Bassist Instinct (The Rocker Series #2) (23 page)

It surprised everyone when Alasdair Fleming rang Fiona’s doorbell a little later. They had expected the Thai food delivery. Liam answered the door and his mouth fell open.

“I see you know who I am,” Alasdair said.

“Yes sir, please come in,” Liam stood back and Alasdair and his driver stepped into the hall.

“Is Dr. Brooks here?”

“Yes she is, I’ll phone her. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Have you got any whisky?”

“I’m afraid not, brandy or beer,” Liam said.

“Oh, I’d love a beer,” Alasdair said and walked to the piano.

Liam called Tate and retrieved a beer for his boss. A few minutes later Fiona and Tate descended the stairs. Alasdair’s driver had disappeared, and Alasdair himself sat on her leather sofa sipping an Arrogant Bastard Ale with a grin on his face.

“Hello, my dear,” he stood and kissed Fiona on the cheek and then shook Tate’s hand. “My boy.”

“Alasdair, it’s lovely to see you,” Fiona said and gestured to the sofa again but he didn’t sit yet.

“Well, I wish our dinner together wasn’t a casualty of this mess, but I shall have to hope for another in the near future,” he said holding her hand.

“It’s been pretty bad, Alasdair,” Fiona said and Alasdair nodded.

“Rensselaer will be right as rain, from what I understand,” he said kindly as he patted her hand. Then he walked over to the piano and sat on the bench. “Indulge me,” he said and she nodded and he began to play. He played Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto. Fiona went to stand next to the piano and watch his movements. The piece was very complicated and beautiful, and he played like a master. When he was done he looked at her and smiled ruefully.

“Bravo.” Her smile lit up the room.

“I’ve heard you play that in concert seven times, I don’t come anywhere near your skill, but it is a favorite of mine, as I think it is a favorite of yours.” He stood, patted her hand again and sat down on the sofa to drink his beer. She turned and watched his progress.

“Seven times? How many years is that?”

“Far too many to count,” he smiled tenderly at her. “I think you were seven or eight the first time. When the Mite decided on her parent’s alma mater, I had so hoped she’d find her way into your classroom. I was planning some subterfuge, but she out foxed even me, and signed up long before I could work my magic.

“You, my dear, being a child prodigy, had me fascinated from the beginning. I followed your career, went to your concerts, and kept an eye on your brother’s, too. Bring a drink for your sister and her young man when you come back in, Mr. McBride,” Alasdair said toward the door. They heard footsteps go to the kitchen and return with two more beers. Fiona sat next to Alasdair on the sofa stifling a giggle.

“You became engaged late winter of this year.” Fiona nodded. “Your brother, no doubt, briefed you on Barnard’s nefarious deeds?”

“Up to a point, I know about the diamonds, but I have no idea what else he was up to.”

“Except he was a right bastard,” Tate put in. Fiona looked at him and he took her hand and brought it to his lips.

“Except he was a right bastard,” she agreed looking at Tate.

“When that fact was brought to my attention, I installed a bodyguard in Tess’s house. Tess doesn’t know yet, but I suspect she will before too long, and then she’ll skin me alive. Tess has the killer instinct, Piper has it, too, but Genna…” He shook his head sadly. “Despite her mother bear instinct when it comes to the bairns, she’s far too sweet for her own good. She’s very clever, don’t get me wrong, but has an unfortunate tendency to think the best of everyone.” Alasdair shook his head ruefully and Tate laughed quietly, he knew Alasdair was right.

“I didn’t like the idea that your Dean Barnard could somehow reach the Mite through you, her dearest friend. I couldn’t very well install one here, without you noticing, but if I could have, I would have. Connor is uncommonly protective, and for that I can forgive him his frequent
scandalous
behavior. And, of course, everyone has been bewitched by the man, including my very own wife who was previously immune to anyone’s charms but my own.” He shook his head. “And me as well, truth be told.” Shrugging, he continued.

