Hello, I hope you're all doing great. Here is the chapter three of my story Bodyguard. I'm sorry by advance for the mistakes… English isn't my first language and I do my best. I hope you will enjoy this chapter :)

Explanations

- What do you think about it?

My question breaks the silence in room 5 of the Special Units, while Nathan carefully studies the letters I presented to him.

I watch him take a magnifying glass to look at them more closely, then he puts them under an overhead projector to display them on the screen. He remains concentrated for a few moments and I knew that this attitude hid the path of his thinking.

- Do you think it's serious?

He looks at the last letter for a few more seconds and then ends up answering me.

- It's not a threat to take lightly Owen. There is no fingermark… The person who designed these letters took care to use words from newspaper clippings, so no way to detect anything by the graphology. And I'm sure that the glue used is a basic glue that is commercially available, so it will no give us any clue.

I listen carefully to the opinion of my former colleague of Elite Unit, specialized in profiling.

- In addition, the message is quite built and coherent… with a reference to the hit of your singer.

- Do you know her song?

- I have two teenagers Owen, I can hardly miss it… in any case, the one who hides behind these letters demonstrates a real intelligence and thoroughness in everything he does. He has been thinking about these letters for a long time and he is very likely to prepare the way to put his threats into action.

- You think he would be able to act… to try something?

- In view of what I see there, it's inevitable for me… You must be on your guard, this man, because for me no doubt that he is a man, seems to devote a sicky love to Amelia Shepherd… a love necessarily without return…He will probably try to approach her, even to avenge himself in the face of the indifference that is sent back to him… and you know like me what form this revenge can take.

- I dreaded Nathan's advice, and he only confirmed my suspicions about the seriousness of these threats.

- You know what you have to do Owen…

- Very good… Thanks, Nathan…

- No problem… and I count on you to stop this crazy person and protect this pretty singer as it should… because otherwise, you'll have two teenagers from the Riggs Family to console.

- I'll do my best…

I retrieve the letters placed on the overhead projector and slides them in the inside pocket of my jacket.

Nathan opens the door and we walk inside side by side in the corridors of the police special units. A place that had punctuated my daily life several years ago.

- Do you not miss it? Nathan asks me suddenly as we reach the entrance to the building.

- Not really… I still have the little adrenaline rush… but without the authority that tells you what to do, what to say… I'm my own boss, it changes everything…

- And between us, in addition, the context is much more pleasant no?

He looks at me with an amused air that leaves me pensive.

- Protecting a pretty young woman like Amelia Shepherd… it's obviously more pleasant than a commando operation to free hostages in the Middle East…

- You always imagine too many things, Nathan, I see that you haven't changer… I answer with a smile.

- You're like a brother, you know… I would like to know you're happy… to tie you… to finally open to someone.

- Don't worry for me Nathan, everything is fine.

He stares at me for several seconds before shaking my hand.

- A man without a woman by his side cannot say that everything is fine… Be careful Owen.

He smiles at me, then leaves me, retracing his steps and eventually disappearing down the hall.

The interview with Nathan had given me a solid conviction: Amelia was seriously threatened by a man who had the most dangerous profile of all… a man obsessed with her, but incredibly intelligent…

I arrive at the edge of Amelia's house with this information in mind and increased vigilance… not to fail my mission. As I approach the house, I notice a black sedan parked in the street. A vehicle I had never seen before and whose presence immediately intrigues me. I advance as if nothing was to show my suspicions and end up turning me discreetly by engaging on the first steps. A man stands beside the car: all dressed in black, sunglasses riveted on the eyes, a beret on his head and a smile dressing his lips.

A silhouette that I will have recognized between a thousand.

I stop and turn back to meet him.

I notice that his smile grows as I get closer and he finally takes off his sunglasses to greet me.

- Glad to see you again Owen.

I shake my hand and smile back.

- Nice surprise arrival, I was not expecting you until tomorrow.

- Yes, but finally, I'm available today so I thought the sooner was better, right?

- You did well…

I quickly take a look at the vehicle and then speak again.

- Is the car you told me about?

- Yes, it's this one: an engine that resists all the chases and armored windows as you've told me… and puncture resistant tires.

- It's perfect. Follow me, I'll introduce you!

- I am more than impatient…

He gives me a wink and we join together the entrance to Amelia's house.

I use the key that I now have to open the door and we enter the house.

I take a quick look at the entrance before noticing activity in the living room.

I advance discreetly and it's then a young woman in tank top and shorts who welcome us, a cup in hand… the tornado that I had met the day before… April.

- Morning Owen, she said to me singing.

- Good morning, I answer politely.

She observes me with her piercing gaze before noticing my accomplice in my back… and observing him just as thoroughly as she could have done about me.

- April, I introduce you to Jackson, he will work with me… He will be in charge of Amelia's trips… Jackson, this is April, a friend of Amelia Shepherd.

- A kind of driver, then?

- Yes, but not a simple driver… I was able to work with Owen on some missions when we were in the special forces, Jackson replies, stepping forward a bit more in the room.

