Kyler and Josh’s security team stood to the left.
“Okay, let’s get started.” Patrick looked over at me. “First, I wanted to introduce a new member of the team. Kylie Stands.”
Some in the room nodded; others stood with curious stares.
“Kylie’s a former analyst with the FBI, and she will be working with Team One, specifically with Ninja 1 and 2.”
