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“Yeah, he’s who came to my rescue. He found me and called an ambulance before I could seize.”
Shit. Something is not sitting right with me. I need to find out more about Paul. And his connection to Mark. Until I can find out how and why campus girls are being drugged, no one is safe. Including me. “Let me know if you need anything. Get some rest.”
I exit Monica’s hospital room and make my way to the waiting room so I can type out some notes and email them to myself.Wheel of Fortuneis playing in the background, and several people are drinking coffee while glued to their phones. I pull up the number for a taxi and call for a car to come pick me up. Between the strange texts and now my sabotaged vehicle, I am starting to feel like I am the one being targeted and not Monica. The closer I get to figuring out what is going on, the more I feel threatened.
The smell of woods and citrus fills my nostrils, and I glance up from my phone to catch the back of Graham as he travels down the hallway. He slips into Monica’s room. I hoist myself up and follow quietly down the same hallway and hang out outside the room to eavesdrop.
“Who are you?” Monica asks in a shaky voice.
“My name is Graham Hoffman. I’m doing an investigation on what happened to you at the frat house,” he explains.
I can hear the sound of the bed squeaking. “Yeah, I heard that one before,” Monica exhales. “I know nothing.”
Why is Graham trying to grill Monica? Why do we both have a vested interest? None of this makes sense.
I sneak downstairs in the elevator before Graham can catch me spying on him. My taxi driver is waiting at the curb, and I slip inside the backseat. I give him the address and make a phone call.
“Hoffman Headquarters, Hanna White speaking. How can I help you?”
Wow, I was not expecting anyone to answer and was going to leave a message. “Hey Hanna, this is Angie Mc—”
“I know who you are,” she interrupts with excitement. “How are you? Graham isn’t here right now if that is who you’re looking for.”
“I’m doing good. Why are you working on a weekend?”
“I like putting in extra hours while the previous assistant is away on leave. So much to catch up on, and I am usually bored on Saturday afternoons. What has you calling?”
“I’m calling because I need your help, actually. I’m kind of on a mission,” I say in a jolly tone.
“Oh, do tell,” she purrs. I can imagine her clapping her hands with excitement. Hanna always seemed to have a cheerful personality; someone who knows how to have fun. Part of me is sad with guilt that I am indirectly involving her.
“I want to give Graham a sexy surprise on Monday by coming to the office. But I need you to keep it a secret. Does he have any breaks in his schedule where he’ll not be in his office? I need to set it up there. Trust me, he will like the surprise,” I say with a voice as sultry as I can muster up.
“Oh squee! I love all parts of this idea. He’s not a man who likes surprises, from what I can tell. However, something tells me he will welcome what you have in mind.”
I give her a laugh. It is forced. “That’s the plan.”
“Give me a second to look over his calendar. This is so much fun.”
I wait patiently. “Thank you so much.”
“Okay, so he should be at a meeting from one until two on the other wing of the building. So you have an hour window of time to sneak in.”
“Great,” I respond, “I’ll be there. Oh, and can you inform security to not contact Graham about my arrival? I really am looking forward to surprising him with my appearance when he comes back to his office. I need this to be special—if you know what I’m saying.”
“Yeah, good idea,” Hanna agrees. “I’ll talk to the lobby and parking garage attendants as well. Oh, and those in the video room.”
Of course he would have video surveillance in his own building. Why did I not consider that before? “Awesome. See you Monday.”
“Bye, Angie.”
By the time I hang up the phone with Hanna, I am at the townhouse. I hand over the owed money in cash and exit the backseat.
I use my key to open up the door and am greeted with the cozy warmth from the inside heat.
“Thank God you are home,” Claire says in a rush. She peels herself from Ethan’s embrace and gives me a big hug. “I was worried about you.”
“I went to go see Monica at the hospital.”
