Page 37 of Fearless Encounter
“Jasper’s was just about to close,” Gabriel said, already taking Brooke’s hand to rush back to the car. “It’s Genevieve. She told Abe that she came by after a show, figuring you’d be there.”
“I normally work late on Wednesdays.”
“Before she entered the restaurant, a man attacked her.”
Brooke gasped. “Oh my God.”
“She appears to be okay. The officer on site rescued her. Abe figures the attacker was the guy from earlier. He returned—and he was afteryou.”
Chapter 11
Upon arrival at the restaurant, Brooke felt a surge of panic. Police cars with flashing lights were parked out front. She spotted Abe standing with Genevieve, just inside the entrance to the restaurant.
Brooke rushed over to her sister. “Are you okay? What happened?”
Genevieve looked shaken but unharmed. “I’m all right, just a bit rattled. This strange man attacked me as I was coming in to see you after my show tonight.”
Gabriel placed a comforting hand on Brooke’s shoulder as they listened to Genevieve recount the incident.
“I had overheard something at the club that I thought might be important. It was about Daniel Fontenot, the guy I mentioned meeting before.” Genevieve took a deep breath. “But before I could even get inside, this man grabbed me from behind.”
Abe stood next to them. “Luckily, the officer I had posted here was able to intervene and escort your sister to safety. But the attacker managed to slip away into the night.”
Brooke felt a chill run down her spine. “It should have been me.” Because of their uncanny resemblance, Genevieve had been mistaken for her and targeted by the dangerous criminal. “What was it that you wanted to tell me?”
“On a break tonight,” Genevieve said, “I spotted Daniel having drinks with a couple other guys, so I got close enough to hear the conversation.” She took a breath. “I think it had to do with a trip, like he was going away.”
“Like on vacation?” Brooke said.
“No, he didn’t look happy.” Genevieve ran her hand through her hair. “It was a tense atmosphere that seemed out of place at the nightclub. But I couldn’t hear more because he looked up and saw me. I pretended to notice him and said hello. But the whole thing was unnerving.” She put her arms around Brooke and hugged her. “I’m worried about you. All of this is freaking me out.”
“I’ll keep her close,” Gabriel said. “And we’re taking a closer look at Daniel Fontenot. I agree that something is up with that guy, and we intend to find out what.”
Genevieve stood back and wrapped her hands around her waist. “There’s more. Something I saw…”
Abe leaned closer. “What was it?”
“My attacker tonight. He wasn’t justsome guy.”
“Why do you say that?” Brooke asked.
“He had a tattoo down his arm. It was scary looking.” Genevieve described what she’d seen.
Abe nodded. “That’s helpful. That tattoo is Russian Mafia…which gives us insight into who we’re dealing with.”
“That could be the breakthrough we’re looking for,” Gabriel said.
“Also, that fits with what I discussed with my sister today,” Abe said.
“Mallory called?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes, she mentioned the FBI has their eye on foreign buyers for cutting-edge software,” Abe said.
“Russian?” Brooke said.
“Among others,” Abe said. “Also, I heard from the lab today. There was no match on the fingerprints we lifted at the scene.”
“I guess that makes sense if the guy was foreign.” Gabriel put his arm around Brooke. “I’d like to get her out of here, if that’s okay. We can connect early tomorrow and pursue this new information. I’ll text Weston so he will have a better idea where to focus.”