I Trust No One.

07: I Trust No One

The two ladies sat at the kitchen island with coffee as Fiona reviewed Jane's career summary. Jane inventoried Fiona's presence at the same time Fiona was looking over the paperwork. Jane again considered Ms. Donovan's file and found that the pictures did not capture the aura of the young woman well. There was a compassionate depth and genuine kindness that resonated from the woman. It magnified her beauty.

As Fiona read the resume Jane was able to watch the young women carefully and read her micro expressions. Her green eyes were filled with deep consideration, they were calming, and Jane noticed that they were layered and reflective. Based on Ms. Donovan's work and genuine character, Jane guessed that the woman's thoughts were most often of other people first. Jane rarely came into contact with people of this nature in her line of work.

She could also see immediately that although Ms. Donovan was youthful and quite beautiful; she was also intelligent and cautious. She paused several times as she reviewed the information and Jane was certain there would be questions and concerns. Jane remembered that Fiona's undergraduate degree was from Duke University, an exceptional educational institution that is challenging to gain entrance into and even more challenging to maintain Dean's List status. Jane wagered that Ms. Donovan's intelligence was often underestimated, overshadowed by her beauty.

Fiona smiled, setting the resume down and looking up at Jane who was waiting patiently for her to finish the review. "Wow, Ms Baker. You have some impressive information here but also some gaping holes in the information."

Jane chuckled,"Yes Ms. Donovan. For about 4 years I worked with a special group within the military. You are welcome to ask me questions, but I may not be able to answer all of them. My experience during that time is what is going to help keep you safe. That I can promise you." Fiona felt her heartbeat a little quicker.

Fiona looked at her thoughtfully and Jane felt pulled in by her gaze, "Under whose rules are you operating? Your company? My company? Mine? Yours? State Law & Federal? I'm a little unsure as to why I need your level of experience and expertise."

Jane smiled, impressed by the questions. "Excellent questions Ms. Donovan. Should we enter a contract, I will take my direction from you. You're the 'boss.' The only case in which that might be superseded would be if I make a judgement that you are in imminent danger or will be putting yourself into a dangerous situation."

"I have found that in this type of contract that the situations that arise rarely warrant that. I operate under many umbrellas that will limit my interactions with you; this is mostly to protect both you and I. I have no 'special' exceptions from government law." Jane paused for a moment to make sure Ms. Donovan was following along. "The reality is you do not need my level of expertise and experience. I would say that there are likely other individuals at PO1914 who can meet your needs." Again, Jane was clear but not bragging, "My qualifications are exceptional."

Fee tilted her head slightly,"So your skill set includes what exactly Ms. Baker?"

"Ms. Donovan I am well trained in several different military skill sets including weapons training and hand-to-hand combat. I speak several different languages fluently and can understand a few more when I hear them for a short period of time. I have extensive experience in security as well as anti-security measures." Jane paused here and noticed that Ms. Donovan's was slightly tense. "I know it can be intimidating, but I'm not unapproachable." Jane winked lightly at Fiona who relaxed and smiled at the gesture. "I'm comfortable in large settings and smaller intimate gatherings and I can slip into the background with ease spectating, not participating."

"In my years in Belgium working for the ambassador and his family I handled security and executive assistant responsibilities with regard to both political and family matters. We have extensive resources and contacts at PO1914 which allow me to move things along quickly in the familial, social, and political arenas. If you would like me to stay on with you I promise you are getting the best." Jane smiled softly, her eyes confident. Fiona nodded as Jane pressed on, "However, I would like you to decide today as my personal services are in high demand I must touch base with a couple other potential clients based on your answer. I hope you understand."

Fiona smiled at what was a commonly used Psychology 101 tactic. Given the circumstance and Ms. Baker's qualifications Fee felt certain that this was not a bluff. Ms. Baker probably had a dozen possible clients all lined up waiting for her. Fiona looked her over again and smiled in her mind's eye thinking, "I'd probably be in that line too." Ms. Baker was effectively telling Fee that she needed to make a decision, and that she didn't need Fiona's contract.

