Page 7 of Deadly Peril
Eva narrowed her eyes. “And where are your parents from?”
“My parents were born in Iceland, on the outskirts of Reykjavik.” The answer seemed to please Eva.
“You have the blond hair and blue eyes as testimony to that.” Eva smiled.
Thaddeus looked over at his boss. “Am I missing something here?”
“Eva and I spoke on the phone before this appointment,” Travis said. “She conveyed her need to hire protection, and I offered a choice of several qualified staff.” He took a breath. “But she particularly wanted a man with Icelandic heritage.”
“You weren’t easy to find,” Eva said. “I contacted numerous security companies throughout the state. Do you know how many bodyguards have parents, or even grandparents, from Iceland?”
Thaddeus studied her, trying to figure out her angle. “No, I can’t say that I do.”
“I’ll tell you how many,” Eva said. “One. You are the only man I could find.”
“I’m honored.” Thaddeus liked the woman, though he couldn’t say why. “And what sort of protection do you need? What is your situation?”
Eva waved her hand. “Oh, it’s not for me.”
Thaddeus raised his brows. “You are handling the hiring for…”
“My granddaughter,” Eva said. “She won’t do it herself. She swears that she doesn’t need protection.”
“But you feel that she does?”
“Oh, she does. There’s no question about that.” A look of distress crossed Eva’s face. “Some maniac shot at her.”
Thaddeus furrowed his brow. “I’m certainly available, if you wish to hire my services.” He hesitated about how to phrase his question. “If violence occurred, wouldn’t it be wise to report it to the police?”
“The police are useless,” Eva said with a huff.
Thaddeus hid a smile.
“And that wasn’t an isolated incident, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Thaddeus was curious now. “There’s been more than one incident?”
“The situation has been building up to that,” Eva said. “My granddaughter Jana has received threatening letters and texts. I wish she had told me sooner. But she didn’t want me to overreact.” She held up her hand. “I know you probably think the same thing, that I should butt out.”
“I don’t think anything of the kind. It’s wise to take precautions.”
“I agree, but I daresay that Jana will be annoyed that I’ve come here.”
Thaddeus leaned forward. “She doesn’t know that you intend to hire security?”
“Of course not. She would tell me not to bother,” Eva said. “She thinks she can handle things. That’s her nature, very independent.”
“And you think I can help?”
“I’m certain of it, which is why I searched you out.” Eva looked directly at him. “I need a man who can deal with her. She’s Icelandic, you know.”
Thaddeus might have guessed that.
Eva squinted. “I take it you’ve been to Iceland?”
“Many times,” Thaddeus said. “I’m first-generation American, but my family lived back home. Visits were regular, something I looked forward to.”
“Then you know that women with Icelandic blood are…high-spirited?” Eva waited for a reply.