Page 171 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Urban considered that briefly. “Fine.”

DuBois’ phone vibrated in his hand. It was Sabre. “Are you wrapping up?”

“I went to the restroom. It should be in about five minutes or so. I’ll signal you when we’re coming out.”

DuBois looked around at the team. “Everybody ready.”

The small cluster of detectives separated naturally, each moving toward assigned vehicles.

Urban lingered a second longer. “Do you trust the attorney?”

“With my life.”

“And the investigator?”

DuBois watched JP sitting motionless down the street. “With hers.”

Chapter 65

Wednesday afternoon

JP sat in his truck while DuBois leaned through the open driver’s window. Two unmarked vehicles sat farther down the street, separated enough not to draw attention. Nobody joked. Nobody acted casual. Everyone was taking the situation seriously.

DuBois rested one arm on the window frame. “Let’s go over this again.”

JP nodded. “You and your guys pick up the tail when he leaves. And I stay out of sight.”

“I’m serious,” DuBois said. “I can’t have a civilian directly involved in an active surveillance operation.”

“You’ve had me involved before.”

“Not on something this volatile.” DuBois lowered his voice. “If this turns into a rescue situation, I need clean procedure.”

JP understood what he meant. Chain of custody, warrants, defense attorneys, future prosecution. It all mattered, especially if Hannah Caldwell was found alive after eight years. One procedural mistake and Rourke could get off on a technicality.

Still, JP wasn’t about to sit at home waiting for updates. DuBois knew that. That was why he finally sighed and pulled his phone from his pocket.

“I’ll leave the line open.”

“So, I can hear what’s happening.”

“Exactly.”

It wasn’t official, nor approved, but it was enough.

“That works.”

DuBois straightened and pointed down the street toward the unmarked units. “You’ll hear call signs. Don’t interrupt unless it’s important.”

“I know how radios work.”

“Good.” DuBois looked him directly in the eye now. “And if he burns the surveillance?”

JP knew the answer. “We back off.”

“Immediately.” DuBois stepped back from the truck. “We’re rotating every few blocks. No unit stays directly behind him long.”

“Who’s driving the secondaries?”