CHAPTER 28

Alex

Outside my house, a man sits inside a nondescript sedan. From the wall near my front window, I watch him. A mix of frustration and annoyance simmer. Agent Ryland contacted Ryan and informed him facial recognition of the man who held Sophia, based on her descriptions, has identified him as a person connected to the Morales cartel. The suspect has been on DEA’s watch list and is part of a separate ongoing investigation. The man from the stairwell may also be connected to the cartel.

Agent Ryland didn’t say the FBI was closing the investigation, but Ryan’s take is that the DEA case will take precedence and priority. They will prosecute those entangled with the kidnapping, but attacking a woman in a stairwell is a low-priority crime. They know these men do bad things. They aren’t out to arrest them for crimes that will land them in prison for a year or two. No, they are looking to bring down an operation. Between the DEA and ATF, Ryan suspects they have multiple deep undercover operatives in place. Given the ATF monitors arms sales, and Sullivan’s company sells weapons, everyone suspects that ultimately there will be a connection between illegal arms sales and Sophia’s disappearance.

But kidnapping for ransom isn’t the cartel’s modus operandi. And the DEA enforces controlled substances, or drugs, which has me wondering if the kidnappers were communicating with Jack and requesting something other than money. It’s conceivable the counter-ransom broke up the criminal faction. Maybe some of the low-ranking employees weren’t paid well enough to inspire staunch loyalty. Here’s the problem with criminal investigations. You can theorize all day, but ultimately, you need evidence.

Five days have passed since the attack at my office. Twice I have driven to the office, parked, then put it in reverse and returned home. That first day, the police tape for the investigation turned my stomach. The university wasn’t allowing employees in the office anyway. Now, the tape is gone. The dean notified our floor we can return to the building. That email led to my first fight with Ryan. I refused to have a security detail accompany me to the office.

I haven’t fought harder on the topic because my preference is to work from home. Or it has been. I have taught my classes, but I haven’t been up to my office. Both the elevator and the stairwell provoke uncomfortable nerves I can’t quell.

This coming weekend, Ryan and I will return to San Diego. He’ll visit his sister, and I’ll get to finally see Sophia. I am very much looking forward to getting out of Santa Barbara.

The man in the sedan flicks his fingers in a half-wave. My position by the wall must not conceal me as much as I hoped. I lift my coffee mug to him. The Arrow employee is not trying to hide. Ryan wants anyone watching my house to know he’s there. But Ryan’s also striving to give me privacy, hence the reason he’s sitting in a vehicle and not in my home.