The following week…
The second e-mail message had been released to the public, so the media frenzy had kept on growing over the past week. Something about the timing of these e-mails and the focus on Billie seemed curious, and it made Eli think back to the first meeting with the band. He had a hunch about who might be behind all this and had informed Mason after lunch at his mom’s place.
Today they had an all staff meeting at Spartan head office to review the security plan for Wayward Lane’s launch party tonight.
“Eli’s hunch about Hammond Vicks, the band’s original PR guy, was right on. Good work, Eli.” Mason paused. “The e-mails started just after Vicks was fired, and Jon traced the IP address to a café one block from his home address. Vicks knew details about Billie from that first meeting and has likely been feeding info to the press. I’ve informed Ivan. I’ve also sent every team member at Spartan a file with Vicks’s picture and profile. Be on the lookout tonight in case he attempts to break into the party. Questions?”
Eli raised his hand. “What happens now?”
“Now it’s over to Jon to dig up whatever he can on Vicks and band management and the police if there’s enough evidence for a restraining order. Our job is to focus on a secure event tonight for our client. A reminder about the screening protocols. Re-read them. Twice.”
There were no more questions, and staff began to file out of the room. Eli stayed behind to chat with Mason.
“Billie will be relieved when this whole thing is over. He’s having problems sleeping.”
“I know it’s rough for him right now, but we’re on top of it and doing what we can to resolve the situation. I’ll see you guys at the venue, seven PM sharp.” Mason left the room, and Eli headed down to the second-floor locker rooms. Eli had a shower, shaved, and changed into his tuxedo. He sent Billie a quick text.
Eli:on my way to pick up Frankie. See you and Luis at the venue.
Billie:Save me a dance?
Eli:I wish. All business tonight. But once this is over, I’ll take you out.
Billie:it’s a date.
Eli smiled to himself as he finished with his tie and holster and got his earpiece in place. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that there was no time for distractions tonight. They would have plenty of time for each other once this asshole Hammond Vicks was caught.
Gathering his jacket, Eli slipped it on and headed for the elevator. He texted Frankie to advise he was on the way. Frankie lived in SoHo, so it didn’t take Eli that long to get to his place, and a short while later they were pulling up to the parking lot near the venue. The party was being held at a luxury hotel in Midtown, and band management had rented out the entire two floors of venue space, one for guest check in and the second for the actual event.
Spartan staff members were already on site, and Eli escorted Frankie to the screening check. Once they’d passed through, they took the private elevator to the floor above. The venue space was massive, occupying the entire 25thfloor, with floor-to-ceiling windows all the way around. It offered a phenomenal view of the city at night, with sparkling lights at every turn. A stage with the band’s logo was set up at the south end of the room with black velvet drapes on either side.
“Wow, this is unreal,” Frankie whispered as he lookedaround in awe. He fidgeted in his navy tuxedo as Eli looked around for Oliver. Spotting him at the far end of the room, he tapped Frankie’s shoulder.
“Come on, Frankie, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Eli said as they wandered over.
Oliver was about the same height as Eli, and he was standing next to his fiancé, Jon, having what looked to be a very animated discussion. Uh-oh. Their arguments were legendary. Well, not so much now. It was more like marital bickering. Still, they were entertaining to listen to and never dull.
Oliver spotted him and placed a hand on Jon’s shoulder to turn him around.
“Oliver, Jon, I’d like you to meet Billie’s assistant, Frankie Tyler. Frankie, this is Oliver Gaston, Spartan’s co-CEO, and his fiancé, Jon Thackery, our resident PI. And don’t pay any attention to their bickering. It’s all normal.”
“You say bickering. I say foreplay.” Jon smirked and slipped his arm around Oliver’s waist.
Frankie shook Oliver’s hand and then Jon’s. “Nice to meet you both.”
“What are you two guys fighting about now?” Eli inquired as he surveyed the room and exits. More and more people were starting to arrive, and the space was slowly filling.
“We’re not fighting. Ivan Cross was talking to Oliver and got a bit too friendly, so I had to stake my claim,” Jon murmured.
“Ivan was asking me about Brodie’s detail for the tour. That’s it. This one here” Oliver pointed to Jon “nearly rips Ivan’s head off. Luckily Ivan is an understanding guy.”
“I did what I had to do.”
“You need to tone down the caveman while I’m working. Not every man that talks to me wants in my pants.”
“I will not allow some hot band manager to hit on myfuture husband.”
“Hot?”