fifty-fifty.” She paused, looked down at her feet, then went on, dreading the words to soon leave her mouth. “ With Special Forces being on-site tomorrow, I believe Thomas Kunz and GRID will find the temptation to attack Santa Bella irresistible. ”
Chapter 3
S anta Bella had been designed in quadrants.
The northwest quadrant was dedicated to women, the southwest to kids. Men’s stores, Jeweler’s Row and specialty shops from around the world were situated north of the administration wing in the northeast quadrant. Restaurants surrounded Center Court, where events were held. There was a stage with heavy red-velvet curtains and a deep marble pit, where the snow would be located. Knowing this much was fine for general purposes, but to do her job successfully, Maggie needed specific details. She looked across the waist-high counter at the front of the security office to Will Stanton. “I’m going to need a copy of the facility’s floor plan as quickly as you can get it to me. All three levels.”
“Yes, ma’am, Captain Holt.”
“Maggie.” She smiled at him. “Otherwise, we’re going to be tripping over tongues by this time tomorrow.”
“Maggie,” Will said with a nod. “Is there anything else you need from me right now?”
“No. I know you’re eager to get that listing of items to the store owners.” The sooner, the better for her, as well.
“Yes, ma’am.” He shoved a gold pen into his shirt pocket. It glimmered in the light.
“Thank you.” She stepped back from the counter. “We,” she said, meaning she and Justin, “are going to walk the facility. Afterward, we’ll likely have more recommendations to add.”
“We’ll plan on distributing a supplemental list, then. Doing two will allow the owners to get going on some of the recommendations now.” He nodded at Justin, then turned to his office staff of three women and two men seated at their desks. “Move on it,” he told them, then looked back at Maggie. “The twenty-six agreed to extra security, Maggie—if you ask for it. Overtime is authorized and backup guards are on call.”
Maggie didn’t miss his point. “I’m asking, Will.”
Relief lashed across his face. “You got it. We have thirty men trained for inside, an additional twenty for the north and south parking garages and the open parking in between. How many do you want activated?”
“I’m assuming the mall will be open all night, setting up for this Winter Wonderland. Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’ll take them at least nine hours to prepare the pit and set everything up. Harry and Phil Jensen, the owners, will have the crew start at midnight.”
“Then activate all the guards,” Maggie said, making thecall. “Start them at midnight and carry them through until we know we’re on the other side of this tomorrow night.” Maggie hitched her purse strap on her shoulder. “We’re also going to need personnel records on Harry and Phil, information on their company, and background data on the snow crew.”
“I’m on it.” Will looked over at the woman seated at the first desk and began reeling off orders.
Maggie glanced at Justin. Often lab rats got in the field and froze, but he stood quietly and calmly watching Will. Intense, but in control. So far, so good. “Ready?”
He nodded. “What exactly are we looking for?”
“Two things,” she said softly. “Vulnerabilities and familiarity.”
He pulled a pad and pen out of his briefcase. “I’ll take notes.”
“Thanks.” That surprised her, though it shouldn’t have. Of course he would feel more comfortable doing something familiar, having a tool natural to him in his hand. “Working with Darcy has spoiled me,” Maggie said for no particular reason. “No notes necessary.”
“Guess I’m a poor substitute for someone with her memory skills.”
And just how did he know about Darcy’s special skills? Maggie didn’t ask but lifted a questioning brow.
“Colonel Drake
Chapter 3
S anta Bella had been designed in quadrants.
The northwest quadrant was dedicated to women, the southwest to kids. Men’s stores, Jeweler’s Row and specialty shops from around the world were situated north of the administration wing in the northeast quadrant. Restaurants surrounded Center Court, where events were held. There was a stage with heavy red-velvet curtains and a deep marble pit, where the snow would be located. Knowing this much was fine for general purposes, but to do her job successfully, Maggie needed specific details. She looked across the waist-high counter at the front of the security office to Will Stanton. “I’m going to need a copy of the facility’s floor plan as quickly as you can get it to me. All three levels.”
“Yes, ma’am, Captain Holt.”
“Maggie.” She smiled at him. “Otherwise, we’re going to be tripping over tongues by this time tomorrow.”
“Maggie,” Will said with a nod. “Is there anything else you need from me right now?”
“No. I know you’re eager to get that listing of items to the store owners.” The sooner, the better for her, as well.
“Yes, ma’am.” He shoved a gold pen into his shirt pocket. It glimmered in the light.
“Thank you.” She stepped back from the counter. “We,” she said, meaning she and Justin, “are going to walk the facility. Afterward, we’ll likely have more recommendations to add.”
“We’ll plan on distributing a supplemental list, then. Doing two will allow the owners to get going on some of the recommendations now.” He nodded at Justin, then turned to his office staff of three women and two men seated at their desks. “Move on it,” he told them, then looked back at Maggie. “The twenty-six agreed to extra security, Maggie—if you ask for it. Overtime is authorized and backup guards are on call.”
Maggie didn’t miss his point. “I’m asking, Will.”
Relief lashed across his face. “You got it. We have thirty men trained for inside, an additional twenty for the north and south parking garages and the open parking in between. How many do you want activated?”
“I’m assuming the mall will be open all night, setting up for this Winter Wonderland. Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’ll take them at least nine hours to prepare the pit and set everything up. Harry and Phil Jensen, the owners, will have the crew start at midnight.”
“Then activate all the guards,” Maggie said, making thecall. “Start them at midnight and carry them through until we know we’re on the other side of this tomorrow night.” Maggie hitched her purse strap on her shoulder. “We’re also going to need personnel records on Harry and Phil, information on their company, and background data on the snow crew.”
“I’m on it.” Will looked over at the woman seated at the first desk and began reeling off orders.
Maggie glanced at Justin. Often lab rats got in the field and froze, but he stood quietly and calmly watching Will. Intense, but in control. So far, so good. “Ready?”
He nodded. “What exactly are we looking for?”
“Two things,” she said softly. “Vulnerabilities and familiarity.”
He pulled a pad and pen out of his briefcase. “I’ll take notes.”
“Thanks.” That surprised her, though it shouldn’t have. Of course he would feel more comfortable doing something familiar, having a tool natural to him in his hand. “Working with Darcy has spoiled me,” Maggie said for no particular reason. “No notes necessary.”
“Guess I’m a poor substitute for someone with her memory skills.”
And just how did he know about Darcy’s special skills? Maggie didn’t ask but lifted a questioning brow.
“Colonel Drake
Similar Books
