Chapter 15

The morning and early afternoon had been non-stop from the moment they arrived on set. Last-minute preparations were in full swing and Mason learned quickly to stay the heck out of the way. He’d left a message for Detective Parsa with a quick explanation of their plan for Cassidy’s phone. Parsa texted back that he would stop by the studio to pick it up as soon as he could get away.

Cassidy had been worried when Colin didn’t show up, but he finally arrived looking haggard and sullen, and though he was civil to Mason, he didn’t go out of his way to chat.

Glen Benson had not only memorized the routine Marcus choreographed, he’d proved to be an excellent partner to Harlow. Both women were getting their hair and makeup touched up.

It was now an hour before the show started and the audience was filling the auditorium. The seating capacity was right around one thousand, counting the two balconies. The Audience Producer doled out seats to dignitaries, VIP’s and other assorted individuals and groups. Each of the dancers were allotted ten spots per show for family and friends. The remaining seats were filled by eager fans who stood in line, some for hours, for a chance to see their favorite show live and in person.

Beep, beep, beep.

Mason winced and covered his ears at the piercing sound. He glanced first at Sawyer, who shrugged, and then at the box directly above his head that emitted the offending noise. A light on the bottom blinked red. Static crackled and then an announcement broadcast through the speaker.

Attention, please. Attention please. Evacuate the building immediately. Move to the nearest exits in an orderly fashion. This is not a drill. Attention, please. Attention, please. Evacuate the building immediately. Move to the nearest exits in an orderly fashion. This is not a drill.

Sawyer pushed from the wall. “What the hell?”

“Stay here. I’ll find out what’s going on.” Mason hustled inside the arena to complete and utter chaos. People were yelling and screaming, completely ignoring the orderly fashion bit of the message as they pushed and shoved their way to the nearest exit. He helped up a woman wearing ridiculously high heels from the floor before she was trampled. He felt like a salmon swimming upstream but finally located Russell barking orders to one of his assistants.

“What’s going on?”

“Bomb threat.”

The word bomb had Mason swaying on his feet. He’d been caught in a bomb blast a few weeks ago and he still felt the effects.

“We were ordered to evacuate immediately. The dancers and celebrities should retreat to their trailers until further notice. I’m trying to get the crew out.”

Mason suddenly understood the rush to get out of the building. He had the same urge to get to Cassidy as soon as possible, and he might end up pushing and shoving anyone who got in his way.

He found Sawyer where he left him. Grabbing his arm, he toted him along as he explained what was happening. They almost plowed over Harlow and Cassidy, who’d come looking for them. He released Sawyer to grab Cassidy, while Sawyer did the same with Harlow. They hustled everyone to Cassidy’s trailer, with Glen, Trey and Colin coming along as well. It was crowded with seven people.

Detective Parsa texted him that he’d arrived. Mason texted back where to meet. Excusing himself, he stepped outside and waited for the detective to arrive. The area was packed with show personnel evacuating the auditorium. Sirens were wailing and fire trucks were surrounding the lot. He spotted Parsa and motioned him over.

“Bomb threat,” he told the detective.

“I know. It came from Cassidy Swain’s phone.”

Mason jerked back. “What? It’s been locked in her trailer the entire time.”

“That’s not all. We found Marcus Howe’s phone. There were several text messages between him and Cassidy…er, her phone,” he amended at Mason’s dark look. “It was initiated by Cassidy’s phone, begging him for a reconciliation and inviting him to her house. They went back and forth, with Howe eventually agreeing to meet her.”

“It’s a set up. I’ve been with her the entire time.”

“I know, but look at it from my point of view. You have to admit it doesn’t look good.”

Mason’s hands curled into fists. “I don’t care what it looks like. Someone is setting her up. The message left at the hotel last night proves it.”

“I’m not arguing with you,” Parsa said, his palms out in a calm down gesture. Mason realized he’d been shouting.

“Sorry.”

Parsa nodded. “I like your plan of taking the phone and setting a trap. Let’s hope it works.”

“Mason?” Cassidy stuck her head outside. “Did I hear that the bomb threat came from my phone?”

Damn, he should’ve closed the window before stepping outside.

“Yes,” Detective Parsa answered before he could.

She descended the steps and stood by Mason. “I didn’t do it.”

“I believe you. An app was used to disguise the voice. Do you have the phone?”

“I’ll get it.”

While she went to fetch the cell, Sawyer came outside. Mason filled him in on the bomb threat and the text exchange with Howe.

“We’ve been with her the entire time,” Sawyer reiterated to Parsa. “There’s no need to question her because she didn’t do this.”

Mason felt a surge of warmth at Sawyer’s defense of Cassidy. She wasn’t his, but she felt like it.

“I understand. I’ll have forensics go over her phone with a fine-tooth comb.”

#

Kellan Polizzi stowed his tray and adjusted his seat to the upright position in anticipation of landing at Los Angeles International Airport. He was anxious to begin his first assignment as an official agent of COBRA Securities.

Earlier today, he’d met with his bosses Luke Colton and Logan Bradley. They explained what was happening with a case in LA. Originally, Sawyer Oldham and Mason Rossi had been protecting Harlow Duquesne Oldham, the granddaughter of the President of the United States and Sawyer’s wife, as she competed on a reality dance program. Then one of the other dancers had been threatened, and Mason was hired by the studio to protect her. The attacks were ramping up, and Luke and Logan wanted to add another agent to assist both men however necessary.

