“Sorry,” Molly said. “I should have warned you about that. This whole complex is owned by DR, and they get pretty sticky about security.”
“Yes, but under the circumstances, that’s a good thing,” Noah said. “Nicolaich isn’t one who would be stopped for very long by your average security company, but these guys are professional enough to make him stop and think it over. Let’s get you home, then we’ll go play cat and mouse with whoever’s in that car out there.”
“Wait a minute,” Molly said, her eyes wide. “You think you’re just gonna drop me off and leave? I don’t think so. You guys are coming in and filling me in on what’s going on here. I want to know everything.”
“I’ll fill you in,” Noah said, “but not tonight. Right now, it’s extremely critical that the watchdog out there at the gate sees us leaving. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re reporting directly to Nicolaich, and what I’m hoping is that he’ll decide to leave you alone and come after me, now that he knows I’m here.”
Molly glared at him. “Fine, but come by my office tomorrow, we can talk freely there. Make it about 10 o’clock, will that work? I’m guessing you’re not using your own names, right now, so what names should I put on the approval list?”
Neil produced a notepad and pen and wrote down the four names they were using for her. She stuffed the note into her purse as Sarah maneuvered through the subdivision. Noah noticed four Blackstone Security SUVs patrolling the streets, which told him there were probably several more he hadn’t seen. The homes were townhouse-style, each one sharing an adjoining wall with at least one other unit. The GPS in the dashboard led Sarah directly to Molly’s place and she pulled into the driveway.
“Okay,” Molly said as she got out of the car. “Don’t forget, 10 AM. I’ll make sure no one else is around, so we can talk.”
Noah nodded. “We’ll be there. Maybe you can help us figure out how to handle this whole situation.”
They waited until Molly was inside, then drove away. As they passed through the gate and turned right, the dark sedan pulled away from the curb and followed them.
“Want me to lose them?” Sarah asked. “Or no?”
“Let them follow us for a bit, but don’t go back to the hotel just yet. Let’s take a ride up to Arlington and shake them there.”
Sarah grinned as she headed for the interstate.
While Sarah took care of their shadows, Noah called up on his phone the files on the four DEA agents. He called them one by one, introduced himself as Camelot and then instructed them to await his further orders.
FOURTEEN
When your car can change color, it’s not hard to avoid being noticed by people looking for a particular shade. They got back to the hotel without picking up another tail, and gathered in Noah and Sarah’s room.
“There’s no doubt Nicolaich knows we’re here, now,” Noah said. “I’m sure those guys managed to snap a few pictures of us, and I’m sure Nicolaich will recognize us easily. From here on out, we need to stay alert and ready for anything. Neil, I have to give you a weapon, but I haven’t had a chance to look into that shotgun.” He reached into a bag sitting on the dresser and produced one of the MP9 machine pistols, along with a pair of long, stick-like magazines. “I think this will do for now. It’s a full auto pistol, but it’s set for three-round bursts, which means you’ll fire three shots every time you pull the trigger. If you’ve got it pointed at someone, there’s a good chance at least one of those rounds will hit him.”
Neil’s face lit up in a big grin. “Excellent!” he said. “I’ve fired one of these at the range, I know how to handle it. And yeah, I hit the target more often with it.”
“Sarah, I know you’re pretty good with your pistol, but there’s another of those if you want it.”
She shook her head. “Daniel says my little hands are the reason my Beretta is perfect for me. It’s got a smaller grip than most pistols and I can actually get a squeeze on the trigger. I’m accurate enough with it up to fifty yards, and anybody trying to get to me will probably be within fifty feet. If I can get a shot at them, I can hit them.”
Noah nodded and looked at Moose. “It should be dark enough now,” he said. “Take the airgun and put some of Neil’s little cameras out where we can keep an eye on the parking lot and the lobby.”