He also strode through the women’s clothing section to grab a couple of outfits in Molly’s size along with some underwear, a sleep set with a short nightie, a pretty thigh-length robe and matching slippers, and a jean jacket and a baseball cap. He selected a checkout lane far away from any others, and as the cashier rang up his purchases, he checked his surroundings carefully. Nobody paid any attention.

As the cashier rang up the women’s clothes, he smiled. “Why don’t you go ahead and tuck those into the carry-on? I’m surprising my wife with a getaway weekend.”

“Lucky wife.” She returned his smile. “Sure thing.”

When all his purchases had been tallied, he paid with cash and whistled as he took his cart out to the car and loaded everything into the trunk. While he did, he conducted another sharp, detailed scan but didn’t find anything new.

Back at his place, he hauled everything, including the new go-bag, into the apartment. Once he had everything inside, he scanned the rooms, first magically, and then he swept for mechanical bugs. Nothing. Only then did he shrug out of his suit jacket and pour himself a scotch.

This changed everything. Goddamn it.

It was almost ten when he called Molly. He listened to the phone ringing. When she answered, she sounded sleepy. She sounded so fucking sexy, he hardened in an instant.

Huskily, he asked, “Did I wake you?”

“No,” she sighed. He heard something rustle, perhaps the sheets. “Well, almost. I wasn’t quite asleep. What’s going on?”

Suddenly so much rage flooded his body he wanted to punch a wall. “There’s been another development.”

“What is it?” she said sharply. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone put a tracker on my car.” As he spoke, he opened the blinds at the wall of windows in the living room. The view of the city was why he had picked this place. “I can’t come to you tomorrow.”

“What about the other car you drove? The Camry?”

“Here’s the thing, milaya.” He stopped.

It was only in that minute that he realized he had been intending to spend the night with her on Wednesday if she would have him again. Despite all common sense, he had been counting on being with her one more time before he let her go. Giving up that precious, rare opportunity caused a mental outcry that felt like physical pain.

“Josiah?”

He snapped back into focus. “The tracker could be good news. It means I’ve come to somebody’s attention, and they want to see what I’m up to. But I don’t know what triggered it. Maybe it’s something about my movements. Maybe somebody noticed I drive in a way that shakes loose anybody who might be trying to tail me. Maybe they found my car where I parked it at the Y. Maybe they know about the Camry.”