Court answered softly, so as not to be heard either in the hallway or in a neighboring unit. “Yeah?”
“It’s me, Six.” Technically, Zack was supposed to confirm his identity with his code name, Night Train, but it was common for Zack to bend the rules in the field.
“What’s up?”
“Subject just exited the rear of her building, might be heading your way.”
Court looked to his watch. It was 2:48 in the afternoon, early for her to be coming home from work. He said, “Going out for coffee?”
“There’s a Starbucks in her building.”
“But she’s definitelynotgoing for her car.”
“Definitely not. She’s on foot. Heading away from the garage. We’re firing up, going after her.”
“Roger, we’ll exfil now. Stay on the line, keep us updated.”
“Will do, but it’s a short walk from her to you, so you better prep to boogie.”
“Wilco.”
They were packed up and ready to go in no time; Court checked in with Jill to make sure there was no one outside the door in the hallway, and once Gumdrop confirmed this, he and Travers left, heading for the elevator.
They’d made it halfway there when Zack spoke up again. “We’ve got visual on the subject at this time. She’s still on foot, east of her building, turning to the north.”
“Still coming this way?” Court said.
“Possibly. Still heading north, in your direction, ten minutes to your poz.”
“Leaving her car in the garage? Why would she do that?” Court asked.
“I’m just telling you what I see. You need to get out.”
“We’re exfilling now.”
Three minutes later they were outside; their rented burgundy Chrysler Pacifica minivan was parked on M Street NW, and here they dumped the ladder and the utility belts into the back.
Just as they shut the rear hatch, Zack came over Court’s earpiece.
“Be advised, subject is heading into the Metro at George Washington University.”
“Okay,” Court said. “You close enough to get on her train?”
“Can be.” After a second, he said, “This is just on the other side of Washington Circle.”
“So?” Court asked, confused.
Travers said, “Meaning she walked almost all the way back home to get on the Metro by her house. Why didn’t she bring her car back here?”
“She’s going back to work, maybe?” Court speculated.
“Maybe,” Zack said. “Or else she’s running an SDR.”
A surveillance detection route was a tactic used the world over by spies to check if someone was following them.
Court shook his head as he climbed into the passenger seat. “This lady is a desk jockey at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. What does she know about SDRs?”
To this, Zack said, “I guess I’m about to find out. I’m on foot heading down the escalator, Arnold is topside in the van.”
