“And?”
“And, if they left their emergency rations, there is a good chance there is some sort of emergency transmission device on board.”
The three of them wasted no time in reestablishing a search.
“A ship to shore should be in plain sight,” Sin said, “but a SAT phone will need to be kept dry. Check for any type of dry bag or plastic box. They are usually yellow or sometimes red.”
Minutes later, she found what she was looking for; a large, bright yellow, plastic box adorned with a red cross on top.
“Over here, gentlemen. Let’s see what our kind hosts have left us.”
Sin popped the latches and opened the dry box. Inside were the true emergency supplies. It contained a flare gun, inflatable vests, and a phone.
“Power that baby up and see if it’s working,” Fletcher said.
Sin depressed the power button and watched the LCD screen come to life. “We have one bar and only ten percent power,” Sin said, “so let’s make this count.”
Without asking the others, Sin knew who to call. She dialed the number and prayed someone would pick up. Someone did, on the very first ring.
“Federal Bureau of Investigation. How—”
“Shut up and listen,” Sin said. “Please don’t squeal or let on that it’s me, just get in your car and drive to Collins Avenue. Drive slowly, south from 63rd Street. I’m not sure of our exact location, but you’ll see us.”
“How?” Evelyn whispered.
“Trust me.”
“No, I mean, how are you alive?”
Sin looked at Fletcher. “Tar,” was all she said.
“What?”
“I’ll explain later, just do as I say and keep your lights off once you get to Collins Avenue.”
The phone went dead before Evelyn could respond.
Sin looked around at the mess they had made. “All right, boys, let’s make this place look as pretty as possible and get the hell out. Evelyn should be here soon.”
52
Sin saw Evelyn’s car coming. It was moving slow and her headlights were nonexistent.
“She’s coming,” Sin said. “Get ready to move.”
“She’s a little conspicuous,” Fletcher said.
“No more than we are,” Garcia grumbled.
“She’s not conspicuous late at night in this town,” Sin said, “and it’s called hiding in plain sight, Fidel.”
The three of them were sitting at a bus stop next to a bum who, by the rank smell of him, was sleeping off a good drunk.
As the car approached, Sin jumped up—as fast as her broken body could move—and practically threw herself in front of Evelyn’s SUV.
They dove in, stayed low and told Evelyn to drive, now with her lights on.
Sin had Evelyn turn around and drive north along Collins. As they approached the public beach just north of 63rd Street, Sin asked Evelyn to pull into the parking lot. Once the vehicle was stopped, they sat up.
“Oh my God!” Evelyn screeched, “You three look terrible. You all need medical attention. I’m taking you to Mount Sinai. It’s right up the street.”
“No, you’re not,” Sin said. “Just let me borrow your phone.”
Sin placed the first call to a friend.
“Deborah, it’s Sin. I could really use your services.” She listened to the caller on the other end before continuing. “Head to Key Largo and get a room at the Paradise Inn. Text me at this number with the room information. I’ll see you soon.
“Oh, and Deb,” Sin added, “bring enough supplies for three.”
Sin then put in a call to Frank.
“Evelyn, I just called the field office and they told me you left. Have you heard anything?” The words spilled from his mouth as fast as his tongue and breath would allow.
“Calm down, Frank, it’s me.”
“Sin! Jesus Christ, where the hell have you been. I thought you were… Well, never mind what I thought. Damn, it’s good to hear your voice. Are Fletcher and Garcia with you? Are they okay?”
“Yes, and sort of,” she answered. “Listen, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to get a hold of Jack and have him call a news conference announcing my death.”
“What! Are you out of your mind?”
“The bastard wants me dead, let’s give him what he wants,” Sin said. “He might let down his guard if he thinks I’m no longer on his tail.”
“That reminds me,” Evelyn said. “Ashley was at the office waiting for you. She said she was really scared for her brother. She thinks he did something really stupid and tried to contact Joel. She gave me the address where she thought Joel might be living. When she heard about the explosion, she ran out before Jack could get her statement. We’ve been unable to contact her since.”
“Shit,” Sin said. “Frank, I have to go. Have Jack hold the news conference at two-thirty tomorrow afternoon. That will give us enough time to get our shit together. Oh, and one more thing,” Sin said. “Jack can’t know I’m alive.”
“Sin, that’s cruel. I can’t do that to Jack.”
“Frank, if he knows I’m alive the killer may know he’s lying.”
“Fine,” Frank answered. “What are you going to do in the meantime?”
“We’re planning on getting some medical attention. Talk to you tomorrow.”
Sin hung up and addressed Evelyn, “Eve, I hate to ask you to do this, but do you think you can get a ride back to HQ on your own?”
“No problem,” Evelyn smiled. “I’ve been looking for a reason to see my old friend, Quincy. This seems like the perfect occasion.”
Sin went to hand the phone to her, but Evelyn waved her off. “He lives right there,” she said, pointing to a condominium across the street. “I’ll just go pay him a visit.”
She kissed Sin goodbye and gave her all the cash in her wallet. “You have a full tank of gas and two hundred dollars. That should hold you over.”
About to exit the SUV, Evelyn stopped and addressed Sin. “I almost forgot, I heard from my contact at the DOD.” She pointed to a file sitting on the front passenger seat. “Joel was in the military.” Just then a cruiser flew by on Collins with its lights and siren blaring, startling
