She nodded, her head dropping to his chest. “I think I’m ready for this all to end. I want to start a new life—one where you’re not afraid to be with someone.”
“Sounds good to me.” Sounds really good to me.
Ernie stared at his phone, the message from JENk. TARGET IN FAIRBURY AFTER 22:00.
He couldn’t use the guy, St. James. Jenk knew the blog entry had been deleted. Another blog would be too suspicious. Did they still have someone listening to scanners in the area? He’d try there first.
After a moment of thought, he typed a response. PAY THE POWER BILL?
The reply came an hour later. LIGHTS ON.
Perfect. He hesitated. Waste a burner, try a pay phone, or… better yet. Bar. Yep. Best choice.
He grabbed his keys and jumped in his car. It took three passes to find a place without scouts visible. The Rock hadn’t succumbed to the market—yet. Ernie stepped inside and searched for a table for two. One near the bar afforded him a view of the door, the room, and yet didn’t make him look as if he tried to hide. Perfect.
It took half an hour and two Screwdrivers to get someone to stop and talk to him. A man. I did not need this tonight. If I wanted a gay bar, I’d have gone there. Despite his disinterest, he smiled at “Tom” and offered him a seat.
“Slow night tonight.”
Ernie shrugged. “Just wanted some noise and a coupla drinks to wind down with while I waited for a call. You?”
“Broke up with my boyfriend.”
Rebound. Good excuse not to be interested. “Tough news. Sorry.”
“Yeah.” Tom gestured to the empty seat. “Mind?”
“Sure. No offense if this call comes and I gotta go…”
“No offense.” He hesitated and then signaled for another of whatever he’d been drinking. “So who’s gonna call?”
My girlfriend—the one I’m going to propose to! You just broke up. What’s with people these days? “Supposed to get news from a client. He should have called by now.” Ernie pulled out his phone and jabbed it, before wiggling a black screen at Tom. “Ugh! Man, if I lose this chance—got a pay phone around here?”
Tom jerked his thumb to the back corner. “There’s one back there, but you won’t be able to hear.” He pulled out his phone. “Take mine—well don’t take it, but…”
Ernie dropped his wallet on the table. “We’ll trade. I’ll be right back. Thanks. I can’t afford to lose this job.”
It couldn’t be easier. Ernie dialed the Fairbury police and reported lights in “that creep’s apartment over Wayne’s shop.” Mid-sentence, he cut the call and smiled as he deleted it from the history. As he slid back into his chair, he passed the phone back to its owner.
“Hey, I deleted the call. Just in case you get back together—wouldn’t want calls to strange guys making things worse.”
“Thanks. I wouldn’t have thought of that.”
A hint of suspicion crept into the man’s eyes. Ernie scrambled. “Had that happen with my girlfriend a few months ago. Man, it took a lot of sweet-talking to convince her. And half of my savings account buying those earrings…”
Tom laughed. “Can’t have that. I’m supposed to be buying a house for us. Not sure now, but we’re under contract…”
Ernie grabbed his wallet, pulled out a couple of twenties, laying them on the table. He waved at the server and when she arrived, pointed to it. “Make sure he gets a cab if he can’t drive.”
He hadn’t made it halfway home when his cellphone rang. Ernie punched the button and listened as Trina related her news. “Just got a call from Sam.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s listening to the police scanner in Fairbury and heard a 10-59 called for Leo’s apartment.”
Ernie grinned. “What’s a 10-59?”
“Sam says a security check. Lights on in the apartment.”
“I’ll call Jenk.”
“I almost did, but—”
“Better let me get it if he doesn’t want to know. You did good, Trina. Thanks. Real good. You brought me into this loop perfectly.
Before he made the call, he typed out a quick text and punched the number for JENk. LOOKS LIKE LEO’S HOME.
He’d never seen anything like it. The whole atmosphere around Jenk’s office felt more like a “power meeting” at a Fortune 500 company than an assignment. Ernie liked it. It had class—something his former employer had lacked in every way.
