Dennis felt comfortable enough to know he had a story to offer if anyone asked him why he was parked so long in the driveway. “I’m waiting for the Realtor, who said he was delayed.” Period, end of story.

Three hours later, Dennis realized that wasn’t the end of the story. Stacey Copeland had not returned to her apartment. He knew he hadn’t screwed up, but he checked with Abner again to make sure he had the right address. He did. Maybe she went shopping. Women did like to shop. But for three hours! Especially after a workday.

Dennis opened the car door, got out, and stretched. He was soaked with perspiration and itched all over; plus, he had to use the bathroom. Leave or not to leave? His bladder finally won out, so he got back in the car and headed for the nearest gas station. The A/C on full blast felt so good, he swooned.

Twenty minutes later he was back in the neighborhood driving up one street and down another searching for something to make sense of his even being out here. He had just turned left onto a nicely tree-shaded street when he spotted Copeland’s silver Taurus parked in the driveway of a small brick house with a well-landscaped yard. He checked the license plate to be sure it was the right silver Taurus. The numbers matched perfectly.

Copeland must be visiting a friend, he finally decided. Women did that all the time. For all he knew, she could be there for hours. Women did like to yack and jabber and tend to forget the time. Espinosa had told him that once. Now what should he do? He called Ted to ask for advice.

“Stay with it, kid. You might be onto something. For all you know, she might have those two women stashed inside that house. Wait till it gets dark, then check it out on foot. In the meantime, call the address in to Abner and see if he can find out who owns the house. You know what, now that I think about it, it’s starting to make a lot of sense. It just so happens I know that neighborhood, and it’s only about a mile from the White House. Hiding out in plain sight. Figures, because that’s exactly what I would do if I were her, hide out in plain sight. Works every time. Good work, kid, keep me posted. Hey, one other thing, kid, don’t get caught.”