Hidden - Laura Griffin Page 0,81
motivated to pursue it. A billion faceprint images from across the country. A privately controlled database just waiting to be queried. He tried to imagine the national security implications if a database like that were to fall into the wrong hands.
He looked at the photo on her phone again.
“There are two images of Tabitha similar to that one. Keep swiping. See?” She eased closer, and he tried not to get distracted by the scent of her hair. “Each of these images was taken from a police camera in the French Quarter.”
Jacob studied the pictures, then swiped back through and studied them again. Each image showed a woman with short hair and glasses crossing a busy street with lots of people around her. “You’re sure this is her?”
“The computer is sure. At least, sure enough to identify her. The haircut and the glasses are probably part of her new look.”
“This is Jackson Square. I recognize the cathedral in the background.”
“That’s right. And each of these images is time stamped between three forty and three forty-eight. So, wherever she’s going, she goes there at the same time of day. If I had to bet, she’s going to a job near the square.”
Jacob looked at Bailey. She had that hyper-alert glint in her eyes. She was amped up about this, and he suspected he knew why.
“Why are you telling me this now?” he asked.
“Why do you think? We have every reason to believe Tabitha is on a hit list. Someone needs to tell her.” She leaned back and looked at him. “That’s why I’m going to New Orleans.”
Jacob bit back a curse. “That’s a bad idea.”
“I’m going. I want to find her and warn her.”
“And interview her for your story.”
“That too.” She didn’t deny it at all, which made him think she’d gotten her editor on board with this crazy idea.
“How do you plan to find her in a city with half a million people? You don’t have a name—not even a fake one. You don’t have an address.”
“So, I’ll scope out this location. And ask around. I’m good at getting people to talk to me.”
“Do you know how crowded the French Quarter is? You’re talking about a big waste of time.”
“No, I’m not.” She tapped on her phone. “The time stamps show that she frequents that square at the same time of day, and she’s dressed the same, too, which means she’s probably in her work clothes.”
Jacob hadn’t noticed the clothes, but he did now that she mentioned it.
“Is your paper on board with this?”
She shrugged. “They want the story.”
“Yes, but do they realize what they’re asking you to do? This isn’t a game, Bailey. You’re putting yourself in the middle of something dangerous.” He watched her, sensing she was holding back. “They don’t know, do they?”
“They know I’m working on this story, and that’s enough for now. If I get a chance to interview one of the principals, all the better. This is a huge story. It’s a major privacy breach, but people may not grasp the implications. A woman was murdered because of this. And another woman’s life is in danger. I can’t just sit here and not do anything. I have to find her.”
He handed the phone back, shaking his head.
“I’d like you to come with me.”
The request hit him out of nowhere. But he should have expected it. Maybe she wasn’t quite as oblivious to her safety as he’d thought.
“You want me for protection,” he said.
“Yes and no. I mean, you carry a gun, so that’s helpful and all, but I was thinking more about your badge. I think it might work better than a press pass in terms of getting information.” She paused. “I’ll pick up your expenses.”
He scoffed. “You think I’m worried about expenses?”
“Well, don’t be, because I’ll cover it. Will you come?”
Jacob gritted his teeth. Tabitha Walker was in grave danger, yes. But it wasn’t Bailey’s job to tell her that. It should have been the feds’ job, but they’d basically washed their hands of Tabitha after she testified for them and then refused their protection.
“She might have skipped town already,” he said. “Maybe Robin got an inkling she was being followed and gave her friend a heads-up.”
“Is that what happened?”
Jacob didn’t answer.
“Well, she was there seventy-two hours ago, so if she did hear something from Robin, it wasn’t dire enough to make her pull up stakes and leave.” She crossed her arms. “Anyway, there’re no guarantees, but I have to at least try. Imagine