Somehow he still managed to worry. “Where was Kelly the day of the ransom?”

“She was out stalking David with Charlie.”

“What is this Charlie like?”

“Nice guy, smart. David hates him.”

“Does he ever question you about me?”

“Never.”

“When he called last did you act suitably depressed?”

“Oh yeah. I shed a few tears. Don’t worry.”

“When you leave your house from now on, I want you to check in your rearview mirror and see if you’re being followed.”

“I told you, they suspect nothing.”

“Smart FBI agents suspect everything.”

Amy finished dressing and left. Matt felt restless in the apartment. There were only so many books he could read, so many movies to watch. At least in Modesto he’d had his work and Lupe to help with Jimmy. He had given the girl a nice parting bonus. He continued to keep in loose contact. She already had a new job at the supermarket. He was never sure when he might need her again.

Jimmy awoke shortly afterward. Matt took him down to the pool to splash. With his disguise, he didn’t swim himself. He sat on the steps with Jimmy and hoped the little guy didn’t empty his bladder in the chlorinated water. Jimmy loved the pool and he was so cute, he was always attracting attention. Matt usually explained that Jimmy’s mother worked during the day, that he was a house dad.

Once again he noticed the pale skinny woman sitting in the corner of the deck behind her magazine. Her hair was long, blond, her face not merely pretty but intelligent. She had a distinct bone structure, but appeared fragile. Even before she stood and came over and put her feet in the water, he noticed her eyes on him. He sensed she wanted to talk to him.

“How old is he?” she asked as she sat on the deck and gestured to Jimmy. Her one-piece swimsuit was yellow, cut wide, her body well covered. As she spoke, she removed her sunglasses and he saw her eyes were a clear blue. She could have been a model, she was that pretty.

“Eight months,” he said. “He’s almost talking already.” Why did everyone always brag about their kid?

“He’s beautiful. He has your eyes.”

Lupe had said the same thing.

“I just hope he doesn’t have my brain,” Matt replied.

“Why is that?”

He chuckled. “I would prefer he had an easier life than mine.”

“Is his mother around?”

“Oh yes. She just left a few minutes ago.”

“I saw her, I think. Long dark hair? Looks Hispanic?”

“That’s her.”

“Pretty girl.”

“I like to think so.” Matt almost added that she didn’t look so bad herself. She carried a book along with her magazine—Shelley’s Frankenstein. He nodded to the title. “Reading it for the first time?”