Virgil walked around the command center all morning, observing the overhead screens and feeling almost invisible. The special agents were all busy and tending to their various areas of expertise. It was almost noon and they had not spotted the bounty hunter.
Virgil saw Romo coming his way.
“I’m going to have a hot dog, Sheriff. Would you like one?”
“I would, thanks,” Virgil said. “I had an early breakfast and it’s long worn off.”
Romo handed him a nice warm hot dog, and Virgil unwrapped it and took a bite, surprised at how plump and juicy it was. “Mmm. This tastes like Polish sausage.”
“Actually, I did hear someone say that. Sorry I don’t have condiments, but I can offer you a Coke.”
“Thanks.”
Romo walked over against one wall and took a can of Coke out of the cooler, popped it open, and handed it to Virgil. Then took one for himself.
“This tastes mighty good about now,” Virgil said.
“No kidding. I’d hate to guess how many of these I’ve eaten in my career.”
Virgil smiled. “Me too. I promise you it’s more than my wife would approve of. She thinks I don’t eat right when I choose for myself.”
Romo chuckled. “She must be related to my Annie. Always worrying about me eating too much fat. Too much cholesterol. Too much sugar. Too much starch. But that’s what makes it taste so good.”
Virgil nodded. “Exactly. Have you got kids?”
Romo’s face was suddenly radiant. “A five-year-old son, Timothy. I talk to him online every night I’m away from home. I’ll tell you, Virgil, no matter how bad it gets out here or how much evil I encounter, ten minutes with my little guy and I’m a new man.”
Virgil smiled. “Jill Beth and I raised triplet boys—Rob, Rick, and Reece. They’re twenty-eight now, but I remember feeling the same way. Kids change you.”
“They really do,” Romo said. “We’re expecting another in October—a little girl. Annie’s already got the room painted pink and is adding all the girly things. I get a big kick out of seeing her so happy. It can’t be easy being married to a fed. In fact, I think the spouses of law enforcement officers deserve a lot of credit. We do what we love, and they worry about us. And keep the home fires burning so we can hardly wait to get back to them.”
Is this the same arrogant Romo? “Have you and Annie picked out a name for your daughter?”
There was that radiant look again. “Yes, Lacy Sophia Romo. Sophia was my mother’s name. And we both love the name Lacy.”
“Sounds pretty,” Virgil said. “Jill Beth and I always hoped we’d have a little girl someday. But the triplets were a handful and then some. The older they got, we decided just to be blessed with three busy boys. I promise you, it was never boring at our house.”
Romo chuckled. “I’ll bet not. Timothy can be a handful at times, but he’s such a joy, you know?”
“I do know.” Virgil popped the last of his hot dog into his mouth and washed it down with a gulp of Coke.
Romo was quiet for a moment and then said, “Virgil, when your boys were at home, did you ever worry that the mental time you spent on cases would take away from your family?”
“Sure I did. But Jill Beth is amazing. She had just the right personality and skill set to keep up with the boys and their activities and make it so I could come home and step right into whatever they were doing, without hardly missing a beat. Sometimes I’d show up in the ninth inning of their ball games, but she’d give me a quick rundown, and when it was over, I could discuss the game with them. They were inseparable in grade school and middle school. Their high school teachers insisted they needed to find themselves and made sure all their classes were different.” Virgil laughed. “But you know what? After they graduated from college, the three started a software company together, and they’re practically inseparable again. We think we may end up with a triple wedding one of these days.”
“I can tell you love your sons,” Romo said. “Guess it takes one to know one.”
Virgil smiled. “Well, I suppose—”
“We’ve got facial recognition on the bounty hunter!” someone shouted.
Virgil felt the same rush he always got when a case kicked into high gear.
Romo guzzled the last of his Coke and tossed the can in the recycle bin. “Come on, Sheriff. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Romo hurried over to the surveillance monitors, and a number of agents gathered around him, while others ran to the computers.
Virgil fixed his phone so Billy Gene could hear and said just above a whisper, “I’m back.”
“There you are, Sheriff. I’m trackin’ Saman. He’s been on the phone a lot, but he’s definitely got his eyes on Hawk. I’m sure of it.”
“I can’t talk. They’ve spotted the bounty hunter.”
“Really! Where?”
“Not sure yet. Listen …”
“We’ve got facial recognition on the bounty hunter!”
Kate heard Clarissa’s voice and came rushing out of the living room and into the kitchen. Elliot and Buck were right behind her.
Clarissa sat at the head of the table. “Please, everyone, sit. I’ll put it on speaker. You sure you want to listen live? It can be nerve racking.”
