Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Read online

  Witness Protection 2

  The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

  Holly Copella

  Copyright © 2016 Holly Copella

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 0997106417

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9971064-1-1

  To my great friend, Daniela

  From one dreamer to another…welcome to your dream!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Copella Books: First Paperback Edition 2016

  Cover Artist: Raffael - SelfPubBookCovers.com/Raffael

  Printed by CreateSpace, An Amazon.com Company

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Other books by Holly Copella!

  Chapter One

  Salvatore Romano’s office building was located in an industrial park on the outskirts of Chicago. The impressive building was twenty-one stories of commercial offices, which housed medical professionals, real estate moguls, and many other businesses. It was already late afternoon on a beautiful Friday, promising a warm and sunny weekend. An investment firm, one of Romano’s many businesses, was located on the nineteenth floor. An attractive woman in her mid-twenties, who was dressed business casual, entered the receptionist area. Leeann Whitley attempted to contain her wild, dark hair in a business-style bun, but stray locks made daring escapes only adding to what most would describe as a country girl appearance. She crossed the elegant reception area decorated in fine antique furnishings while on her way to her boss’s office. A large floor to ceiling window revealed the distant city skyline, a sight she’d grown accustomed to seeing daily.

  Lee approached the perky, blonde receptionist seated behind her desk. She seemingly guarded the boss’s office from any unwanted visitors. The attractive woman in her mid-twenties appeared bored as she flipped through a magazine. Tonya Rhodes was the first friend Lee had made when she moved to Chicago and started working for Salvatore Romano. Despite only working for the company a little over seven months, she and Tonya became close friends. Lee stopped before Tonya’s desk just outside the boss’s office. Tonya jumped slightly when she saw her then relaxed. She grabbed a business card from her desk and placed it between the pages to mark her place. She pushed the magazine aside and focused her attention on her friend.

  “Thank God it’s Friday,” Tonya announced while groaning. “I have to get out of this place for a few days.”

  Lee sat on the edge of Tonya’s desk facing her and smiled sympathetically. “Yeah, you’re not kidding,” she remarked. “It’s been a long week.”

  “At least you get to hide in your office,” Tonya remarked.

  “Yeah, but they always find me,” Lee teased.

  The office door opened with a little more vigor than necessary, startling Lee. Lee quickly sprang up from the edge of the desk and looked toward the boss’s door. A tall, moderately muscular man stepped out of the office. Jericho was a ruggedly handsome man who dressed more like a hitman for the mob than a businessman. Despite his rugged good looks, he wore a serious look on his face and came across as moderately intimidating. His hair was in a military buzz cut that seemed to extend into a stubbly beard of sorts. Lee was sure he had his share of women fawning over him because of his outward appearance, but she knew he was more brawn than brains, making him less than attractive to her.

  Jericho eyed both women, gave an impolite nod, and continued from the receptionist area. Lee wasn’t sure why she always felt as if he was on his way to ‘bump off’ someone. He almost never spoke, at least not that she’d ever heard.

  “Well,” Tonya announced with a sigh as she watched the man leave. “He was friendlier than usual.”

  Lee chuckled softly, forcing Tonya to grin at her own joke. Lee returned to the edge of the desk facing Tonya and studied her perky friend.

  “How are the plans coming for the boss’s birthday bash?” Lee finally inquired, changing the subject.

  “Looks to be quite the gathering,” Tonya replied. “No big surprise there.”

  “Considering he’s had you planning it for nearly a month, I should hope so,” Lee teased her friend. “I’ve never seen his house before. Have you? I hear it’s pretty impressive.”

  “I was there for that one Christmas party. I suppose impressive would be the correct term,” Tonya announced then appeared distracted. Her smile turned into a frown. “If you need something from the man, I suggest you talk to him now, because I’m about to put him in a bad mood.”

  “Oh?”

  Tonya shifted in her chair and appeared sympathetic. “His daughter sent her regrets about the party,” she informed Lee while making a pouting face.

  Lee groaned softly and immediately felt her heart sink. “Yeah, you’re right, that’s going to kill him,” she replied gently. “How long has it been since she moved away?”

  “Nearly two years.”

  “Before my time,” Lee responded then gave her friend a curious look. “What happened anyway?”

  Tonya shrugged. “Beats me,” she responded while leaning her elbows on her desk. “But she hasn’t returned his phone calls since she moved out of the house. I think it involved some guy he didn’t want her seeing.”

  “I find it hard to believe Sal doesn’t like someone,” Lee announced. “He likes everyone.”

