CHAPTER 102
Washington, DC
“Nat, we’ve got to plan a long weekend together,” Rowan Anderson said over the phone, sprinkling in some sexual undercurrent just to keep him dreamy. “There’s an amazing place outside Charlottesville. It’s got huge soaking tubs, and four-poster beds so big you have to climb into them.”
“Oh, yeah? That sounds pretty great right about now, Rowan. I’d love to see you.”
She believed him, carrying on the heavy flirting that would help her gauge whether he was in love, or at least in lust, maybe even just crushing on her.
Despite Anderson’s many debriefings, the CSTC business remained a mystery to her. It was also clearly one that had spooked Ming Yu enough that he wanted Nat dead.
“How about a late-night cocktail—tonight? We can get bombed and watch the sunrise.”
“I am so sorry, Rowan, but I can’t. I’m in the middle of something, and then I might have to head out of town again. Won’t know ’til later.”
Rowan detected a little pain in his voice as he sighed.
“I hope you’re okay, Nat,” she said truthfully. “You sound beat.”
Nat was enough of a pro that he definitely wasn’t sharing his current whereabouts, nor the status of his trip south, but she decided to lob a long shot. Any information he provided might help her box his location.
Then Rowan Anderson got the break she’d been waiting for: the sound of a hospital loudspeaker blaring.
The message—something about a delay in the shuttle to the parking garage—was beside the point.
Now that she knew Nat was at a hospital, maybe she could persuade him to tell her which one.
Even better if she could discover why he was there.
“Are you in the hospital, Nat? Buddy, what’s going on? I’m worried about you. Where the hell are you?” Rowan said rapid-fire, giving it as much fake concern as she could muster.
“Yeah, I’m at Shock Trauma in Baltimore. We were in a little scrape last night, and Meg got banged up.”
“I’m sorry, Nat. Is Meg okay?” Anderson’s luck was improving by the minute.
She could take care of Elise Courville in DC, drive straight to Baltimore, hit Nat, then fly out of BWI.
“Hoping so. I’m hanging out while she’s in surgery.”
“Oh, Nat. I am so sorry for you and Meg. I know how much she means to you. I’d love to come see you for a bit. Even for a cup of coffee.”
Anderson hoped the emotional tapestry she was weaving was enough to ensnare Nat.
“That would be great. Hate to take you out of your way, but some company would be awesome.”
“Can’t wait, Nat—see you tonight. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.”
* * *
Circumstances now dictated that Rowan Anderson send an SOS to Ming Yu. She parked Elise Courville’s car on a side street in DC and, following the emergency protocol, sent Ming an encrypted message.
The reply was simple: 3D, SHOCK TRAUMA GARAGE, SE CORNER, BLACK CAMRY, PHILLIPS, 2400, E&E.
Those were her orders: Kill Phillips in the garage. At midnight, escape and evade in the black Camry.