Page 28 of Lucas
“Or they were waiting for a more opportune time to attack.”
Sergi nodded and leaned back in the desk chair, finding it more comfortable than his. Perhaps it was time for an upgrade. “He was taking security precautions, which could explain why he’s gone silent.”
Simone considered it. “Can you show me his route so far?”
“I was in the process of bringing up the map when you arrived.” He used Devon’s computer and pushed the display screen sideways so they could both study the image.
Simone pulled her chair closer to the desk. “I assume you’re using the old code for messages.”
He nodded. “It requires making some educated guesses. From what I can tell, their first stops were at Renaud libraries in Boston and New York. The book was listed in the card catalogs, and the false book identified it as being out for restoration, just like at the other libraries. From there, he’d been meeting with Philipe’s contacts, though he didn’t share which ones. I can only guess which Houses by the direction Lucas is traveling.”
“And you said the first attack was in New York.”
Sergi nodded.
Simone grunted. “That would be standard practice. Monitor until you have a feel for your target and then wait for the right moment.”
“So far, they’ve come at Lucas in pairs and were easily dispatched, but we have no idea whether it was Venizi or the Renauds. Though a third player could be involved that we haven’t considered.”
“They’re being tracked.”
“I believe so. I’m just not sure how. My best guess is that they have multiple teams.”
Simone considered it, her fingernails tapping a quick staccato on the desk. “Half the teams run surveillance. Plant a tracker if they can. The B teams go in for the kill.”
“After New York, Lucas began proper security measures, but the back of my neck itches. I don’t like it.”
“Where would they go after Maryland? Who’s the next closest contact on his list?”
“There are two in Georgia if he’s heading south. One in Savannah and one outside Atlanta.”
“He could have reached those in a day. In three days, he could have been in New Orleans. Is it possible they headed west or back north?”
“There were contacts in Ohio and Missouri.”
“Too many possibilities. Are any of these contacts in Houses allied to House Trelane?”
Sergi brought up the list of contacts with their locations. “They all belong to small Houses or are registered rogues. House Beall in Maryland is the largest, and that’s not saying much. But I believe they have the strongest ties to us. You should also know I tracked down a female custodian who worked with Philipe in 1925 and might still be in contact with him. Her last known location was Hazel Green, Alabama.”
“Do we have Family in the Southeast? I haven’t checked the current mission statements.”
Sergi nodded. “We have a team of four that went to Saratoga to help a House with their security issues. They need another day or two to finish up, but I can have them reassigned now.”
“What are Bella and Jacques up to?”
“They’ve been dividing their time between the upgrades to the existing safe house and fortification of the new ones.”
Simone rubbed her forehead. “I should have known that. It’s not that I don’t agree with Devon’s lockdown orders and ensuring everyone works in pairs, but it depletes our resources in getting things done.”
“Where are you with the rogue shifter interviews? That should release some resources to put toward the safe houses.”
“I had my last one yesterday. I have a meeting with Decker this afternoon, which was my main reason for driving out. If all goes well, they should be in place by the end of the week. I have rooms being assigned.”
“You’re thinking we should send Bella and Jacques south?”
Simone sat back and considered the map. “With Renaud being the center of this, the path appears to lead to New Orleans. Ohio and Missouri seem rather arbitrary, but perhaps that’s the point. Can you track the rental car?”
He shrugged and checked his tablet. “I started an hour ago but it takes time with the number of aliases I created for him. The most recent rental was reported stolen in a small town south of Maryland about three days ago.”