  “Well, she’s his little girl,” Tonya remarked. “I know my father didn’t like any of the boys I brought home.” She appeared to consider something then tilted her head. “You know, I had heard some strange rumors around the time she’d left. Something about his daughter hacking into his computer. They had a big fight right after that. I thought he was mad about her snooping in his computer. But when I spoke to her after she’d moved out, she mentioned something about being upset with what she found on his computer.”

  “Huh, I wonder what she found that would ups
et her like that,” Lee remarked.

  “She didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t press,” Tonya replied. “I try to stay out of the boss’s personal business, especially where his daughter is concerned.” Tonya straightened in her chair and swiftly changed the subject. “We’re going out tonight, right?”

  “If I get out on time, I can meet you at ‘The Roadside’ for dinner,” Lee replied.

  Her friend made a face. “You have to get out of the rut you’re in,” Tonya announced while groaning softly. “We eat there every Friday night.”

  “And afterwards, we go to that club you like so much,” Lee reminded, almost feeling offended. “If you’re going to throw me to the wolves at that dance club of yours, I’d at least like to go with a full belly.”

  “You’re a strange girl, Lee,” Tonya announced while laughing at her friend’s expense. “I’m going to have a hard time finding you a suitable mate.”

  Lee rolled her eyes and looked away. “I’d rather you didn’t. Thanks.”

  “What do you have against the male population?” Tonya demanded. “For nearly six months I’ve been trying to find you a nice man. You shoot every one of them down.”

  “There are two types of men,” Lee announced firmly while indicating the count on her fingers. “The rich guys with overinflated egos, and the not-so-rich guys wishing they could be the rich guys. And do you know what they both have in common?”

  Tonya eyed her friend but refused to respond, because she seemed to know where the conversation was going.

  “They both want women with all boobs and no brains,” Lee replied.

  “Now, you know that’s not true,” Tonya scolded.

  “Guys want Barbie dolls and princesses,” Lee dramatically informed her friend. “They want women who’ll dress up, wear high heels, and paint their face with a layer of make-up. I don’t want to be that woman.” Lee sank into her own fantasies and smiled dreamily. “I want some cowboy,” she gleefully announced. “I want a man who isn’t afraid to get dirty, and who doesn’t mind if I wear jeans to dinner.”

  “We live in the middle of Chicago,” Tonya replied dryly. “Good luck finding a cowboy.”

  “He doesn’t have to be a cowboy in the literal sense,” Lee scoffed and glared at her friend. “You know what I mean.”

  “I’m all for playing a cowboy,” a man with a Southern accent announced from across the reception area.

  Both looked toward the reception doorway and saw Finn casually leaning against the doorframe while grinning at Lee. Finn was a moderately creepy looking man with thinning dark hair and beady eyes. The man in his mid-thirties was Southern born with a backwoods accent that only added to his psycho killer charm. When he smiled at Lee, she felt as if he were sizing her up for his next meal. Tonya immediately frowned and pretended to be working.

  “Your stalker is back,” she muttered softly to Lee.

  “Be nice,” Lee whispered as she stood then returned her attention to the man in the doorway while attempting to remain pleasant.

  Lee always feared turning her back on Sal’s right hand man. Something told her Finn might very well hump her if she didn’t keep close watch on him. He was a sharp dressed man, always smelled shower fresh, and attempted to maintain a gentlemanly appearance, but his actions, tone, and the way he stared with his beady eyes always set her on edge.

  “It’s not polite to eavesdrop,” Lee informed him.

  Finn straightened and approached them at the desk with an overly confident swagger. His creepy smile and fixed gaze upon her sent a chill down her spine.

  “Yes, I know,” he replied in his slow, Southern drawl. “But I hear your voice, and I’m drawn to it like a bee to pollen.”

  “Kind of romantic,” Tonya muttered while keeping her nose in her magazine, pretending she wasn’t listening.

  Lee wanted to smack her friend, but she doubted Finn heard the comment. He stopped a few feet before her and sat on the edge of Tonya’s desk. Tonya shot a glare at him, although he was too busy casting sweeping looks over Lee.

  “I got me a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots and a jacket to match,” he informed Lee while grinning. “I could wear them tonight. There’s this country bar just outside of town I’m sure you’d love, if you’d permit me to take you out.”

  “I’ve already made plans for tonight,” she informed him and refrained from flinching at his invitation even though she felt her body shiver slightly.

  He glanced at Tonya behind him then back at Lee. “You two going out to that club? Maybe I could meet you there. First round is on me.”

