“Please. Please.” Sobs strangled Susan’s words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She fell to her knees, not feeling the pain of the concrete. “We don’t have another computer. We don’t have any wallets. You’ve got to believe me. Just don’t hurt my child.”

O’Hara looked down at the woman. The Secret Service had taught him to read faces. Taught him to make an assessment that could spot a potential assassin with only seconds to react. He saw the flooding tears, the quivering lips, the draining of the blood from her cheeks, and he knew she was telling the truth.

He gently lowered Davie back into the chair and released his grip. “Stay here. I have to make a call.”

***

The warning light flashed on the gas gauge. If he was lucky, Douglas Gray figured he had fuel for about thirty miles more. He’d hoped Ethel would head back to Arlington, but she and Jesse appeared to be retracing their route to Richmond. Back to the funeral home? Back to the Finch house? Had Jonathan’s wife asked Ethel for a favor, another errand? As they neared the Finch neighborhood, Douglas eyed several gas stations. He might be able to make a quick break and fill up.

When the Infiniti turned onto the Finches’ street, Douglas wheeled the Honda around and headed for a Circle K two blocks back. His phone started vibrating. He glanced at the screen. Bradshaw again. Douglas hated to admit his fuel problem, but he couldn’t ignore the director.

Without a hello, Douglas answered, “They’ve returned to Finch’s home, sir.”

“Anyone else there?”

His throat went dry. “I can’t see anyone.” That was technically true.

“We’ve had a major development.” Bradshaw gave a brief update on how O’Hara arranged an assignment shift in the Richmond office and now had suddenly taken Mrs. Finch and Davie somewhere. “He’s killed his phone, so we have no tracking option. Ethel might have returned to the house in case he brings them there. That’s a smart play on her part. Meanwhile, I’ve alerted all of our East Coast offices and the state highway patrols of Virginia and neighboring states. I don’t know what O’Hara’s game is, but he might be trying to negotiate an escape and has taken the Finches as hostages.”

“Do you want me to approach the house?”

“No. O’Hara knows you by sight. Keep watch from a safe distance. Call me if anything changes. And if you see O’Hara, don’t confront him. We’ll get you backup.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And keep your phone charged so we can trace you.”

***

“I want you to back into the driveway.” Ethel gave Jesse the order as they neared the Finch house.

“Why?”