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Chief Taylor is angry at the world and he’s decided that I’m the world. I exit the kitchen to have him blast me. He literally spews about a hundred words at me, I say absolutely nothing. When he finally takes a breath and settles his hands on his hips, I ask him, “Are you done?”

“Are you?” he snaps back.

“Actually, no.” I hold up my badge and say, “I won’t be long.”

“Did you hear anything I just said to you?”

“No, actually, I didn’t. I was thinking about the six people who will be dead soon if I don’t catch their future assassin. I’m really good at tuning people out so feel free to follow me around and yell while I work.” I start to step around him and pause, “And get someone to check out the attic if you haven’t. Now. Not later.”

“What the hell is in the attic?”

“That question tells me you haven’t checked.”

“I didn’t run this investigation. I just got here in time for the press conference.”

“Then I need to call Andrew and tell him you aren’t up to date?”

“What else, Special Agent?” he bites out, knowing full well he should be up to date.

“Expect Elsa to come to the house and the morgue. Be ready for her and unless you want your people to end up dead, I’d consider who they’re up against and what she’s done. Two highly skilled directors are dead.” I step around him and head to the second level, and the master bedroom where I’d found the Ghost’s phone number on the pill bottle.

Once I’m in the bedroom, I pull out my phone and lean on the wall, choosing to text my team rather than calling. Not only is the content of my conversations not meant for Taylor, for all I know Ghost has cameras in this place that weren’t here yesterday.

I start with Tic Tac: Check the street cameras around Elsa’s place for a tall, dark-haired man with a mustache wearing a blue long sleeved T-shirt. He’ll be slightly plump around the middle. If you find him, try to track him to a hotel or residence. And while you’re at it, look for Elsa.

Who is he? he replies.

I’m not about to tell any of them Ghost was here and reap the results that won’t be what I want. The man with one red shoe, I reply. Not really. Just find him. Then we’ll talk. It’s time sensitive.

I move on to my next text, to Lucas : Ellis called. Elsa had him tied up. She saw my press conference, and is headed here in an emotional, erratic state. Find her.

He replies immediately with : There’s a bakery that her and her family went to every holiday. And an inn next door. I’m texting you the address. I’ll try to pick her up on the camera feed. More soon. And be careful, cousin. If you die, who will protect me from Kane?

I don’t laugh. I don’t answer. Lucas pings the address and I forward it to Kit and say: Our next stop. I’ll be out in ten if Taylor doesn’t corner me and next year if he does.

My last text is to Andrew : Elsa kidnapped Ellis but he’s free and she’s on the way to me. Did you check the attic in Mark’s house?

I’m not stupid, Lilah. Of course we did. Nothing but a Christmas tree and a dead mouse. And you need to be careful. I’m serious. Be. Careful.

Yeah, yeah , I think and slide my phone into my pocket. I don’t even consider texting Kane about Ghost, not when it changes nothing and hurts his focus. Today is his monthly shareholders update. He can’t be distracted and I will not allow all this hell to take what he’s worked to build, that has nothing to do with his father’s cartel.

I do another quick search of the room in those odd places I often find things—the bottom of the dresser, under the legs of the bed, beneath drawers and so on. I end up back in the bathroom but there’s not much to find. As it really should be. Any good forensics team should have gotten anything worth getting. And my brother runs a tight ship.

At this point, I realize I don’t know when Elsa would have left Maryland and I have my team randomly searching for her here. I text Adams: What time does Ellis think Elsa left for New York? And would she fly commercial?

He answers surprisingly fast: Hours ago but he’s not sure how long and he said no, she won’t fly commercial.

I forward the information to Lucas and have him try to find her point of arrival. In the meantime, hours ago could be longer than Ellis thinks. Elsa could be here and it’s time for me to head to her favorite little inn.