“We’re not moving in until someone sees Leo. I’ve got a girl in the shop there—Trisha. She’ll do just about anything for a teener.” Jenk flashed a grin and added, “But remember, we need her eyes on Leo, so don’t abuse that—too much.”
A few chuckles rippled all around the room. Ernie tried to hide his disgust, but Jenk saw it and laughed. “And try not to make our choir boy see more than his virgin eyes can manage.”
“Virgin eyes… do you know what Sara would do if she heard you and saw me in here listening? I value my life!”
“And property…” Del’s crass jokes sent a fresh wave of laughter around him, but Ernie shrugged.
“Okay, so here’s how it’s going to go. We want Ernie there to run checks on anything we might need. That coffee shop has Wi-Fi right?”
“Yep.”
“Just sit there and type then. Buy a lot, and make pathetic references to your girlfriend arriving for a special weekend now and then. Call her a time or two.”
“Got it.”
“Text only this trip. Not risking anyone overhearing anything. If you need to get something to me, text it to Ernie and he’ll email. Only emergencies. Only to Ernie.”
“Who’s in charge?” Del demanded. “Texts are great, but c’mon. Who’s in charge?”
“I am, but if you have to act fast, you’d better be willing to answer for it.”
Ernie raised his pen, using everything he could to remind them of the non-threat of their tech guy. “So are we doing an execution this time—single shot or what?”
“No!” Del roared and whipped his head to read Jenk’s expression. “I’m gonna get this—”
“Enough.” Jenk put a steadying hand on Wentz’ arm. “Sit down. Del’s not going to hurt me.” He glanced around the room. “As convenient as that would be, I want anyone connected with this guy to know what happens when you cross the Kasimirs. Leave a mess—a quick one though. No dragged out attack. Make it hurt, but get it done. That town will think twice before harboring a traitor again.”
Satisfied, Del sat again, his arms crossed over his chest as if waiting for the word to go. Ernie nodded. “And if the girl is with him?”
“That’s up to Del. Her parents could be there too. We don’t have time for him to deal with all of them. If they’re there, execute. The girl’s up to you, Del, but if you get caught, you’re on your own.”
“You going, Jenk?” Trina sounded bored. He’d forgotten she had come.
“I’ll be close, but no one will be able to see or contact me—except Ernie.”
Relief washed over him. With Jenk close, they’d be guaranteed success. Perfect.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ernie thought he looked ready for an Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement. Skinny chinos, buttoned up striped shirt with rolled up sleeves and leather flip-flops. He hated flip-flops. Still, it seemed to fit the desired persona with his geek glasses, sleek MacBook, and designer coffee.
The corner couch gave him the privacy he needed and a view of the room. One by one, texts came in telling him scouts were in position. When the last one arrived, he zipped Jenk an email. A single word reply came less than a minute later. Confirmed.
He pulled out his phone, typed three words, and sent them to JENk. IT’S A GO.
The wait began.
Keith glanced at his phone. “Show time.”
Mark called the Rockland FBI office and waited for Agent Connors. “Got word that the Kasimirs are waiting for Leo. When you’ve got agents in the apartment, we’ll send him in.” He listened for a mome
nt before adding, “You can confirm on…” Mark glanced up and waited for Keith to scrawl a few words on a pad of paper. “Okay, one will be in the coffee shop, one will be shopping up and down the street—girl—good looking—probably dressed on the edge of tastefulness.”
Keith sent a text and they all waited impatiently for a reply. He laid down his phone for Mark to see and scribbled notes to explain the cryptic message. “Okay and the main guy is close but not there. We have to take out one guy—Del or we can’t flush out Jenk.”
The agent asked a few more questions and as he did, another message came through. His heart sank as he wrote the last line on the sheet. Wayne’s employee has been turned—hooked on meth in exchange for information
“Oh man, we’ve got a bigger problem,” Mark groaned.