  The office door opened, alerting all three to the boss’s presence. Finn jumped up from where he sat on the edge of Tonya’s desk and turned toward the office. Salvatore Romano was a robust man, although not necessarily overweight. He held his weight well. Despite being in his mid-forties, his face had a youthful appearance and almost cherub in nature. His baby face and moderately balding head gave him an innocent appeal. No woman over sixty could refuse his charm. Thankfully, he was wealthy and could lure in young, attractive women with the size of his bank account. He was the first to admit it and joke about the type of women he attracted. Lee and Tonya couldn’t deny they were lucky to have such a pleasant boss. He gave Finn a stern look, almost as if sensing he was pestering the women.

  “Would you wait for me downstairs in the lobby, Finn?” Sal asked although it seemed more of a command.

  “Certainly, boss,” Finn replied then smiled slyly at Lee before leaving the reception area.

  Once he was gone, Sal focused his attention on Lee. “You’ll have to forgive Finn, my dear. He has a tendency to lay the charm on a little thick,” he announced cheerfully and smiled in a way that would melt any grandmother’s heart.

  “I suppose he’s harmless,” Lee remarked.

  Sal smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if unable to agree with her statement. “The jury’s still out on that one.” His cheerful mood immediately returned. “You must have been working hard this morning. I didn’t see you in the break room. There’s a plateful of pastries going to waste.”

  “Yes, I saw them,” she replied and hid her smile, “which is why I’ve been avoiding the break room.”

  “You should have known what you were getting into when you agreed to work for an Italian,” Salvatore announced cheerfully. “I have all my grandmother’s recipes stored in my head, and I love cooking for others. I should have been a chef.”

  “He is a wonderful cook,” Tonya informed Lee. “He’s cooking some of the food for his party.”

  “Just the best dishes. I have a team of caterers for the rest.” Sal grinned proudly then looked at Tonya. “Anymore replies on my party invites?”

  Tonya immediately shifted in her chair. “Ten more said they’ll be attending. Only one regret.”

  Sal stared at Tonya a moment as his grin slowly faded. “Was it my daughter?” he asked timidly.

  Tonya slowly nodded as if it pained her to inform him of the bad news. Sal frowned as his shoulders sagged. He attempted a polite wave and walked away from the desk, cutting his pleasant mood short. Tonya shook her head as she watched him walk away like a lost puppy.

  “Breaks my heart.”

  “Where does his daughter live now?”

  “Somewhere in Colorado,” Tonya replied and glanced back at her friend. “I heard rumor she’s a lounge singer or something. Changed her name and everything. She’s using her mother’s maiden name. Pinto, I believe.”

  Lee sighed deeply and shrugged as she sank into thought. “Maybe she’s just looking for her cowboy too.”

  Chapter Two

  It was an hour later and only two hours from the end of the day. Lee poked her head into the accountant’s office and saw him staring at the computer with his chin in his hand. Wiley seemed to be off in his own little world. He had been under a lot of stress the last few weeks in both his personal and professional life. She knew his wife had left him, but no one seemed to know the reason why. Wiley
came across as a decent guy. He was slightly nerdy looking and a little round in the mid-section, but his broad shoulders balanced out his frame.

  “Wiley?” she announced, uncertain whether she wanted to disturb him or not.

  He lifted his head as if she had startled him. Wiley was an average looking man with a head of thick, dark hair that would make most men envious. He managed a smile, although it was clearly for show.

  “Hey, Lee,” he replied and squirmed in his chair while attempting to look casually relaxed. It was obvious he was uncomfortable. “What can I do for you?”

  “I had to make an adjustment to Samuel’s paycheck, and I got some weird message from my check writing program that the account is in use,” Lee informed him. “I couldn’t make the correction. Are you working on something in the bank accounts?”

  “Uh, oh, yeah,” he replied and straightened. “I’m attempting to locate a discrepancy I found earlier. I’ll log out for the next twenty minutes, so you can make your adjustment.”

  “Great,” she replied. “I appreciate that.”

  Lee was about to turn and leave then hesitated and reconsidered. She entered the office, leaned against the desk edge, and offered a sympathetic look.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?” she asked then hesitated and considered her next question carefully. “Or something you want to talk about?”

  He glanced at her, fidgeted, and appeared hesitant to respond. “I appreciate that, but I’m sure I’ll find the problem,” Wiley replied then offered a tiny smile.

  She glanced at the picture of his wife and children on his desk and immediately felt bad for the man. Lee then saw a gold tube of lipstick setting near the picture and became curious.

  “What’s with the lipstick?”

  He eyed the gold tube then looked back at her and grinned. “I’m a cross-dresser on the weekends.”

  Lee stared at him with some surprise. Wiley suddenly laughed at the look on her face.

  “That’s how rumors get started,” he teased. “I found it in the hallway earlier. I think it belongs to one of Sal’s clients. She’ll be back on Monday.”