Disclaimer: Previous disclaimer (see chapter one) still applies. Andromeda belongs to Tribune Entertainment. No infringements intended. George Clooney and Keith Hamilton Cobb belong to themselves. I'm just using them. ;)
Chapter Three
Sashka opened the back door of the sedan and slid in, sitting behind Donovan. She smiled at Monica who turned to look at her. "The limo will be crowded," she explained.
Monica started the car and pulled into traffic behind the limo. "What's she like, up close and personal?"
"Minya? Oh, she's fantastic. The best friend you could ever ask for." She pulled out a day planner and flipped through the pages.
"Is it true?" Monica asked, glancing in the rearview mirror. "Is she really dating George Clooney?"
Sashka laughed. "No, they're just friends."
"Oh," Monica replied, sounding disappointed.
Donovan listened with little interest. He was finding it hard to believe that Monica was this intrigued by a celebrity's personal life.
"She's actually not seeing anyone in particular. Not enough time for a real personal life. She sees Keith Hamilton Cobb from time to time," Sashka admitted.
Monica grinned. "Ooh...yummy. He's a hottie. I'll admit to watching Andromeda just to see him in action.
Sashka laughed. "You'd like him...down to earth, nice guy."
Donovan rolled his eyes in reflex. He'd heard enough about the diva's love life or lack thereof and what a "hottie" this Cobb guy was. "How about we discuss something more important to the case. What's her itinerary like for the next week?"
"Let's see. She has another studio appointment tomorrow and Thursday and Friday she's supposed to rehearse a duet with Ricky Martin for the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday. He should be arriving in Chicago sometime tomorrow. We'll leave for Los Angeles Saturday." Sashka took a deep breath. "Pretty light week, actually."
Donovan sat back in the seat. Los Angeles...award show. A security nightmare.
"Ricky Martin?" Monica said, finally. "Wow, Alex will flip."
Donovan glanced sideways at his profiler and she gave him a "what?" look. He just shook his head and watched the limo in front of him.
************
"Is your boss always so...rude?" Minya asked, opening the small refrigerator and removing a bottle of water. "Anyone thirsty?" She closed the door when each of them shook their head no.
Jake shook his head. "Actually, no. He's tough, but fair and if anyone can get you through this...it's him."
Minya raised a brow. "I'll try to keep that in mind the next time he pisses me off."
Alex laughed and had a feeling Minya would find herself repeating that mantra many times before this was over.
"So how big is your place?" Jake asked.
She shrugged. "Big enough. Are all of you going to be staying with us at the house?"
"Us?" Cody asked.
"Me and Sashka."
"Yes, until this is over," Jake answered.
Minya nodded. "There's enough room."
"Aren't you afraid to stay there?" Alex asked. The threatening letters were being delivered directly to the house, not to a fan club or her publicist.
"A little, but I'm a firm believer if it's your time to go...it's your time to go. There's no escaping your destiny."
"Maybe, but why push your luck," Jake commented.
Minya shrugged. "It's my home. I travel so much, it's the only haven I have and no one is going to make me leave."
The limo slowed and turned into large gated estate with immaculately kept lawns and gardens. The two-story mansion rose before them, looking like something directly from "Gone With The Wind".
"Nice place," Cody understated.
************
Donovan joined the group that exited the limo in front of the mansion. "Alex, Jake—do a sweep of the perimeter and do an inventory of the surveillance equipment." He headed for the front door. "Cody, Sashka will show you the security room. Get familiar with it. Monica, go with him."
"It's this way," Sashka said, indicating they should follow her.
"Well, Agent Donovan, that leaves you and me," Minya stated. "Guess I could show you around the inside of the house."
"That was going to be my suggestion."
"Fine. Follow me."
He must have lost his faculties. He should have gone with Cody and sent Monica on this tour. His fists balled in reflex to the tension he was feeling and swore under his breath when the pain shot through his right hand.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
"No," he insisted, quickly dropping his hand to his side.
Minya smiled to herself. He probably wouldn't admit he was in pain if he was hanging from his short hairs.
Thirty minutes later, the tour was over without much pageantry. The mansion housed seven bedrooms--each with its own bathroom, living room, dining room, den, library, kitchen, family room, gym and a spa. Then there was the pool outside and the pool house.
"What's down that path?" he asked, looking out a nearby window.
"I'll take you to the cottage just down that small pathway. I converted it to a studio." She continued walking, heading back to the front of the house.
He nodded. "Where's the security room?"
"Right here," she replied, stopping.
"Here, where? We're in a hallway with no doors."
She smiled and pushed on the panel closest to her and it popped open. "Surprise," she said, laughing as she entered the room.
Entering, they found Cody and Monica seated at the security desk. Sashka stood behind them.
"It's pretty state-of-the-art," Cody said, pleased. "We have a multitude of monitors and the entire house is equipped with an intercom system. I can easily tap into it."
Jake poked his head in the doorway. "Hidden door...cool. Frank, camera's on all sides of the house equipped with motion sensors."
"Cody, set up video feed with sound from all the rooms inside the house," he instructed.
"I'll have to go back to the nest to get what I need."
