A Legacy of Stars -- Part V --

The knock on her office door broke Faith’s concentration. With a sigh, she dropped the lengthy report back on her desk. “Come in.”

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Stephanie Anderson stated, closing the door behind her. “I know that you’re usually busy.”

“Have a seat. If it’s important, I always have time.”

The secretary quickly complied, producing some letters. “I think it may be important. At first, I usually disregard the crank letters. However, these seem too similar to be coincidence.”

“How long have these particular letters been arriving?” Faith asked, accepting the stack of paper.

“I didn’t keep the first few,” Stephanie admitted, turning away from Faith’s glare. “I would guess for about six or eight months. I can’t narrow it down any more than that.”

“And you’re just telling me about this now?”

“You seemed so busy with everything else. It didn’t seem important. They’re just letters.”

“But they seem important to you now. Why the change?”

“The threats have become more specific. And there are details no one should know about Mr. Winner. The last letter is the most disturbing.”

Faith quickly went through the pile until she found the latest letter. She read it before looking at the secretary again. “You should have told me of this earlier.”

“I know. It’s just that. . .”

“Ms. Anderson, I don’t think you understand,” Faith interjected. “I need everyone’s help to do my job and to do it well. Because if I don’t do my job, then Jarrod’s life is in danger.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Next time, you may not have an opportunity to say that.” Faith stacked the letters neatly and placed them in a locked drawer of her desk. “Now, does Mr. Winner have any openings in his schedule?”

“No, not really.”

“Then make one.”

“I don’t think you understand. I can’t just go and start canceling appointments.”

“No, you don’t understand, Ms. Anderson. I need to meet with Jarrod. Make it happen.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” she said, rising from her chair.

“Don’t see. Do it.”

Stephanie let the door slightly slam behind her. If that was Maxwell’s usual attitude, she could understand why the Preventer had been without a partner for so long. Muttering under her breath, she headed back to the office to clear Mr. Winner’s schedule.

* * * * *

“Maxwell, what the hell are you doing now?” Jarrod demanded, as Faith entered his office. “You can’t go and start canceling my meetings. It took weeks to schedule the meeting with the diplomat from Levoc.”

“You have bigger problems than a missed meeting with the diplomat from Levoc.” She plopped the letters on his desk.

Raising his eyebrows, he picked up the first letter and began to read. After scanning a few more, he stopped. “This is why you had Stephanie clear my schedule? Because of a few letters from a crackpot?”

“They’re more than that. There are details in those letters that very few people should know. Also, the last letters have specific threats against you.”

“I see.” He sighed, pushing the letters away from him. “So, what are you planning to do?”

“Your security will be increased for the time being.” She raised her hand, cutting off his protest. “It will stay as unobtrusive as possible, but it will be increased.”

Jarrod folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in his chair. “Why do I get a feeling that’s not all you plan?”

“I recommend you cancel your appearance at the Overton Gala.”

“I’m expected to attend, Maxwell. My absence will draw some comment. Besides, by giving into this wacko, we’re letting him win.”

“If you insist on going, then you will have to be accompanied by some guards.”

“I can’t go with a group of bodyguards. That has to be a way around that.”

She studied him for a moment, having some kind of internal debate. “If you object to a group of guards, I suppose I will have to accompany you.”

“You?”

Faith narrowed her eyes. “It’s either me, the guards, or a polite excuse, Mr. Deputy Secretary. Your choice.”

“You’re not going to back down on this are you?”

“No.”

“Fine. Make sure you find something appropriate to wear. I don’t want you advertising yourself as a Preventer.”

“Understood. Gibson will be head of your detail for this afternoon. Don’t give him a hard time.”

“I don’t know who I hate more at the moment: you or my father.”

“Then at least I’m in good company.”

Jarrod could clearly be heard grumbling even through the closed office door. Gibson was waiting in the hallway. Faith fought the urge to match his grin.

“Bad meeting with the boss, Maxwell?”

She shrugged. “Depends on whose side you’re on. You’ve got him until this evening as of now. I’ll back later this evening. You know how to reach me if something should happen.”

“No problem, chief. Where are you going anyway? Some awful mission?”

