Layers

09: Layers

Jane sat at home reviewing the information Fiona sent over. Most of the information she already had access to but Fiona's supplementary comments and information helped Jane to fill in the gaps and get a sense of Fiona's comfort levels at work and home.

Jane notified William that Alexander would be in attendance and a primary contact, otherwise he should datamine to determine who else might be attending and who was catering the dinner. Jane then requested the flat on Water Street be prepared for occupancy with basic surveillance measures to be taken, tracking entry points and the setup of remote exterior cameras at the entrance points. Jane began to review the finer points of the data.

Fiona had only three people listed as important business contacts and Reggie was one of them. Then her executive assistant at the office and the Senior Director of Micropath's Global Charities. Jane would make four. She spent several hours a week with these colleagues.

She listed a handful of family acquaintances but indicated her interactions with them were limited and often at formal functions or parties. She saw them occasionally, but not often enough to list them as weekly interactions. She indicated that she will go out on occasion with staff from her office, 2 or 3 times monthly.

Fiona listed 2 friends, both outside of Washington D.C. One was Sophie Raine currently working for Heifer International at their regional headquarters in the Philippines. The other was Jeremy Stack, a friend from college currently living in Denver and working in a small restaurant. No "close friends" in the Washington D.C. Area. She goes out on the occasional "date" but they are often semi-business dinner meetings.

As she doesn't have any extensive engagement with staff she listed no conflicts in the last 18 months at work, but about 6 months ago she broke off short-term relationship with Michael Bale, a Junior Lawyer in the city specializing in patent law. She indicated that it was a relatively one-sided decision on her part but didn't sense animosity.

Her medical records were on the way but would likely reveal no new information.

Her normal working day brought her to the office most days for meetings but they tended to be more like 4 to 6 hour days. She spent a good amount of time at social events, on those days if she went into the office it was for just a few hours to prepare.

She loves her work, realizes that she is fortunate, but does wish she had a little more down time and was a little less visible. Jane had Fiona's complete file of business and social contacts.

----

Jane woke in the early morning hours on Wednesday, she packed and moved out of her Georgetown home. She stopped by the Post Office to touch base with William, update Agent Foster, and get a workout in before arriving at her flat at 8:00am. She moved quickly unpacking and settling in the small studio space. The unit had tall windows and she was able to just see the roofline of Fiona's condo in the distance.

Jane opened her phone and sent out a text using formal, professional language.

"Good morning Ms. Donovan. You have a 10:00 am planning meeting regarding your summer charity event. I will arrive at your home at 9:00AM to escort you to work. Would you like me to bring you breakfast?"

"sounds good"

"that'd be great"

"thank you"

Jane arrived on site, stopping by Reggie's small outdoor office and dropping off a bag with pastries. "Good morning Reggie, we'll be ready to leave in 30 minutes."

"Good morning Ms. Baker. Thank you very much." Reggie nodded, smiling and staring a little longer than normal at Ms. Baker, who was dressed in light grey pinstripe slacks, heels, a white fitted dress shirt, and a deep red cropped suit jacket moved toward the house. She carried a black leather portfolio and a second pastry bag.

"Good morning Ms. Donovan." Jane saw Fiona sitting on a stool at the island with a cup of coffee skimming through her phone. She wore fitted dark jeans with flats, dressed up to business casual with a blouse and a light spring blazer. Jane again took a moment to appreciate the young woman's beauty. Fiona looked up to see the strikingly beautiful and confident Ms. Baker, moving toward her with a warm smile extending her bag of goodies to her. "Why don't you eat while I review our itinerary for the week?"

"Thank you. Sounds good." Fee smiled at Jane and found she couldn't help but stare for a moment at her mouth and lips. Again Fiona felt a little on tilt. She had never responded to a woman like this before and she hoped it wasn't embarrassingly obvious that she was a little distracted by Jane.

