Page 58 of Tiger on the Prowl

“Got it,” Michelle confirmed.

“Jay, take over for me,” Fox said and put his turn signal on to turn off onto a side street.

“I’m on him,” Jay said.

As traffic became busier, Jay kept the others apprised of the SUV’s movements, staying far enough away so Smith wouldn’t become suspicious, and every so often changing positions with Fox, and Yankee.

“He’s heading for the freeway,” Fox said.

“That leaves me in the dust,” Yankee said. “Signing off, heading back to the mansion.”

“Roger that, Yankee,” Ace said.

After several minutes on the freeway heading west, Ace added, “Michelle, anything on that license plate?”

“Yep, which is to say it’s a blocked number. So he’s either law enforcement or—”

“CIA,” Jay said and pointed to the freeway signs indicating where they were heading. “He’s going to Langley.”

“So our suspicions were right all along. Smith works for the CIA.”

“That would explain the blocked license plate,” Fox said.

“So we’re at a dead end?” Phoebe asked.

“No,” Michelle interrupted. “I’ve got the list of the condo owners. One last name sticks out. Katherine Snell, the old woman who owns the Ford Taurus.”

“Okay, let’s dig into her,” Jay said. “Smith must be connected to her somehow.”

“I’ll start digging.”

When Smith took the exit for Langley, Jay and Fox followed. Minutes later it was clear that he was indeed heading toward the CIA’s headquarters in Langley. When Jay saw Smith’s SUV turn down the road that led to the CIA campus, he drove past it.

“Let’s meet at home,” Jay decided. “This is as far as we can take it today.”

By the time they all arrived back at Ace’s mansion, Yankee was already expecting them. “Michelle has news.” He ushered them into the computer room. The wall monitor showed a driver’s license with Smith’s picture.

“Meet John Bancroft. His driver’s license is from West Virginia, which is why we didn’t get any hits when we only looked at D.C., Maryland, and Virginia earlier.”

“Yes!” Jay called out excitedly. “We’ve got the bastard.”

“That’s not all,” Michelle said with a grin. “He’s the nephew of Katherine Snell in whose name the Ford Taurus is registered, and who’s on the deed for the condo in D.C. But I’m pretty sure the old lady doesn’t live there. The home address the Ford Taurus is registered to is in Inwood, WV, and judging by the utility bills of the house she lives in, she still lives in West Virginia. Her nephew is probably using her name as cover for his safe house, because that condo isn’t the only property connected to him.”

Fox grinned and put his arm over Michelle’s shoulder. “Look at my hacker girl.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“Even though the address on Smith’s license is his aunt’s house in Inwood, I found a house owned by a John Bancroft in Fort Washington, Maryland. It’s overlooking the Potomac.” She looked at Fox. “Look familiar?” She pulled up a Google image of the address she’d found.

“Oh my God,” Fox said and pointed to the large house with the enormous wooden deck facing the river. Several boats could be seen on the water. “That’s it.”

“What is it?” Jay asked, confused.

Fox looked at him. “That’s the house from my premonition, the house I’m at when the explosion happens. I’m at Smith’s house. He’s the one giving me the drink that paralyzes me, so I can’t do anything to prevent the disaster.”

Ace patted Fox on the shoulder. “We’re close now. We can stop Smith, just as soon as he leads us to Jones.”

Jay nodded, exchanging encouraging looks with his fellow agents. “That bastard’s days are numbered.”

Ace grinned back at him. “Soon, there’ll be justice.”

“To justice,” Jay said, and the other’s repeated the words.

“To justice.”