The Gray SUV

THE NEXT FEW DAYS WERE BUSY. SMYTHE SPENT LONG HOURS writing and studying while Artie spent several hours a day in meetings with her teams and members of the FBI, poring over security plans in preparation for a wedding Smythe would attend.

The wedding was for the daughter of Smythe’s best friend, Sue McPherson. A single parent, Sue raised her two children, Bernard and Kelly, alone after the death of her husband. She was the finance manager for a government agency and was welcoming of Smythe, who was later hired in as the Training and Education Manager for the same agency. Over a few years, Sue and Smythe became friends, much to the surprise of everyone around them.

They were an unlikely pair. Sue was an older, hazel-eyed woman with straight, blonde hair, jocular in nature with an infectious laugh and witty sense of humor. As Smythe would say, Sue was the only one who could ever get her to relax. Smythe was all work and no play, serious in her demeanor, and polite, yet cautious in dealings with anyone in the workplace.

It was heartbreaking for the best friends when the organization furloughed Smythe, but it deepened their friendship. They confirmed their fondness for one another, calling each other a grade school girlish name—“bestie best.” Although a bit quirky, the name was an accurate description of the deep bond they had developed. That bestie best relationship even caused the delay of Smythe’s start date with her new employer in the valley, as she wanted to wait until after they had completed a road trip they had planned. The best friends spent two glorious weeks on the road that would take them up through Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, and finally into British Columbia.

After returning from their trip, they kept in contact with one another through text messages or phone calls. It was Sue who matched every tear of frustration and sorrow as Smythe described her father’s latest escapades with his degenerative disease. It was Sue who never missed a birthday or holiday without sending a card, a gift, or unexpectedly showing up to spend a weekend with her friend. Above all, it was Sue who made Smythe feel loved unconditionally. There was nothing they would not share with the other, knowing they were accepted by the other for who they are.

Sue’s daughter understood the relationship her mother built with Smythe and graciously invited Smythe to her wedding. It was this wedding that Smythe was now determined to attend.

At first reluctant to make the necessary accommodations, Smythe held her ground, insisting that she go.

“Artie, this wedding is much too important for me not to attend. It is a momentous occasion for my bestie! This case has taken too much from both of us. I won’t have it take one more moment of life from you or me! Not one. Stay if you want, but I’m going.”

“Smythe, I get it. I do. It’s just—”

“It’s risky, I know. But, Artie, I haven’t seen her in a year. I already have to feign some stupid reason why she can’t come to visit. This case cannot be the demise of our friendship. I’ve got to go.”

“Actually, I was going to say that there are just some variables to consider, but I’m working on it.”

Smythe smiled. “Thank you. Thank you from me, and thank you from Sue. If she knew—”

“She would tell me I am being foolhardy for planning this.” Artie searched Smythe’s eyes before turning on her heels and leaving the apartment.

Artie was meticulous in every detail in preparation for travel. She obtained detailed images of the neighborhood and residence where Smythe was scheduled to stay and planned a daily egress rotation into and out of the neighborhood. Earlier in the month, she dispatched a team to conduct reconnaissance of the church and wedding reception hall, gathering a list of all of the employees scheduled to work at both venues and replaced several of them with her own security detail. Several travel routes were created, and cybersecurity protocols were put into place.

On the day of departure, Smythe asserted her independence from her mother and chose to bypass a visit to her to say goodbye, instead deciding to give her a call. Something in her mother’s voice sounded different to her, but she shrugged off the odd tenor, refusing to “story tell.”

Smythe, Artie, and Dennis traveled in Artie’s team vehicle while another team drove in Smythe’s SUV. Two additional teams caravanned with the SUV. Without incident, the caravan arrived at their destination. They met up with an additional team that had been dispatched to surveil the residence days before Smythe’s arrival. One block before arriving, Smythe was allowed to get into her own vehicle and pull into the driveway of her friend Loretta’s home.

