“What did he say about the new leads?” Bob massaged the back of his neck as he leaned on the table.
“Well, the FBI has requested the assistance of the CIA. The agency has pulled the file on Kaimi going all the way back to my reports. Anything that has been declassified has been sent over to the FBI,” Albert said.
“What does that mean?” Dante put their plates in front of them.
“It means they have no idea where he is.” Bob attacked a mouthful of dinner.
“It means they’re looking for something.” Albert gave Bob a pointed look. “They must think there’s something in those files that will point them in the right direction. They wouldn’t even think of digging through years of paperwork without the need.”
Dante ran his hand down his face. His weariness overcame him. He didn’t want to be here. The truth was, he didn’t want to be anywhere without Laurie.
“Which isn’t going to be very helpful to us until they find a new lead.” Dante shook his head. “We could be waiting for weeks just to hear something.”
“Not if we find the connection first.” Albert smiled.
“How are you going to do that without the bloody files?” Bob pointed his fork at Albert. Albert looked at him, his grin widening. “Don’t tell me you’re going to pull the file out of your hat.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, of course not. I have it on a thumb drive.” Albert took a large bite out of his spaghetti. Bob and Dante both stared at him.
“Do you have updated information on Kaimi? More than just your own work?” Dante leaned forward.
“Up to the last CIA report about a year ago. Nothing leading up to the kidnapping or since then, but if the FBI wants all of those files, then we do too.” Albert gave a nod of finality.
“How come you haven’t said anything about this until right now?” Dante lifted his hands in frustration.
“Wasn’t relevant at the time.” Albert shrugged. “But now it is.”
Dante shook his head.
“Well, let’s hope we can figure something out before anyone figures us out.” Dante poked at his dinner.
“Oh we will.” Albert took a long drink of water. “The CIA will only send over the declassified files to the FBI. I have all of the files.”
Dante looked at his father, who grinned like he just won an Olympic medal. Dante laughed. Of course, his father had the classified files.
“Do you have a computer here?” Bob looked at Dante. Dante’s brow knit.
“No. I don’t. I can check around. I’ll see if they took Max or David’s with them when they cleaned up the house. I’m sure Cheyn came back for his. Mine went with me to the other safe house in Kona.” His eyes flicked up to the second level of the house, and then back to the table.
After dinner, Dante led Albert and Bob upstairs. He paused over the spot where David died. He felt his pack grow heavy, his shoulders slumped with the weight. Dante’s mind wandered over that night. The alarmed cry from downstairs, the sound of gunfire, the smell of blood and sweat, Laurie’s tear soaked face as he half-dragged her out of the house. They all flashed in his memory.
“Son?” Albert grabbed his shoulder. Dante shook himself out of it.
“Yeah—sorry.” Dante moved further down the hall.
Albert and Bob exchanged glances, but said nothing.
Dante threw his pack into his old room. He told Bob to take Laurie’s. Then he entered Max’s old room with his father. One glance told him all of Max’s things were gone. The room hadn’t been cleaned, but his belongings had all been removed. Dante went into David’s room next. All of David’s belongings were still there. His wife was probably about to give birth, or had just given birth. David’s sparse belongings were probably not her highest priority. Dante crouched beside the bed, peering under it, where he had seen David stow his laptop. It was there, waiting for him like a parting gift. Dante scooped it up and dumped it on the bed.
“It’s still here.” Dante’s chest lifted and he said a silent prayer of thanks.
“Good. Let’s tell the rental car company we’ve decided to stay at the campsite for a bit longer. I’ll cancel the motel and postpone the boat. We’ll need time to analyze the data.” Albert took the laptop from the bed.
“We should keep the rental to go for groceries. I can hike up to the campsite tomorrow and take care of that.” Dante sat down heavily on the bed. Bob and Albert nodded.
“How do you want to work this Albert?” Bob gestured to the laptop.
“We can each take shifts with the computer. We’ll read the reports. Mark down any significant locations that are mentioned. We can start a matrix with the report name, location, and page number so we can go back to it. If a certain location has a lot of significance—a reported hide out, or if the CIA suspected someone gave Kaimi cover, then we’ll have a clear record of it. If something keeps popping up, that will stand out too. Get some sleep. We can start on this first thing tomorrow.” Albert set the laptop on the bedside table.
“Yes, sir, General Stark.” Dante saluted him with tired smile.
“Hey! There is only one general in this family, and it ain’t him.” Bob wagged his finger at him.
Dante chuckled, as he dragged himself off the bed. Exhaustion sank in. He walked the house with his father and uncle to help them get their bearings. They took pictures of how the place looked, so they could return the house to an almost identical state before they left. They resolved to use electricity and heat for as little as possible, to reduce the likelihood anyone in the Marshals Service would catch their intrusion. Then they took turns showering quickly, before falling into bed exhausted.
***
Laurie
Laurie raised her head up from the toilet. She gripped the seat, pushing herself off the floor with trembling arms. She still felt so nauseous, but nothing was happening. She might as well go downstairs.
Laurie walked back into her bedroom in shuffling steps. The wind outside the house rattled the windows and sent a chill through her. She looked at her bed, sighing. She’d hardly slept since Dante left. Her nightmares had come back, more vivid than ever. When she wasn’t at their mercy, she lay awake wondering where Dante was and if they were all okay.
She dressed, throwing her hair back into a ponytail. She knew there were bags under her eyes and her skin was blotchy from lack of sleep, but she didn’t have enough energy to put on make-up. She made her way down the stairs holding tight to the railing, as she worked hard to put one foot in front of the other. When she reached the kitchen, Emma and Gabriella looked up, then exchanged worried glances.
“Oh honey, are you still not feeling well?” Emma clasped her hands together.
“No. Not at all.” She dropped into a seat at the kitchen table.
“How about some juice?” Emma got up. “Do you want anything to eat?”
“I can’t eat anything, but I’ll take the juice.” Laurie rested her head in her hands.
“Laurie, you’ve been like this for a few days now. I think we need to take you to the doctor.” An edge of authority slipped into Gabriella’s voice.
Laurie sighed. She hated doctors, but she was so tired of fighting them on this.
“Okay.” She laid her head down on the table as her stomach turned over again. She might not want to go, but if the doctor could at least tell her what was going on, it would be worth it.
Emma set down some juice and saltines in front of her. Laurie picked up the juice, taking a small sip.
“Well, the nearest doctor’s down in Fremont.” Emma rubbed Laurie’s shoulders.
“Great.” She spared the saltines a heated glare before turning her attention back to her juice.
“I know something that might make you feel better.” Gabriella flicked her eyes up at Emma.
Laurie eyed them suspiciously.
“My lovely son sent us a message.” Emma walked over to the kitchen counter and picked up a piece of paper.