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The major “pro” was also a function of keeping Xavier safe. If they went to the box without him but found that they needed Xavier to retrieve the contents, they’d have to return with him later. If Ducote had someone watching the box, they’d report back to him that Burke and Molly had tried to collect its contents, which would give Ducote the heads-up that Xavier would be returning soon. He could have someone waiting to kill Xavier on the return trip.
Adding to the “pro” column was their ability to disguise Xavier so that his own mother didn’t recognize him. Antoine had provided a pair of mirrored sunglasses and the wig of braids that he used when doing undercover work for Burke. Combined with Xavier’s five-day scruff and a ball cap, he looked different enough that they’d finally agreed that having Xavier accompany them now when they had the element of surprise was better than having him go to Baton Rouge later when someone might be waiting for him.
Everyone had agreed except for Cicely Morrow, who’d left Burke’s living room, lips pursed, tears coursing down her face.
So they’d all gotten into Burke’s boat with heavy hearts. Nobody liked leaving Cicely when she was so upset, but Willa Mae had assured them that she’d take care of things.
Sure enough, Xavier had received a text from Cicely when they were halfway to Baton Rouge, telling him to be careful and that she loved him. That had lightened the tension a little bit.
Until they’d entered the city limits. Now Gabe was so tense that he wanted to run, to scream, to do anything but simply sit and wait.
Molly pulled into a parking space in front of the UPS store, and Burke turned so that he could see Gabe and Xavier in the back seat. “I’m going in first,” Burke said, reminding them of their plan. “If there’s something in the box itself, I’m coming straight back here and we’ll leave. If the box is empty, I’ll ask the clerk behind the counter if they’re holding any bigger packages in the back. If he needs you to show ID, I’ll come back to get you. Otherwise, you guys stay in the vehicle with your heads down. Got it?”
“Got it,” Xavier said, but he was clearly nervous despite being adamant that they bring him along. “You have my keys, right?”
“I do,” Burke confirmed. “You gave them to me before we left. Molly, keep the engine running and if anything looks suspicious—anything at all—you hightail it out of here. Leave me here. I’ll be okay and I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Got it,” Molly said. “Just get this over with, Burke, before we all explode from the stress.”
Burke obeyed, getting out of the Escalade and entering the UPS store.
“This has to be over soon,” Gabe muttered. He was so tired. He needed his life back. He needed to know that his father’s killer would pay.
“Your mouth, God’s ears,” Xavier said quietly, his face obscured by his newfound braids.
“Molly, has Burke heard from André?” Gabe asked, even though he knew the answer, because he’d already asked several times.
“Not since Burke told him about our discovering Ducote through Nadia’s dog,” Molly said patiently, just as she had each time before.
“Sorry,” he muttered. Burke had called André while Gabe had been sleeping. After my breakdown. Which was still humiliating. But no one had mentioned it, which he appreciated.
“Don’t be,” she said. “I’ve bugged Burke about it, too. So has Xavier.”
Apparently, André had been hesitant to believe that Ducote was their killer but promised to make some “discreet inquiries.” Whatever the hell that meant.
Then she sucked in a breath. “Burke took something out of the box. He’s on his way back.”
“I wonder what it is,” Xavier whispered.
But no one answered him. They were all holding their breath until Burke got back into the Escalade, his mouth tight.
“An envelope for you, Xavier. There’s something small in it, feels like hard plastic.”
“Where is it?” Molly asked excitedly.
“In my pocket. I don’t want to open it here. That guy at the counter was too damn curious. He started texting on his phone the minute I opened your box. Molly, drive us somewhere where we’re out of sight.”
Molly obeyed, driving to the other side of the street, then winding around to the back of another strip mall before parking.
“Give me a minute and we’ll open it.” Burke got out, opened the hatch of the SUV, and rummaged in the back. “Found it.”
“Found what?” Gabe demanded, trying so hard to be patient.
“A faraday bag,” Molly said as Burke slid back into the passenger seat.
“What’s that?” Xavier asked.
Burke pulled on a pair of disposable gloves then held up a black pouch that looked like a case for eyeglasses. “This is a faraday bag. I think someone sent you a tracking device. A faraday bag blocks the GPS signals, so whoever sent it can’t use it to find you, Xavier.”
