Page 33 of Force At Third

“Two men left the hotel and went to the airstrip. Woodson’s plane headed back to Cali an hour ago. Echo tapped into the flight information and some surveillance at the airstrip. Woodson boarded solo. Maze is at the hotel, waiting for Center, whom we suspect. We haven’t gotten confirmation it’s him, so there’s no calling in the police. Not a damn thing they could do about it.”

“No pictures? Video?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “That’s bad. He’s evading.”

“None of them out of our sight today.” He nods to my computer. “What are you getting into?”

“Baby doll.”

“Three, right?”

“Yeah, but”—I shake my head—“the disturbance.”

“Open it up, and we’ll go back through the list.”

And that’s just what we do.

Within half an hour, I’ve added four more names and emailed them to the moms.

When I hear movement overhead, telling me CeCe is awake, I stand up and stretch. “I need some fresh air.”

Mark nods to me from the kitchen counter, where he’s slapping cream cheese on his bagel and digging in to get more for mine.

“Plain for me, please.”

His head jerks back in disbelief.

“I’m an evolving woman, Marks.”

He nods to the door. “Get some fresh air.”

* * *

Outside, we quietly discuss the day’s plan and stop talking when CeCe, who never leaves the house at this time, walks out, work-ready, with oversized sunglasses covering her eyes.

“Good morning,” she says, walking down the stairs. “I’m sorry if I woke either of you when I got up.”

“We’re both early risers.” I nod toward my rental car. “Can I give you a ride?”

“Oh, no, I’m good, but thank you.”

“CeCe.” Marks shakes his head.

Her face falls. “He’s here, isn’t he? My father’s here?”

“He—”

“I asked last night, and?—”

“Danny and Chloe have their appointment on Monday. She’s been giving herself hormone injections to prepare for it for a week now. Danny doesn’t want her to worry until we’re positive.”

“How is she supposed to watch out for herself and Aggie if she doesn’t know?” she asks, clenching her fists.

“Danny’s watching out for her. We’re watching out for her,” Marks answers.

“And when she’s in Walton?”

“Danny’s family and a few men in town know?—”

“The same men you had on him in California?” she snaps.

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