Page 111 of The Last Close Call

The radio crackled to life and Bryan grabbed it from the cup holder.

“We have movement at the back door,” a voice said, and Jack recognized Heidi on the other end. She was supposed to be in an unmarked police unit one block over.

“Looks like... a male and a female in the utility room. He’s putting on a coat.”

“Who’s she talking to?” Jack asked Bryan.

“They’ve got someone on the roof of a vacant house two doors down. He’s been watching with binoculars and relaying info.”

“Someone’s stepping outside now,” Heidi said. “The male subject is exiting through the back door. One sec.” She paused. “Okay, I’m hearing he’s alone.”

A dark figure stepped into the driveway, and Jack’s pulse picked up. The car’s taillights flashed as the man popped the locks. Jack lifted the binoculars. No luggage, and his hands appeared empty except for the keys as he slid into the car.

“That’s him.” Jack handed Bryan the binoculars. “Heidi, what’s your twenty?”

“I’m one block east in a blue Kia. I’ll tail him.”

Jack looked at Bryan.

“We should go, too. We need to stay on him,” Jack said.

“What about the van?”

“Someone can come get it. We need to be on him like a tick.”

Jack watched through the windshield as the car backed out of the driveaway. Despite the lack of luggage, Jack couldn’t stop thinking about the news brief Rowan had shown him. And he knew she was right—that story or any of the other recent media coverage might be enough to spook this guy into skipping town.

Jack grabbed the radio. “Heidi, he just pulled out. He’s headed your way.”

“I see his headlights.”

“Don’t let him make you.”

“I got it.”

“We’re going to grab a car and catch up with you.”

“Roger that.”

Jack gave Bryan the radio and touched the door handle. “You ready?”

“Let’s go.”

They climbed out of the van and were hit with a blast of cold air. At least it wasn’t raining still.

“Where’d you park?” Bryan asked.

“One block over, by the dog park.”

Keeping to the shadows, they made themselves as inconspicuous as possible as they walked briskly down the street. The sky was lightening over the treetops, and soon people would be out walking dogs and getting into cars and heading to work and school.

Jack’s breath formed a cloud in front of his mouth. He pictured Rowan rushing out of his motel room with her coat stuffed under her arm.

How had everything gone sideways so fast? He didn’t get what had happened between when he’d left her sound asleep in bed and when she’d raced out the door almost in tears.

They rounded the corner, and Jack spotted the car he’d just parked. It was an old beater with door dings—much more useful for undercover work than an unmarked police unit, which any half-alert suspect could spot a mile away.

Jack started jogging, eager to catch up with Heidi.

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