Fiona looked steadily into Ms. Baker's eyes and could read nothing. "Ok Ms. Baker," Fiona laughed,"I feel like I would be an idiot not to scoop you up before the President of Argentina or the Pope got a hold of you."

"Very good Ms. Donovan. I'll get started right away, we have officially entered into a contract. I'll contact your father and bring him up to speed. I'll be having the locks and access cards updated for all your residences and offices now that you have had a securities specialist depart unexpectedly. The process should be seamless, you won't even know. I will update your homes with a simple keyless, biomedical security pad."

"That all sounds good. You may call me Fiona or 'Fee' if you'd like."

"Thank you for the invitation, Ms. Donovan, but I prefer to keep our relationship professional. Unless, you insist. I, of course, will do whatever makes you most comfortable."

Ms. Baker smiled at Fiona waiting for a response and Fee was taken aback by how disappointed she was at the news that Ms. Baker would not be calling her by her first name, but she acquiesced. "Of course Ms. Baker, you're right."

"Okay then, I'll be calling your office within the hour to get setup with your business and social calendar. I'm going to move around your grounds here and speak with Reggie to better understand your needs. Can I meet you back here in two hours or do you have immediate plans today?"

"Nothing immediate Ms. Baker. But I will be attending a dinner this Saturday at Dr. Singleton's home, he's the CEO of Inova Fairfax Hospital. It is a formal dinner and I was going to go out and buy a dress."

"No problem Ms. Donovan. Do you have a specific boutique you would like to visit? Is shopping something that is fun for you or a chore?"

"Um, I was just going to walk down in Georgetown this afternoon. Shopping can be fun, but, this dinner is more business than pleasure so this trip is work related."

Jane smiled, "Okay Ms. Donovan, meet me back here in two hours and we'll get you taken care of." Jane stood and moved to the stairs, "Thank you again Ms. Donovan, I look forward to working for you." Jane paused, speaking with confidence,"I will be back for you."

Fiona nodded watching Ms. Baker move away with a fluid and subtly dangerous grace.

----

Over the course of the next two hours Jane contacted William and requested all blueprints and specifications for Fiona's homes and offices including utility lines be sent directly to her phone. She started the process for a full residential biomedical security system to be set up and access codes, key cards, and doors to be updated at her offices.

"William, Ms. Donovan and I will be walking in the Georgetown boutique area this afternoon. She'll be shopping for a dress for a formal dinner at Dr. Singleton's home, he's the CEO of Inova Fairfax Hospital. Please complete a data mine for Dr. Singleton and send me schematics and details on the home. I'll determine if Ms. Donovan will have an escort and then follow up. Please text me any contact information for an appropriate boutique to purchase a semi-formal dress. We leave in 15 minutes."

Jane stopped to talk to Reggie about new protocols for personal contact with Fiona. "Reggie there has been some increase in possible threatening activity that may impact Ms. Donovan directly or indirectly. Everyone from now on, from company personnel, friends, and associates will have their photo taken and sent to my phone directly. I want current photos every two weeks."

Reggie nodded, not daring to interrupt the woman's train of thought.

"All visitors and appointments will require two identification checks and a source call to verify with their companies they are both legitimate and expected visitations." Jane handed Reggie a plain white business card. "Call this number and set up a time to meet Agent Oliver for a refresher course. He's the best. He'll take you through a day of training with your vehicle and some new 'toys.'" She paused and smiled, "Reggie Ms. Donovan trusts you. I have seen your jacket, I know that you are extremely well trained and loyal. Only you, Dr. Donovan, Ms. Donovan, and I will have direct access to her homes through the new security system coming in." Reggie nodded, puffing his chest slightly in pride and gratification.

"We leave in 15 minutes, I'll send coordinates to your phone. Wipe clean the gps in your car. Shut it completely down. Do not use it again. Use your phone and make sure data is appropriately encrypted and the phone is locked. I will forward you all my contact information momentarily. You may contact me anytime."

"Yes Ms. Baker."

"Reggie, you know of course, I trust no one." The two shared an understanding look.

"Of course Ms. Baker." Reggie watched Ms. Baker move away from him, continuing to take in her surroundings. He exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding.