After Fred made a couple of turns, he glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned.
“Mr. Barrington.”
“Yes?”
“I believe we’ve picked up a tail.”
Stone started to turn so he could look out the back window.
“Don’t,” Tamlyn said.
From her purse, she pulled out a round compact, opened it, then held the mirror so that both she and Stone could use it to see behind them.
“I take it this isn’t the first time you’ve had this happen?” Stone asked.
“I may have picked up a few tips here and there. One of the benefits of being part of the security industry most of my career.”
“Fred, which vehicle is it?” Stone asked.
“Our lane, two cars back. The Ford Taurus.”
With another vehicle between them and the Ford, Stone could only catch shadowy glimpses of the person behind the wheel. The driver appeared to be a man, and he seemed to be alone.
“I don’t suppose you’ve had time to make any enemies here yet,” Stone said to Tamlyn. “Perhaps someone who thought they should have been given your job?”
“Not that I’m aware of, though Mike or Viv would know better than me. What about you? Anyone who’d want to keep tabs on your movements?”
Fred made a noise that turned into a cough. “Pardon me. Something caught in my throat.”
Tamlyn turned a suspicious eye toward Stone.
“There might have been one or two in the past,” he said. “But no one at the moment of whom I’m aware.”
“Interesting.”
“Sir,” Fred said. “Would you like me to keep pretending we’re not onto them? Or would you prefer me to lose them?”
“Were you able to note the license number?”
“I tried, but it was too dirty to make out.”
“Like he obscured it on purpose?” Tamlyn asked.
“That would be my guess, Miss Thompson.”
“We could pull to the curb, let him pass by, then pull behind him and see if his back plate is readable,” she suggested.
Stone thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “I’d rather whoever it is not know where we’re dropping you off,” he said. “Fred?”
“Very good, sir. Then please forgive any sudden movements.”
At the next intersection, Fred made a quick right, then sped to the end of the block and turned left.
After randomly switching streets for several minutes, he said, “He’s gone, sir.”
“Thank you, Fred.”
Tamlyn leaned forward. “That was very impressive. If you ever consider looking for a new position, I’m sure Mike and Viv would love to have you join Strategic Services.”
