She sighed heavily and leaned against him. Her head was splitting. That kid really did scream the whole way. She was exhausted. She let herself drift and her eyes close.
The taxi pulled up in front of the apartment building and both got out. The back trunk was popped and their luggage retrieved. Imani stretched and looked around her. She liked coming home. Home was safe and quiet, or as quiet as Chicago can be, but at least her apartment was.
They rode up in the elevator, and when it stopped on ten, Haiden got out. He placed his hand on the door of the elevator, keeping it open.
“I really did have a great time. Thanks.” He smiled.
“Get some sleep, you’re babbling.” She said, smiling and removed his hand, letting the elevator shut. She rode up the last eight floors and exited. She opened the door and was surprised to see Adam there, he was sitting on the couch with Nobu. Both men looked up and smiled at her.
“Hey Ima, good flight?” He asked.
“Hey Nobu, it was okay, long, you know.”
“Imani, I’d like to introduce you to Adam Quint. Adam, this is my best friend and roommate, Imani Zakarian.” Nobu said, his face pink.
Imani grinned and walked over and shook the man’s hand. She felt ridiculous but was glad she’d worn the wig at the restaurant that day.
“Hi Adam, good to meet you.” She smiled warmly.
“Imani, good to finally meet you. Nobu speaks nonstop, or near there, about you.” He grinned.
Imani laughed, “That’s cause he’s an idiot. I’m tired, going to go catch some sleep. It was good meeting you Adam. Night Yenta.” She narrowed her eyes at Nobu.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She was tired, but also exhilarated. The hit was good and yet, she’d enjoyed herself so much more with Haiden. She’d enjoyed sharing her favorite places to visit. She’d liked that he appreciated and enjoyed the local cuisine as much as she had. For the first time in so many years, she’d shared a trip and it had felt like a vacation.
It had even felt like a date. It was a weird feeling. It wasn’t the same as with what she shared with Nobu. Mostly because she had been friends with Nobu so long, that he was like an extension of herself.
With Haiden, it was something different. Something fresh and new. They had enjoyed the same things. She’d seen the sheen of tears in his eyes at the St. Peter’s Basilica, while looking at the sculpture. She felt the same way when she looked on it. It brought to her, a deep emotional connection. Imani wasn’t a religious person, however, on some level, she was a spiritual person.
Sharing Rome with Haiden had been satisfying. It had enhanced the trip and she had truly enjoyed herself. She wasn’t alone, and she wasn’t lonely and she’d enjoyed laughing and sharing that laughter.
“Pull yourself together woman, you need some sleep.” She muttered and went to take a hot bath.
Ϫ
A third chair had been brought into the room. Haiden sat in it as Nobu called up the information on the computer screen. His fingers were flying over the keys, making the pleasant tap and click sound.
“Okay, the IP address on Lawbreaker is coming from the Hart Senate Office building, in Washington. Now, when he sends us or you a text Haiden, it will pop up here.” Nobu indicated the screen. I’ve set my computer to backdoor him and capture him via the webcam.”
“You mean if he is typing to us, we’ll be able to see him?” Haiden asked, surprise in his voice. Imani grinned when she saw Nobu blush.
“Yes, I’ve reversed programed so we’ll see who has sent the requests, either to you or Imani. Even if we aren’t around. If we are, we can watch him type real time. Or, it is recorded and we capture his face. Once we have his face, we can see if he or she is a Senator, an aid or secretary.”
“Wow, that is so cool.” Haiden said, looking at Nobu with undisguised admiration.
“Okay, break up the love fest, what about the van and the address.” Imani asked, she was sitting between the two men.
“Okay, going to call up Google Earth and show you.” Nobu said. “It is over in Belmont Cragin, by Hanson Park. See, nice stand-alone house.” He grinned. “And I’ve already put in cams with zooms.” He grinned smugly.
“Any activity?” Imani asked when she saw the live feed. Nothing was going on at the moment and there sat the van in the drive.
“The guy who drove the van came in earlier. He went into the house. Tall skinny dude, shaved head, some tats on the neck.” Nobu said and began to rewind the video. They all saw the van drive into the home’s driveway. The target got out and walked toward the door. Imani saw that Nobu had zoomed in on the man’s face. It was grainy, but clear enough. Then they watched as the video zoomed in on the plate. They even saw the streak of blue paint on the bumper that had been spotted in the first video.
“Any kids in the house?” Imani asked.
“None that I’ve seen. There was a woman, who came out to check the mail. There is also a yippy dog. I figure you can dump some drugged dogfood in the back yard, before you go in later.” Nobu suggested, leaning back and