Smythe smiled as she pulled up. Loretta was her former director of human resources at the organization where she had met Sue. The two had rarely spoken since the day Smythe left the organization. It wasn’t that Smythe was angry at Loretta. In fact, the friendship between them was rather strong. What Smythe really felt was a sense of embarrassment. Smythe often wondered what she could have done differently that perhaps would have changed the executive team’s decision to eliminate her position.

“But those were bygones,” she told herself. More than anything, Smythe remained grateful Loretta was the one who broke the news of a furlough to her, especially since Loretta was on leave, battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. With a wide grin on her face, Smythe walked up to the door of Loretta’s home and knocked.

“Oh Smythe! You’re here! You’re here!” Loretta exclaimed. She held out her arms and held Smythe in a long, tight hug, refusing to loosen her embrace even though Smythe had begun to loosen her wrap around Loretta.

“It’s so good to see you Loretta. It’s been a long time,” Smythe said, her words muffled into Loretta’s shoulder.

“Too long. Come in, come in. Moi isn’t here, but will be here shortly. We have so much catching up to do. I want to hear everything!”

Over the next couple of days, Smythe was in constant motion. She spent the first evening catching up with Loretta. As she reflected on her stay much later, she felt it was worth the discomfort of staying at her friend’s home rather than the independence of a hotel room—away from the arms of Artie. As she and Loretta engaged in heartfelt conversations about each other’s lives, she felt a deep sense of gratitude to her Beloved for allowing a bonding connection to emerge between her friend and her family.

The next morning, Smythe had a quick breakfast with Sue before changing and heading to the church. The church only held 100 or so people, and it was packed. At Sue’s insistence, Smythe sat squeezed at the end of the second pew from the front while her best friend sat just in front of her at the opposite end. Smythe glanced around her. She recognized a number of her best friend’s family. Uncle Thomas, a tall, slender man with a head which displayed a horseshoe bald patch, sat to her left, alongside his wife Margie, a short Hispanic woman whose head barely reached to her husband’s stomach. They were Sue’s favorite family. An assortment of cousins sat next to them, and her sister sat at the opposite end of the pew. Smythe smiled at the honor she was offered to sit amongst them.

Artie stood at the back of the church, making sure to still have a clear vantage point of Smythe. She couldn’t help but grin. Smythe radiated joy witnessing her best friend dab her eyes, beaming with pride as her daughter and new son-in-law repeated their vows to one another.

After the ceremony, Smythe, Artie, and the teams made their way to the reception. Artie’s secondary teams were also in place, blending into the crowd. Yet, Artie also knew a potential threat would blend in as well. She flanked the wedding reception with her teams, who posed as waiters, busboys, and bartenders. Smythe was instructed where to sit, and Artie served as the waiter for her table. Throughout the rest of the evening, Smythe remained at her table, for the most part, enjoying easy conversations with old acquaintances and friends alike.

The following day, a small, intimate party was thrown at Loretta’s home—a last-minute gathering which left Artie scrambling to ensure Smythe’s safety. A plan was quickly put into place, which included wiring Smythe with a hidden com unit in addition to a tracking device that Artie equipped Smythe with before they arrived.

“So, Smythe, I forgot to ask you—are you seeing someone?” Loretta inquired.

“Me, Loretta? When would I have time?”

“That’s your answer every time I ask about your love life. I don’t know if you noticed, but there was a beautifully handsome woman who waited on your table yesterday during the reception. She seemed interested.”

Seated in the front passenger seat of her SUV, listening to the conversation unfold, Artie raised her head and looked toward Loretta’s house.

“Oh, stop it,” Smythe replied

“I’m serious. I know you have great intuition, but you’re horrible when it comes to noticing when someone’s interested. She was definitely eyeing.”

“Relent already, Lor. I’m far too busy.”

“You’re going to have to stop hiding sometime, Smythe.”

“I’m going to have to work on my stealthiness,” Artie mumbled under her breath as she smirked to herself.

