The Freelancer – Chapter 25
Collin spent the better part of the morning at my place. The DNA results confirmed what we already knew from the security logs. Alex Fehr, our only link thus far to Blackstone, had died in the fire. To make matters worse, the car that was supposed to tail him on the drive from Houston to Dallas got a flat tire about an hour into the trip. I had a team stakeout the address we knew his belongings were being sent to, but I still hadn’t received confirmation that he’d arrived.
To say that Banks was not pleased when I called with my update would be to call Texas a tiny state.
“What the hell is going on down there, Caldwell?” she demanded.
“We’ll find him.”
“You better,” she snapped. “We have a terrorist somewhere in Texas, which is a pretty damn big state, and you have no idea where he is. He could be fulfilling whatever his grand plan is as we speak and you’re sitting at home scratching your balls.”
Well, that was the best use of Federal time on a Saturday morning. “Would you prefer I get in my car and drive back and forth to Houston until I find him? I’m sure that would only take me a few weeks, which I know I don’t have to remind you we don’t have.”
“You’re walking a fine line, Caldwell. Don’t piss me off; just find him. Now.”
She slammed the phone down loud enough for Collin to hear.
“So that went well.”
“Yeah, she’s a real kitten.”
He shrugged. “He’ll show up. He has no reason to suspect we’re waiting for him. Do you want to go with me to scope out the area surrounding his apartment?”
I looked at my watch and was surprised by how much time had passed since arrival. “I can’t. Jenna should be here in about twenty minutes.”
“Oh?”
“She offered to help me find my way around town so I can run all of my errands without killing the whole weekend.”
“What errands?” Collin asked.
“Most of my dishes, cookware, etc were damaged in the move.”
“They were? Our people are normally more careful about that sort of thing.”
“I guess I should say that they will be. Would you mind trashing all that stuff for me while I take a quick shower?”
Collin raised an eyebrow. “She’s probably going to drag you to some mall, you know.”
“I expect so.”
“I can’t believe you’re willing to put yourself through that kind of torture just to get into her life.”
“I’m not. I’m already in her life, but I need to be in closer so she feels she can confide in me if she should learn anything useful. She needs to consider me a friend.”
“Or a lover?” he asked, a goofy grin plastered on his face.
“No, a friend,” I insisted.
“You aren’t even a little interested in her?”
“No. I’m more interested in your hundred bucks. Feelings cause complications that we don’t have time for.”
“So let me make sure I have this right. You plan to make this woman fall for you by being her friend?” He shook his head. “You may as well pay me now.”
It may not have seemed like it to him, but I had things under control. Just because I hadn’t used my moves in years didn’t mean the skills weren’t still there.“Take care of the dishes and let yourself out. Call my cell if you find out anything else.”
I didn’t wait for him to answer before leaving the room; I knew he’d do it.
Fifteen minutes later Jenna knocked on my door as I was fastening my belt. I hated to admit it to myself, but she looked damn good. I grabbed my keys and wallet and followed her down the stairs. It was a nice view.
“So where are we headed?” I asked once we were in the car. Might as well find out I was being walked down the plank towards that special Hell on earth known as the mall and get it over with.
“I don’t know quite yet, but turn left on Preston and head north towards Frisco. There’s a ton of stuff up by Stonebriar Mall that should be useful without actually having to go into the mall. I can’t stand those crazed mall crowds.”
Well wonders never cease. Too bad I was on the job or she might almost be worth the effort to get to know. Almost.