“I’m sure,” Kate said, reaching for Elliot’s hand.
“Me too.” Buck sat at the table across from Kate and Elliot.
“Goodness, it’s really happening.” Kate put her hand on her heart. “Lord, watch over my son.”
“Keep him safe, Lord,” Buck said. “Help him do as he’s instructed.”
“Father, we put Hawk in Your very capable hands,” Elliot said. “Give wisdom to the FBI special agents and let them bring this man into custody unharmed. In Jesus’s name, I ask it. Amen.”
“Amen,” Kate, Buck, and Clarissa said at the same time.
Natalie came into the kitchen and sat next to Buck.
“Where’s the bounty hunter? Bring him in closer,” Romo said.
“Sir, I’m pulling up his face on number six.”
“There he is,” Romo said. “Oh yeah, that’s him. That’s definitely him. Where is he?”
“Sir, he’s on the path leading back up to the lodge from the pier. Let me back it up. Right there. That’s him in the khaki shorts and white golf shirt.”
Romo nodded. “Yes, I see him.”
Virgil’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest. He recognized Jalili from his picture. His hair was much shorter, and his beard merely stubble now, but that was him. He was walking amid a steady stream of people. His eyes were all over the map, taking it all in. Virgil stood behind a dozen agents, squinting to make out all the details on the monitor. He dropped his handkerchief on the floor and bent down to get it. “Billy Gene, let me know when you’ve spotted the bounty hunter, but don’t lose sight of Saman.”
“Copy that.”
Virgil stood up straight. At six feet four inches tall, he had an unobstructed view of the monitor.
“Okay, people,” Romo said, “this is what we’ve been waiting for. Actors, look natural and just keep doing what you’re doing. Hawk, stay where you are and try not to look intense. That’s it. Perfect. For now, just be the guy heading up the landscaping project. I’ll let you know where the bounty hunter is. And if and when you need to do anything else. We’ve got your back.”
Virgil kept his eyes on the screens. The bounty hunter—the deadly assassin wanted all over Europe and the Middle East—was now walking his turf. Jalili looked out across the back lawn, just like he knew exactly what he was looking for.
“I think he may have spotted Hawk,” someone at the computers said.
The bounty hunter squinted and kept looking in Hawk’s direction.
A chill crawled up Virgil’s spine. This was the real deal. It was so hard not being the one in command.
“Sheriff, I’ve spotted the bounty hunter,” Billy Gene said. “He’s comin’ up the path from the pier. I’m just yards from Saman. He’s standing in the shade, talking on the phone, Flutter’s about fifteen yards directly behind him.”
Virgil put his hand to his mouth. “You’re on one of the monitors now, Billy Gene. Look relaxed, like you’re on vacation …”
Billy Gene said something to two little boys, then picked up a Frisbee that had landed next to them and tossed it back to the sender, a big grin on his face.
“That’s it,” Virgil said. “Blend in.”
“Hawk,” Romo said, “the bounty hunter has spotted you. He’s playing it safe. Still walking with people all around him. We need to draw him out of that crowd after he makes the turn and comes this way. I need you to move over to where Special Agent Barron is. Pretend to be talking to him about something.”
Virgil’s heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Barron was less than a foot from the paved path the bounty hunter was on. Hawk was walking over to him, as instructed.
Virgil held his hand to his mouth. “Billy Gene, how close are you to Hawk?”
“Ten yards. Saman is to my right, about fifteen yards from Hawk. He hasn’t stopped lookin’ at him. But he’s not movin’ in.”
“Can you see the bounty hunter?”
“Yes, but it’s hard to keep him in my line of vision with all the people around him. They’re probably all-day boat renters comin’ up from the pier to have lunch.”
“You’ll be able to see him better after he makes the turn. Let’s listen …”
“The bounty hunter is testing the waters,” Romo said. “He’s not going to get drawn out until he feels safe. He’s looking for anything or anyone that seems out of place. So stay cool, people. Everybody, do your job.”
Hawk stood next to Special Agent Gary Barron. He pointed at the ground and then folded his arms across his chest. “The bounty hunter’s getting closer. My knees feel like Jell-O, man.”
“Yes, but you’re surrounded with FBI,” Gary said. “We’ll cover you. All you need to do is be Hawk Cummings, head of the landscaping project.”
“Yeah, right. That’s me.” Am I really doing this?
“Hawk, it’s Romo. I want Gary to get down on this knees and act like he’s measuring. You just stay where you are and talk to him, nice and relaxed, so the bounty hunter will see your lips moving. Maybe an occasional smile.”
“Okay,” Hawk said. “I can do that.” This is for you, Kennedy. “So, Gary. Are you as hungry as I am?”
