This…" I open the folder and remove the contract. "This has very little stated about the house itself. Most of it states I'll be expected to watch Malerie and I don't understand that."
"You're right. I should be honest with you."
I nod. It's not the answer I expected.
"We had a meeting at the attorney's office after JT died. It was for the reading of the will. Malerie has become quite wealthy, as you can imagine. There were mandates about the running of the household I am willing to follow. It was clear Malerie's safety was of great concern to JT as there were mentions of it in the will. Malerie may object to you, but I was appointed her financial guardian until her 21st birthday. Malerie has issues that need to be resolved if I'm to carry out the wishes in JT's will."
"So, she's some sort of heiress?"
"You could say that."
"Then why not hire a professional bodyguard? Listen." I pause in the act of throwing away my chance at the job. "I appreciate the money, the offer, everything, but I don't know if you realize how unqualified I am for this. I was a security guard. There's a huge difference—"
"I need someone she can trust. You're her age. And what you did at the restaurant was a genuine act of bravery. I trust you. All you have to do is keep an eye on her. I think it's best if she isn't aware you're there for her benefit. As far as Malerie has to know, you are there for the security setup and to keep an eye on the grounds at night."
I shake my head. "I don't do well with lies."
"It won't be a lie. You will be there for the duties as outlined. Also, I'll expect you to report in about Malerie—unofficially of course. I need to know her whereabouts and if anything is troubling her."
The request sits like a day-old donut in my gut. Sticky and bad for my health. "Sounds like spying to me."
He gives me a sad smile and shakes his head. "I mentioned Malerie's background the other day, and the bombing. I didn't get a chance to tell you she has issues."
"Yeah. Anyone would."
"Malerie was traumatized when the building collapsed. She was trapped under debris for a full day before firemen dug her out. She was the only survivor."
"No one else?"
"No. Two hundred and thirty people died that day. One survived."
"And that's Malerie." I think back to the day at the restaurant and how she freaked in the hallway by the bathrooms.
"She's tried to get past her fears and move on."
I clear my throat. "Sounds like she needs some counseling. Maybe a support group."
"She did have that for several years. Now, she seldom meets with her therapist."
"Well then, she must be doing fine."
"I need your answer today. I'll have to hunt for alternatives if you are declining."
I picture the stack of bills on my kitchen table. Medical bills with overdue stamped on the front. Loans for starting my business. Malerie's face pops into my mind, an unwelcome distraction.
"Yes," I say.
"Good. There are several bedrooms in the house, but I'd like to offer you the guesthouse behind the pool. The contract outlines the hours you will be expected to keep."
I frown at the thought of being at someone's beck and call. "I need to be able to leave daily to keep up with other obligations." Not that I have a lot to do. Nothing since finishing the last security setup at Smith and Walters, Inc. Nothing besides checking on the cat, Mrs. Prata, my mail. Nothing besides giving myself a little breathing room.
"Let us know the schedule you'd like to keep then. You should update the alarm system in the house as you'd planned to do for JT. I'll give you information for the household account and you can charge the equipment."
"Sure."
"I'll expect you at the house tomorrow morning." Billy rises and holds out his hand. "I look forward to working with you."
9
Ace
H e’s a crime fighter , a do-or-dier, won’t rest until he finds her, he’s Superman. In the middle of the city, he’s a lonely man. Yeah, yeah. Just one man. ~Jelly Bean Queen
I stand in my
"You're right. I should be honest with you."
I nod. It's not the answer I expected.
"We had a meeting at the attorney's office after JT died. It was for the reading of the will. Malerie has become quite wealthy, as you can imagine. There were mandates about the running of the household I am willing to follow. It was clear Malerie's safety was of great concern to JT as there were mentions of it in the will. Malerie may object to you, but I was appointed her financial guardian until her 21st birthday. Malerie has issues that need to be resolved if I'm to carry out the wishes in JT's will."
"So, she's some sort of heiress?"
"You could say that."
"Then why not hire a professional bodyguard? Listen." I pause in the act of throwing away my chance at the job. "I appreciate the money, the offer, everything, but I don't know if you realize how unqualified I am for this. I was a security guard. There's a huge difference—"
"I need someone she can trust. You're her age. And what you did at the restaurant was a genuine act of bravery. I trust you. All you have to do is keep an eye on her. I think it's best if she isn't aware you're there for her benefit. As far as Malerie has to know, you are there for the security setup and to keep an eye on the grounds at night."
I shake my head. "I don't do well with lies."
"It won't be a lie. You will be there for the duties as outlined. Also, I'll expect you to report in about Malerie—unofficially of course. I need to know her whereabouts and if anything is troubling her."
The request sits like a day-old donut in my gut. Sticky and bad for my health. "Sounds like spying to me."
He gives me a sad smile and shakes his head. "I mentioned Malerie's background the other day, and the bombing. I didn't get a chance to tell you she has issues."
"Yeah. Anyone would."
"Malerie was traumatized when the building collapsed. She was trapped under debris for a full day before firemen dug her out. She was the only survivor."
"No one else?"
"No. Two hundred and thirty people died that day. One survived."
"And that's Malerie." I think back to the day at the restaurant and how she freaked in the hallway by the bathrooms.
"She's tried to get past her fears and move on."
I clear my throat. "Sounds like she needs some counseling. Maybe a support group."
"She did have that for several years. Now, she seldom meets with her therapist."
"Well then, she must be doing fine."
"I need your answer today. I'll have to hunt for alternatives if you are declining."
I picture the stack of bills on my kitchen table. Medical bills with overdue stamped on the front. Loans for starting my business. Malerie's face pops into my mind, an unwelcome distraction.
"Yes," I say.
"Good. There are several bedrooms in the house, but I'd like to offer you the guesthouse behind the pool. The contract outlines the hours you will be expected to keep."
I frown at the thought of being at someone's beck and call. "I need to be able to leave daily to keep up with other obligations." Not that I have a lot to do. Nothing since finishing the last security setup at Smith and Walters, Inc. Nothing besides checking on the cat, Mrs. Prata, my mail. Nothing besides giving myself a little breathing room.
"Let us know the schedule you'd like to keep then. You should update the alarm system in the house as you'd planned to do for JT. I'll give you information for the household account and you can charge the equipment."
"Sure."
"I'll expect you at the house tomorrow morning." Billy rises and holds out his hand. "I look forward to working with you."
9
Ace
H e’s a crime fighter , a do-or-dier, won’t rest until he finds her, he’s Superman. In the middle of the city, he’s a lonely man. Yeah, yeah. Just one man. ~Jelly Bean Queen
I stand in my
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