A chill of fear and excitement raced through Linda.
"Who else could it be?"
"I don't know. And that is what bothers me most. I sense Dillinger's hand in all of this. He's been against this from the start. His actions in the last few days show he's more than willing to interfere. Of course he's done it in a way that shifts everything on me."
"So you don't think it's Julie then?"
"I don't know, but I would love it if it were. We could wrap this entire thing up and get back to work. If they lead us to Julie and Jason..." He trailed off into silence, a grin spreading over his face.
"Cameron, there."
He followed Linda's finger and cursed. He started the engine and jerked out into traffic. He cringed when a car slammed on its brakes and horn. He hoped he hadn't drawn the attention of his prey.
"Relax," Linda said, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Won't do any good if you spook them. You said that Jimmy told you they were going back to the school, so we know where they are going. Hang back a little. We are going to get them."
He nodded and let off the gas a little. She felt some of the tension ease.
Less then ten minutes later they were pulling into the small parking lot of the library. They parked as far away as they could while still being able to see the other car. After a minute or two they saw Paige and Nathan get out. They stood talking over the roof of the car for a moment and then headed for the library.
"Do we follow?"
Cameron shook his head no.
"Can't risk it. We need to know where they are going. Now that he isn't carrying his phone, we can't track him."
"What if they are meeting here, in the library?"
"That's a possibility, but it just doesn't feel right. No, I think our best bet is to keep with the car. They will come back to it eventually and like I said, we can't afford to lose them. I just wish I was better at tailing. We lose them now and I think that will be it."
They lapsed into silence for a minute. Linda pursed her lips and thought.
"Did you see the lights flash when they got out?"
"What?"
"Did you see the tail lights flash?" she asked again.
"What...why?"
"Did they lock the car when they left it?"
"I don't know. I didn't notice. Why?"
Linda smiled and opened the car door.
"I have an idea."
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
Nathan took a final look around the room before shutting the door and joining Paige. They rode down the elevator in silence and then walked out to the car. She hesitated before getting in.
"I guess there is no turning back now," she said.
"Do you want to?"
She thought for a moment and then shook her head no.
"I have to know."
He nodded his agreement. He had to know as well.
"Then hop in and let's get this show on the road."
She slid into the car and buckled up.
Nathan wanted to say something inspiring, but nothing came to mind. He was as nervous as she was. In the end he simply started the car and they drove away from the hotel.
They pulled into the library parking lot and Nathan killed the engine. They sat in silence for a minute or two. Finally, he sighed and gave her a reassuring nod, then got out, slinging his bag onto his shoulder. They stood by the car looking over the roof at each other.
"Maybe it's just me," Paige said leaning against the car. "But does it feel like a million years since we were last here?"
"I was just thinking the same thing. Ready?"
"Let's get this over with."
He smiled at her determination. They met at the front of the car. He took her hand and together they walked toward the building.
The library was busier than the last time they had come. Students were buzzing about all over. Some cramming for tests, others doing research and a fair number just socializing. They walked with purpose to the stairs and climbed to the second floor. Once they reached it, Nathan pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and read it. He'd memorized it back at the hotel, but still his mind insisted he check the instructions once more.
They walked to the last bookshelf in the far corner of the room. He knelt down and pulled out the third book from the right. It was a slim book of poetry. He flipped through it until he reached page ninety-six.
"Very cute," he said mockingly.
"What?"
"The Road Not Taken," he read. At the bottom of the page was a slip of paper, he pulled it out and returned the book to the shelf. He opened the paper and saw seven numbers.
He pulled one of the phones out of his bag and flipped it open. Looking at the screen he saw only a single bar.
"Let's go outside. Reception isn't that great in here. And something tells me that woman on the other end wouldn't deal well with a dropped call."