“Yes,” she replied, already heading down the hallway, “I going to buy a dress.”


Part V The knock on her office door broke Faith’s concentration. With a sigh, she dropped the lengthy report back on her desk. “Come in.” “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Stephanie Anderson stated, closing the door behind her. “I know that you’re usually busy.” “Have a seat. If it’s important, I always have time.” The secretary quickly complied, producing some letters. “I think it may be important. At first, I usually disregard the crank letters. However, these seem too similar to be coincidence.” “How long have these particular letters been arriving?” Faith asked, accepting the stack of paper. “I didn’t keep the first few,” Stephanie admitted, turning away from Faith’s glare. “I would guess for about six or eight months. I can’t narrow it down any more than that.” “And you’re just telling me about this now?” “You seemed so busy with everything else. It didn’t seem important. They’re just letters.” “But they seem important to you now. Why the change?” “The threats have become more specific. And there are details no one should know about Mr. Winner. The last letter is the most disturbing.” Faith quickly went through the pile until she found the latest letter. She read it before looking at the secretary again. “You should have told me of this earlier.” “I know. It’s just that. . .” “Ms. Anderson, I don’t think you understand,” Faith interjected. “I need everyone’s help to do my job and to do it well. Because if I don’t do my job, then Jarrod’s life is in danger.” “I’m sorry.” “Next time, you may not have an opportunity to say that.” Faith stacked the letters neatly and placed them in a locked drawer of her desk. “Now, does Mr. Winner have any openings in his schedule?” “No, not really.” “Then make one.” “I don’t think you understand. I can’t just go and start canceling appointments.” “No, you don’t understand, Ms. Anderson. I need to meet with Jarrod. Make it happen.” “I’ll see what I can do,” she said, rising from her chair. “Don’t see. Do it.” Stephanie let the door slightly slam behind her. If that was Maxwell’s usual attitude, she could understand why the Preventer had been without a partner for so long. Muttering under her breath, she headed back to the office to clear Mr. Winner’s schedule. * * * * * “Maxwell, what the hell are you doing now?” Jarrod demanded, as Faith entered his office. “You can’t go and start canceling my meetings. It took weeks to schedule the meeting with the diplomat from Levoc.” “You have bigger problems than a missed meeting with the diplomat from Levoc.” She plopped the letters on his desk. Raising his eyebrows, he picked up the first letter and began to read. After scanning a few more, he stopped. “This is why you had Stephanie clear my schedule? Because of a few letters from a crackpot?” “They’re more than that. There are details in those letters that very few people should know. Also, the last letters have specific threats against you.” “I see.” He sighed, pushing the letters away from him. “So, what are you planning to do?” “Your security will be increased for the time being.” She raised her hand, cutting off his protest. “It will stay as unobtrusive as possible, but it will be increased.” Jarrod folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in his chair. “Why do I get a feeling that’s not all you plan?” “I recommend you cancel your appearance at the Overton Gala.” “I’m expected to attend, Maxwell. My absence will draw some comment. Besides, by giving into this wacko, we’re letting him win.” “If you insist on going, then you will have to be accompanied by some guards.” “I can’t go with a group of bodyguards. That has to be a way around that.” She studied him for a moment, having some kind of internal debate. “If you object to a group of guards, I suppose I will have to accompany you.” “You?” Faith narrowed her eyes. “It’s either me, the guards, or a polite excuse, Mr. Deputy Secretary. Your choice.” “You’re not going to back down on this are you?” “No.” “Fine. Make sure you find something appropriate to wear. I don’t want you advertising yourself as a Preventer.” “Understood. Gibson will be head of your detail for this afternoon. Don’t give him a hard time.” “I don’t know who I hate more at the moment: you or my father.” “Then at least I’m in good company.” Jarrod could clearly be heard grumbling even through the closed office door. Gibson was waiting in the hallway. Faith fought the urge to match his grin. “Bad meeting with the boss, Maxwell?” She shrugged. “Depends on whose side you’re on. You’ve got him until this evening as of now. I’ll back later this evening. You know how to reach me if something should happen.” “No problem, chief. Where are you going anyway? Some awful mission?” “Yes,” she replied, already heading down the hallway, “I going to buy a dress.”


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