We haven’t reached that stage in our relationship yet.
“I’ve started recognizing when I’m being left out of a conversation,” Gabe interjected.
“I was just wondering if you two were talking about me while I was gone.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Only half.”
Olivia climbed into the passenger seat of Gabe’s clunker. He slid behind the wheel, and Travis settled in the back seat.
When they were on the road to the Bay Bridge, Olivia asked, “What’s the plan?”
“First, we see some of Smith’s guys watching Travis’s house or the marina. The house would be best, since there will be fewer people around on that dead-end street. When we locate them, you’ll stay out of sight. Then Travis will get their attention with a horror movie thing so I can make a capture and run an interrogation.”
“He wants to know—what kind of horror movie thing?”
“Anything paranormal that will scare the crap out of them so I can get them under my control and ask some questions about where to find Smith.”
“Okay,” Olivia answered. She didn’t love the scenario, but she knew Travis was looking forward to some payback.
It was a two-hour drive to St. Stephens from Frederick. On the way they discussed tactics that they might use, but Gabe cautioned that they couldn’t come up with a plan until they encountered the actual situation.
Olivia could feel her heart start to pound when they reached the St. Stephens town limits. She knew Travis was picking up on her reaction when he said,You’ll be out of the line of fire.
I don’t want to be. You know I want to help.
The best way you can help me is by my knowing you’re safe.
She sighed.Okay.
Gabe turned onto the street where Travis’s house was located. As he drove past, he said, “Keep an eye out for a car with two men sitting inside—last time it was a five-year-old Chevy. But it could be something different.
Travis spotted the watcher, and Olivia conveyed the information to Gabe.He’s in a Range Rover.
“I see it.”
Travis uttered a curse that only Olivia could hear.
What?
There’s only one guy. But it’s one of the men who abducted me from the boat. The one named Pete.
Oh Lord.In a shaky voice, Olivia gave Gabe the news.
“That’s good,” he answered.
“How is it good?”
“We know he’s in contact with Smith.”
He’s looking at us,Travis said. “It’s only him, as far as I can tell. Not the others.”
“I’m going to turn onto the next block,” Gabe answered. When he reached the corner, he executed the maneuver and pulled down several car lengths along the curb so that he was no longer in the line of sight of the watcher.
As the vehicle came to a stop, Olivia felt like she was hanging on to a wire with electricity coursing through it.
Gabe turned his head to look at the backyards of the houses along the street. “Some of them have fences,” he reported. “But there’s an alley. Slight change of disguise. Pull the logo off your shirt, and we’ll switch it out for the electric company.”
