Agent Nyler, at Officer Garrenton's urging, stepped away from the Flemings' house and back to the street, where her patrol car awaited them. He kept silent until they had climbed inside, and then he turned urgently to Officer Garrenton. "Jackie, there's something wrong back there. I don't know what it is—"
"Look straight ahead until we get out of sight," she told him. He did, and she pulled into the street.
When they had passed the next two houses, Nyler shifted to face her again. "What's going on? That is not the Kara Fleming we spent the whole last day with."
"Someone is in their house," Officer Garrenton replied. "I caught a reflection in the picture window, just for a moment." She made a right turn at the next street. "Two men, one taller than the other."
"The Asian men?" Agent Nyler asked with alarm. "Holding the family hostage?"
"I don't think you'll need those photographs."
"We've got to get back there."
"Agreed."
"But carefully. Pull around the block and park down the street from their house where they can't see you, but you can see anyone who comes and goes. Call for backup. I'll sneak back to the house and see what's going on. As soon as we have some personnel in place, we'll move in. But tell them to keep it quiet. And Jackie—don't let anyone surprise me from behind, okay?"
"I'll watch your back," Jackie grinned. "Partners again, eh? Just like the old days." She swung the patrol car to the end of the Flemings' block. The moment she had parked, Agent Nyler jumped out of the car and jogged back to the house.
*****
The Boy Who Appeared from the Rain Page 122