On their final morning, Smythe said her heartfelt goodbyes to her friend and family before driving a block away to pick up Artie and Dennis. As she entered Artie’s vehicle, Smythe asked for time to visit the beach before returning to the valley. Artie and Dennis toyed with her for a minute at first, denying her request.

“Nah, Daniels, we’ve got to get back before traffic gets heavy. Next time,” Dennis replied as he eyed Artie.

“I understand. I just thought 10 minutes on the beach wouldn’t put us behind in terms of traffic. But I get it.”

“We got you covered, Smythe. Which beach?” Artie said as they drove away, watching Smythe’s eyes light up.

Smythe chose a beach she had often returned to when in town. It was off the beaten tourist path, an almost deserted stretch of land which held no homes or apartments alongside the shoreline, save a short row of tourist shops a quarter mile from the shoreline with a small parking lot alongside the road.

Once the caravan arrived at the ocean, Smythe asked Artie to join her for a walk along the beach. The couple walked slowly through the sand, allowing the waves to wash over their feet. It was a feeling Smythe had longed for so many months ago. For Smythe, it seemed like a perfect morning. The fog had yet to lift, the crisp ocean air nibbled her cheeks, and she held a hope for a future.

Artie, however, was on high alert. For her, something felt off, yet she knew she should stop long enough to satisfy Smythe’s need for this scenery. She peered around, noting her security detail’s position on the beach.

“It’s been a good couple of days. I’m glad I came,” Smythe said as she stared out to the water. Her hands jammed into her navy-blue linen pants, the air felt colder than she remembered for that time of year, and she wished she had worn a windbreaker. She smiled to herself and wondered if her body had become too accustomed to the constant heat of the valley.

“I’m glad you came, too. It was good to see you laugh again.”

“Even though you initially objected?”

“Yes. Even though I initially objected. Your friends are delightful.”

“I only wish you could have been by my side the entire time. My friends would love you.”

“Play your cards right, and maybe one day we can come back, and you can introduce me.”

“Play my cards right?!” Smythe exclaimed. In a display of playfulness, she kicked up the ocean water onto Artie’s legs.

“Oh, you want to start something!” Artie said with a laugh and kicked the ocean water back toward Smythe.

Smythe stopped and turned toward the Pacific Ocean. She remained quiet for some time. Taking in the foggy morning and the smell of the saltwater, she breathed deeply. “I want to live in a small bungalow home.”

Artie surveyed her love and nodded as Smythe continued to look out onto the sea. For Smythe, this felt like home, and she was the most relaxed she had been in a long time. They continued to stroll along the sand, watching the endless waves rumble onto the shore. They listened to the echo of the seagulls’ cry as the sun only began to glint through the gray sky above.

“Baby, we should get going before traffic gets too heavy.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for giving me the time to do this. I know you’re concerned. I can feel your tension,” Smythe offered. “Let’s go.”

They began to turn around when Artie became aware of a greater inner disturbance. Something wasn’t right. Artie scanned the road and parking lot before peering out toward the ocean. There, she spotted him. A middle-aged man with his hands in his pocket, gray hoodie and matching pants, walking toward them in the ocean water, blending into the backdrop of the ocean. To anyone casually observing him, he looked just like any other tourist taking in the sights and sound of the ocean. Only he wasn’t looking at the ocean; he was looking at Smythe.

“Walk faster, Smythe. Head directly to the SUV,” Artie quietly said. Smythe heard the undertone of urgency in Artie’s voice and did not question her. She stepped up her pace, ready to run at a moment’s notice.

The stranger was too far behind her for facial recognition, but Artie was confident she had seen him before. He had probably blended into the events over the past couple of days. What were the odds that he would end up at this particular stretch of the beach at the same time Smythe was there?

Then, in an instant, she remembered the wedding. A man, same height and build, strode quietly into the wedding hall just as the service had begun. He whispered something to an usher—a family member of the groom. The usher nodded and directed the stranger to a seat at the back of the hall. Artie thought nothing of someone arriving late to a wedding. She had watched enough weddings to know someone was always late. But she also remembered the stranger piqued a heightened sense of interest within her as the evening wore on.

