“My men noticed they both have two cell phones, but the second phones are burners. I couldn’t track much through those. However, in one conversation on the devices I was able to tap into, they discussed the Dubois woman and the fact that they had no idea who she was. That was a few days ago, and it took me a little time to put all this together. Madame Dubois has several properties in the city, but she resides in her French Quarter apartment. I’ve had men watching the other homes and…” He trails off and turns the laptop around again. “I believe this is Ms. Mercedes De La Rosa under the hat and sunglasses.”

I peer eagerly at the shots of Mercedes leaving a beautiful Greek Revival–style mansion late one afternoon in a flowing dress that reaches her ankles. A large black hat and big round sunglasses camouflage her face. Her long, dark hair is loose and blowing in the wind, and it’s when we get to the photo when that wind knocks her hat off that I’m sure. I go through the photos again. Even the huge sunglasses can't hide her beauty but accentuate it, and given her height, she looks like a fashion model who has just stepped off a runway.

“What’s the address?”

He slides a piece of paper across the desk, and I take it. It’s about an hour out of town.

“I took the liberty of having a key made.” He hands that over too. “This will let you in from the back door.”

I take it and wonder about Ezra and exactly the ties he has. “You are resourceful.”

“It’s my job,” he says. “She’s in the house. I’ve kept two men watching both front and back entrances. She won’t go anywhere without us knowing.”

“Well…” I stand and pocket the paper. “It won’t be an issue because by tomorrow morning she’ll be safely ensconced in my home again. Thank you, Ezra.”

“My pleasure. I’m glad she’s safe.”

“As am I.”

By the time I reach the behemoth mansion, it’s past one in the morning. I see the men Ezra mentioned. They’re in unmarked vehicles that blend into the neighborhood. I’m sure Mercedes has been looking over her shoulder, but she has lived a life of privilege, and she’s not used to being on the run. She knows what IVI guards look like, but I doubt she’d see these men as a threat in their simpler vehicles that blend into the general population.