Page 33 of Unseen Danger

“You’re right, as usual.” Branson sat on the bench and positioned his feet on the large plate in front of him. “I just can’t afford to lose this job right now, you know?”

“Because of your dad.”

“Yeah.” He straightened his legs, pushing against the resistance.

“How’s your dad doing?”

Branson bent his legs, releasing the pressure. “I don’t know for sure, really.”

“Haven’t you talked to him recently?”

“Sure.” Branson pressed with his feet again as he thought back to how long ago he’d called his parents. Maybe three weeks. Probably too long. “I get the feeling they don’t like to tell me the hard stuff. I think the treatments are going okay, though.”

“You should give him a call. Find out.” Andrew’s last word cut off in a heavy breath, as if he was in the middle of a bench press or something.

“I will. Hopefully before I have to tell them I can’t send money anymore.”

“From what you’ve told me, I don’t think your client should have reason to doubt your abilities.”

Branson completed another press and sat up. “But there’s been a series of these things. And now escalation with the guard getting attacked. The fence was breached on the estate.”

“No one got near the house, right?”

Branson reached for the bottled water he’d set on the floor. “True.”

“No actual threat to the client? He was secure all the time?”

“Yes.”

“You did your job, Branson. You kept the client safe and secure. You can’t foresee every threat that might come, but you can be ready to respond to keep everyone safe. You did that.”

The affirmation calmed the unease in Branson’s belly. “Thanks.”

“I don’t give compliments, pal.”

Branson smiled at his mentor’s familiar reminder.

“What are you doing about the fence going forward?”

“Cameras will be installed tomorrow, two on each fence line.” Branson walked over to the rack of free weights. “And we have K-9 teams patrolling at night now. I’m pretty sure the perp must have cut through the fence in the dark the night before. Too likely he’d have been seen otherwise.”

“Great idea about the K-9 teams. Dogs are excellent at night, even for the deterrent effect.”

“Well, I can’t take credit. It was actually D-Chop’s idea.”

“Your client thought of it?”

Branson chuckled and briefly explained D-Chop’s motivation for bringing women on for security and the fire rescue that inspired the idea. He maybe lingered more than briefly on his description of Nevaeh and her heroics in saving Kicker.

“Sounds like an impressive lady. And she’s on one of the K-9 teams patrolling the estate?”

Branson recognized Andrew’s change in tone. He was smiling.

Heat surged up Branson’s neck. He had probably said a little too much about Nevaeh. Or maybe it was the way he’d said it. He intentionally firmed his tone as he responded. “Yes. One of two women and K-9 teams. I don’t plan to see them much, since I’m off when they come on. And I’ll run myself ragged if I keep staying up late to see them when they start at ten thirty. I’ll probably let Louis brief them, if necessary, when they get here from now on.”

Though then he’d miss seeing Nevaeh, a thought that didn’t sit well at all.

“Good thinking.” The amusement still lingered in Andrew’s voice.