Page 5 of Sasha’s Secret

Rocco wondered exactly what that direction was, and if it was the reason there was so little background information about her. And Virginia? Putting the pieces together, the obvious answer was the CIA, but if that were true, how did she end up here?

Whatever the truth about Sasha was, she was the one who’d first noticed the problem that had brought him here. Having seen some of the social media posts she’d provided as evidence there was an issue, Rocco had initially assumed a trained analyst was responsible for the alert. Then, on discovering Linzi Suto’s assistant was responsible, he’d switched to thinking it was natural talent and attention to detail. In light of what he’d just learned, he was inclined to believe his original opinion was correct.

“We’re not here to talk about me, Mr. Equizi. I’ve arranged for you to meet Linzi in,” Sasha consulted her watch, “about thirty minutes. She’s in the studio rehearsing right now, and after she’s seen you, she has an interview with a music magazine.”

“She’s traveling to the interview?” If so, he’d have to hit the ground sprinting, not merely running.

“Not this time. It’s taking place online here, in the media suite. I’ll provide you with full access to Linzi’s schedule, although I can tell you now, she’s not due to venture into the outside world any time soon.”

“Good, thank you.” Assuming that continued to be the case, he’d have an ideal opportunity to familiarize himself with both the environment and the people who lived and worked within it. “Is Mr. Brookes around?”

Now there was an interesting reaction. Sasha didn’t appear to be too impressed by his principal’s manager, judging by the shadow of disapproval that briefly passed over her face.

“He’s in New York for the next few days.” She glanced toward the computer screen to her left and pressed a couple of keys on the keyboard. “Is that a problem?”

“Not at all.”

Head tilted to one side, she raised an eyebrow. Whatever it was about, Rocco could almost hear the debate taking place in her mind. Then her hazel gaze pinned him to the spot as if he were an insect imprisoned on the board of a collector.

“Tell me, Mr. Equizi. Why did Gerry hire your company to protect Linzi? Spectrum has no track record over here—at least, none that I’ve been able to find. It’s not as if we have a shortage of US companies like yours.”

So, she wasn’t one to beat around the bush, and she’d done her research. He liked that. “Ms. Morgan, I can’t answer the first question, because I don’t know why Mr. Brookes engaged Spectrum. What I can tell you is that, while we may not have a track record over here yet, back home, the company is highly thought of. We operate in multiple environments, and when it comes to close protection, we have experience at the highest level.”

Her gaze locked with his in a silent battle of wills. She was a cool one, all right, but it would take a great deal more than that to deter Rocco. Nick, his boss, might have gotten to dress up in the flashy breastplate and plumed helmet of a member of the Household Cavalry during his service in the British Army, but the man knew what he was talking about when it came to Spectrum. He’d anticipated these questions might arise and primed Rocco with a heap of background information. Rocco was already aware of a lot of it, but it didn’t hurt to add more knowledge to the arsenal.

“Sasha,” she said at length. “We’re not formal around here. After all, it’s you Brits who are known for having a stick up your ass.”

Rocco blinked. Then his lips twitched as he fought to keep a straight face. “Rocco, and I’m only half a Brit,” he corrected her. “In my case, it’s a toothpick.”

At first, he thought his attempt at ice-breaking humor had fallen on stony ground, but then he caught it, the little twitch of her cheek that betrayed her true reaction.

However, this was a business meeting, not a social one. “Sasha, my brief here is to review current security arrangements, provide personal protection for Linzi, and facilitate an in-depth investigation of the threats you’ve identified in her social media. I’ll also need to speak to her security team. Can that be arranged?”

“Already on it. You have a meeting with Frank Schofield tomorrow morning. I figured speaking to the head of on-site security would be high on your agenda.”

It was, but Rocco had another question on his mind. “Thank you. I take it he’s aware that threats have been made?”

Sasha’s reaction was interesting. She didn’t immediately respond. Instead, she appeared to be engaged in another internal debate before replying.

“I’ve only told him you’re here as a consultant here to evaluate the security systems for potential upgrade and advise on best practice, so unless he’s taken the initiative to monitor her social media of his own accord, no, he’s not aware. Also…”

“Yes?”

“The possibility can’t be discounted that… someone inside Linzi’s inner circle is responsible.”

A possibility that hadn’t escaped Rocco, either. And if it was an inside job, then Sasha and Gerry Brookes could be as guilty as anyone who worked there, in spite of the part they’d played in discovering the threats and hiring him. That said, his gut was leaning toward discounting Sasha as a threat. There was something about her that made the idea absurd, but he was also wary of reaching that conclusion too quickly.

“I know you’re Linzi’s assistant, but do you have anything to do with managing any aspects of the estate as well?”

Sasha laughed, but not unkindly. “I’m good at what I do… but not that good. There are not enough hours in the day, and that is one more headache I do not need. Alilah Corday manages the domestic staff and everything connected with the accommodation on the estate, and before you ask, Leah Bennett takes care of the contracts and schedules for maintenance of the grounds and external facilities. Both Alilah and Leah nominally report to me, but unless there are any major issues that require my input to resolve them, they have a free hand.”

“Would either of them have cause to threaten Linzi?”

Sasha shook her head. “I can’t see they would, but I wouldn’t dismiss it either, even though it’s unlikely. They have a pretty easy ride here, so I doubt they’d do anything to disrupt that.”

Which Sasha didn’t approve of, that was obvious. Rocco added the two names to his list of people to speak to, if only to discount them as suspects. “Is there anyone else who might bear a grudge against Linzi?”

“No one who comes to mind right now. Look, I know this is your job, but may I tag along when you make your inquiries? In case I can contribute something.”