She watched as he interacted with wedding guests at the reception, staring in Smythe’s direction from time to time. On a couple of occasions, he began to make his way to her table, but Artie’s teams posing as waiters provided a distraction, causing the stranger to lose Smythe in a sea of people. Artie was unsure if he were interested in Smythe romantically or posed a threat. But now she knew the latter was true.

“All teams move in. Potential suspect to my 4 o’clock.” Artie described the man and asked for a specific protection pattern. “Dennis, start the car!”

All teams quickly took their assigned positions. Seven members in all, four of them began to close in on the suspect. Another two members flanked Artie and Smythe from behind. Artie grabbed Smythe’s hand and took off in a trot to her team’s vehicle. She directed Smythe to get into the backseat and moved in next to her. Dennis sat in the driver’s seat, speeding out of the parking lot and barely giving Artie enough time to close her door. The stranger did not follow. Instead, coming out from behind a gray SUV, a woman headed directly for Artie’s vehicle.

“Boss?” Dennis queried.

“I think I remember him at the wedding. It’s not a coincidence he is here right now. And that female! Her, I definitely remember. Dennis, we’ve been herded directly to her.”

“Teams 2 and 3, hold that suspect. Team 4, we’ve got a female suspect now on our six,” Dennis said into his com unit. Immediately, the teams ran for both the suspect on the beach and the female in the parking lot.

“Smythe, get on the floor! Now!” Artie yelled.

Smythe crouched onto the floor. Artie lay almost on top of her, her back resting on Smythe’s and her weapon drawn, pointing toward the backseat window.

The teams were now in a full sprint for the suspect on the beach. In the parking lot, the female suspect drew her weapon but did not have a clear shot and chose to run down an alleyway of shops that flanked the parking lot next to the beach. As directed, Team 4 went in pursuit of her.

The female stranger eluded the trailing team, which only infuriated Artie.

“Damn it!” Artie yelled. “Find her. We can’t have her trail us. Find her vehicle! And question the first suspect.”

“Boss,” Dennis started, “she’s gone, and there is nothing we can hold the male on. Team 2 is remaining behind to question him—long enough to let us put in some distance. They’ll give us another five minutes, but I’ve got to get them back on the road headed toward us.

Artie poked her head up and looked around.

“Keep down, baby,” she said quietly.

“I’m sorry.”

Dennis made his way onto the highway. The valley was roughly four hours away. Artie sat up, directing Smythe to remain crouched. As she craned her neck, looking in all directions, she spotted her nemesis.

“There she is. Gray SUV on our seven,” Artie alerted. “She seems to be gaining, Dennis. All teams in pursuit. We’re southbound and about to hit the grade. There’s nowhere to run.”

The grade was a steep incline to the highway, completely barren of trees or buildings. At that time of morning, very little traffic traversed the grade, leaving Smythe’s security vehicle vulnerable. Artie continued to eye the suspect.

Smythe, trying to remain calm, sat with her head still covered and bent low in her seat. We’re sitting ducks, she thought. Keep it together. Just follow Artie’s instructions. No need to panic.

The suspect barreled down the highway but patiently held her distance. Artie watched as the SUV continued its slow approach. Either the pursuer seems unaware that my teams are closing in on her vehicle, or she does not care, Artie thought.

“Boss, she is no longer closing,” Dennis said.

“Yeah, I see that, Dennis.”

Dennis spotted an exit sign. Both he and Artie said in unison, “Take the next exit!”

Dennis immediately veered off, and the suspect watched in fury as Artie’s vehicle suddenly took the exit from the highway, giving her little chance to follow. With no other choice, she continued up the grade. One team continued the chase up the grade while all remaining security teams pursued Dennis off the exit. Dennis followed the road and took a quiet street that held the cover of trees. He stopped and got out, quickly opening the door for Artie and Smythe. Artie got out first, followed by Smythe. She quickly walked Smythe to another of Artie’s team vehicles.