“Connor has pulled out all the stops. His family, and by extension that includes you, will be safe. Genna is taking the boys back home to Colorado tonight, with a veritable host of bodyguards for their protection. A few years ago Genna was… endangered by a disturbed individual, and it frightened all of us to the core. But I digress.

“We at The State Department are making you a priority. Not just because of the connections to my family, the conflict diamond issue is a touchy one at the moment, and our relations with Moscow are somewhat precarious.”

“Moscow? I thought blood diamonds were an African thing,” Fiona said.

“The diamonds themselves are African, but the dealers are often, but not exclusively, Russian, I’m afraid. The man Rensselaer shot is Russian, the man whose photos you sent in, McBride, is Russian. Barnard was directly back from Russia before he went to Paris, I believe.” Fiona nodded. “Your job, my dear, is to do exactly as my agents tell you, and to stay safe. We can’t have you getting involved in this, these people are not to be trifled with. I will not hesitate to send you to a safe house should I deem it necessary.” Fiona’s mouth fell open. Alasdair patted her knee. “Let them do what they do best, my dear.” He stood, and so did everyone else. “And no more feeding the birds.” He winked at her.

“Tate,” he put his hand out and shook it. “Take care of her. Fiona, be safe.” He kissed her on the cheek and walked to the door where his driver stood waiting quietly. Alasdair said a few quiet words to Liam, bobbed his head and walked out.

Fiona sat back down and finished her beer. Alasdair had her completely believing he was just a sweet old man, only to discover he was the “man behind the curtain.” She snapped out of her reverie to see Liam and Tate silently communicating with each other.

“What?” Fiona said after watching them.

“What did he do to you, Fifi?” At first she thought Liam was talking about Tate, but then she realized he was talking about Dean. She looked from Liam to Tate and made a face. “He didn’t say a word to me, I’m looking at your face and asking, what did that bastard do?”

“He got abusive toward the end of our relationship. He had needs, apparently, that I couldn’t satisfy, so I kicked him out and called off the wedding. He bought the tickets to Paris to make it up to me, but I wouldn’t go. He went without me.”

“How abusive?” Liam clenched his jaw and made fists with his hands, wishing he had Dean Barnard back from the dead for five minutes.

“Liam, please don’t make me go over it again. It’s over and I’m fine, but I’m going upstairs until the food comes. Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine, really,” she touched his cheek and walked upstairs. He looked at Tate who was smiling.

“Lally’s a stalker,” he said gleefully and jogged up the stairs after Fiona.

Chapter Eight

Edgar and the new bodyguard from the State Department walked Fiona from the car to her office Monday morning. When Edgar showed up at her house that morning Fiona gave him a disbelieving look.

“What are you doing here?” She asked him.

“Tate asked me to come,” Edgar explained simply.

“How thoughtful of him,” she dripped sarcasm. “I’m fine, I have the State Department now; you can get back to Piper.” Edgar looked at her without expression.

“Security’s stepped up for everyone, Fiona, I’m here to see you safely to work, and then I’m going to see him safely to New York.”

“When does he go to New York?” With everything else, she had forgotten about the New York thing, but that didn’t explain why he left without a word to her before the sun was up.

“11:55.” That answered that.

“Edgar, please don’t say anything to Tess…” Edgar held up his hand to stop her.

“I wouldn’t, aside from it being none of my business, I’ve also signed an NDA.”

“A what?”

“Confidentiality agreement, my lips are sealed. Mind telling me what my lips are sealed about?”

“Oh, thanks, I just feel a little foolish,” she looked down at her hands and willed herself not to cry. “Tate left without a word while I slept. I guess we’re done.” She had merely been a warm body for the long weekend.

“I’m sorry, Fiona, he has a reputation for doing that. If you ask me, he’s the fool,” Edgar said with a surprisingly sweet smile.

“Edgar, your NDA!”

“That’s not a secret, Fiona. You ready to go?”

At the door to Fiona’s building on campus a pretty young woman trotted up to her.

“Hi Fiona, did you get my email?” She asked. They all turned as one to assess the threat and the young woman hesitated, looking at the two large men with Fiona, taking particular care with Edgar.

