Page 128 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

month-to-month likely

older owners

private landlords

cash-friendly setups

weak screening

high turnover streets where nobody noticed cars

He crossed off larger complexes run by management companies that ran background checks. The list got smaller.

Jennifer called back forty-three minutes later. “I have thirty-seven possibilities if you’re broad.”

“Too many.”

“Twenty-one if we remove complexes with on-site laundry.”

“Better.”

“Fourteen if we prioritize private ownership, duplexes, converted garages, rear cottages, and older four-unit properties.”

“Now we’re talking.”

“I also flagged six properties with repeated short-term listings over the last five years.”

JP smiled. “That’s why I called you.”

“I know.”

She emailed this list while still talking. “One more thing,” she said. “Three of those are west of the laundromat in the exact direction people would walk from older residential streets.”

“Did you mark those?”

“Of course.”

When the call ended, JP checked the list, then transferred the starred addresses onto the map. The circle that had started as a theory now held targets.

Sabre stepped into the doorway carrying files. “Are you planning a war?”

“Just a neighborhood.”

She looked at the map, then at him. “You narrowed it down?”

JP nodded.

“From all of San Diego County?”

“People hide in big places,” he said. “But they still need clean socks.”

Sabre smiled despite herself. “What next?”

JP tapped the three starred addresses. “Now I go see where ordinary secrets live.”

Chapter 48

Friday morning