- Special forces? Amelie didn't tell me everything about you apparently…

- She may not know everything… Where is she by the way that I present her to Jackson?

April puts her cup on the coffee table in the living room and walks towards us.

- She's already gone, I haven't seen her since I got up…

She responds while passing in front of us to join the kitchen. Her answer shocks me however and I hasten to follow her.

- Gone? Are you serious?

- She had to rehearse for her concert this morning…

My heart is accelerating instantly, the adrenaline invading my person, while I realize that the one I need to protect is not where I believed it… and that I'm not at her side.

I don't show my trouble to her friends and ask the question that burns my lips as calmly as possible.

- Where is she? Did she tell you?

- Yes, of course… She is at the Conservatoire, where she rented a room for the year that she regularly uses to work on her compositions or to repeat her concert… the Bach room.

- Conservatoire, ok, do you have the address by chance?

- It's in Georgetown… 5813 Airport Way S

- Thank you, April…

I turn directly, exchange a look with Jackson making him understand without speaking my intention as I advance towards the entrance.

- Wait, Owen!

The hand already on the doorknob, April's voice stops me in action and I discover her a few steps.

- Did nothing happen to her? She doesn't risk anything?

- I will make sure.

I open the door, Jackson in my wake as we find the outside world.

We walk quickly towards the car and we settle respectively in the driver and passenger seat. Jackson starts early and we leave Madison Park.

- The direction the Conservatoire I presume, he told me after a few seconds.

I just nodded, still disturbed by the negligence of Amelia who was left alone, without warning me.

I grabbed my cell phone activating Amelia's number, but I fell on her answering machine without success. I sigh and decide not to leave a message and I end up calling her manager, hoping he'll be with her. He picks up after the second ring.

- Yes, hello Owen, everything is okay?

- Not really Richard… Is Amelia by your side?

- No, I'm in a meeting with the production for her concert… she's not with you?

- And apparently, she decided to leave without telling me… I'm on my way to join her… I plan to re-explain with her, I'm not used to running after my clients… It will eventually reveal everything if it happens again…

Her manager remains silent a few moments behind the handset and finally responds.

- I will talk to her if I have to… and in terms of revealing everything to her, I will think about it but please, don't tell her anything…

- Fine… we will talk about it again…

I hang up without waiting for an answer from him; I look reflexively through the glass to try to spot where we were, noting that the weather was covered in a few minutes.

- Don't worry O', I'm sure she's safe.

- Probably, but I will not have to ask myself this question…

- I intend to meet this famous singer…

Fortunately for us, the journey is not too long. Jackson quickly finds a place to park and we leave without delay.

We enter the building and my eyes scan the billboards before spotting the famous « Room Bach » arrow in a hallway on our right. I go towards the indicated direction, Jackson following me closely and we arrive quickly in front of a door with the inscription « Bach » which marks the end of our search.

I heard notes and a voice that I began to know well escaping through the door and finally open and enter the room.

The frame that welcomes us is a large room, filled with different musical instruments with a large mirror as a wall. Facing her, Amelia stands in front of a microphone, surrounded by her guitarist and another piano musician on the side, with a young woman sitting on a chair watching them. Our entrance doesn't seem to disturb Amelia in the least since she continues her song without stopping as we move into the room.

Her gaze ends up crossing mine through the mirror but no particular expression wins her face. We stay behind with Jackson, not wishing to disturb the work session.

The song ends in about two minutes and Amelia instantly directs her gaze to the young woman, present at her side.

- What do you think of this new arrangement, Steph?

- I find it not bad at all… the scene is interesting… however, it will be necessary to bring out your voice, because at times I found that the piano and the guitar hid almost. And you will have to work your connection between the sentences, we will take it together if you want…

- Ok, no problem… we will stall all that, we still have a little time before the concert.

The pianist and this young woman look out for us, while Amelia takes a look at her watch.

- I think we can stop for today… we've come a long way… Thank you, Ben and Andrew!

The pianist activates first: he makes the kiss to Amelia and quickly leaves the room, the cellphone stuck to the ear while giving us a slight smile.

I observe Amelia whispers something to this young woman named Steph. She takes her in her arms a few moments then Steph advances in our direction to leave the room.

She blows us a « see you soon » then eclipses in a turn.

Andrew is the only one to stay in the room, the guitar already riveted in the back, watching Amelia put on her jacket and arrange her hair in a messy bun.

I approach discreetly, catching a little more precisely the words that escape from the mouth of Amelia.

- Andrew, the next time, I will pass you the scores of a new composition that I just finished…

- Ok, no problem, you can count on me.

- Thanks, Andrew.

She kissed him on the cheek quickly, and he gives her a big smile.

- Go now, she replies, smiling in turn.

He finally turns around, walks past us with a wave and leaves the room.

- Are you accompanied today? Amelia asks me, watching me through the mirror smiling.

I walk a few steps to post a few meters from her as she finally turns around and faces me, Jackson was slightly behind me.

