“My father's retired Navy.”
“So you get it.” The cop said. “They did service, then they come back and no one wants to help them out.”
“No I don't get it.” Kerry said. “It's no justification for him coming in here and threatening to rape me.” She had gathered some of her wits around her. “So we are going to press charges.”
The cop was making some notes. “We can probably get a restraining order to keep him away from here.” He commented. “Thing is, these guys feel like they're owed.” He sighed. “So, let's hear what happened.”
Kerry went to her desk and sat down. “Sure.” She folded her hands as Dar took a perch on the windowsill behind her. “I came in early.. around seven. I opened the front door and came inside, and about... I guess ten minutes after that I heard the front door open and close.”
“Uh huh.”
“So I went to the stairs and called out – I thought our receptionist had come in a little early, or one of the other staff, but no one answered.”
“Right.”
“So a couple minutes after that, I heard someone on the stairs, and I went to the top there, and found this guy coming up towards me.”
The cop regarded her. “It occur to you to lock yourself inside the office?” He said. “And call 911?”
“Actually, not really, no.” Kerry admitted. “I did close up the back door there, so there was only one way into the office here. But then I saw him and he started threatening me.”
“So you called the police.” The cop said.
“I called the police.” Dar interjected quietly.
The cop looked over at her. “You were here at the time?”
“No. I was at the airport.”
The cop blinked at her in confusion.
“I texted her when I heard that sound downstairs.” Kerry explained. “And Dar sent the cavalry. He just stayed on the stairs yelling at me and saying he was going to hurt me until Mark showed up and then everyone else did too.”
“Uh huh.” The cop nodded. “So we got this guy in the car, and we're going to take him down to the station. His story is, he was just trying to scare you off from complaining about his buddies.” He studied Kerry's pale face. “He was saying that they should be able to go on the sidewalk if they want to, you know?”
“They can walk all over the sidewalk.” Dar said. “We objected to them fighting with each other on our doorstep.” She said. “Not to mention, rummaging in our garbage, and giving the maintenance guys a hard time when they complain about the mess they're making.”
The cop nodded, and his partner nodded as well. “Yeah, okay. I know they do that a lot. We'll see what we can do about it.” He said. “For the record I don't think he'd have hurt you” He said. “I've known these guys for a few months.” He glanced at Kerry. “And besides, he said the scaring didn't work. Thinks you have brass ones, no offense.”
“Well.” Kerry said. “I've met my share of assholes. But if it had been one of our staff, it would have been different, and I am not going to subject them to that. They have a right to come to work and not worry about that.”
The cop nodded again .”Fair enough. We'll be in touch.” He lifted a hand in goodbye, and he and his partner left Kerry's office, closing the door behind them.
Kerry sighed, and turned to look at her partner. Then she got up and went to perch on the sill next to her. “Big boofy guards, huh?”
“A dozen of them. One of them right outside your door.” Dar wiped her hands off on her jeans. “Jerks.”
Kerry rested her head against Dar's shoulder. “Next time I'll lock the damn door.”
Part 9
“Okay, let's try this again.” Dar exhaled, as they pulled up to the airport for the second time that morning. “Do me a favor?”
“Anything.” Kerry put the car into park. “Have I said how sorry I am about being so dumb?”
“A dozen times.” Dar leaned on the console between the seats. “Please don't be the last one out tonight.” She studied Kerry's face. “Please?”
“Okay.” Kerry put her hand on Dar's cheek. “I promise.”
Dar covered her hand and then gently kissed it. Then she released her and got out of the car. “Let me go talk to someone in security. Hopefully they won't try to arrest me.” She put her hands on the door frame. “See you tomorrow.”
“Call me when you get there.” Kerry said. “And good luck, hon. Though I don't think you need it.”
Dar smiled briefly, and waved then shut the door and reluctantly turned her back on the car and trudged into the entrance of the airport.
Kerry sighed, and watched her disappear, then she put the SUV into drive and carefully maneuvered her way out of the drop off area and onto the exit road. She was still somewhat sick to her stomach from the morning's events and she took a sip of water from her water bottle as she eased into traffic trying to settle herself.
She was glad Dar was only going to Washington overnight. She already missed the convenience of the private jet they'd enjoyed, and as she drove, she pondered the possibility of managing their own in the relatively near future.
Less stress, less trouble with security, flying on their own schedule. Huge benefits, the only issue being the cost. Kerry exhaled. Well, if they got some decent business, maybe it would work out financially.
She settled back in the seat and headed on the relatively short ride back to the office. The highway was busy, but not packed, and she turned on the radio as she headed for the exit, her mind going back to her scary morning experience.
No doubt, it had shaken her. Shaken Dar, who had gotten into that truculent gruff mood she tended to when she'd taken a scare. Having extracted a promise from Kerry that she would be really cautious, and not go walking around outside without taking someone with her, Dar had finally agreed that they could wait to engage the security group after Kerry finished her review of them.
Didn't make her happy, Kerry knew. Dar would have much preferred to have stayed around, or taken Kerry with her, but they both had jobs to do and after all, it was only one day.
Yeah. Kerry sighed as she pulled into the office parking lot. Just one day. Twenty four hours, pretty much. She got out of the SUV and locked it, stuffing her keys in her front jeans pocket before she started up the path heading to the door.
She'd been spotted, apparently. The door opened and Mayte trotted out, coming to join her and walk her up the path. “Hey.” Kerry said. “My afternoon appointments here?”
“The first one, yes.” Mayte agreed. “They just arrived, I have put them in the conference room.”
“Thanks.”
“The police also have called.” Mayte continued. “There will be one to see you here later.”
“Okay.” Kerry pushed the door open, and paused. “Let me go get my portfolio.” She started up the steps. “Is the coffee service in there?”
“Yes.” Mayte said. “I will go and offer them some.”
Kerry went into her office and to her desk, hoping her partner was having a much smoother afternoon herself.
Dar leaned against the counter, waiting for the flight to be called. She'd gotten through security with only a small bit of trouble, deciding to try using her charm instead of her kick ass for a change and getting the lightest of scoldings from the airport security supervisor.
Now she just wanted to get on the flight and get the trip over with.
Her phone buzzed, and she stepped away from the desk, pulling it out and glancing at it. “Hello?”
“Hello there, Dar.”