Free Always Devoted by Karen Rose Smith Page B

neighborhoods.  Tim Levine's neighborhood was older, but well kept.  Bougainvillea climbed the trellis beside the carport.  A palm tree in the front yard partially obstructed their view of the small porch and the front door of the house the man rented.
    "Do you think he'll tell them anything?" Emma asked, glancing at Linc then back at Gillian and Jake.
    Emma had seemed withdrawn on the plane, definitely had been lost in her thoughts.  He knew she wasn't going to be able to live her life again until she found out what had happened to her sister.
    "It depends where the interview goes.  If he won't even let Gillian and Jake inside, they're not going to get very far.  On the other hand, Gillian might be able to pick something up even if he doesn't want to talk."
    "Is Jake sure he's not married?"
    "He couldn't find anything.  The good thing is he didn't find anything else negative, either."
    "You consider being married a negative?" Emma asked.
    He gave her a wry grimace.  "Not what I meant.  Though it is a negative if he's involved with Paige."
    "Involved?"
    "That's what Jake and Gillian are going to find out.  I know this is tough for you."  He reached over and took her hand.  "But this is the first decent lead we've had."
    "But you think the police already questioned him."
    "If they went through Paige's Branches posts like we did, I'm sure they did.  That's why Gillian picked up the San Diego connection from the detective."
    "This is such a long shot," Emma said on a released breath.
    "It is, but it's the only one we've got."
    "He's opening the door."  Emma's voice was tight with anxiety and excitement.
    From their vantage point, Linc and Emma watched the interchange at the door.  Linc's heart was beating fast so he could only imagine the speed of Emma's.  You never knew in a situation like this what could happen.
    Levine, who was tall and slim and wearing horned-rimmed glasses, shook his head and attempted to close his door.  But Jake was quick...and strong.  He held it open.  Linc saw Gillian put her hand on Jake's elbow.  Then she reached out and handed Levine something.  But it fell to the ground.  After Levine stooped over to pick it up, Gillian tapped it.
    "She's trying to make contact," Linc murmured.
    "Make contact?"
    "Touch him in some way...or at least touch the same thing he's touching."
    They saw how Jake backed off now...how Gillian shook the man's hand.  Then the two of them turned away from the door and started back to the SUV.
    Linc had made sure they'd rented a vehicle with darkly-tinted windows, just in case they needed some anonymity.  Now he was glad of that.  Levine hadn't seen him or Emma.  And that might come in handy.  He and Jake would have to come up with Plan B if this didn't work.  Linc always had a Plan B.
    Jake and Gillian climbed into the back of the SUV.  Linc asked, "Anything?"
    "Not much," Jake muttered.
    "He's probably going to watch out the window until we leave," Linc concluded.  "So let's get out of here."
    He started up the SUV, pulled out on to the street and drove away from the house.  Afterward Linc glanced in the rear view mirror at Gillian.  She looked troubled.
    "Let's go back to the hotel and get something to eat.  We can talk there about all of this.  Gillian, are you all right?"
    "I'm fine," she said in a low voice.
    But Linc knew something was up.
    Emma must have realized it, too, because she turned around and looked at Gillian.  "What did you see?"
    "I'm trying to piece it together.  Give me a little time to process, okay?"
    Emma gave Linc a look that said—What choice did she have?
    #
    The hotel had an old-world feel with its gas light lanterns, ornate portico and tall rose bushes.  "There's an outdoor cafe," Linc suggested as he handed his keys to the valet.  "We can grab a table."
    "Privacy is probably best," Jake decided as he glanced at Gillian.  "My room or yours?" he asked Linc.
    "My suite has a table large enough for a board