- And you forgot that I have to accompany you?

She slips a light scarf around her neck… probably a reflex to protect her voice.

- I knocked on your door this morning when I got up… but you were already gone… and this rehearsal was very important to me.

- Amelia, that things are clear between us: you do not leave home without me… I don't want to relive what happened this morning.

- But I could not wait for you, my musicians and my vocal coach also have other commitments you know…

- You must keep me informed of your schedule… this morning, I left because I thought you were staying quietly at home…

Her eyes flee me but her voice rises quickly again.

- Owen, I was just going to a work session, it's not a professional representation.

- No matter where you go Amelia, I'm with you.

She triturates the sleeve of her leather jacket while remaining silent a few seconds.

I remained calm throughout our exchange but firm enough to make her understand that my requests were not optional.

However, I perceive a certain discomfort settle in her, and I speak again with the sweetest voice possible.

- I can't work if you don't tell me everything…

She lowers her eyes and then looks at me again, and answers me with a little voice that surprises me.

- Excuse me… I didn't think badly, nor cause you problems… I'm a little anxious by the representation of this concert and when I saw that you were not there, I preferred leaving anyway…

She seemed almost embarrassed by my remarks and her attitude wounded me, I had the impression to have a little girl in front of me, at this moment… I felt that the anguish in front of this concert had surely been the strongest and had led this negligence.

- Next time you call me, and I'll be there soon… okay?

- Of course, I'm sorry.

- Well, we forget that, and I'll make sure I do not leave… or I'll keep you informed to make sure that it is not a problem.

I turn to Jackson, nodding to him as he approaches.

- I introduce you to Jackson Avery he will work with me… he will be your driver.

Jackson holds out a hand to Amelia for a few moments while smiling slightly.

- Hello, Mr. Avery, nice to meet you.

- Hello and call me Jackson, I prefer.

- Fine, provided you also call me Amelia.

Jackson nods to Amelia, accepting her request.

- As the presentation are made, will we be able to go there? Or do you want to stay a little longer?

- No, I'm ready and I promised April to have lunch with her.

- Do you have lunch outside?

- No at the house.

- Okay, on the way then!

We leave the room that Amelia takes care to lock and join the entrance of the building.

The external view that we find is a gray and dark Seattle, bathed by pouring rain.

- I bring the car closer, throws Jackson in a breath.

He hastens to go out, running in the rain to join his vehicle.

- I'm sorry, I don't have an umbrella on me.

- It doesn't matter, I'm not going to melt.

I turn my gaze to Amelia on the side, before answering her.

- But I would not want you to catch a cold…

A slight smile wins her face and she replies after a few seconds while staring at me.

- In your mission, do you also watch over my health?

- I take care of everything in general…

She still fixes me so intensely… I was not used to being so clearly in my eyes, and her eyes almost disturb me.

I end up yielding under this intensity and redirecting my gaze to the outside, noting that a black sedan has just posted the warning on the opposite sidewalk.

- Ready for a little sprint?

She just smiles at me and staples her purse under her shoulder.

I put a hand behind her back and leads her to the entrance of the building.

I stop a few steps from the automatic doors and look at the side.

I take off my jacket, ready to place it above us to cover the few meters separating us from the car.

- A real gentleman as a bodyguard, I'm lucky…

I nod to her smiling and I unfold my jacket as I can above us.

- Stay close to me.

We leave the building and the intensity of the rain surprises me as it falls on my jacket and I perceive the strength of the drops spread on my arms.

A fresh and lively wind adds to the rains and creates a violent heat shock with the warm cocoon we had just left.

I feel Amelia take refuge a little more under my shoulder, obviously as surprised as me by the weather conditions. We arrive at the edge of the sidewalk and have to wait a few seconds for several cars to pass and clear the way for us to cross.

I can see Amelia's right arm slipping in my back and sticking to me and under my jacket.

Her gesture surprises me but I soon feel a few shivers run through her: she was dressed in a simple tank top under her leather jacket and the outside freshness hit her violently…

I take a look right and left before joining, leading Amelia with me, to run across, while hearing the sweet laugh of Amelia during our little sprint.

Arrived in front of the car, she gently detaches me: I keep the jacket on top of her by leaving her open her own door and then I quickly gain the passenger seat, to take refuge in my car.

Jackson welcomes us with a smile while starting without waiting.

- Sorry, I could not get on the nearest sidewalk, I would have to turn around completely and with the traffic, it would have taken a little time.

- No problem, everything is fine Amelia? I asked, turning to her.

She tightens her scarf a little around her neck, answering me.

- Everything is fine… thank you for using you as an umbrella.

Jackson laughs slightly at my side and surprises me by taking the word again.

- One of your hidden talents O', I didn't know you the gift of turning you into an umbrella.

- Jackson, if you concentrated on the road?

My accomplice makes me a wink but a sound capture my attention more than it should… a melody that I had the pleasure to hear twice in a few minutes… a sweet laugh that escapes from the back seat and charm, despite me, my ears.