“Both had dark hair. But then, with their names, you’d expect that.”
“About the names,” Evan said. “Did they seem comfortable saying them when you asked?”
“You mean like did they hesitate or look away because the IDs were bogus?” Pilcher’s eyebrow went up. “Nah, they looked me square in the eye. Combative more than anything. Andpushy. Like they had a right to be there. Which they did, so I backed off.”
“Anything else you think we should know?” Kiley asked.
“Like I said, they were kind of combative. If I had to detain them, I would’ve called in backup first. You might want to be prepared for that.”
Kiley had heard enough. “Do you have a card with your cell on it?”
He pulled one out of his pocket. Kiley took it and handed him one of her own. “In case anything else comes to mind.”
He got to his feet. “I’m assuming since the Feds are interested in these guys, they have something to do with the big investigation at the port.”
“Something like that.” Kiley gave him a smile to preempt any additional questions and bolted for the hallway. She typed the address Pilcher provided in a text to Cam and addedNeed name for apartment occupants.She hit send and led the way back to Singer’s office.
“Permission granted.” The lieutenant waved them in and held out a piece of paper. “Our IT director’s details. He’ll be your contact.”
Kiley shoved the paper in her pocket and shook hands with the lieutenant. “Thank you.”
She nodded. “I hope you get your guys.”
As Kiley stepped into the hall again, her phone rumbled against her leg. She looked at the message from Cam.Apartment rented by a Zahra Yasdi. DL picture attached.
Kiley looked at the woman’s photo, excitement burning in her gut. She fired off a reply,Need background check, and at the last second added that she needed ATM video footage and account details for the bank, along with CCTV video for the area so they could track the movements of the suspects.
She turned to Evan. “You’ll want to make a pit stop before we leave.”
He nodded. “Will do.”
“You’re not going to ask why?”
“Nah, figured we’d be headed over to the apartment Pilcher mentioned to stake it out. Am I wrong?”
“No, you’re absolutely right.” She smiled at his uncanny way of knowing what she was thinking. “But hurry up. I want to get eyes on the woman our terrorists claim to have visited, and I want to do it, like, yesterday.”
Eager to talk to this woman, Evan sped toward the apartment while Kiley communicated with Sean. He’d rushed over to the IT department and was updating Kiley on the information being uncovered. Of course, Evan didn’t understand anything they were saying. Something about obfuscation techniques and blocked IP addresses. All of it geek-speak to him.
He parked his Tahoe down the street from Zahra Yasdi’s apartment and grabbed his binoculars to glass the building and confirm they had eyes on the right apartment.
Kiley ended her call. “The police server was hacked from the outside. Sean’s deep in the files. Now we wait.”
Evan nodded. “I’d like a copy of Yasdi’s DL for my files.”
“Of course. Mind sharing those binoculars?” she asked, even though it was more of a command.
He had to admit he found her ongoing bossiness attractive, which was weird because he was attracted to her when she was shy and insecure too. But that didn’t mean he’d give in. “In a minute. Making sure we can have a clear view of the apartment from here.”
“I knew I should’ve driven,” she grumbled.
And he liked that too. Reminded him how determined she was to do a good job, and when she wanted something, no one could stop her. He’d once thought she’d wanted him, but then Olin died before Evan could find out.
She reached out and snagged the binoculars. The touch of her hand was a shock to his system, and he let the binos go so fast they almost fell to the floor. She grabbed them at the last minute and lifted them to her eyes.
“Kiley,” he said.
She lowered the binoculars and glanced at him.
