Hidden - Laura Griffin Page 0,84
a freaking business strategy, and it makes me furious.”
“How are they sending a message if the victim’s name hasn’t been in the press?”
“Oh, it will be. Trust me. It’s only a matter of time before someone passes along a carefully placed call to the Tribune or some other media outlet. Then it’ll be splashed everywhere.”
He gave her a long look. “Why haven’t you splashed it everywhere?”
“I told you, I’m focused on something else now.”
“Granite Tech,” he said.
“One of our city’s most successful CEOs may have directed the hacking of multiple government databases. That’s computer fraud. Millions and millions of people’s biometric records were potentially stolen and sold to the highest bidder. And the technology they’re using isn’t regulated enough, so it could happen again. It will happen again, and it affects masses of people—you, me, everyone. People don’t realize how vulnerable they are and how easily this technology can be exploited.”
Jacob smiled. “You’re an idealist.”
“No, I’m not.”
But his smile told her he didn’t buy that at all. And maybe she was an idealist. Well, so what? Too many people had traded their ideals for cynicism.
“Anyway, what’s wrong with being an idealist?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
There was something wistful in his tone, and she knew he used to be the same. Maybe he still was. Maybe underneath the jaded-cop exterior, he still had some faith in people and institutions. It might explain why he was such a dedicated cop.
He looked away, and Bailey studied his profile. She admired him. She admired his integrity and his work ethic and his unwavering sense of duty. She wanted to tell him, but she doubted he’d be comfortable with the compliment. Maybe she’d tell him when all this was over.
He eyed the side mirror and the last trace of his smile disappeared. An SUV glided past them on the street, and Jacob tensed.
“What?” she asked.
“That black SUV has been by here twice now.”
“Maybe it’s looking for a parking space,” she said.
“Could be.”
“What kind was it?”
“A Ford Expedition. He just turned into that alley there. Pull out. Go around the block.” He looked at her. “Think you can pick up their tail without being seen?”
“I can try.”
“You should have let me drive.”
He was probably right, but she didn’t comment as she pulled into traffic.
“Hang a left here up here,” he said. “Next light.”
She turned, but the black SUV wasn’t anywhere.
“There. Up ahead,” he said excitedly. “Don’t stop or brake, just drive right by.”
Bailey spotted a black Expedition. It was parallel parked in a loading zone, no driver.
“Are you sure that’s the same one?” she asked.
“It is. Hang a right up here and go about a block. Then pull over.”
“Why?” she asked as she made the turn. “What’s the big deal with that SUV?”
“I’m going to check it out.”
“But—”
“Roll up the window.” He pushed open the door. “I’ll meet you back at the square. And if you see anything, text me.”
He got out and slammed the door, and Bailey watched him, fuming.
The driver behind her tapped his horn, and she got moving, watching Jacob in her rearview mirror as he sauntered down the street. There was something cool and casual about his gait, and at a glance he probably looked like someone who lived in the neighborhood. You’d have to look closer to notice the sharp cop eyes and the bulge under that jacket he wore to conceal his gun. Bailey had expected him to bring a backup pistol in an ankle holster, but instead he’d brought his police-issue sidearm. He’d notified the flight crew about it when he boarded the plane and ended up getting a meeting with the pilot and a seat near the cockpit as an honorary air marshal.
Jacob disappeared from view now, and Bailey buzzed up the window and headed back toward her stakeout location.
Why was he hung up on the black Expedition? Annoyance simmered inside her. He was holding back on her. She knew that. He was keeping things to himself, including the reason behind the texts he’d been exchanging with Kendra all afternoon. Something was going on in Austin, and his partner kept pinging him with updates.
Did it have to do with the Robin Nally murder case? Or the case from this morning? Whichever case it was, something was going on, and Jacob was being tight-lipped about it.
Bailey found another parking space—not as good as the last one, but it had a better view of the church. She parked and turned her attention to the square again, where the wedding couple was now