Page 80 of Dangerous Liaisons

Ten minutes later, Cole said, “He’s out, and he’s made a purchase.”

“What kind?” Tom asked.

“Can’t tell. It’s in a small bag. He’s in his car. He’s opening the bag…it’s a cell phone, looks like one of those pay-as-you-go deals, and a phone card.”

Anticipation hummed through Jesse. All agents had cell phones and email addresses set up in case of emergency. The fact Lanton was using a prearranged communication meant they had him worried.

“He’s punching in the card code,” Cole said. “He’s making a call.”

Tom spun in his seat to face the cell-phone receiver. Putting on the headphones, he flipped the rig on and punched the DUAL band button, then SCAN.

“Can you get him?” she asked.

“Maybe, if he stays on the air long enough.” Voices murmured from his headphones like buzzing mosquitoes.

Two long minutes passed. Tom listened, finger over the button to stop the scan, as one voice after another in as many conversations tuned in and out.

“He’s ended the call,” Cole reported. “Dialing again.”

“You have him?” Jesse asked Tom.

“No.”

Cole’s cell phone rang. He raised an eyebrow and glanced in the mirror at Jesse. She nodded and he answered.

“Yeah.” He mouthed the word Caruthers then said into the phone, “What did he want?” A pause. “Where is she?” A longer pause. “Fine. When he calls again, tell him you lost her.” Another pause. “Just slow-roll him until I call you.” He ended the call. “Lanton called Caruthers and ordered him to pick you up.”

“Is he still on the phone?” Tom asked.

Cole raised the binoculars. “He’s talking again—he ended the call.” Cole paused. “He’s dialing again…he’s leaving. Wait, he’s tossed the phone onto the seat.”

Tom took off the headphones. “Damn.”

Jesse leaned back in her chair. “At least we know he called Caruthers.”

The blip exited the parking lot, headed back the way it had come.

“Back to the office?” Jesse said as Cole exited the parking lot.

Tom nodded. “My bet is he’s headed for the incinerator, then a box lunch at the commissary on the way up to his office.”

“If he heads back, Tom and I have to high-tail it back to our offices,” Cole said.

Jesse nodded. Dammit. She wanted to know who he called. Her money was on Morales.