“It’s okay.” Jesse pointed to the bookshelf. “I just wanted to tell you Daddy’s secret is safe.”

Davie gave a quick glance at the shelf and returned to the current project at hand.

Jesse sat on the bed, anxious to share his discovery with Ethel. A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened, and Susan and Ethel entered. Davie continued building without acknowledging their presence. While his mother went to him, Jesse mouthed “Found it” to Ethel. She made a shhhshing pantomime with her lips.

Then she said, “Looks like you boys have been busy.”

Jesse stood from the bed and picked up his backpack. “Davie’s either going to be a chemist or an engineer. Either one, he’s way ahead of me.”

Susan smiled and tried to smooth her son’s hair. “He’s special. Johnny and I felt blessed. And we’re going to make it.”

“I know you will,” Ethel said. “Now Jesse and I should head back. You call me if you need anything. And I promise to update you whenever there’s new information.”

Susan nodded, and her eyes filled with tears.

“Stay with Davie,” Ethel said. “We’ll let ourselves out.”

As Ethel closed the front door, Jesse whispered, “I’ve got a copy of his backup drive. And I found a link to Dwayne Parker.”

“Not now,” Ethel said. “We’ll talk when we know it’s safe.”

“They can’t hear us.”

Ethel headed for the Explorer. “See the old pickup truck pulling away from the curb a block up the street?”

“Yeah, so?”

“It’s a Ford 150 and a little out of place in the neighborhood.”

“That’s the model Varner said he had. Do you think he followed us?”

“I don’t know. If he did, I think he and Curt see themselves as guardian angels. And I don’t want their concern for our safety to put them in someone else’s crosshairs.”

Pete Varner had started his pickup as soon as the rearview mirror reflected Ethel and Jesse leaving the house. Although they were a block away, Varner saw Jesse’s attention drawn to him. “Damn,” he muttered. He knew he should have simply noted the address and left. He was still looking in his mirror when he pulled out into the street.

A car horn blared, jolting him into slamming on his brakes as an oncoming Toyota Camry swerved to avoid him. The other driver glared at him. So much for slipping away unnoticed. Varner sped off, hoping to at least return home before Ethel.

The white Camry continued down the street. Ethel watched it approach, expecting to see a driver still angry or shaken by the near collision. But the man behind the wheel displayed neither emotion. He angled his face away from her. Ethel noted his short-cropped blond hair that could have been a military cut. She also noted the license plate.

***

Ethel Crestwater at Finch’s house. Why?