Keith entered the coffee shop and ordered an iced green tea. White chocolate and macadamia nut cookies tempted him. “I’ll take one of those too.”
From the corner, Ernie’s head shifted just slightly. As the girl behind the counter handed him his change, Keith asked about the town. “Hey, that flower shop—any good? I’d like to bring home something for my girlfriend, but you’re far enough out—”
“Wayne only gets the best. He’s fussy—even goes to the market in Rockland every morning himself—just to make sure.”
“Sounds great. Any specialties I should know about?”
The girl leaned forward. “Wait around for a bit until he can help you himself. Trisha will come out and be nice—she is too—but he knows exactly what you need for how far you have to go or what kind of occasion. Wayne knows his stuff.”
“Got it. I’ll probably check out the town first. Should keep things fresh as long as possible, eh?”
“She’s a lucky girl.” The smile and the candor told him it wasn’t exactly flirtation—but it would have been if he had welcomed it.
“I’d say I’m the lucky one, but that’d be corny.” He held up his tea. “Thanks.”
Keith wandered in and out of shops around the square, watching as delivery trucks rolled into the back alleys and customers strolled into stores, and took careful note of the number who came back out of the florist shop. It seemed about right. Only two remained. Would they notice? After an hour, he sent one quick text. ALL CLEAR?
The reply came ten minutes later. NO SIGN YET.
He couldn’t avoid it any longer. A text to Brian told the rest that he was going in. One less pair of eyes on the street. As he stepped into the cool air of the flower shop, Keith thanked the Lord for a group who wouldn’t use a sniper from a nearby building. At least this way the FBI would catch them in the act.
Listening to one of the men at the counter, Keith knew the man had to be FBI. So subtle. Seriously, take some acting lessons. A voice interrupted his thoughts. “Can I help you?”
The girl in front of him couldn’t have been twenty. She wore the smock of an employee but the clothes of a girl desperate for male attention—Trisha. “I’m just looking right now.”
“If you need help, just step up to the counter. I’ll—” A phone buzzed in her pocket. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at him. “Wayne’ll be done in a minute. He’s great—knows everything.”
So I’ve heard. When Wayne stepped into the back room, Keith pulled out his phone and answered a nonexistent call. “Hey. How are you? Just walking around Fairbury. Hold on, let me get away from this cooler—is that better?” He worked his way around the room and stepped outside the door. After a count to thirty, he pulled it open again, stuffing the phone back in his pocket. FBI guy had disappeared. Perfect.
His fingers flew across his keyboard and he punched four numbers before hitting send. ALL IN PLACE.
Wayne smiled as he stepped up to the counter. “Can I help you find something? Seems like my assistant has gone missing—again.”
“She offered to help, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I think she went to check something out back.” Keith shrugged. “Nice girl.”
“Nice, but she’s going to get herself in trouble, if you know what I mean. I keep hoping she’ll find a nice boyfriend, but she’s too desperate. The nice ones don’t want her, and the jerks just use her.” Wayne shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate of me. Let’s see what we can find for you.”
Keith waited until Wayne came around the counter before he said, “No worries, by the way. I’ve got one of those faces. People confide in me everywhere I go. It’s no big deal.”
Mark read the text and nodded to Leo. “Park out front. Go—”
“—in. Ask for Wayne… got it.” Leo accepted the keys and started to the door. As he reached for the knob, he turned. “Look, I didn’t believe you guys. I was rude. I’m sorry about that.” He swallowed hard. “I just want to thank you for protecting us. If things go bad…”
“We’ve got them covered.”
Leo nodded and opened the door. “Thanks again.”
Tension grew with each mile from Rockland to Fairbury. His neck ached and a slow throb developed in rhythm with the passing telephone poles along the side of the highway. As he turned into town, his throat went dry. Leo grabbed the water bottle and took a swig.
One street over from the town square, he pulled out the phone they’d given him and spent much too long at the stop sign typing out the one-word text. HERE.
