The Secret Friend

44

'If Fletcher calls you at home or at the lab, we can trace his location in about forty-five seconds,' Bryson said. 'The moment your phone rings, the trace starts. Let it ring three times before you pick up.'

'What about my cell phone?' Darby asked.

'That's where it gets dicey. Cell signals bounce through towers.' Bryson reached into his pant pocket. 'It could take anywhere from one to three minutes to pinpoint his location. If he calls you on your cell, the key is to keep him talking as long as possible. Once we get a lock on his signal, we can trace it even if he hangs up, as long as he keeps his phone turned on. I also want you to carry this.'

Pinched between his fingers was a small rectangular piece of black plastic, thin, with a grey button in the centre. The device reminded Darby of the medical alert units some elderly people carried in case they fell and couldn't get up.

'This is what we call a panic button,' Bryson said. 'If something happens, if you believe you're in danger, you press the button – you have to do it hard enough to break the seal. Once that happens, we come running. There's also a GPS transmitter in there, so we'll know where you are at any given time. You're to carry this with you, even when you go to bed.'

'Do you think Fletcher's going to attack me in my sleep?'

'I don't think you should take any chances. During the day, keep the device tucked inside your pant pocket. What time are you leaving work?'

'I don't know.'

'Let me know when you do. We need to install privacy devices on your phones. If you get a private call and don't want us listening in, you press the button on the privacy device and the trace stops, nobody hears a thing. When you're ready to leave, call and I'll meet you at your place.

'One other thing,' Bryson said. 'When you leave work, don't look around the streets to see if you can spot surveillance. If Fletcher is watching, he may suspect something and run. Keep up your normal routine and act natural. Do you have a boyfriend?'

'No.'

'Someone you're seeing?'

'I hope you're not asking to fix me up on a blind date.'

'I'm asking because I was hoping someone was staying with you.'

'Coop is.'

Something flickered across his eyes. Was it disappointment?

'He's not my boyfriend, just a very close friend,' Darby said. 'He's very protective.'

'The surveillance team will be watching you when you leave work today, when you leave your condo – eyes will be on you at all times. Again, just act natural. Try to relax. If there's a problem, we'll call and give you instructions.'

Bryson handed her his business card. 'My home phone number is on the back. Programme it into your cell phone. If you need anything, give me a call.'

'What's Hannah's address?'

'She never made it home, never got on the bus.'

'I want to look through her things.'

Bryson wrote the address down on a sheet of paper, tore it off and handed it to her. 'I'm going to head downtown and help Watts.'

'I'll call you if I find anything at Hannah's place,' Darby said. 'After that, I need to collect makeup samples.'

She told him about the makeup stain on Chen's sweatshirt.

'Sounds pretty thin,' Bryson said.

'It's the only evidence we have to work with at the moment.'

'Before you go, I have a present for you.'

He opened his desk drawer and handed her a small box. Inside was a tactical light for her handgun.

Darby smiled. 'You certainly know the way to a woman's heart.'