“Hi Cynthia, no, I haven’t checked my mail in days, sorry. What’s up?” Fiona had clearly lost her mind over the weekend, cavorting with rock stars; she needed to refocus. Cynthia looked at Martinez and Edgar. “Let’s go to my office,” Fiona said and they continued down the hall.

Fiona had been clenching her fist around her key, and when she reached down to unlock the office door, she saw it was ajar. Edgar and the agent, Martinez, pushed her out of the way and drew their weapons.

“Clear,” Martinez said after a few seconds and Fiona walked past Edgar to stand in the doorway of her office. Every book was off the shelf, papers from the filing cabinet were dumped on the floor, and anything that could be broken was.

“Oh my God,” Cynthia said.

Edgar was already on the phone to the police, and Martinez was herding them out of the office.

“Don’t touch anything.” Fiona realized it was the first time she’d heard him speak. She nodded dumbly, looking over his shoulder at the wreck.

David Hollander walked by slowly and stopped short when he saw Fiona.

“My God, Fiona, are you all right? You’ve gone completely white.” He tried to get close, but Martinez barred his way.

“Step back, sir,” Martinez said authoritatively.

David looked at Martinez with hostility, but Martinez didn’t budge.

“I’m mad as hell, but fine,” she said.

“Why don’t you use my office?” David said seeing the wreckage of her office.

“You’re so sweet, but Dr. Assam has already volunteered, we were just headed down there.” Cynthia said. “Bye.”

“Oh, well, that’s good, he’s got a big table in there. I’m glad you’re okay. This is from getting involved with rock stars, you know,” he said with one last glare at the silent Martinez and continued walking away, looking back at Fiona twice.

“You big liar,” Fiona said quietly to Cynthia who laughed.

“Assam will totally let you use his office, and Hollander creeps me out, he’s been crushing on you forever. So… rock stars?”

“Long story,” Fiona said trying to nip it in the bud.

Martinez stood at parade rest at the door of her office while the rest of them walked down the hall to Dr. Assam’s office.

“Wait,” Cynthia looked at her phone for the time. “I almost forgot! I emailed you to remind you I can’t teach this week, I’ve got jury duty. I’ll keep you posted, but I have to go now. Check your email!”

“Yes, of course, thanks, Cynthia.” Cynthia waved and ran down the hall the way she came.

Dr. Assam’s door was open, and he stood with his back to the room as he looked out his large window. Fiona knocked and he turned and smiled at the sight of her.

“Dr. Brooks, come in, come in,” he gestured to her. “How was your holiday?” Fiona laughed cynically.

“It was very interesting. I’m sorry to bother you, Dr. Assam, but my office was broken into sometime over the long weekend.” His smile faded quickly.

“Oh my! Anything of value taken?” He gestured to the couch for her to sit and walked to his phone.

“That’s hard to say. It’s a mess, but I don’t think so, and the police have already been notified, I think they’re on their way. I’m terribly sorry about this.” He waved the thought away with his hand.

“I cannot believe it is your fault. Let me make you some tea,” he said, knowing the panacea for everything.

“Thank you. I’m afraid it’s more than just my office, however. I seem to be embroiled in something,” she said and explained as much as she could without mentioning the diamonds or the rock stars.

Assam sipped his tea and contemplated her problem.

“You will, of course, use my office while yours is nonfunctioning, I will clear my desk of my things,” she smiled at him.

“You will, of course, do no such thing. I would be delighted to use that table, but I won’t take your desk. I only ask for that because David Hollander has already offered to share his office, and Cynthia, my TA, told him I was moving in here.”

“I see. Is he still a problem?” Assam knew, as did everyone in the department, of David’s inappropriate attentions over the years. Fiona waved it away.

“In light of everything else, he’s small potatoes,” she said and he laughed a rich throaty laugh.

Edgar knocked on the door. Assam and Fiona stood, and Fiona had an awkward moment wondering how to introduce Edgar. Edgar extended his hand and introduced himself, keeping it simple.