Virgil was itching to get home to Jill Beth’s Swedish meatballs, but he wasn’t quite ready to end his day. He stared at the picture Billy Gene had sent to his phone. That was definitely not the bounty hunter, aka Herbod Jalili. This man was a few years older. His eyes were steely cold like Jalili’s, but his features were more refined.
He keyed in Kate’s number.
“Hello, Virgil.”
“I didn’t interrupt your dinner, did I?”
“No, not at all. Hawk just got home safe and sound, and he’s taking a shower before dinner. What’s on your mind?”
“Two things. One, I wanted to check up on you and see how you’re feeling after today’s scare.”
“Not too bad. Elliot is checking every lock and feeling very protective, but Natalie and Clarissa were wonderful. I’m really fine. What was the second reason you called?”
“Promise you won’t laugh?” Virgil said. “Billy Gene left his expensive new sunglasses and his wallet out on one of the umbrella tables, and a real nice guy in 215 turned them in. Billy Gene couldn’t believe every nickel and his credit cards were still in his wallet. He wants to go thank him and invite him to dinner, but he forgot the guy’s name. Could you check your computer and get that for me? Billy Gene didn’t feel comfortable bothering you with it, with all you’ve got on your mind. Of course, I’ll bother you anytime.”
Kate laughed. “You know I don’t mind. Let me get to my computer, and I can pull that right up. Let’s see … guest roster. Second floor. Room 215. Mr. Javed Saman. First name is spelled J-a-v-e-d. Last name: S-a-m-a-n. Says here he’s a New Yorker.”
“Thanks,” Virgil said. “I’ll call Billy Gene and give him the guy’s name so he can thank him personally and offer to buy him a steak. Did Hawk feel good about today?”
“He did. He’s so proud of himself for keeping a poker face when his friend came up to him today—and in front of all those agents present and at the command center.”
“He handled himself like a pro, Kate. Never missed a beat. Be sure to tell him I said so. I’m going to scoot. Jill Beth’s got Swedish meatballs with my name on them.”
“Enjoy,” Kate said. “Give her my love.”
Virgil chuckled. “Will do. Thanks again.”
Virgil disconnected and then keyed in the number for Deputy Kevin Mann.
“Hey, Virgil. How’re things going at the command center?”
“So-so. I guess it depends on whether you enjoy spending time in Fed City with most everything classified. Romo is definitely running the show. I trust you have the department running smoothly?”
“Yes, it’s been quieter than usual. Nothing we couldn’t handle. How’s Billy Gene’s vacation going?”
Virgil told Kevin everything that had happened that day, including the attempted break-in at Kate’s and Hawk’s amazing response to Billy Gene’s brilliant performance as Kirby Stanfield. “I’m telling you, Kevin. It was something to see. I thought for sure Hawk would blow it, but he never missed a beat. The feds bought it hook, line, and sinker.”
“I’m confused,” Kevin said. “Which one is the bounty hunter?”
“It can’t be the guy Billy Gene was following because the feds didn’t react to his face on camera. They won’t admit it to me, but they know what the bounty hunter looks like.”
“So it’s the man who tried to break in at Kate’s?” Kevin said.
“We can’t be sure since he had his face covered.”
“Don’t you hate it when you get a smart one?” Kevin said. “So what now?”
“The agents out at the house will need to be vigilant because the guy could come back. He never saw the agents when the sneeze scared him off, so he might try it again. My guess is that tomorrow Romo will have Hawk take a greater risk and move away from the actors posing as landscapers and grounds crew. He’s going to want to draw the bounty hunter out where they can ID him and then move in to apprehend him.”
“What about the guy Billy Gene was following? Have you eliminated him?”
“Well, here’s the thing. Billy Gene and I both feel there’s something more going on here. The guy is definitely not the bounty hunter, or they would’ve been all over him. But he was definitely watching Hawk. I want to know why. Which is where you come in.”
“How can I help?” Kevin said.
“Grab a pencil and something to write on. I want you to get me everything you can on the guy Billy Gene is following.”
Virgil told Kevin everything he’d obtained on Javed Saman and what he’d done to get it.
Kevin laughed. “Good for you. Okay, it’s my turn. Let me see what I can find out. If this guy is using his real name, I shouldn’t have too much trouble running down some information on him. I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks, Kevin. I know you will. Let me know the minute you have something.”
“Definitely. And, boss … I take back what I said about you rolling over. I should’ve known you wouldn’t let Romo shut you out.”
“I took an oath to protect the people of Raleigh County, Kevin. He didn’t. And I intend to do my job.”
“If I start right now,” Kevin said, “I may have something for you by morning.”
Hawk got out of the shower and dried off, then wrapped a towel around his waist and stood at the bathroom sink. His eyes looked tired. He could hardly believe he was working with the FBI on such an important operation. It was a little scary, but he was doing it for Kennedy. To honor her memory. He could hardly wait until they captured the man who sought to murder her in cold blood for the five million dollars. But would he ever know who had actually done it? Or why? It was one day short of a week since Kennedy disappeared, but it felt like a lifetime ago. He was a changed man on many levels.
At this time last Friday night, he was on the phone with Kennedy, excited about spending all day Saturday with her. Lies. So many lies he told to protect his time with her. He deceived Laura Lynn. His parents. Himself. Even Kennedy. He’d confessed it all, sincerely sorry for the way he handled it, for all he had thrown away. So why was he dredging it up? Perhaps because tomorrow would mark one week since Kennedy disappeared from his life.