He was excited to get started. Though Harlow hadn’t been in any danger, several attempts had been made on Cassidy Swain’s life. Kellan had memorized the files on the flight and he was up to speed. He’d take his direction from the two men who’d been agents longer.

He glanced out a window at the skyline of Los Angeles as they banked right. He always took an aisle seat and usually requested an emergency exit row so he’d have more leg room, but BeBe Davis, the office manager, had booked him a first class seat. He didn’t complain. Plenty of leg room.

The flight landed without incident and he grabbed his bag from the overhead compartment. Following airline protocol, he’d had to check his gun, which made him antsy. He didn’t like being without his weapon. The pretty brunette attendant who had flirted with him throughout the flight tucked a piece of paper in the pocket of his black polo shirt with a wink. He smiled at her as he followed the other passengers to baggage claim. He appreciated the interest, but he was here to do a job. He didn’t have time to indulge in extracurricular activities.

As per office regulation, he wore a Kevlar vest beneath his black polo. It was lightweight and not too bulky, so it wasn’t obvious he had it on. Khaki tactical pants and a pair of work boots made up his outfit. It was the unwritten dress code of the agents, he’d come to learn. Another perk of the job. He hated wearing suits every day when he was a detective.

Another bonus of first class was being one of the first to arrive at the baggage claim carousel. He parked himself by the opening where the luggage would descend so he didn’t have to wait for his bag to make the leisurely journey along the slow-moving conveyor belt.

As was his luck, his suitcase must’ve been on the bottom. He was beginning to think it’d been rerouted to Milwaukee or something. Finally, the aluminum hard shell case came sliding down. He grabbed it, lifted the handle and strode to the exit. BeBe had a car waiting for him, so he didn’t need to stand in line at the rental counter.

He slipped his sunglasses on in deference to the bright California sun. Two beautiful blonds in tight t-shirts and teeny shorts walked by, both flashing him seductive, perfectly-white grins. He smiled back. Though he wasn’t here for fun in the sun, he still appreciated the exquisite scenery.

#

Cassidy inhaled deeply to calm her racing heartbeat. Her phone had been used to call in the bomb threat and to lure Marcus Howe to his death. How was she supposed to live with that knowledge? And what if Detective Parsa decided to arrest her? She’d never had so much as a parking ticket in her life.

Despite the worry, she needed to keep her focus for Trey’s sake. He deserved her full attention. She had nothing to do with either the threat or the murder, so theoretically, she shouldn’t be distracted. Opening night had been delayed by an hour as the bomb squad, complete with explosive detection dogs, thoroughly searched the auditorium. It’d been deemed clear and the audience who had stuck around were reseated.

The delay gave them time to run through the routine a couple more times. Trey had it nailed, and she had no doubt it would earn high scores. The added time also provided Harlow and Glen a chance to bond and cement their partnership. She’d watched one of their practices and they were perfectly matched. Glen had memorized the routine and he and Harlow moved in perfect synchronicity. Glen was actually a better match for Harlow than Marcus. They would get high scores, too.

Another stress to add to her list was Colin. He’d arrived just before the bomb threat and though she feared an awkwardness, he’d seemed to want to put the whole episode behind them. He hugged her and told her he was leaving as soon as the police released his car and asked her to keep in touch. She felt bad, but she didn’t want to lead him on. She would never feel the same way for him, but she didn’t want to lose their easy friendship. They’d grown up together, been through so much, good and bad. He’d been supportive when she had to put her fifteen-year old dog to sleep when his organs began failing. She’d stood by his side when his father passed away. Though they’d drifted apart over the last few years, he’d always be one of her best friends.

“Cass?”

She turned at Mason’s call. Standing next to him was a gorgeous man with light brown hair and eyes the color of whiskey.

“This is Kellan Polizzi, a coworker. He’s here to back us up, so he can help with anything you need if I’m not around.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You, too, Ms. Swain.” His smile was dazzling.

“Cassidy, please.”

Mason stepped between them and she heard Kellan chuckle. Colin had moved closer to her, too. She wanted to roll her eyes. Men.

“Cass, I just heard from Detective Parsa. His crew found a stealth spying app on your phone. Completely hidden. If you didn’t know about it, you’d never realize it was there. It’s untraceable and it could be activated remotely.”

Someone had been tracking her every move? She shivered at the invasion of privacy. “That’s how he knew where I was all the time, how he found our hotel room?”

“It looks that way.”

“Are you sure it’s safe to keep doing the show, Cassidy?” Colin’s eyes were creased with concern. “You’re too visible, too high profile.”

“I won’t let some psycho dictate my life. And I trust Mason and his team to protect me.”

“Okay,” he conceded. “Just be careful.” He nodded towards the arena. “I should go find my seat. Just remember, it takes two to tango.” He turned and hobbled away.

Tears burned her eyes at the familiar phrase. They used to repeat it to each other before every competition. It was their special good luck saying, reminding them to always rely on each other. They had each other’s back, in good times and bad. Then how come she felt like she’d stabbed him in his?