Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries Box Set Nanci Rathbun (i love reading books txt) 📖

college applications and the SAT versus the ACT. I unbundled and left my outerwear at the desk. I hope they connect, I thought. Mary’s had a rough life, too, and she could help Adriana find confidence in moving ahead.

We climbed the stairs to Bart’s office on the third floor. Bobbie and Adriana took a settee along the wall opposite Bart’s desk. Although neither Bart nor Bertha was smoking, their rooms stank. I took a guest chair near a window and cracked it open for some fresh air, despite the temps outside.

Bart noticed, but didn’t comment. He settled back into his oversized desk chair.

First things first. “Bart, it seems to me that Adriana’s a natural target for whoever wants to get at the money in the bank accounts. Even with our precautions, I’m concerned.”

“I agree. Especially after your attack on Sunday night. It isn’t safe for her or Bobbie.”

“That’s the other thing. Bobbie was helping me with surveillance on the Zupan residence, and thought he spotted Petrovitch circling the cul-de-sac. He tailed him for a couple miles, but Petrovitch took precautionary measures and Bobbie lost him. Bobbie and Adriana stayed at my place last night and this morning, I called Tony Belloni to roust two guys who were keeping my building under surveillance. It’s a pretty sure bet that Petrovitch was already aware of my involvement in the case, based on Adriana’s hiring me to investigate the money angle, but last night, he either followed Bobbie to my condo or decided I was worth keeping tabs on.” I gestured to the settee. “I’m a pro and I’m willing to take some chances. But I don’t want them in the line of fire.”

“We can set them up in a safe house until this is resolved,” Bart said.

“Wait a minute,” Bobbie piped up. “I can’t hide away somewhere if I’m going to be Angie’s intern. I need to be with her, learning stuff.”

“Intern?” Bart turned to me.

“It’s not defined yet, but I agreed on a trial. So far, he’s done quite well at small assignments.” Bobbie sat up taller. “But Bobbie,” I continued, “you’re a beginner. I don’t think you’re ready to go up against killers. Neither am I, for that matter.”

Adriana spoke up. “I can’t go into hiding while others put themselves in danger for my sake. Plus, I have a life to live.” Her chin went up. “I want to register for UWM’s nursing program, but there’s a very small window for me to get all the paperwork done before the next semester starts.”

Bart and I exchanged glances. What now?

“Here’s what I propose …” A puzzled look crossed Bart’s face. “You look different, Adriana. Really different.” He nodded in approval. “Very nice.”

Adriana blushed, but met his gaze with a smile. “Thanks.”

“So, that’s an advantage—that you’ve changed your look—but we can’t count on that outfoxing anyone.” He buzzed Bertha on the office intercom and she whooshed in, steno book in hand and pencil poised. “Bertha, Adriana needs personal security, 24/7. See if Mighty Mary can cover nights.”

I relaxed a bit, knowing that having a female bodyguard at night would be more palatable to Adriana.

“Alert her security team to the situation and see that they have good photos of Petrovitch, Zupan…” He looked at me. “Anyone else?” I shook my head and he continued. “And she needs a different safe location every night.” Bertha nodded and made a note. “Who do we know at UWM?” he continued. “Someone in the registration office, who could help Adriana get started with classes next January.”

Bertha stood for several seconds, pencil tapping her rather prominent chin. “Do you have any college coursework?” she asked Adriana.

“No. Only a high school diploma from South Division.”

“And your intended field of study?”

“Nursing.”

Bertha pondered for a moment. “I’ll check into it.” She pivoted and left the room.

Bart gave me a wry grin. “She might get on your last nerve, but she’s good at her job.”

“I believe you,” I said, “on both counts.”

“Now, Bobbie, Angie’s right about this case being over your head. That doesn’t mean you can’t be working on skills, though. You can start with some basic self-defense and move on to counteroffensive tactics. Ever shoot a gun?”

“No, but I really want to learn.”

Bobbie’s calm amazed me. For that matter, so did Adriana’s. My little chicks were hatching out well.

“Okay, here’s what I can do,” Bart said. “I’ll set you up with a guy I know, retired military, but not an old geezer. He blew his knee out on a hush-hush mission. He can teach you and you can maybe get him out of the pity pit he’s been in since he was forced to take disability. Name’s Abraham York, but he goes by Bram.”

“Bart, is he Family?” I wanted to keep Bobbie away from Mafia connections.

“Nah. I met him through a guy who does building security. He and Bram were in the same unit, although neither of them will talk specifics, not even what branch they served in.” Bart looked back at Bobbie. “You in?”

“Absolutely.” He planted his feet firmly on the floor.

“It’s not all physical action, Bobbie,” I said. “A lot of it’s done on the computer. We can talk about that later, though.”

Bart placed a call to Bram York and left a message. Then he asked Bobbie, “The reinforced car is still at your place?” Bobbie nodded. “So, you’ll take my car there, collect Adriana’s stuff and bring it here to my office. Leave the keys to the other car under the driver’s seat and lock the doors. Come back here and we’ll get you to safer lodgings. There are ways out of this building that don’t involve going back outside.”

That was news to me.

Bart continued. “We’ll make it easy for anyone watching your cottage to conclude that Adriana is no longer in residence. Still, you need to take precautions. They might try to use you or Angie to learn Adriana’s whereabouts.”

“Oh, no,” Adriana whispered, her face stricken with regret. Bobbie put his arm around her.

“You’re not responsible