Page 54 of Trust No One

Simon’s foot began to jiggle on the floor. Like he was nervous. Worried. Mel leaned closer to him. “Would it be easier for you if we took that to the FBI? One of the agents who works for our company is a former FBI agent. He’s going to be in Washington this week to meet with us about a different case. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind doing that.”

Simon slowly shook his head. “The Company prefers to handle its problems in-house.”

“Yeah, but how do you know who Kingsley’s in bed with at the CIA? How do you know who to trust?” Dev asked.

Simon looked at his wife, and it was clear that this was something they’d discussed. Finally he turned back to Dev. “Let me take a look at this video tonight. If I think we need the FBI, I’ll let you know.”

“Fair enough,” Mel said. She forced a smile and changed the subject. “How’s the pregnancy going?”

Simon and Caroline relaxed back into the booth and took a deep breath. “It’s going well,” Caroline began. She rubbed her hand over her belly and smiled at Simon. “We’d planned on working on the nursery this weekend.” Her smile dropped away. “Now it looks like we won’t even be home.”

Mel leaned toward Caroline. “Are they putting you in a safe house?”

“Yeah,” Caroline said. She glanced at Simon. “After Simon saw someone searching our house, we knew we weren’t safe there.”

They all chatted until everyone had finished their drink, then Dev signaled for the check. “Thanks so much for getting together with us,” Mel said. “It was great to meet you, Caroline. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.”

“Thanks,” Caroline said. “It’s been easy so far,” she said, rapping on the wooden table for luck. “Hope it stays that way.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Mel leaned close to Simon. “Call us anytime,” she said. “If we can’t take the call, we’ll return it as soon as we can.”

“Will do,” Simon said as he slid out of the booth then helped his wife to her feet. “Great to see you guys. But Caroline needs to get to bed. Talk soon.”

Dev watched them leave, then pulled out his wallet and paid the bill with cash. He wanted to leave as small an electronic trail as possible.

After giving Simon and Caroline plenty of time to get on the road, he and Mel left the bar, got in their car and headed for the hotel. He kept watch in the rearview mirror but didn’t notice anyone following them.

Mel must have read his mind, because she’d been studying the side-view mirror. “I don’t see anyone hanging behind us.”

“I’m going to turn into this subdivision. Let’s see if anyone follows us.”

They drove through the mostly deserted streets for ten minutes, and no one followed them. Dev took a different exit out of the neighborhood, then headed for their hotel. On the way, he stopped at an electronics store. “I’ll be right out,” he said. “Stay in the car and watch for anyone who seems to be waiting.”

He returned in less than five minutes and handed her a scanner. “To check for listening devices. I don’t think anyone has figured out where we are, but we don’t want to take any chances.”

“Wish we’d thought of it earlier.”

By the time he stepped into his room, Dev was exhausted. He was pretty sure Mel was, as well. He knocked on the adjoining door, and she opened immediately. “You get that box open? Used it yet?”

“Just getting to that. Come on in.”

She turned on the device and swept it all over her room, checking every surface. Not a single beep.

“Let’s check your room,” she said, handing him the wand.

Dev’s room was clean, as well. “So that bastard apparently hasn’t figured out where we are yet,” he said.

“We might want to change hotels tomorrow,” Mel said. “Just in case.”

“Yeah. We want to stay ahead of that bastard.”

Mel turned to head back into her own room, and Dev grabbed her hand. “What’s on tap for tomorrow?” he asked.

“Let’s talk about that in the morning,” she said. “It’s been a long, emotional day. I’m beat.”

“Yeah, me, too. See you in the morning,” he said. He watched until she closed her door, then pressed his palm against the wood. Closed his own door.

When he climbed into bed, he figured he’d fall asleep immediately. But his conversation with Johnson kept scrolling through his head. Was that going to be him ten years from now? Spending his evenings in a bar, then going home to a quiet, empty house?

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