Page 23 of Crocodile Tears
“The applications don’t matter if someone thinks your research could be adapted for their purposes.”I glance back toward where the SUV disappeared.“What matters is that they’re interested enough to spend money on surveillance.”
We resume walking toward her vehicle, but the easy mood of our evening has shifted into something more serious.She moves with the focused attention of someone who’s identified a problem requiring immediate analysis before abruptly stopping to look at me.“I need to ask you something directly, and I want an honest answer.”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you actually paranoid from your military background, or are you professionally competent at recognizing genuine threats?”
The question cuts to the heart of every doubt I’ve had about my transition to civilian life.“Both, probably, but in this case, I’m confident we were being watched by people with training and resources.”
“What kind of training?”
“The expensive kind.Government or corporate security.”I pause, choosing my words carefully.“The kind where they teach you to be invisible until you decide not to be.”
“How can you tell the difference between professional surveillance and regular people going about their business?”
“Timing patterns, positioning, equipment, and behavior.”I count off on my fingers.“Professional surveillance follows specific protocols.They rotate positions, maintain consistent distance, and use communication equipment.”I glance back toward where the SUV disappeared.“Random people don’t coordinate their movements or drive in formation patterns.”
“Formation patterns?”
“The SUV had support vehicles.I counted at least two other cars that adjusted their positions based on our movement.”I watch her process this information.“That’s not coincidence.It has to be coordinated surveillance with multiple assets.”
She pales.“Multiple vehicles were following us?”
“Three that I identified, possibly more.”I try to keep my voice reassuring rather than alarming.“Professional surveillance teams use redundancy to avoid detection and maintain contact if the primary vehicle is compromised.”
She runs a hand through her hair again, clearly struggling to process this information.“Compromised how?”
“If we’d gotten into a taxi, or entered a building with multiple exits, or done anything that would make following us difficult, they’d have backup vehicles to maintain visual contact.”
“This sounds like something from a spy movie.”
“Most spy movies get surveillance completely wrong.Real surveillance is boring, methodical, and uses way more people than Hollywood suggests.”I resume walking, gently encouraging her to keep moving.“The point is, whoever’s interested in you has significant resources and professional capabilities.”
She shakes her head, but there’s something thoughtful in her expression rather than outright disbelief.“And you’re certain this isn’t just your military background making you see threats where none exist?”
“I’ve been questioning my own perceptions for months.My therapist says hypervigilance is a common issue for people transitioning from high-risk careers to civilian life.”I pause, choosing my words carefully.“Still, my enhanced senses don’t have psychological biases.I can hear radio chatter from surveillance equipment, smell the particular combination of chemicals that comes from professional-grade electronics, and detect movement patterns that indicate coordinated activity.”
“Your enhanced senses?”
“Gila monster biology includes significantly improved hearing and olfactory capabilities.”I tap my nose.“What seems like paranoia to human perception is often just enhanced sensory information that triggers pattern recognition.”
Rebecca nods slowly.“You literally smell surveillance equipment?”
“Among other things.Electronics give off distinctive chemical signatures, especially when they’re running multiple systems simultaneously.”I shrug.“Most people can’t detect those scents, but shifter biology is more sensitive to environmental changes.”
We reach the lot where she parked her car, which has decent security cameras.They’re better than nothing but not sufficient if someone with serious resources decides they want her or what she’s working on.
“I should check on my experiment.”Rebecca pulls out her car keys.“Assuming you’re right about the surveillance, what should I do?”
“Pay attention to your surroundings, vary your routes home, and don’t follow predictable patterns.”I pause, trying to balance honesty with reassurance.“And maybe consider that your research is more valuable than you realized.”
Rebecca stares at me like I’ve suggested she start wearing body armor to faculty meetings.“Do you realize how that sounds?”
“I realize exactly how it sounds, but awareness of potential problems is better than being caught unprepared.”
She shakes her head, but I see something thoughtful in her expression.“This is definitely not how I expected our first date to end.”
“Rebecca…” I take a breath, trying to find the right words.“Would you be interested in a second date later this week?Somewhere public and well-lit, with excellent security?”
