“It could be an employee who is a pyromaniac. If it's someone looking for revenge, then it's odd that he would have that many businesses to settle a score with. But then, who knows? Nothing about any crime is ever logical,” Johanna said. “And neither are the criminals.” She watched as Frankie eased the car back onto the highway. “I'm sure George and the police are working in conjunction on it along with the fire marshal. They won't release pertinent details to the media, Frankie. You know that.”
“I wonder why Kate hasn't mentioned the fires.”
Johanna lifted an eyebrow. “Why should she? We don't discuss all of our cases with her.”
Frankie rubbed her jaw. “I know, but I thought she would since they're becoming more frequent. These fires make me nervous. Who knows when our strip mall will be hit? And who knows when the fires may escalate to the actual buildings?” She gripped the steering wheel. “Check the GPS. The exit is on Blake Drive. We'll find an inconspicuous spot to park until Thatcher comes out and then see where he goes.”
“Make a left on Newly,” Johanna replied.
Frankie brushed her hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. “It's warm tonight.”
“Thank God for that,” Johanna said. “Nothing worse than sitting in the car freezing our asses off. We've done that too many nights.” She checked her camera. “Maybe Longman will turn out to be innocent of infidelity. Who knows? Maybe he flirts, but doesn't take it any further. Especially if he's doing it right in front of Kendall. He could be doing it to break her down and then accuse her of making false accusations.”
Frankie's eyes slanted. “I doubt it. But even if he is innocent of cheating, he's not innocent of what he's done to her by having her committed just to get control of her assets.” Her lips puckered.
“Who knows what a devious mind like his is capable of?”
“I can't imagine what it would be like to grow up with all that wealth, have it left to you, and then watch someone come in and snatch it all away. I'd want blood.”
“Me, too. Alec did say, though, that he's got a team of psychiatrists who are going to testify that Kendall is capable of handling her own accounts. Once she's proven competent, Thatcher will lose that control.”
“Why isn't Alec pushing for a hearing now instead of waiting?” Frankie insisted. “That's the part I can't wrap my mind around. He was so vague. And why does he want Thatcher to believe that he does not intend to help Kendall in her allegations about him? He's up to something.”
“Of course he is. He's going after something much bigger. You and I need to concentrate on what we were hired to do.”
“Oh, look who's talking. You have the same concerns. Admit it.” She flashed a smile.
“I know, but I need to focus on tracking Thatcher or I'll drive myself crazy. You and I will end up doing more than just tailing Thatcher Longman. We both know that. But for tonight that's all we're going to do.” Johanna peered through the windshield. “There's a spot a few spaces up the street.” She checked the time. “If he sticks to the schedule Kendall gave us, he should be coming out in a few minutes.” She kept her eyes focused on the parking garage exit. “It looks like the majority of employees have left for the day.”
Frankie maneuvered the car into the space Johanna had pointed out and cut the engine. They settled back into their seats and watched as a few cars drove out of the parking garage. Fifteen minutes later, an expensive red sports car appeared a few feet from the exit. They watched as a gate slowly opened.
“That's his car,” Frankie said straightening. “What's he doing?”
Thatcher's car slowly moved toward the open gate, but instead of exiting through it, he abruptly braked.
“Maybe he stalled,” Johanna suggested. She watched Longman's car begin to move again. “No, he's inching forward. But he sure as hell is taking his time. The gate's closing. I wonder what he's doing. It looks like there's a car behind his.”
Frankie craned her neck and watched as the dark blue mid-size car behind Thatcher's honked three times and then laid on the horn. She rolled her eyes. “Why not just go around him? It looks like there's plenty of room.”
“Maybe it narrows near the gate. I'm going to get a couple of shots. This is interesting; laying on the horn when it's the boss's car. I wonder if the other driver is even aware of it,” Johanna said as she adjusted the angle of her camera. She snapped some pictures.
Suddenly, the gate reopened and Thatcher stepped on the gas and made a sharp left onto the street. The dark blue car peeled out behind him.
“Here we go,” Frankie said smacking her lips as she started the engine and then pulled out in pursuit of the two cars. She hung back far enough to be inconspicuous. “Now the fun begins.” Her lips curved up into a smile. “I have a feeling this isn't going to be boring.”
“I wonder where he's going.”
“I wonder who's in the car chasing him,” Frankie replied. “I think it's a woman.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I caught a quick glimpse when they sped out of the gate. Not much, but enough to know it isn't a man.” She slightly turned her head. “You were adjusting the camera.”
“Well, it's clearly someone who knows him and isn't too happy with him from the looks of it.”
“And isn't afraid of her job security,” Frankie added.
“Maybe she's not an employee. That is, if the driver is actually a woman.”
“Maybe not an employee, but I'll bet it's a woman.”
“You're on. What do you want to bet?”
Johanna was thoughtful for a minute. “Let me think. Okay, I got it. The loser has to serve the winner breakfast in bed next Sunday morning, and wash her car.”
Frankie
