“Exactly, but at least we have the list of names in case we need to cross-reference it.”
“Speaking of lists, our analysts finished their review of the watch list and provided a culled list of terrorists who’ve been active on the West Coast. Eisenhower’s team forwarded it to the field offices and asked them to get eyes on these suspects and report any unusual activity.”
“Let’s hope they find something actionable.”
They rode the rest of the way down in silence, tension clinging, and climbed into the Escalade. She didn’t know what else to talk about, so she kept her mouth closed as she navigated the early-morning traffic.
A few miles down the road she caught sight of a large SUV on their tail. She kept her focus on the vehicle as it made all the same turns she did. “I think someone might be following us.”
Evan shifted, casting a subversive look over his shoulder. “Make a few left turns to be sure.”
She slowed and took the first turn. The SUV fell back but followed. Another turn and another, same results.
Evan gritted his teeth. “We’ve got a tail all right, but who?”
“Someone on Waleed’s team maybe?” She glanced in the mirror and noted the plate number.
“Pull up ahead and I’ll check them out.” Evan lifted his sidearm and rested his free hand on the door handle.
She stopped at the light and gave him a pointed look. “Be careful.”
He nodded and jumped out, gun raised, to charge toward the other vehicle. Heart racing from the sudden adrenaline, she leaned out her window and snapped pictures of the driver.
He gunned the engine, the gruff growl a warning.
Evan kept marching forward, weapon still raised.
Fear for his life choked Kiley. She grabbed her sidearm and jumped out to back him up.
The SUV lurched into gear, the powerful engine roaring. He raced past her, the wind from his vehicle blowing her back. He careened through a red light and swerved wildly, narrowly missing a passing car that squealed to a stop.
Kiley ran for the Escalade to tear after him but left her shaking hand resting on the gearshift. They couldn’t miss their flight. Besides, they had the plate number and pictures. She would track the SUV later.
She quickly texted the photos to Cam with a request for him to locate CCTV footage for the area in hopes of running facial recognition on the driver. He replied right away, confirming he would look into the vehicle registration.
Evan slipped back into the Escalade, his chest rising and falling, his eyes alive from what she could only assume was adrenaline, similar to the rush coursing through her body.
She shifted into drive, not surprised to see her fingers trembling. “I sent Cam pictures of the vehicle to follow up on.”
Evan nodded. “I wonder if they were tailing us last night too.”
“Could be. I was honestly too tired to notice. Or if itisone of Waleed’s goons, he assigned him in the night.”
“Not sure who else it could be,” Evan said as he sat back, a contemplative look on his face.
“If so, it means we made Waleed nervous. A good thing. Means it’s more likely he could make a mistake. Once we confirm the owner of the vehicle, I’ll contact Quinn so he knows Waleed might be spooked.”
At the airport, she parked in the long-term lot and quickly opened the hatch to get her belongings. A harsh wind blew through the concrete space, and she shivered in the cool morning temperatures.
“Let me text Harrison our location so she can pick up the vehicle.” She didn’t need to share her every action but still felt jittery from being tailed, and it just came out.
“Seriously, I could use some minion agents working for me.” Evan chuckled as he grabbed their bags.
She sent the text and got an immediate reply. “She’ll pick up the car.”
“She works as much as you do,” Evan said.
Kiley couldn’t tell if his tone held judgment or not. She was probably looking for hidden meanings when they didn’t exist. She grabbed her backpack and took off toward the terminal, not saying another word all the way to the gate, concentrating on slowing her breathing to release the residual adrenaline.
