Pied Piper

CHAPTER 70

Boldt drove to the airport, wife and child in the car, exactly as the Brehmers had planned. His eyes remained divided between the rearview mirror and the traffic in front of them, believing it a good possibility they were being followed. They would make the flight to Houston together for the sake of appearance. From Houston, it was on to Seattle for Daphne and Trudy Kittridge. Boldt intended to return to New Orleans to assist LaMoia in the surveillance of Lisa Crowley, the only link to his daughter.

The recovery of Trudy Kittridge filled him with hope.

Daphne said from the backseat where she held a bottle of formula for the child, “Those injuries are severe, Lou.”

“I know.”

“You hear Chevalier trying to get her to see a doctor? He saw it too. That eye …”

“I know.”

“We need her healthy. If she’s going to lead you back to Sarah-”

“She’ll survive. It’s Hale I’m worried about. A couple phone calls from Hale and we’re either talking a federal invasion led by Flemming, or the Crowleys blowing to Singapore.”

Daphne considered this. “Are you saying Hale’s working for them?” she called out loudly from the backseat, sending the baby into a volley of cries. She settled her down.

“It would explain him playing this solo. It doesn’t fit with Bureau policy, Daffy. He has carried this too far. It has to be explained. If he’s not down here to investigate these people, he’s down here to protect them.”

“He came onto Flemming’s team late in the game.”

“The two have known each other for a long time, have worked together before. Hale could have easily monitored Flemming’s progress in each city and told the Crowleys when to bail out. It would explain their perfect timing.”

Daphne played along. “She gets involved in an injury car accident. That changes things. Flemming is warming to her. I see what you’re saying: At that point either the Crowleys or Chevalier could demand protection. Hale would respond.”

“Which explains his being down here alone. He tells Flemming he’s chasing leads. Flemming buys into it, it’s how he runs things. Flemming’s not sending in the troops before he’s absolutely sure they have the collar.”

“The tattoo shop?” she asked him.

“Hale removes that evidence ahead of us. They go ahead with the Kittridge adoption, thinking they’re okay. That’s the best sign of all as far as Sarah’s concerned: They haven’t pulled the plug.”

“But Hale?” She sounded incredulous.

“He knows better than anyone Flemming’s determination and his resources. He knows what’s coming. Lisa Crowley is injured. Their credit card identities have been made. For all they know, Spitting Image as well. It’s coming apart on them.”

“So they blow off Seattle.”

“So they blow,” Boldt agreed. “And poor Sarah is suddenly a liability.”