Page 122 of Maddy's Justice

They walked along in silence for almost a minute while Labelle thought about this news. Knowing Labelle could not be completely trusted, Quentin had orders to tell him nothing more.

“Maybe we should move that operation,” Labelle said.

“Too difficult and we’re not sure it’s worth the trouble. We don’t believe Stewart knows anything.”

“You could have told me this on a secure phone,” Labelle said. “Why are you here?”

“The man has another project for me. I am to find the private investigators snooping around Chicago. The rest of that has nothing to do with you or his business with you.”

The way he said that, Labelle knew better than to ask about it. Instead, he simply offered any assistance he could provide.

The island’s owner, the man, was sitting on a bench under a large oak tree enjoying the beautiful weather. He was fifty feet from the lake in the Wisconsin compound watching Abia and Salma chase each other on jet skis. He heard footsteps crunching on the gravel trail leading down from the buildings. From the heavy sound of them, he knew without looking who it was.

“Yes, Evan, what is it?” he asked while watching Salma in a red two-piece and life preserver roar passed. She was barely thirty feet from the shoreline doing almost forty mph.

“Just talked to CIA,” Evan said sitting down next to his boss.

“And?”

“Nothing. He hasn’t seen anything or found anything.”

“It’s been what, this is the third day. I don’t want to do this unless absolutely necessary. But it seems to be. After what Quentin overheard her saying about her suspicions.”

He turned to Evan who was already holding the boss’ secure phone.

“Oh, you thought of it. Good, thank you,” he said taking the phone.

“I thought you might want it. Perhaps you should send a text. No reason for you to risk being recorded.”

“I was going to,” he said handing the phone back to Evan. “You’re better at typing these things than I am. Oh my god…” he said as he jumped up and ran toward the lake.

One of the girls, it turned out to be Abia, had taken a spill. The life preserver had a device attached that killed the skis’ engine. By the time the island’s owner reached the water, Abia had already surfaced. Within a few seconds, both the guard boat on the lake and Salma were with her. Unscathed, the girl swam to her ski. In less than twenty seconds, she was off and running again.

“They’re gonna give me a heart attack,” he said to Evan who had joined him.

“They swim like fish. Plus, they’re well protected.”

“What do you want to say in the text to CIA?” Evan asked. Using the term CIA was Evan’s way of showing disrespect for Quentin Forrest.

“I’ve changed my mind. Instead, I want you to get down to Chicago and take charge of this. I want them found right away. Drive. Take one of the Land Rovers. Get down there tonight. Locate Quentin and tell him what we’ve found.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll go right now.”

“As soon as you find them, call Odessa. I’ve pretty much reached a decision. I’ll tell you what I want when you have located them. Do not let them see you.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Schaumberg? How do you know they’re staying in Schaumberg?” Quentin asked Evan.

“The man had a source. That’s all you need to know.”

“And they’re staying at the Hilton Garden Inn. You must’ve tracked credit cards.”

Without answering him, Evan told him, “You and I will go find them. The two of us should be able to do that. Leave your muscle guys here and tell them nothing. If and when we need them, I’ll let them know.”

The two of them had been on station since early afternoon. Evan was parked in front of the Hilton; Quentin covered the back. It was almost midnight when Evan spotted them. Using binoculars Evan was able to see them with the light in the parking lot. There were three of them in the car. Carvelli was driving and the Rivers woman was in the back seat. A second woman, one Evan did not recognize, was in the front passenger seat.

Evan used his radio to notify Quentin, then picked up his camera. He watched through the lens and saw Carvelli open the door of a Porsche Cayenne next to where he had parked. He then hugged and kissed the passenger before she got in the Porsche. Evan wanted a photo of her, but all she showed him was the back of her head. Instead, he took several shots of Carvelli and Maddy Rivers as they went into the hotel.

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