“You want me to spoil the surprise?”
“Not that as much as I’d like to know if the person might be armed and dangerous. That’s police lingo for carrying a gun and being willing to use it.”
“Thank you for the explanation,” says Clay. “And I don’t think he’s dangerous.”
“You don’tthinkhe’s dangerous? That does not fill me with confidence.”
“Just set up a roadblock,” says Clay. “He’ll be thrilled to see a cop.”
“Sarcasm?”
“Not one bit. Trust me.”
“Trust me,” says Zoey. “That old line.”
“I have a soft spot for the classics.”
“I bet you do. Okay, ping me your twenty. See you soon. And one more question.”
“What?” says Clay.
“Is it Ash Solbakken?”
Clay laughs. “How’d you know?”
“That creep is hiding something. He probably tailed you to find out if you know what it is. I bet he just drives home so he can claim he was out and about minding his own business. He didn’t even know that it was you he was driving behind.”
“You have experience with weaselly men,” says Clay.
“I do,” says Zoey. “Maybe that’s why I’m so comfortable with you.”
Clay can hear the smile in her voice; otherwise, he might be offended.
CHAPTER 31
Chief of Police Zoey Jensen is right. Clay tails Ash directly to his hundred-acre parcel of land with its horses and llamas, its grand old house and metal pole barn, all of which sits adjacent to Deb and Teddy’s place. When Ash starts down his long gravel driveway, Zoey is already there, sitting in her squad car with the headlights on and the cherries off.
“Oh hey, Chief,” says Ash. “What’s going on?” He’s out of his car and walking toward Zoey, who sits behind the wheel with her window down. Ash wears a deep V-necked cable-knit sweater in white over a red polo shirt, Nantucket red shorts, which are not red but pink, no socks, and Tretorn tennis shoes. Ash turns back to Clay, who’s stepping out of his truck. “What the hell, Clay? Why are you following me?”
Zoey says, “This won’t go well for you, Ash, if you keep saying things like that.”
“Saying things like what? What did I do? I was just out running the MG because I haven’t driven it in a while. Then this truck pulls behind me and—”
“Don’t,” says Clay.
“Don’t what?” says Ash.
“I have a dash cam and a rearview cam. The whole thing is on video.” This is a lie, but it’s one of Clay’s favorites. He used it all the time when confronting Russian assets. Not spies, but the stooges they hired as couriers and lookouts. No amateur wants to be confronted with video evidence. It’s easier to just assume that the video exists and play ball rather than deny it and face the irrefutable truth.
Ash’s shoulders slump forward like a child’s who’s just been sent to his room. Then he swings his eyes toward Zoey and says, “I was acting out of self-defense.”
“When?” says Zoey. “And with whom? Teddy?”
“What?” says Ash. “No. With Clay. He has a very threatening presence and I don’t like the way he’s been looking at me lately.”
“Clay is threatening,” says Zoey. “That Clay? The skinny little fellow with long flowing locks?”
“He’s not that skinny,” says Ash. “So I followed him to see what he’s up to.” Ash’s posture straightens the more he likes the smell of his excuse. “You know, to protect myself. Living outside of city limits. A guy has to take security into his own hands.”
