"Are you insane? Paulinski's dead, there have been two attacks on our lives and you want to go skiing! Son, do you know how that'll appear to the press?"
"I don't give a flying shit about the press! I just want to get as far away from this psycho killer as possible, maybe unwind a bit. Hell, you heading out for an emergency board meeting at the office is way more dangerous!" Anthony Wright paced in front of the mammoth mahogany desk he always thought dwarfed his father.
"Our priorities should be here! Pushing passed these obstacles. Showing people what it means to a Wright! Think about your mother. There are always going to be those jealous of what we have built, trying to tear it down. We can't let them paralyze us. We need to make preparations." Edward Wright almost sounded believable even with his fear raging under the surface.
"Don't bring her into this, she only proves my point. Dad..think about it, if it hadn't been snowing, if Paulinski hadn't moved the car last night, we'd both be dead right now. We should both just leave while we can."
"I will not be manipulated and chased off by these maniacs!"
"Fine. Then at least wait for Henry and the new bodyguard. All I'm saying is postpone it. I'm gonna go pack in case you come to your senses."
"You should listen to your son." Both men turned to the tall, well dressed man filling the doorway with an imposing air. Reese wasted little time on formalities and jumped in. "You said you were supposed to be at the club today?"
"Mr. Flint, come in. Yes, we had an early morning planned at the club."
"Who knew your schedule?"
Edward paused in thought. "My security team, some of the house staff I guess, friends expecting us at the club."
"I'll need a detailed list. Whoever planted the car bomb knew your schedule and which car you planned to take. Where do you keep the surveillance footage?"
"I have to say Mr. Flint, I knew I was choosing well by Mr. Swan's recommendation - you don't waste any time. Oh, this is my son, Anthony."
Reese shook the younger man's offered hand. "I hope you're as good as they say you are. I still can't believe everything that's happened. Paulinski worked for us for as long as I can remember." Tony's voice shook with obvious distress. "Whoever this bastard is, he got close, way too close."
Reese inwardly grimaced at the fact that neither was even aware of how close the sniper had come. "I'm not sure a skiing trip is the best choice either." Reese stared down the cocky young man. Anthony was well-known for his jet-setting, in-your-face popularity among the rich, young and the senseless. "It's strategically dangerous, leaving wide open to attack."
"Mr. Flint, the security room is this way." John smoothly turned from a rattled Anthony to follow Mr. Wright.
"I'll also need a list of anyone that had access to the grounds in the past couple weeks."
"Whatever you need. I already did some of that for the police. What about the other two men? Can they be trusted?"
"I vetted and hand-picked them myself, they'll be assigned to simple perimeter duty." Reese scanned the hall and each room as they passed, noting the numerous cameras, motion and window sensors. "You've had other threats against your family." It wasn't a question.
"There are always threats Mr. Flint, just not physical attacks. At least not for a few years." Sorrow shadowed the older man's eyes. "It was about five years ago, when my wife was murdered. We'd taken over a new building project that upset the local mafia. There's always someone angry about new plans, so we tend to ignore most of the treats and chalked it up to the ordinary garbage. Until... Eleanor..." Edward's voice wavered, "she was... they killed her." Unable to go on, he changed the subject motioning to a closed door. "The security room is here. I'll be in the study. Let me know if you need anything."
"If I may say. I don't think it's a good idea that you go out just yet." John stressed. "Not until I've had a chance to shore up security."
"Then I suggest you get started Mr. Flint. This meeting is going to take place this evening at the latest." Edward ordered unswayed and left Reese standing in the hall.
Reese was annoyed but didn't press. "Finch? You get that?"
"I did Mr. Reese. Apparently the project he was referring to was in prime Russian territory. While meeting with developers, his wife, Eleanor Wright, was killed when a bomb blew up their limousine. Forensics found various bomb parts, but no traceable evidence to link to the mob. You think this could have something to do with his wife's death?"
"Until we find a lead, we can't rule anything out, even though the guy's pissed of plenty more people since then." Reese took a seat in front of one of the terminals and inserted a remote drive. "Gotta say, the Wrights are sufficiently paranoid, at least when it comes to their security system. You'd have a field day with all their high-tech measures - might even take you two seconds to crack." John paused, " one more reason to think the perp had inside help."
"O'Connor."
"Be my guess at this point, but lets see what the footage shows. I'm sending you the files now."
A few scrutinizing minutes of silence passed between them while they studied the video.
"Mr. Reese? Did you send me everything?"
"I did. Why?"
"There are missing minutes from the garage cameras. From 8:03 to 8:21. I'd imagine enough time to plant a bomb?"
"It's possible, and the timing makes the bomb a convenient plan B to the 7:45 sniper attempt. Someone must have called O'Connor with the go ahead after it failed, and I doubt it was the wounded sniper."
"I'll check his account with the phone company to see if I can trace any calls made to him around that time. But Mr. Reese, I'm not sure I understand why our killer would sacrifice such a key piece?" Finch pondered.
"Maybe punishment for botching the kill? Or he just outlived his usefulness. Either way, they're ruthlessly methodical and pretty damn confident they have a better move."
"Indeed Mr. Reese. At least you are in a better position to protect the Wrights this time."
Reese certainly hoped so.