“That’s right,” he replied calmly. “She just showed up and reported for duty.”
“She does not work for this firm.”
“I know. I’m subcontracting the work out to her.”
“You have no authority to do that.”
“Actually, I do. I’m an independent contractor to your firm. In paragraph fifteen, subsection d of the contract I signed with your company it gives me the latitude to consult with assets that I deem appropriate to the task so long as payment for such assets comes out of my fees.”
“You actually read the contract?”
“I always read the contract, Joan. So maybe together we can get to the bottom of this thing. I’ve also got another friend coming down, a psychologist by the name of Horatio Barnes.”
“Why? Or am I not entitled under the contract to question your choice of assets?”
“Monk Turing’s young daughter,” he said simply. “She found out a little while ago that her father’s dead and went hysterical. And she’s also not so easy to communicate with on the best of days. But I think Horatio may be able to get through to her.”
Apparently having resigned herself to these developments Joan said, “Do you think the girl may know something about her father’s death?”
“Right now it’s one of the few leads we have.”
“Sean, risking your life is not in the job description.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“On the other hand, tell Mildred she’d look positively stunning eating a large-caliber bullet meant for you.”
“Doubtless she already knows your feelings on the subject.”
Sean put the phone down, collapsed back on his bed fully clothed and fell asleep. He had no concerns for his personal safety now. The A team was right across the hall. It was probably a good thing he couldn’t see how scared and confused his A team was. The man would not have slept nearly so soundly.
CHAPTER
44
WHEN HORATIO BARNES ARRIVED early the next morning Champ was not as accommodating as he had been to Michelle.
“We are not a resort!” Champ exploded.
“But I think he can help Viggie,” Sean said.
“Then he can do it from a distance, dammit. This is a highly secure facility full of highly confidential research and I don’t even know who this man is.”
“I can vouch for him. And you let Michelle stay here,” Sean countered. “You don’t know her either. So what’s the difference?”
Champ snapped, “No!” and stalked off.
Horatio was relegated to a bed-and-breakfast in the nearby town of White Feather.
Michelle thankfully was not up yet so Sean borrowed a car and followed Horatio to White Feather. After Horatio checked in the two men sat in the dining room having a cup of coffee.
“Nice area,” Horatio said. “Except for all the people being slaughtered, I might’ve considered retiring down here.”
“Tell me about Tennessee,” Sean prompted.
When Horatio had finished, Sean said, “What’s a whacked rose hedge got to do with Michelle’s problems?”
“I don’t know if it has any connection.” He studied Sean over his cup of coffee. “So how’s our girl doing?”