“Starved.”
“I think once we get the bounty hunter into custody, we should order the biggest, juiciest, totally loaded pan pizza we can think of.”
“You really know how to hurt a guy. We may not be eating for a while, you know.”
Hawk laughed nervously. “Just making conversation, friend. Just doing as instructed.”
“Hawk, it’s Romo again. The bounty hunter has made the turn and is about twenty-five yards straight in front of you. Don’t look over at the sidewalk. I don’t want him making eye contact. I want you to walk about ten yards to your left, away from the sidewalk, and squat down, facing Gary. Take out your tape measure and pretend to be measuring.”
Hawk did as he was told. His heart was pounding like it would explode. He wanted to look up at the sidewalk, but he resisted the temptation. If he had known when he met Kennedy that the relationship was going to result in this moment, he would have run as fast as he could. Lord, help the FBI to get this guy. I just want it over with.
Virgil pretended to blow his nose. “Are you there?”
“Yes, sir,” Billy Gene said. “I’ve got eyes on the bounty hunter and on Saman. They’re both takin’ some measured glances at Hawk. Sure looks to me like they know who he is.”
“Since everyone’s watching the bounty hunter, keep your eyes on Saman. Keep listening.”
“Copy that.”
“Hawk, it’s Romo. The bounty hunter is on the far side of the sidewalk and seems to be keeping his distance. You’re not in any danger. I want you to stand up and stretch, and wipe your face with the red kerchief in your right back pocket. That’s it. Great. Now fold your arms and hold that pose. Gary, call his name, like you’re trying to get his attention. Perfect. The bounty hunter should be there any second. Hawk, don’t react. Stay cool. He’s just going to do a walk-by … Easy … easy … He should be visible any second … Where’d he go?” Romo said. “I don’t see the bounty hunter. Number six, let me see a headshot. He’s not there! Anybody? Has anybody got eyes on the bounty hunter? Come on, where are you …? We’ve lost him!” Romo spit out an expletive, then yanked out his earpiece and stormed over to the computers, his voice raised. “He didn’t disappear into thin air! Find him. Get him back on camera.”
Virgil heard loud voices arguing over technical issues, but he didn’t understand what they were saying. He kept his eyes on the guests coming up the sidewalk. The bounty hunter was nowhere in sight. “Billy Gene, do you have eyes on the bounty hunter?”
“I did till he closed in behind that tall man in the Rangers ball cap a few yards back. I’ve lost him. Saman hasn’t moved. He’s watchin’ every move Hawk makes and then looking out at the folks walking on the sidewalk. I’m tellin’ you, Sheriff, there’s something cookin’.”
“Okay, keep watching Saman,” Virgil said. “I don’t think there’s any way the bounty hunter made us. He’s out there. He’s just testing.”
Kate threw up her arms and sat back in her chair. “How could they lose him?”
“I know it’s unsettling,” Clarissa said, “but this is pretty standard. The guy’s a pro. He is going to test and retest before he breaks away from a crowd to speak to Hawk.”
Natalie leaned on her elbows. “Clarissa’s right, Kate. People are his cover, his safety. If our actors are consistent, he won’t suspect a thing. He has no real reason to think we’re waiting for him anyway.”
“Then I sure don’t understand all his testing,” Buck said. “What reason does he have to act so paranoid?”
“Just the nature of his profession,” Natalie said.
Elliot’s eyes narrowed. “Why? What has he got to be paranoid about? Isn’t the bounty hunter hired by a bail bondsman to go after a person who jumped bail? He would be the only one who could collect the bounty, providing he brought the fugitive in, right? So Buck’s got a point. What is there to be so paranoid about? Why all this testing?”
Natalie glanced over at Clarissa. “It’s just the way it’s done.”
“Is this guy really a bounty hunter?” Elliot said. “Or is that a code name?”
“That’s classified,” Clarissa said.
Elliot arched an eyebrow. “So it could just be a code name?”
“What we know for sure is the guy is coming to get Hawk to tell him where Nameless is. He’s dangerous. And we need to get him into custody without hurting him.”
“Why such pains to keep from hurtin’ the fella?” Buck said. “If he’s that evil, like y’all say he is, couldn’t you just shoot him in the leg and stop him?”
“Again, Buck, we aren’t told everything. Our job is to take him in unharmed.”
“I sure hope you have the same regard for Hawk,” Kate said.
Natalie smiled. “We do. We’re going to protect him with everything we’ve got.”
“So you think this bounty hunter will come back?” Kate said.
“Honey, he’s just testin’ the waters. He’ll be back. You can count on it.”