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k his outer perimeter monitor. He didn’t recognize the guy standing on the step but he held a clipboard and looked like a salesman. With a breath of irritation Paul pulled the door open minimally.
He eyed the guy warily. “Yeah?”
“Hello, sir. I work for the U.S. Census Bureau. We need to collect additional data from select residents. Do you live alone or are there other members of your household?”
“You have credentials?”
The guy gave him an impatient look but pulled out a card. Paul took his time studying it. It looked official and the Census Bureau had canvased his neighborhood recently so he had no reason to be suspicious. But right now everything set him on edge.
“I live alone,” Paul frowned.
The man nodded and jotted a few notes. “Mm hm. And do you know your neighbor to the south of you? Is it a single woman, late twenties?” The man looked up and eyed Paul closely when he hesitated to respond. “Sir, do you know her?”
“That condo is empty,” Paul stated flatly. He didn’t like this line of questioning.
“I see. Our records state differently.”
“What records are those exactly? You sure you’re with the census? All this seems highly irregular.”
“I’m sure it does, Mr. Justice.”
Paul stiffened and gave the man a sharp look.
“Your name is Paul Justice?” the man continued. “We know a lot about you. You’re a former police officer; you had a bit of trouble with your last investigation. Someone was killed, right? But now you’re self-employed? How’s business, Paul?” Paul’s scowl deepened with every fact the man spoke; this was getting personal and he didn’t like it.
“I understand you have a sister, Janice Thorne, brother-in-law, David, and niece, Chloe. Is that right?”
“What do you want?” Paul growled angrily. He had a sinking feeling that Olivia was right and Ethan had tracked her down to his doorstep.
The man eyed him blandly. “I told you, I’m merely following up on additional data with the U.S. Census Bureau. You have my card.” He pointed to the business card in Paul’s hand as he attempted to peer inside the condo. Paul moved, blocking his view. A quick malevolent look entered the guy’s eyes but it disappeared just as quickly. “We’re interested in keeping America safe, one family at a time.”
“Safe,” Paul repeated the word but he wasn’t buying the guy’s line.
“If you have any questions or concerns, you’ll call the number on my card.”
Paul had the door shut and locked before the stranger left the porch. This was bad news – real bad. He didn’t know why Ethan Moore bothered with the Census Bureau ruse.
Olivia entered the room as he turned. Her face was pinched and pale with fear and her eyes were wide. Gone was the sunny laughter from earlier. “He’s found me, hasn’t he?”
Paul glowered. “It was no census, that’s for sure. He was using veiled threats against my family. Did you hear him speaking? Do you recognize his voice?”
Olivia shook her head. “No, I don’t know him but Ethan has more than a dozen men at his ready disposal. And this is exactly how he works. He’s already collecting data on you, Paul. He suspects I’m here but he doesn’t know for certain. Otherwise he would have already broken in and kidnapped me. If I leave the condo that man will follow me.” She crossed her arms around her waist and hugged herself. She looked ghostly pale and was starting to tremble.
Paul crossed to her immediately. He saw the look of fear and didn’t want her to panic or go into shock. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “We don’t know anything for certain. Don’t lose the firm rein on your emotions. He hasn’t beat us yet.”
“But what if I’m right?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong. I know that guy wasn’t from the Census. He was giving me a sample of how much they already know about me. If I’m not involved, then I’ll think his visit was weird and forget about it. But if I am involved, then I’m supposed to see it as the threat it was.”
“How can you be so calm about this? Ethan knows about your family! He’ll hurt them because of me! You can’t really believe you’ll outsmart him.”
Paul shrugged. “Give me some credit, honey. I’ve dealt with bad guys before.”
“But he isn’t your typical thief or drug dealer!” she cried. “I’ve been on the move for eight months and each time I set up a new home he finds me. I change my identity and my appearance. I choose random locations. I avoid phones and computers, and still he finds me! I’m scared, Paul. And I feel off balance constantly because I never know when he’ll find me. I’ve put you at risk, along with your entire family. You should let me go, Paul. He’s going to hurt you because of me.”
“He hasn't found you and no one’s gotten hurt yet. Maybe he’s guessing and sending out feelers. He doesn’t know anything for certain,” Paul said softly as he watched her closely. “I know you’re worried. I'm not going to tell you to relax because I don't want you to let down your guard. But for now you're safe. I'll say it again and again just because I think you probably need the reassurance. He’s not getting in here. I've got cameras all over the property. I have my own power generator. There are more locks and gates on this place than Fort Knox.”
Olivia wasn't convinced. “And with a few keystrokes, he'll have it all disabled. He's a genius with a computer.”
