Secret Love - Brenda Jackson [84]
Since all of the photographs that had been sent to Jake were taken at the two press conferences, that had narrowed the scope somewhat. Alex had not dismissed the possibility that someone had posed as a reporter or photographer to get inside both meetings. Alex had ordered a listing of the names of every reporter and photographer who had been in attendance.
“Okay, that about does it for now,” Alex was saying.
Jake turned around. He couldn’t help but admire how efficiently and professionally Alex was handling things.
“Although I don’t think Diamond is in any danger, I’m not going to take any chances, Jake. Since you don’t want her to know what’s going on, I promise to be discreet. My men will begin watching her twenty-four hours a day after she leaves to return to California the day after tomorrow. I’ll make sure they remain in the background. At no time will she know she’s under their protection.”
Jake nodded. That was the way he wanted things.
“What about this place, Jake? Is this ranch as airtight as it used to be?”
Jake couldn’t help it when his face broke into a leisurely smile. As kids growing up, his nephews’ friends swore that no one could sneak on or off Whispering Pines without Blaylock or Jake’s father knowing about it.
“Yeah, it’s even more so with all the modern monitoring equipment I use to keep up with things like strays and trespassers,” Jake said. “I feel Whispering Pines is safe. But under no circumstances will I become a prisoner to this ranch.”
Jake stretched his neck and rotated his shoulders. He was exhausted, not particularly from all the work he’d done around the ranch that morning but for lack of sleep. The last few nights since returning home he had tossed and turned, wondering what demented person wanted him out of Diamond’s life. Luckily since she was a sound sleeper, his tossing and turning had not disturbed her. In fact, he doubted that she had even noticed.
“I didn’t think you would let me keep you a prisoner here, Jake, so the same discreet protection I’m setting up for Diamond is being set up for you, too, whenever you’re off the ranch.”
“Do you think that’s necessary?”
“Yes, Jake, as a private detective as well as a friend, I honestly think so. Until we know exactly what we’re up against, I hope you let me handle things my way. No one other than me and you will know about the men I’m posting in the background. I doubt very seriously that you’ll even notice them. They’re just that good.”
Alex glanced down at his watch. “I’ve taken up enough of your time already, Jake. I’ll get back with you as soon as I get anything I think you need to know about. And I’d appreciate it if you’ll prepare a list of any appointments you have away from the ranch.”
Before Jake could say anything against his request, Alex said, “I need you to cooperate with me on this, Jake.”
Reluctantly, Jake nodded.
With the business part of their meeting concluded, Alex walked back over to the wall where he had been earlier when Jake had entered the room. He kept staring at one framed photograph in particular. “When was this photo of Christy taken?”
Jake came to stand next to Alex to see just what photo of his niece that Alex was referring to since he had several of her on his wall. The one Alex was asking him about was one of those glamour-type photos Christy had taken over the Christmas holidays.
“Christy took that one at Christmas. She looks good, doesn’t she? It’s hard to believe she’s all grown-up now and is a junior in college. It seems like it was just yesterday that her brothers and I were teaching her how to ride a horse.”
“Yeah, and I’m the one who taught her how to ride a bicycle,” Alex said, chuckling. He couldn’t get over just how grown-up she looked. Nor could he dismiss just how beautiful she was. “How old is Christy now?”
“She’ll be twenty-one in a few months.”
Alex nodded. “She’s become a very beautiful young woman.”
Jake studied the photograph. “Yes, she has become a beautiful woman,” he agreed. “I expect she’ll get even more beautiful as she gets older. I feel sorry for the man who takes