Page 6 of Island Whispers
“Again, this is just bare bones information, but apparently, she caught a video of the man taking off his mask as he drove away. The video is clear enough to confirm his identity.”
That sounded open and shut to Boone. Then again, it was everything in between that kept him employed. “You don’t think the police will round him up?”
“The cop who spoke with me wanted to be sure someone will keep an eye on her.” Jess frowned. “Sounds like she was standing near her vehicle, which is a rolling advertisement for her flower shop.”
Boone barely suppressed the reaction as a memory washed over him. His mystery woman’s skin and hair had smelled of flowers.
“I don’t know enough about this guy yet to know his resources,” Jess continued. “He escaped custody, obviously, but I don’t know how long ago. He committed a crime with the carjacking and hopefully accidental kidnapping. It’s no stretch to think he can evade a manhunt. At least for a while. I’ll need to call the office and get research digging into him.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Logan, one of our protectors in Charleston, is on his way to her. He’ll bring her here. At that point I want you to take over. She lives and works here and she’ll be worried about the rest of the family.”
“All right,” Boone agreed. “Standard protection detail?”
“Yes, please.” Jess turned to her computer. “Give me a second to send the research request. They can get us an accurate risk assessment.”
Their research team at the agency was the best in Boone’s opinion. And being in the private sector, they were far more transparent and candid with intel than the military could be. “What kind of background can you give me?”
Whatever Jess was about to say, she thought better of it and closed her mouth. “Sorry.” She held up her hands. “Everyone needs me to treat this like any other assignment. Her name is Nina Billings. Her older brother, Nash, is my fiancé. Her parents, Roxy and Nico, are alive and live here on Brookwell where she was born and raised. She owns the flower shop on Central. Island Bloomers. One employee, plus a delivery driver who comes in as needed.”
“Sounds manageable.” Boone was absorbing all the details. “Where does she live?”
“In an apartment above her shop.”
That surprised him and it must’ve shown because Jess’s mouth twitched. “She’s dedicated to her business and this town. Florist hours can be squirrely. The setup gives her autonomy without a mortgage payment. And reduces friction when she needs to work early or late.”
“Got it. Any hobbies or commitments? Significant others?”
Jess considered the question. “Music. Nina wants a seat on the music festival committee at some point in the future. She’s always urging the Pelican Pub to book bands she finds in Charleston, Savannah, and Charlotte.”
Boone added to the mental list in his head. He’d get all these details in an official file shortly, but he would be meeting the woman during a crisis and he intended to take whatever steps he could to make it easier on her.
“You really won’t mind the early hours?” She frowned. “I’m still not sure Nash’s schedule isn’t a deal breaker.”
Boone chuckled. “I am completely adaptable to Nina’s schedule. You haven’t mentioned a partner.”
“No…” Her voice trailed off. “My gut says no partner.” She tapped her fingers lightly on the desktop. “No one official. But I think—I think—she’s been seeing someone. Just not here on the island. Probably in Charleston. She likes to plan girl weekends and whoever can go along does. We hang out, shop, get pedicures or massages, and try new restaurants.”
“And she disappears on you?” Boone inserted when Jess paused again.
Jess nodded. “It’s not consistent enough to be a pattern, but enough to make me wonder.”
Boone credited the cop instincts for that.
“I’m making her sound flaky,” Jess continued. “She isn’t. She’s a rock. I think she’s just shy about being public with a relationship. You might’ve noticed it’s a small town.” She gave a little shrug. “Small town means a big gossip grapevine. Nina hasn’t brought anyone home to family dinner on Sundays. She would if she was serious. Most likely she’s just enjoying a casual fling without risking gossip fallout here on the island.”
“It’s that bad?”
Jess rolled her eyes. “Trust me on this. If Nina looked twice at anyone local, the whispers would turn into a roaring wildfire overnight.”
“I’m hearing that she’s discreet.”
“Yes.” Jess pointed at her phone. “And she’d never want to do anything that would reflect badly on her family or make them worry. Which is why she called me about this instead of one of them.”
“This isn’t a problem,” he assured her. “I can protect her without it becoming a spectacle.”
“Thanks, but having you around as strictly a protector could be a problem all on its own.”