Unwanted Heat

“No, there were no prints and this building obviously doesn’t have any security cameras, so there was nothing to go on. They suspect it was someone who lived here though. A few of the residents apparently made comments about seeing Kenzie getting into a high end car a few times-”

“The car service?”

“That’s my guess. Bridget had a car service bring Kenzie to PFS for your last two… dates. I’m guessing a car like that probably stood out when it picked her up.”

“So it this was my fault…”

“Sir, I don’t think-”

“Kenzie told me to tell you to come inside rather than standing outside her door.”

“Yes sir.”

“Kenzie?” I call before opening the door all the way not wanting to startle her.

“Over here,” she’s bent over trying to pull the small fridge out from underneath a countertop.

“Ma’am, please allow me,” Carter quickly offers.

“Thank you Carter, if you can just pull it out a little, there’s something behind it I need to get,” she explains.

Carter pulls the small fridge out from under the counter, and as soon as it’s out a few inches, Kenzie indicates that he can stop. She reaches behind the fridge and after a few minutes of searching pulls out a beige envelope that must have been stuck to the back of the fridge.

“Carter if you wouldn’t mind, could you help me pull the dresser from the wall? It shouldn’t be very heavy, they… most of the drawers are empty now.”

Just like with the fridge, Carter moves the dresser away from the wall a few inches and Kenzie reaches behind to pull out another beige envelope. I’m about to ask her what is going on but Carter shakes his head at me, indicating that I shouldn’t ask.

Knock knock

“That will be Hunter; what can we take to the SUV for you, Ms. Rose?” Carter asks.

“Just that black bag, I can grab the duffel back and my purse-”

“We’ll take the duffel bag and the other bag ma’am. I’ll come back up for you both in a few minutes,” Carter quickly grabs the two bags before Kenzie can protest and leaves the apartment.

“If there’s anything you think you overlooked, Hunter can bring you back here tomorrow to get it-”

“Hunter?”

“He’s going to be your CPO-”

“I’m sorry, my what?”

“Close protection officer-he’s assigned to your security. He will take you wherever you need to go and will ensure the press don’t bother you.”

“He’s going to follow me around?”

“Yes, I know it’s a lot to take in but trust me, after a little while you will barely notice him.”

“I doubt that.”

“His job will be to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again, Kenzie. He’s there to keep you safe.”

“I know, I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m being argumentative-”

“Not at all, I know this is a lot to take in all at once.”

“It’s just not how I expected to be spending my night tonight,” she sighs and shakes her head, looking around the room one last time before Carter indicates that the SUV is ready for us to leave. I take her hand in mine and lead her out of the apartment; she follows me but doesn’t say a word as I’m sure she tries to come to terms that she is leaving. It may not be much, but I get the impression that Kenzie liked the place. When we get into the SUV, she stares blindly out the window…

“Why did the police call you, Nicholas?”

“When we… when we started our arrangement, Carter spoke to the captain in this precinct and requested they contact him if there was any police activity in or around your residence.”

“So you knew where I lived?”

“I didn’t, no. I have maintained my ignorance of that aspect of our contract until tonight,” I assure her trying not to ruin the little bit of trust that I think she has in me.

“But Carter knew where I lived?”

“Yes.”

“Bridget told me the information wouldn’t be included in my background check; that you wouldn’t know where I lived or know how to contact me.”

“She didn’t give Carter that information. Carter ran a background

check-”

“What the hell is it with you running background checks on people without them knowing?!?!”

I’ve never heard Kenzie raise her voice or curse, so I’m taken aback by her reaction.

“Kenzie… It’s standard protocol to run a background check on anyone I come in contact with because of who I am. I have never looked at the report though, Carter gave me very basic information on what was in it.”

“Gee thanks,” the sarcasm is evident in her voice.

“I’m not going to apologize for the fact that Carter ran the report. It my line of work, it needs to be done. Everyone is considered a risk to PFS, to my family or to me until we have a thorough background report completed.”

“I understand that, but don’t you think that people like you should at least ask someone before they go diving into someone’s past?”

“People like me?”

“Bridget did the same thing! Before she called me about this… about her business, she ran a background check on me. Again, without my permission.”

“Kenzie, unfortunately it’s how people are weeded out and how risks are reduced.”

“I’d like a copy of the report.”

“Of course… Carter, please send Ms. Rose a copy of her background report when we return to the condo.”

“Of course sir.”

“I don’t suppose I need to provide you with my email address Carter?”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“No ma’am, I have that information already.”

“Of course you do.”

“Kenzie… I don’t know what to say.”

“I think I just want to call it a day and deal with everything tomorrow if you don’t mind, Nicholas. It’s been a very long day and I’m exhausted. I’ve been awake now for more than 24 hours so I’m probably not handling this the right way.”

Kenzie doesn’t say a word for the remainder of the drive, but just before we approach The Accord she takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. The subtleness of this gesture makes me smile and despite everything that happened, for the first time in a couple of hours I feel relaxed.