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Internal affairs will work to determine if someone within the police department was paid off. I’m certain the FBI will continue to work to identify the other players, either within Sullivan Arms or outside of it. The investigation is ongoing with multiple agencies at play, but things have quieted down. My role has concluded, and I believe that whoever perceived me as a threat has picked up that I am not a threat. If either Sophia or I had information that could lead to conviction, surely they realize the FBI would have already arrived at their doors.
The phone in my hand vibrates, startling me. It’s an unidentified number.
“Hello?” It’s probably a telemarketer, but there’s always a chance it’s a reporter or a student.
“Alex girl. Just got your text. You’re in luck. I’m in your neighborhood.”
“You are?” I peer down the street.
“Well, I’m in Santa Barbara. At the marina. My boat was getting some work done, and I’m here to bring her home. You feel like going for a boat ride? If you come on over, you can drill me with questions while we take her for a spin. We can make sure everything’s working right before I drive her home.”
The prospect of taking a break and spending a couple of hours bouncing over waves appeals to me. There’s a cloudless sky, and it’s a warm day. I’ve seen the boats traveling along the coast, but have yet to venture out in one.
“I’d quite love that. Where should I meet you?”
“Why don’t you meet me at the marina? I’ll meet you at the gate.”
I latch a leash onto Trace’s collar and lead him outside to the Arrow employee’s sedan. On the way, Trace lifts a leg and does his business.
“Hello,” I say to the man. His automobile is off, and his windows are down. This job assignment must be dreadfully boring.
“Hi.” He scans past me, to my house. I glance over my shoulder to see what he’s looking at, but when I return my gaze to him, I notice he’s glancing every which way. He’s on lookout.
“I’m going out to meet a friend.” Wayne Killington isn’t exactly a friend, but after we spend time sailing around, he might truly qualify.
“Give me the address, and I can follow you. Or I can drive you.”
I glance back at my house. Someone destroyed my office. It’s not inconceivable they might come to my house. That’s the whole reason we’ve got the equivalent of an officer stationed here.
“What about my house?” I bend and lift Trace into my arms. “Not sure this guy’s going to keep anyone out.”
“Where are going?”
“Just the marina. Going sailing with a friend. It’s close enough I could walk it.”
“You going out in a boat?”
“Yeah.”
The man’s brow crinkles.
“Why don’t I drop you off at the marina? I’ll come back to watch your house, and when you return, you can text us and someone on the team will pick you up.”
“That sounds a bit unnecessary and over the top. I doubt anyone is watching me to know where I’m going. This would be…” I think about the chances of that guy from the school running into me at the marina. He knew I’d be at school, but I never visit the marina.
“Let me drive you.” The man has sandy blond hair that’s cut close to his scalp and brown eyes. He’s also got a determined set to his jaw and the confidence to look me straight in the eye. I don’t foresee me winning an argument with him.
“Okay. Let me deposit Trace back at the house and get my things.”
Five minutes later, I’m in the passenger seat of his sedan, headed to the marina. I learn his name is Lucca and not much else. When he pulls along the busy street in front of the marina, there’s no parking anywhere. As he slows in front of a pedestrian crosswalk, I see Wayne standing on the boardwalk. I jump out of the car and shout back to Lucca, “I’ll text when I return.”
“Do you see your friend?”
“Yeah. He’s right there.”
I’m several feet away when I hear him call, “What’s his name?”
A horn beeps, urging Lucca to stop holding up traffic. I hold my phone up, indicating I’ll text him.