“All teams, I need an inspection of your vehicles. Now!” Artie said. She was furious. She did not have time to dwell on her growing feelings of inadequacy, nor second guess her protection strategy. Dennis pulled Smythe’s vehicle far enough away from the other team’s vehicles that the cluster of SUVs hid her vehicle parked at the edge of a grove of trees. He got out and began to inspect the car, quickly finding what he was looking for—a tracking device cleverly mounted on the undercarriage of the car. He continued to search the vehicle until he found another tracking device mounted under the front bumper.

Another team found a tracking device located under their vehicle. Artie was in a cold sweat. Each car had been methodically swept each time they moved locations, including Smythe’s, and each team member had been with their cars. Had someone infiltrated her team, or had a team member been turned? She looked over at Smythe. Had she allowed her personal feelings for Smythe to override her judgement? She swept the thought away, focusing on the next course of action. She signaled Dennis and he gave the all clear, driving Smythe’s vehicle toward Artie.

Smythe sat in the team vehicle in dead silence. For months, no attempt on her life had been made. It was a risk, she surmised, for her to attend the wedding, but she had been insistent.

My insistence on coming could have cost Artie her life again. It could have cost Sue or members of her family their lives. This is no longer about me, or Artie. This about everyone. Dear God, what have I done?

Artie got into the front passenger side of the team vehicle, where she had secured Smythe. Dennis entered the car from the driver’s side.

“Um, who’s driving my car if it’s not you, Dennis?” Smythe questioned. Although Dennis had not driven Smythe’s car since her first encounter with him at her apartment several months ago, over time, she developed a deep sense of trust for Dennis and his driving ability. They were four hours away from home, and she not only wanted everyone to return home in one piece, but she also wanted her new baby SUV to arrive home undamaged.

“Another team member,” Artie replied. “I don’t trust anyone but Dennis to drive us back to the valley. If you recall, Dennis didn’t drive your car to the wedding either.”

“I know. But a couple of the guys I don’t know. Do you trust whoever to drive my car back to the valley?” Smythe asked.

“Yeah, I do. Believe it or not, if you are not in your car, there is little chance that it would be damaged. They’re after you, baby, not your car,” Artie explained.

“But they know my license plate by now. Why not just blow it up from a distance?”

“Because the suspect we just lost knows you were not in your car. That’s why she was tailing this vehicle. Your car is safe.”

“So, then this vehicle is targeted,” Smythe replied.

“In a way. But all of the cars look alike—dark with tinted windows, and they’re each specially equipped. Remember, we only brought your car so that you would not draw attention to you or the teams by chauffeuring you from place to place. Our vehicle and two others will leave together. Your car and an additional team vehicle will leave ten minutes behind us and take a separate route to the valley. But our pit stops are going to have to change. If you need to go to the bathroom, you might want to do that now because we won’t have much time in between stops.”

“Yeah, I gotta go, especially after this,” Smythe replied. Artie got out and walked behind Smythe. Smythe led them to the grove of trees and began to relieve herself. “Damn it, no TP!” she said to Artie. Artie was behind her doing the same. “You wouldn’t do well camping or hiking, would you?” Artie asked.

“Nope. I prefer the comforts of running water and toilet paper,” Smythe replied with a smirk on her face. They returned to the team vehicle. Dennis had been reviewing the route and suggested an alternate to Artie. They knew that all routes back to the valley had the potential to be monitored; however, given the time of morning, the major highway would be more densely populated. They chose a longer but more secluded highway to make their way back to valley.

Six hours later, and without incident, Smythe’s caravan arrived back to her apartment. Shortly after that, Smythe smiled as her vehicle was pulled into its parking stall—undamaged. Artie and Dennis met in private and reviewed their protection strategy. In the end, without confiding in Dennis, Artie surmised there was a mole. Only she was unsure what agency held it—hers, the FBI, or both.