"You don't plan on putting a camera in my bedroom, do you?" Minya demanded.
"Yes."
"No way, mister."
Donovan quirked a brow at her. "And, you'll stop me...how?"
"I'll have you removed from this case," she said, putting a hand on her hip.
"Fine, you go right ahead and do that." He tossed her his cell phone. "And while you're at it, go ahead and order your casket sized."
"Oooh...you are the most infuriating..." she was cut off by the sound of the cell phone in her hand ringing. She tossed it back to him. "Here, I'm sure it's the Marquis de Sade calling for lessons in cruelty." She laughed when he instinctively used his right hand to catch it and bit his lip to stop from groaning.
Donovan didn't miss the smirks that quickly crossed the faces of his agents. He shook his head and flipped open the phone. "Donovan...yes...no, that's just not possible...I understand, but...there's no other choice?...fine...soon...be ready."
All eyes were on him when he turned back to the others. "Cody, Monica will take you back to the nest to get the equipment you need. While you're there, Monica, pack clothing for the four of you from the stash we keep there. When you're finished," he said, pulling a small note pad and pen from his pocket. He winced when he gripped the pen. "Damn," he muttered as he painfully jotted something on the paper before turning his attention back to Monica. "Go to this address. You can pick my things up there. They'll be ready for you."
Monica took the paper. "Sure. Anything else?"
"Yeah, need us to stop for milk or something?" Cody quipped.
He shot Cody a deadly look. "Just do it." Monica nodded and pulled Cody along with her.
"Hey...Dick Tracy...can I ask you something?"
He sighed in frustration. "If you stop calling me that." He was not in the mood to deal with the spoiled diva, especially after that phone call. He now had an even bigger problem on his hands besides her.
"Maybe. No promises," she said, smiling darkly. "Can you shoot with your left hand? 'Cuz it sure looks like your right hand is in bad shape."
"Right or left, I'll hit the mark," he assured, leaving the room. He was followed by the sound of Minya's laughter. She enjoyed mocking him, and to her credit, she made a good point. He was a better shot with his right hand, but was still good enough with his left. For her sake, as well as his, he prayed he wouldn't have to prove his point.
Alex grinned. "I think we should just save the wait and put the two of you in a boxing ring right now and let you fight it out."
Minya grinned. "Nah...let his hand heal first. I want it to be a fair fight." She slapped Jake and Alex on the back. "Come on, I'll show you the recording studio."
************
"What's with all the Native American decorations?" Jake asked, fingering a dream catcher hanging in the studio. There were paintings and sculptures throughout the mansion, as well.
"I'm 1/4 Native American. My mother was ½ Algonquin and my father...he was a full blooded Irishman, bless his soul." She lovingly touched the picture of them that hung in the studio. "And, to answer your implied question of earlier, Agent Donovan. My full name is Minya Kanti Sheridan. My parents were proud of their heritage, as am I, and they gave me a beautiful Native American name. Minya means moving voice and Kanti means sing, in my mother's language."
She was somewhat annoyed when she noticed Donovan made no indication that he heard or cared. His thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. She shrugged and turned her attention to Agent Shaw. At least he was a likable person, not to mention very attractive. So, why did her gaze keep traveling back to his boss?
"Rather a fitting name for you," Jake observed. "Almost as if they knew what your talent would be."
She smiled. "Destiny," she reminded him.
"So, your parents are gone, then?" he asked.
"Yes. Mom died five years ago in a plane crash. Dad was devastated...he died less than a year later. He never got over her death; I think he died of a broken heart." Her eyes filled with unshed tears and she turned away.
Jake placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." She visibly squared her shoulders and turned to face him. Her grief gone, hidden by a mask of friendliness.
"You have a nice set up here," Alex said, looking over all the equipment. Besides the signal processor, the control room housed a 24-track recorder. Inside the acoustically paneled recording booth sat a grand piano, several rhythm guitars—electric and acoustic, bass guitars, and a set of drums. The necessary microphones and headsets were in place.
"It's convenient. I like to work late at night, when I can't sleep. I keep a guitar by my bed, but sometimes I prefer the studio. Actually, I think, in deference to our situation, I'll call Dalton and see if we can do tomorrow's session here instead of going into town."
"Good idea," Jake agreed.
"Let's get back to the main house," Donovan said, walking toward the exit. "Monica and Cody should be back soon."
Alex and Jake frowned at each other. Why was it so important to be at the house when they arrived? Cody could easily find them through the surveillance equipment. However, they didn't voice their opinion and followed their boss from the studio.
They had just reached the house when they heard Monica's car pull up to the front and they walked around to meet her. Monica and Cody exited the car simultaneously; Monica paused to bestow a befuddled look upon her boss while Cody opened the passenger side rear door and fumbled with something in the seat. When he stood from his task, Alex, Jake and Minya noticed the tiny feet and legs that appeared from beneath the opened door.
Donovan breathed a heavy sigh. He would have to divulge more of his life than he wished to; he had no choice now.
Cody pointed toward Donovan and the little girl shyly peered around the door. A huge smile appeared on her face when she saw her father. "Daddy!" she cried, running precariously toward the group standing at the house.
To be continued...