So much to handle in a week’s time. So much pain. And sorrow. Death. And regret. Regret not only for his wrongdoing, but for all he had lost. And not just Laura Lynn. He did love her and always would. But he was finally able to see that his relationship with Kennedy was more than physical. It was still confusing. But he was beginning to understand that the inexplicable emptiness he now felt was the consequence of his having partaken of the pleasure God intended for marriage, completely unprepared for how the oneness of that intimate union would impact his soul and spirit.
“Mama said dinner is almost ready.” Jesse stood outside the bathroom door, holding the orange-and-white-striped kitten that was still without a name.
“Good grief, Jesse. Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Hawk said. “Next time whistle or something so I know you’re coming.”
“Sorry. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Remind me what we’re having,” Hawk said.
“Chicken parmigiana, those little brown potatoes, asparagus, salad, and sourdough rolls. Chocolate pudding for dessert. Yum.”
“Guess I’d better get dressed and get down there.”
“You look worried,” Jesse said.
“I suppose I am. I’m letting the FBI use me for bait to catch a vicious killer. It’s not exactly a safe place to be.”
“Home isn’t all that safe either.” Jesse put the kitten down and let him play with the shoelace on Hawk’s Nikes.
“Yeah, I’m really sorry about what happened today. At least Natalie and Clarissa were on top of it.”
“Elliot tightened the locks on all the windows,” Jesse said, “and bought a special lock for the sliding glass door. He insisted that we have the alarm system turned back on, and he’s going to give us the new code at dinner.”
Hawk sighed. “More consequences. None of this would be happening if I hadn’t gotten involved with Kennedy.”
“Probably not.” Jesse picked up Hawk’s clean clothes and tossed them to him, then flopped on the bed. “But don’t forget what Romans 8:28 says, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ I’m pretty sure that in all things means even when we mess up.”
“I can’t imagine what good could possibly come of this.”
“Well, even if it’s just a lesson that changes you and makes you more like Him, it’s pretty cool.”
Hawk smiled as he pulled his shirt on. “You have an answer for everything. I don’t know how you do it.”
“My youth pastor gave me the formula,” Jesse said. “One, read the manual. And two, follow the instructions.”
“In other words, read the Bible and do what it says.”
Jesse grinned. “Yep. It’s simple. But not always easy.”
Hawk swung his wet towel like a lasso and threw it at Jesse, evoking a deep, husky laugh befitting an almost-eighth grader. “Come on, Saint Einstein. Let’s go pig out on chicken parmigiana.”
Kate sat around the dinner table, glad to see her family together. She had almost come to grips with the fact that Laura Lynn was never going to be her daughter-in-law. But it was still painful to see Hawk without her. And watching Abby and Jay’s relationship blossom was comforting in the midst of all the pain and disappointment.
She smiled watching Jesse. He seemed comfortable in his own skin, whether he was teaching guests interesting facts about hummingbirds or conversing with his grandpa Buck about the Korean War.
The one empty chair at the table belonged to Riley. Kate was more than ready for her baby girl to come home and share every detail, but knew that if the bounty hunter wasn’t caught by tomorrow night, they would have to let her stay with Ava’s family until this awful ordeal was over.
Elliot put his hand on hers. “I hope you’re not missing the joy of the moment by worrying.”
“Not really,” Kate said. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than when we’re all gathered around the table. I just wish we were done with the bounty hunter. Riley will be bursting with excitement when the bus pulls into the church parking lot on Sunday night. If she goes to Ava’s first, it might be anticlimactic for her and for us by the time we see her. I want to hear all about her favorite things at camp and the new friends she made—while she’s still bubbling over.”
“Have you ever known Riley not to be bubbling over?” Elliot said.
Kate laughed. “You have a point.”
“Let’s just take it a step at a time. Worrying won’t change the outcome, but it will definitely keep you in knots.”
“You’re right.”
“So when do we get the alarm code?” Jesse said.
The room got quiet and all eyes were on Elliot.
“I’m going to let Natalie address that,” Elliot said.
Natalie came around and stood behind Elliot. “The alarm system will be turned back on, just until the bounty hunter is locked up in FBI custody. Kate has made it clear how much she hates it, and I respect that. But after what happened this afternoon, I think it will give you peace of mind. Remember, the FBI surveillance cameras monitor the entire exterior of the house, so should our intruder come back, the agents in the command center will see him, just like they did today, and notify Clarissa and me, and we will immediately act. The alarm is just an extra security measure for your peace of mind.”
“The reason I hate it,” Kate said, “is because the last time we used it, I was a nervous wreck from the alarm going off by mistake because someone didn’t properly set it or failed to enter the code in time. Of course, that defeated the whole purpose, like crying wolf too many times.”
“To help with that,” Natalie said, “since Abby and Jesse are working at the lodge, I can disarm and reset the alarm when I walk them over. I can do the same when Hawk leaves to ride over with Connor. Or when any of you leaves. Also we’ll keep it engaged when everyone is home in the evening. I think the easiest way to be sure it isn’t accidentally set off would be for Clarissa and I to be the only ones to set and disarm it. One of us will always be available, so it shouldn’t be a problem. And your mother will feel better knowing there will be no false alarms, right, Kate?”
“Absolutely.”
“Does anyone have questions?” Natalie said.
Jesse raised his hand. “I do. What if we forget and open the door and you’re not close by? How will we key in the code before the alarm goes on?”
Natalie nodded. “First of all, we’re going to post a reminder on the exit doors so you won’t forget. Anytime you need to go out, you tell Clarissa or me and we’ll go with you.”
“So you’re not going to give us the code?” Jesse said.
“Your mom and I asked her not to give us the code,” Elliot said. “It’s only going to be for a short time. It’ll be safer and less nerve racking if they monitor the alarm.”
“Are we all on the same page?” Natalie said.
Everyone nodded.
“Okay, I’m going to set it now for the night.”