“You can’t leave so soon,” she said. “I haven’t given you the turquoise and fudge!”
“Forgot an appointment,” I blurted then pulled her into an embrace. “I love you. Please stay safe.”
“No other way to be,” she replied, tone bright as she returned the hug. “I love you too, sweetling. You keep yourself safe as well, okay?”
Nodding, I released her then hurried past and out the door. My aunt remained behind—a loyal associate and friend of one of my greatest enemies.
Chapter 10
The instant I made it into my car I hit the speed dial on my phone for Bryce, then backed out of the driveway as it rang. The sheer number of emotions tumbling through me could have filled the Superdome, but the two front runners were confusion and disbelief with anger a close third.
“Taggart here.”
“Put it on speaker.” Stress clipped my words. “Idris needs to hear this.”
“Done. Go ahead.”
I kept an eye on Tessa’s house in my rearview mirror as I drove down the street. “Tessa texted me to come over because she was back in town, and when I got there Katashi was drinking a fucking cup of tea in her kitchen. He’s there now.”
Idris let out an explosive curse. “We’re over half an hour away. Out by the parish line. Can you stick close and stake it out?”
“Already on it.” I whipped a U-turn less than a block away and tucked my car behind a parked minivan where I had a good line of sight on the house. And none too soon. Tessa and Katashi stepped out as a bullet-grey sedan glided into the driveway. “Shit. Shit. Shit. A car just pulled up. They’re leaving.” A man I didn’t recognize jumped out of the driver’s seat and hurried to open the back door for them.
“You have to follow!” Idris shouted.
“Only if you think it’s safe,” Bryce cautioned. “For you and for your aunt.”
“I’m pretty sure my aunt’s in no danger,” I said bitterly. Or was she? Katashi wouldn’t let affection stop him from using her as a hostage if he felt the need. I seethed, watching helplessly as she and Katashi settled into the back of the sedan. The driver hopped in then pulled out and headed away from where I was parked.
“All right, I’m following,” I said. “Eilahn’s behind me. The driver must’ve been waiting right around the corner.” I gritted my teeth as I navigated the construction zone and barely avoided losing them in the crush.
“Be careful,” Bryce said. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you to stay out of sight, but stay out of sight.”
“Yeah, thanks for the advice.” The instant the words left my mouth one of the cars between mine and the grey sedan changed lanes, forcing me to drop back and do the same or risk ending up too close. “Looks like they’re heading out of town. With any luck I can tail them long enough to narrow down where Katashi is based.”
“We’re on our way back to Beaulac,” Bryce said. “If they try to force a confrontation, get the hell out of there. Got it?”
“I will, I promise.” I was pissed and worried, but I wasn’t stupid. Or at least not that stupid. I continued to give terse updates as I maintained the pursuit, though my worry changed to bafflement after the sedan made a turn that took it through a residential area. “Not heading out of town after all,” I said. “I can’t figure out where the hell they’re going. They’re not trying to shake me, that’s for sure.” I hung back as the sedan stopped at a corner before turning. “They seem to be driving around randomly. Could they be tracking some sort of arcane signature?” Or, they know I’m following them, I thought with a wince.
“It’s possible,” Idris said uncertainly though no less tense. “Try to keep track of your route so we can see if there’s a pattern.”
My phone beeped with an incoming call and Cory Crawford on the caller ID. “Hang tight, my former sergeant is calling. I should take this.” I stuck them on hold without waiting for an answer and accepted Cory’s call. “Whatcha need, Sarge?”
“Hey, Kara, I got two people dressed as surveyors over here,” he said. “They have the equipment, but they’re not using it. They’re camped out on that asphalt patch in the parking lot. I’m sending you a pic.”
“Shit!” I took a hard right into a driveway and slammed to a stop then pulled up the picture. “The red-haired woman goes by Gina Hallsworth, though no guarantee that’s her real name. I don’t recognize the man with her, but I’m willing to bet he’s armed. Gina might be too, for all I know.” Katashi and Tessa weren’t driving around to track arcane crap. They were leading me on a wild goose chase to keep me fucking distracted.
“Son of a bitch,” he breathed. “You want them off the parking lot, I take it?”
“Not if you risk getting hurt.”
He let out a disparaging grunt. “Gimme a fucking break. I’m a cop, remember?”
“I vaguely remember that,” I said, smiling despite everything.