An open parking spot—dead center in front of The Pettler’s door—beckoned him. Leo parked, not bothering to lock the beat up Civic, and hurried inside. Mark had said to be skittish. Easy enough to do. I’m walking into a trap here. Of course, I’m skittish!
“Wayne?”
The man stepped from behind the door flaps to the back room. “Leo! Hey. I got worried when you disappeared.”
“That’s why I came here first. Had to apologize. Should have let you know. Sorry.”
“Did Allison Wahl go with you? She just didn’t show up at school. Everyone’s talking.” Wayne smiled and waggled an eyebrow. How the man managed a single waggle, Leo couldn’t tell.
“She’s with her parents somewhere.” Keith’s admonitions to stick to the truth while being vague served him well. “Don’t have a phone so I couldn’t call, but I heard they went somewhere—something about their house blowing up.”
“Yeah. That was a shame. I guess I’d want to get away too.”
Leo jerked his thumb upwards. “I’ve gotta get up there and gather my laundry. I don’t have anything clean, and Adric’ll be more likely not to slug me if I am clean when I go beg for my job.”
Without waiting for an answer, Leo slipped through the side door and into the alley. He jogged up the stairs, whistling and burst into the apartment. Empty. Technically.
The heat made the room stuffy. Leo flipped on his fan and kicked himself for not owning some kind of radio. Twice he heard sounds and froze, but no one came. He rested on the couch, paced the floor, and even considered a shower. However, the idea of them catching him undressed nixed that thought the moment it entered his mind.
Eventually, he sank to the couch, head in his hands, and began praying. It might be the longest he managed, but for once, he suspected he would have no trouble keeping a running conversation with the Lord. Allison flooded his mind first. Please keep her and her parents safe. Let her never doubt that this was the best course—regardless of the outcome. Regardless. That’s an Allison word. She’s rubbing off on me.
You know, if everything goes perfectly, I’m going to have to get married. I don’t know how to be a husband. I don’t know anything about it at all. Then again, Rod’s a good man. He might not be a Christian, but he knows how to treat his wife right. I could learn from him.
Speaking of Rod…
Karen passed her phone to Allison. She looked at the one-word text and back up at the woman who had taken over their “protection detail.” “He’s okay so far then?”
“He made it close enough to check in. Keith’s there. Mark’s there. Brian’s there. The FBI are there.”
“So…” Allison clo
sed her eyes. “Now we wait.”
“And I recommend pray too.” At Allison’s questioning glance, Karen added, “It’s what Keith would say.”
“You don’t believe.”
“No… but I want to—sometimes.”
Allison glanced around her, looking but not finding what she sought. “Is there a Bible in here?”
“No. Sorry. I’m sure Keith took his with him too. Usually we grab that kind of thing, but you weren’t at home when we took your parents so we just had whatever they packed for you.”
She sat for a moment, trying to think—to pray. She failed. From the counter, Allison grabbed a bottle of water and strode to the small room left for her in the little cabin. Her parents’ door beckoned, but she turned and entered her room, closing the door behind her.
The bed had no headboard, but Allison leaned up against the wall, her arms wrapped around the pillow and her knees drawn up as close to her chest as she could bring them. Head bowed, nearly leaning on the pillow, she began to pray—pray harder than she’d ever prayed in her life.
“Fairbury, Lord. Please hold them close and protect each and every citizen and tourist today. Let them be blind to anything happening, and close the eyes and minds of any Kasimirs who might roll into the town. Keep Wayne and Trisha safe especially. They’ll be right there.”
Her mind turned to the FBI and Fairbury’s officers and she began pleading for their safety. “Chad has such a nice little family, Lord. They can’t lose him—Willow especially. She’s gone through so much already. Joe… I don’t even want to think about what would happen if we lost him. And those FBI agents—I’m sure they have families or loved ones. Keep them safe from harm. Please don’t let anyone die today.”
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