"Okay then. I have moved in further down on Water street. I received your email and information, thank you, that will help immensely. I see you have a lunch scheduled with a colleague from the office today after your planning meeting. I will escort you to lunch and sit out of the way during that time. After lunch I would like to return with you to walk through your work space and meet your colleagues. Is that okay?" Fiona nodded, her mouth full of food.

"This afternoon after I drop you off back home I will pick up your dress for Saturday's dinner. Friday I see you are spending some time getting treatments." Fee nodded and continued to eat, watching Jane's eyes sharp with focus. "I will escort you to the spa and I'll then head into my office to take care of some weekly reports and tie up loose ends while you are being taken care of."

"Saturday during the day Reggie is going to be working with a colleague of mine and I will be covering his duties." She paused, noticing Fiona's green eyes hazed over in thought. "Ms. Donovan?"

"Oh. I'm sorry Jane. I was just wondering if all this is necessary. Bill basically was an escort too, but there is a different kind of 'intensity' with you."

Jane smiled softly, speaking sincerely and with careful measure. "Ms. Donovan, I believe your father has received credible threats to his business and family. I think he would go to any and all lengths to ensure your safety. If, at any time, you feel overwhelmed by my presence, please do not hesitate to tell me, I can make adjustments. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable but I would like to keep you safe to the best of my ability." Jane's eyes searched Fiona's face for any sign of discomfort or hesitation.

"Oh no Jane. It's not that. It just seems like overkill. Really, I'm not in 'R & D,' I don't have access to financial accounts, I'm kind of a 'nobody' in the broad scheme of things."

"Ms. Donovan," Jane held Fiona's eyes in an unwavering gaze and leaned slightly across the counter. "What you do is exceptionally impactful in the most important ways."

Fee shifted staring back into Jane's striking eyes and feeling the temperature in the air between them change. She lost her voice and felt more than just a little on tilt.

"The reality is you are a pressure point. You will always be the most important part of your father's life. Therefore, 'yes' this is necessary." Jane searched Fiona's eyes for comprehension and as she nodded slowly Jane moved back. "Which brings me to my next request." Jane continued. "Only you and I should know about this." Fee nodded again, still not able to speak.

Jane pulled four small boxes from Tiffany and Co. from her jacket pocket. "Ms. Donovan, each one of these contains a bracelet and anklet in gold or silver. They have been modified as panic buttons and tracking devices. I can not make you wear them, but I am asking you to please do this. Okay?" Fee looked down at the boxes and her brow furrowed.

"I understand Ms. Donovan." Jane's voice was soothing and empathetic. "It's hard to give up your privacy and independence. Perhaps you can just try it until things calm down? The pieces are designed to be unobtrusive, barely noticeable."

"Okay Jane." Fee sighed but smiled lightly.

"Gold or silver?"

"Silver."

Jane opened the boxes and explained as she worked to get the jewelry on Fiona. She reached and gently pulled Fiona's right wrist over the counter toward her. Fee's lips parted as she watched Jane's hands move smoothly and her skin tingled as Jane touched her.

"Wear both pieces. If you get into trouble, rip one off, keep the other on. We can track you within 3 feet." Fee nodded her breathing slightly irregularly. Jane moved around the island and knelt down repeating the process on Fiona's right ankle. Jane cradled her foot and ankle moving her leg for easier access, Fee was glad Jane couldn't see her neck flush and her swallow thickly.

"If one of the pieces breaks by accident we have 45 seconds to contact my team to stop the recovery plan. I have sent the number to your phone. Program it in as PO1914 and your primary emergency number." Jane paused and looked up at Fiona who seemed unsure. Jane stood up slowly now very close to Fiona. "Don't worry Ms. Donovan, it's just an extra layer of protection." She smiled softly, "I'll still be with you, I'm your first layer of protection." Fiona nodded silently. "And, they look lovely on your skin."

"Okay," Fiona breathed out softly, "Thank you."

Jane watched her face closely then stepped back pulling out her phone. "William we're live on silver. Thank you." She disconnected and drew Fiona's attention, "Ms. Donovan, it's time to leave for your meeting. Please notify me if you change pieces. I expect you will be wearing them any time you are outside of your condo."