Free A Touch of Deceit (Nick Bracco Series #1) by Gary Ponzo Page B

Kalil Reed.” Nick looked back at the two vans. Even in the dark, Matt stuck out among the Vegas agents. And not just because of his height. “I don’t like it, Walt.”
    “Too much good luck, huh?”
    “Exactly.”
    “All right, Kharrazi’s giving us until 9 AM Eastern Time to release Rashid, which gives you about four hours. We’re pretty sure they’re still in Nevada. We’re able to trace the calls to somewhere in the state, that’s all.” Jackson paused, as if searching for the proper words. “Nick, I spoke with Phil. He sounded worn down. In exchange for the conversation, I’m having Rashid moved to a less secure site for the time being. You know we can’t release him, but the minute Kharrazi knows, Phil will be expendable. I’m buying as much time as I can.”
    “Thanks.”
    “One other thing. I’m adding a new security system to your house and I’m having Julie tagged. We have to be prepared. At least until this is over.”
    “I knew you would. Appreciate it. We’ll be in touch.”
    Nick made eye contact with his partner and Matt hustled over to him.
    “What’s up?” Matt said.
    “What do you make of all this?” Nick asked.
    “It’s a setup,” Matt said, like he was answering a simple third grade math equation.
    Nick nodded. “If you were Kharrazi, would you set up a decoy on the other side of town, as far away as possible? Or would you want to keep the law within viewing distance?”
    Matt thought about the question. “This wasn’t done on a whim. I’d say he’s on the opposite end of town, as far away as possible.”
    “You’re probably right,” Nick said. He looked over Matt’s shoulder at a neighbor approaching the van. An older man wearing blue jeans and a robe. “We could have every law enforcement officer in the state canvass the city and come up empty. What would we look for? They’re not going to have a neon sign out front saying, ‘terrorists inside.’”
    The neighbor was nodding as Jim Evans explained the nature of the impromptu command post. The neighbor seemed satisfied with the answers he was getting.
    The man passed Nick and Matt as he headed back to his front door.
    “Excuse me, sir,” Nick said. “You’re wondering what’s going on?”
    “Yeah, the guy over there explained everything,” the man said. “You’re searching for some kind of kidnapper. You think he might be in our neighborhood.”
    “That’s right,” Matt said. “Have you noticed anything suspicious lately, even mildly peculiar?”
    “I can’t say that I have,” the man said.
    Nick was about to let him go when he thought of something. “There hasn’t been many houses sold in the area, has there?
    “Not really.”
    “What about winter visitors? Are there any homeowners in the neighborhood who leave during the summer and rent the place out?”
    The man’s eyes perked up. He began to point at a house directly across the street and Nick slapped his arm down before he could get it halfway up. The man looked perplexed.
    “Please don’t point,” Nick said. “Just tell me.”
    “The Johnsons have a son who lives in Montana,” the man was straining not to look at the house. “They go up there every summer and don’t usually get home until after Thanksgiving. This is the first year I remember them ever renting the place out. I understand they got paid handsomely. Ol’ Norm couldn’t keep from grinning when he told me about how they were approached to rent it. And how the guy told him he’d pay him cash up front, because he was so excited about moving to Las Vegas and needed a place to stay until his home was built. Nice guy, too. I don’t see him very often, but he always smiles and waves to everyone. They seem like a nice family.”
    “Family?” Nick asked.
    “Yeah, well, I guess I haven’t actually met his wife, but he’s shown me pictures. She’s back in Jersey with the kids.”
    “Does he have dark hair, dark complexion?”
    “Sure. I can’t remember his name,