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“Why? You going to go in there and take them all out for looking over business plans?”
“No,” Noah said. “If I wasn’t with you, I’d already have surveillance equipment that would allow me to hear what they’re talking about in there. No need to get a warrant.”
Tanner let out a low curse, both because it would be so helpful to have that information, and also because it was so risky. “You have to be careful, Noah. Between me bringing in Bree to the bonding office today, and getting caught, if Ellis or Stobbart catch either of us nearby, it could affect the case. They might really have an argument for harassment.”
“I’m not going to get caught. I don’t want anything to jeopardize Ellis spending a good solid chunk of his life behind bars. But I’d still like to know what they’re talking about and if it affects Marilyn.”
“If it’s maps and plans, it probably doesn’t have anything to do with her. It’s more likely business plans,” Tanner said.
“Ellis seems pretty involved with those for someone who’ll likely be going to prison soon.”
They watched for another hour, passing the binoculars back and forth, as the men continued to discuss and argue over their plans inside the town house.
“Okay, they’re on the move, putting on jackets.” Noah put down his binoculars and both of them sank a little lower in their seats.
Jared and his friends came out the front door a few minutes later and entered an Uber that pulled up outside the door. Tanner handed Noah his tablet as he started the car.
“Make sure the updates about Jared’s location coming to the computer are accurate and timely.”
Staying far enough back not to be noticed, Tanner followed along behind the car.
“So far, pretty damn accurate,” Noah muttered after a few minutes. “It’s providing updates every thirty seconds and they seem to be very close to Jared’s physical location.”
Just further confirmation that the tracker was working.
They followed the car to a restaurant just within Jared’s range, waited while they ate, then followed them to a strip club. Tanner barely refrained from rolling his eyes.
It really was like a group of overgrown frat boys getting together.
They stayed outside the strip club for another few hours until Ellis and his buddies stumbled out and back into another car to take them home.
Tanner didn’t bother keeping as much distance from the vehicle this time. Ellis and his friends weren’t doing anything suspicious, so they probably wouldn’t be checking to see if they were followed, even if they were sober enough to do so.
“I guess this was a bust,” Noah said as they parked across the street and watched Jared and company stumble back inside the town house. “I’m sorry I dragged you out half the night after you worked all day.”
“You did the right thing. Better to have me with you if you’re not sure you’re going to be able to control yourself around Ellis. And at least we’ve got further confirmation that the tracker is calibrated correctly.” Not that Tanner had much doubt after the work Bree had done.
Noah wiped a weary hand down his face as Tanner started the SUV. There wasn’t any point in staying. “Do you really think Jared didn’t have anything to do with the fire?”
“Him personally? No. I think the ankle monitor is solid. Hell, to be honest, I’m not even sure he paid someone to do it. And just because we don’t like his buddies, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re guilty of actual crimes, so we’ve got to be careful with this.” Noah couldn’t start throwing out accusations.
“I will be. After tonight I’m not even sure Jared had anything to do with it, eith—” Noah’s head jerked forward. “What the actual hell?”
Tanner spun his head to see what Noah was talking about and spotted Jared Ellis standing across the street, motioning with a finger for them to come closer.
Noah was out the car door and rushing toward Jared before Tanner knew what was happening. Noah was going to attack the man. Maybe not kill him, but definitely punch him.
It was exactly what Jared wanted.
“Noah!” Tanner ran—ignoring the honking horn and car that had to slam on its brakes to not hit him as he darted out in front of it. Noah was picking up speed and was almost to Jared.
Tanner ran, coming at his brother from the side in a flying tackle just before he reached out and landed a punch on Jared’s jaw.
“Get off me, Tanner,” Noah said through gritted teeth.
Tanner wrapped his arms around him in a bear hug. Strength for strength he and his brother were pretty evenly matched.
“It’s what he wants, Noah.” Tanner grunted as Noah’s elbow caught him in the ribs. “Somebody’s probably got a camera on us right now. You hit him and the whole case against him becomes shaky.”
