Beyond the Consequences
Page 35

Stepping out onto the quaint street, Taylor looked at the bars on her phone in disgust as she tried to call Phil. It wasn’t until she was in her car and driving toward Patricia’s rented home that she had enough signal to complete the call. How could these people stand it? Taylor wondered. Then remembering the old-fashioned bulky phone she’d seen on Ami’s desk, she decided that maybe they didn’t use cell phones exclusively—like most of the civilized world.
“It’s her,” Taylor said as Phil answered.
“We knew it was.”
“We assumed it, but I’m one hundred percent certain. You have two hours before she gets off work.”
Phil laughed. “I’m done. The equipment is set, both in her house and her car. I’ll go back to the law office later and set some up there.”
“Did you find anything informative in her house?”
“Nothing I want to discuss.”
Taylor didn’t like his answer, but time had taught her that Phil would share information when he was ready and not a moment sooner. Trying to ease her own concern, she volunteered, “Ami was kind enough to ask me to join them all for dinner.”
“You didn’t have to invite yourself?”
“No, it couldn’t have happened more naturally. I also confirmed that all of the women in the firm go out together on Friday nights to unwind. From what Melissa…” She emphasized the alias name. “…said, Jefferson Diamond doesn’t usually join them. I’ll try to learn his location while at dinner and text you.”
“There’s a front and back entrance to the law office. Since I’m done setting up the surveillance, you watch the back door and I’ll watch the front. Hopefully we’ll see everyone leave and I can slip in.”
Slowing her car, Taylor steered into a driveway and turned around. “All right, boss.”
“Taylor?”
“Hmm?”
“Stay hidden.”
“Did you feel the need to say that? I told them I was heading out to my grandparents’. Being seen sitting outside their office would give me away. Don’t you think?”
“I just have a feeling about this. I have since the first mailing. There was something at her house…” He paused. “…I think there’s more to it, and I don’t want to blow this opportunity to learn what that is.”
Taylor nodded to no one. “What? What’s at her house?”
“We’ll discuss it later.”
Though she knew she wouldn’t get anything more at this time, she at least knew her gut feeling had been confirmed. “All right. You tell me when you’re ready. I’m heading back.”
The line disconnected.
The concern in Phil’s voice unnerved her. She knew how he felt about the Rawlingses, and honestly, in the past few months she’d come to feel the same, especially about Nichol. The little girl was both spoiled and adorable—not what Taylor had imagined. Nichol was gracious and polite. Even though she had the world by a string, she was still excited by the simplest of things. For lack of a better assessment, Nichol didn’t act entitled. Taylor attributed her behavior more to the Vandersols and Mrs. Rawlings than to Mr. Rawlings. When it came to her father, Taylor doubted there was much of anything that Nichol couldn’t get and time would tell how that would play out.
Nichol’s interaction with the security team was also a source of enjoyment. From what Taylor had heard and been told, neither Phil nor Eric were used to the presence of children. Mrs. Rawlings joked about the learning curve of the men in Nichol’s life. Though Phil would never admit it, when Nichol took his hand and looked up at him with her big brown eyes, Taylor saw that he was putty in her little hands.
Taylor had worked temporary security with other wealthy families. The environment with the Rawlings was refreshingly familial and caring. The lack of pretentiousness, especially from Mrs. Rawlings, endeared Taylor to this family. Claire wanted Nichol to feel as if she was surrounded by family, not employees. Not every household could do that. More than once, Phil slipped and referred to them as his family. With Phil having been with them for years, Taylor understood how he could feel that way.
Taylor made her way to the back alley near the law firm, found a safe, inconspicuous parking space, and waited. Upon her arrival, there were three cars parked near the rear entrance. By 5:15 PM, it was down to one. She sent Phil a text message:
“ONLY THE BLACK CRV REMAINS. PATRICIA AND HEATHER LEFT AT 5:00 PM.”
Her phone vibrated less than a minute later.
“AMI AND JEFFERSON LEFT THROUGH THE FRONT. HE LOCKED THE DOOR AS HE LEFT.”
Taylor replied.
“WHO OWNS THE CRV? I THOUGHT IT WAS AMI’S.”
Phil.
“IT IS. SHE WALKED TO THE STORE. GIVE HER A FEW MORE MINUTES.”
It wasn’t long until Ami came through the rear entrance carrying two brown bags of groceries. Taylor started to type her text, when her phone rang.
“Get out to the Townsends’ farmhouse right away.”
“Why?” Taylor asked as she started her car.
“From the bug in Patricia’s car, I heard her talking to Ami on the phone. Ami went to the grocery store to get you a few things and she’s taking them to you right now.”
“Shit! She just got in her car. If I leave now, she’ll follow me the whole way.”
“I’ll delay her,” Phil assured. “Just get out there. I’ve disabled the alarm system. Your key will work fine. Turn on some lights. She won’t be too far behind you.”