Gus took off, jogging. He met up with Mack and Snow.
Did you see a black-haired woman in a long black dress?
Mack and Snow both shook their heads.
If you do, keep an eye on her. She tried to take off with Charlie. Gus moved past his teammates, hurrying back to the entrance of the hotel. Declan was capable of handling Charlies safety on his own, but Gus wanted to be there in case the woman in black returned for a second attempt.
Chapter Three
She should have known Charlotte Halverson would have multiple bodyguards protecting her. A woman of her wealth and status might as well have a target on her back at all times. A person could collect a significant amount of ransom money if he successfully abducted her.
Money wasnt her goal with the Halverson woman. Answers were worth much more to her. Why did she have those coordinates on her wrist? Why did she have a Trinity-knot tattoo? Why had she been detained and tortured in Syria? Why had she been there in the first place?
More than anything...who was she?
All the effort shed gone to in order to gain access to the gala had been a bust. All she needed was to talk to the Halverson woman and no one else. At this point, she wasnt going to risk interaction with a single soul other than Halverson. If the womans bodyguard hadnt been so attentive she might have gotten her alone long enough to figure out the puzzle of her existence. Now she was back to square one. Not even square one. The bodyguards would think she had tried to abscond with the rich widow. They wouldnt let her anywhere near her now, and she still didnt know if she could trust anyone other than Halverson.
Once shed made it past the guards, shed circled the entire building, counting the number of security personnel on the outside at every entry or exit point. The only reason shed gotten through the first time was shed gone in as one of the housekeeping staff, with her dress and shoes tucked beneath the uniform shed pilfered from the back of a laundry van. Shed helped clean rooms, stating she was new.
Eventually, she slipped out of sight and hid in one of the unoccupied rooms until close to time for the gala to begin. Shed showered, dressed and applied the makeup shed borrowed from one of the rooms. The shoes had belonged to one of the guests at the hotel. Appropriately dressed, shed found her way down a staff elevator to the kitchen and from there into the ballroom after a majority of the people had already arrived. Shed mixed and mingled as if she belonged until shed spotted Charlotte Halverson.
Thankfully, by the time shed made it to DC, her bruises had faded enough that makeup covered them. The swelling around her eye had all but disappeared.
Now, standing outside the Mayflower Hotel, frustration ate a hole in her gut. The only keys she had to her identity were the tattoo on her wrist and the woman inside, and she was stuck outside. Without a coat, the cool air wrapped around her, raising gooseflesh on her skin. She wrapped her arms around her middle and stared at the Mayflower Hotel wishing she had one more chance. Just one more chance was all she needed with Charlotte Halverson.
THE WOMAN IN the black dress haunted Gus. All the way around the massive hotel he searched the shadows for her. Damn the security guard for stopping him from capturing her and getting answers about why shed tried to take Charlie.
Did she want to take Charlie away and hold her for ransom? Had the Halversons wronged her or someone in her family, requiring retribution? Was there another reason shed tried to get close to Charlie, to give her something, tell her something?
Mostly, he couldnt forget the brown-black eyes filled with mystery and a touch of sadness.
Who was she?
Once again, he had to run the gauntlet of the security personnel at the front door and the woman holding the tablet with the list of names of persons who were allowed inside.
Gus wondered if the woman in black was on that list. If not, how had she managed to get past the security personnel? And if she was able to get past them, who else had done the same?
That thought made him worry that much more. Once his ID had been compared to the names on the roster, he hurried to find Declan and Charlie.
Making a beeline for the ballroom, he searched the faces, finally finding Declan, who stood with Charlie at the far end of the ballroom. Declan was easy to spot. He was a good head taller than most of the women and many of the men in attendance.
Gus worked his way around the side of the room, refusing to make eye contact with anyone, in case they waylaid him and tried to strike up a conversation. He wasnt in the mood to talk to strangers. Except maybe the woman in the black dress.
Ten minutes had passed since hed left Charlie and Declan inside the hotel to chase after the woman who got away.
Everything okay? he asked when he finally reached them.
Charlie frowned. I cant get that woman out of my mind.
Gus caught himself short of saying, you and me both, sister. Instead, he nodded. Did she hurt you in any way?
No, Charlie said, shaking her head. She kept saying she just needed to talk to me. Something about being the key to who she was. The older womans frown deepened. There was a certain desperation in her eyes. I should have gone with her.
Declan touched Charlies arm. We dont know who she is, or why she felt the need to drag you out of the hotel. For all we know, she could have been on a mission to kidnap you and hold you for ransom.
Charlie looked up into Guss eyes. I dont think so. She didnt hold a gun or knife to my head. I could have shaken free of her grip had I tried hard enough. I truly believe she only wanted to get me alone to talk to me. About what, I cant imagine. Ive never seen her before in my life.
DO YOU THINK she might claim to be a secret daughter of your late husband? Declan asked.
Charlie snorted. I dont think so. We didnt have children. John was infertile. Her lips curled into a sad smile. He wanted children, but he never could have fathered them. No, the woman couldnt have been his daughter. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Im getting a headache. Perhaps its time for us to leave and let the younger people stay and dance the night away. She straightened her shoulders and placed her hand on Declans arm.
Gus fell in step at her other side.
Theyd only gone a few feet when a loud, whining sound penetrated the roar of voices in the ballroom.
Gus tilted his head and listened as the noise continued. Fire alarm.
The hotel concierge appeared at the opposite end of the ballroom, carrying a bullhorn. Ladies and gentlemen. Were sorry to disturb your evening, but what you are hearing is the fire alarm. We need everyone to leave the building through the closest exit to you.
Declan pointed to one of the signs to the outside. This way. He cupped Charlies elbow and led her toward the exit. Gus cupped her other elbow and the two men escorted her out of the ballroom, into a long hallway with a bright red exit sign over the door at the end. In the hallway, the alarm was even louder.