one.”
“Obviously.”
Within minutes, they had traveled through the Gaslamp district and were in the heart of downtown.
Kendra leaned toward the Stingray box, where several indicator lights were flashing. “What’s happening here?”
“It’s sending out a signal that makes it appear to be a cell phone tower,” Metcalf said. “Phones automatically connect to the strongest tower in the area, so hundreds of mobile phones are now connecting to this box as we drive along. But we’re only interested in one, so the Stingray immediately cuts the others loose.”
Kendra nodded. “So what happens when we find Ronald Kim’s phone?”
At that moment, a red indicator light flashed.
“That’s what happens,” Metcalf said. “We lock on and don’t let go. Now, as we move down these streets, our system is constantly measuring the strength of the phone signal. If it gets weaker, we know we’re moving away. If it’s getting stronger, we know we’re getting closer.”
Kendra nodded. “Kind of a digital version of ‘hot and cold.’”
“You got it. We have two other vans doing the same thing. Whoever has that phone now, we’ll find him.”
With directions from the two techs, Hyde drove up and down the city streets until they finally turned down Fifth.
“This is it,” the female tech shouted. “Probably less than two hundred yards.”
Kendra’s breath caught in her throat. “Metcalf…This is my street.”
He looked out the front windshield. “I know. And two hundred yards would put us…”
“…right at my front door.”
Metcalf leaned toward Hyde. “Take us to that white building on the right. Now!”
Hyde gunned the engine and raced toward Kendra’s building. They skidded to a stop.
“This is it!” the female tech said tensely.
Kendra stared in bewilderment at her building’s main entrance. What in the hell? She started to get out of the van.
“No,” Metcalf said. “The killer could be in there waiting for you. We’ll have half a dozen agents swarming that place in just a few minutes.”
Hyde was already talking into his headset with the other mobile units, informing them of the location.
Kendra shook her head. “But why me?”
“It’s no secret you joined the investigation,” Metcalf said. “I’m sure everyone at the school knows it.”
“My place is locked down,” Kendra said. “No way anyone gets in there without me knowing about it. My phone would be shrieking right now.”
“They could be in a hallway. Or the elevator. Or—”
Kendra’s breath left her. “Olivia!”
She grabbed the door handle, but Metcalf blocked her. “Two minutes, Kendra. Agents are on their way.”
Shit! Kendra looked up at the second-floor windows. Olivia was home. Is it possible that—?
Kendra pulled out her phone with shaking hands and voice-dialed Olivia’s number.
She listened. Why in the hell was it taking so long to connect? Finally she heard the first ring. Then the second.
Come on, Olivia…
A third ring. A fourth.
Voicemail.
Shit!
She left a message. “Olivia, it’s me. Don’t let anyone in your place until I get there, you hear me? No one but me! I’ll explain later.”
Kendra cut the connection.
The other two vans rolled up behind theirs. “The teams are here,” Metcalf said. “Wait in here, and we’ll—”
“Like hell,” Kendra said. She slid open the van door and jumped out onto the sidewalk. “I’m going up to Olivia’s. If your agents want to follow me, tell them to keep up.”
“Kendra…”
But she had already thrown open the main door and was moving through the lobby.
Kendra bypassed the elevator and sprinted toward the stairwell. She looked behind her. Metcalf and two other agents were running behind her with guns drawn.
Please, please, please let Olivia be okay.
Kendra ran down the second-floor hallway to Olivia’s condo. She pounded on the door. “Olivia, it’s me! Open the door, please. Olivia!”
No answer.
“Olivia!”
The dead bolt was thrown and the door swung open.
It was Olivia. She appeared to be fine. Her phone was pressed against her ear.
She was frowning and mouthed the words radio interview.
Kendra smiled with relief. Just another workday for Olivia, promoting her website with a radio interviewer from Australia, England, Des Moines, or somewhere else on the planet.
“Sorry,” Kendra whispered. “We’re going to search your place.”
Olivia wore a puzzled expression, but she waved them in and walked back toward her desk.
There was a time when Olivia would have been more surprised, Kendra thought.
Then all of a sudden Olivia whirled to face her, violently shaking her head. She pointed to her bedroom door and made a silent woofing motion with her pursed lips.
Harley! Kendra thought. She’d completely forgotten the dog was here. She held up her hand to tell the agents to freeze. Then she ran over to the bedroom