Her Nissan was parked in the driveway, dusty in the morning sun. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten it washed. If and when they needed some extra cash—and that time was coming very soon, no doubt about it—her car would probably be the first thing to go. Though, Tina had to admit with a pang of disappointment, she didn’t expect them to get much for it. Maybe two thousand dollars if they were lucky.
As she backed into the street, her mind was so focused on how much she hated her life that she didn’t notice the car parked at the end of the block and how it pulled away from the curb to follow her.
Thirty-Two
Twenty-four hours earlier Nova Bartkowski was out in the middle of nowhere, in a cabin nestled in the woods, thinking about fly-fishing.
He had never been big into fishing before, but there was something about fly-fishing that was soothing. Standing in a bubbling stream with the woods quiet around you, whipping the line back and forth, watching and waiting for a fish to strike mellowed him out, calmed him down, and made him appreciate life in a way he never did before.
Of course, that was twenty-four hours ago, and things had moved fast after he received Atticus’s call. Now he was back in D.C. and following Holly’s sister down the highway. He made sure to keep far enough back that she wouldn’t notice, but also far enough back that whoever was tracking her wouldn’t notice either.
So far, he hadn’t spotted a tail, and that worried him.
They each had disposable cell phones, and each phone was logged into Signal, an encrypted communications app. They were in a group text, Nova and James and Erik and Atticus, so that way each knew each other’s movements. They had comms gear too, and could easily communicate via voice, but as James couldn’t talk, it was easier to shoot off a quick text.
Nova’s text not too long ago: Sister left the house. Following now. Don’t see a tail.
James responded: Mother still home.
Erik: Boys arrived @ zoo with what looks like friend & friend’s mother. Should I follow them in?
Nova thought about it. The zoo would be packed as it was the summer, and it was a public place, so he doubted the boys would be taken. But he figured if Holly’s family was in fact under surveillance and their lives were at risk, her nephews were prime targets. As was her sister. And mother. Not so much her brother-in-law. That was why they hadn’t bothered to follow him to work. It was a risk, and one Nova didn’t think they had any choice but to make.
He texted back: Yes. Keep us updated.
Ten minutes later, Holly’s sister exited the highway. Nova followed her up the ramp and turned right at the stop sign.
He kept checking the rearview mirror, hoping to spot somebody following, but so far nothing stood out. Which again didn’t make sense. Unless Holly’s family wasn’t under surveillance. Which meant that son of a bitch had been lying to them this entire time.
Soon it was clear where Holly’s sister was headed. Nova sent James a direct message through Signal: Sister headed your way.
It was a quiet residential area. The kind with large trees and sidewalks and a blue mailbox posted at the end of the one block.
Nova paused at the stop sign and watched Tina as she parked along the curb in front of Holly’s mom’s house. He circled the block and then came up from the south and parked behind James.
He stepped out of the car and scanned the quiet street. It was the kind of street that made random vehicles conspicuous. People knew what their neighbors drove, what their family and friends drove. A new vehicle might go unnoticed for a couple hours, maybe a day, but not much longer. So it wasn’t the kind of place a panel van could sit all day and night. Which meant whoever was watching Holly’s mom—assuming that was even the case—was doing it by other means.
Nova slid into the passenger seat and glanced at James behind the steering wheel.
“Should have brought you some coffee and donuts. My bad.”
James shrugged.
Nova tilted his chin at Holly’s mom’s house.
“Nothing, huh?”
James shook his head.
Nova said, “I’m starting to think this is a waste of time.”
James merely looked at him.
“You don’t think so?”
Another shrug.
Nova said, “I’m telling you right now, if that kid lied to us I’m going to fucking kill him.”
James picked up his phone and typed something on the screen. Nova’s phone vibrated with an incoming direct message.
I think he’s telling the truth.
“How can you be so sure? I haven’t seen a tail. Have you seen a tail?”
James tapped on his phone.
How long would you advise I stay parked here? Not too long before I’ll be noticed.
“Yeah, okay, I get the point. None of these are prime stakeout places. That’s why I’m starting to think this whole thing is bullshit.”
James shook his head as he typed out another message.
This is old school surveillance. There are other means.
“Like what?”
James seemed to carefully consider his response before tapping on the phone again.
I need to pick up some equipment. Can you wait here until I get back?
Nova didn’t know James well, but he knew the man took his work seriously and there was no use questioning him. He nodded and stepped out of the car and got back into his own car as James pulled away.
Thirty-Three
Her mother stepped away from the coffee brewer and returned to the kitchen table, carrying two mugs.
Tina said, “I could have helped you with that.”
Her mother set down the mugs and waved a dismissive hand as she sat across from her.
“I may be old, but I’m not completely useless yet.”
Her mother blew
