Behind the Mask

by Dana Ridenour

“How’s it going, stranger?” Adam asked.

  Lexie blinked a couple of times and focused on Adam and Kate.

  “Hi y’all. Have a seat.”

  As they waited for their food to arrive, Adam shifted in his chair.

  “What’s up, Adam?” Lexie asked. “You seem antsy.”

  Adam cut his eyes toward Kate. “Lexie, I’ve been talking to HQ about the case. They’re pushing for results. They interjected themselves into the case after the arson. I’ve done my best to keep them at bay, but it’s getting harder to do. The HQ unit chief called our SAC last week and wanted a status update. They’re champing at the bit for us to make an arrest.”

  “Have you told them the targets are extremely paranoid and we’re finally making some progress?”

  “Of course I have, but they don’t care. It’s all about numbers to them, the amount of money we’re spending versus the number of arrests we’ve made.”

  Lexie clenched her teeth.

  “I don’t know what else I can do, Adam. I’m going as fast as I can.”

  “I understand, but most of these HQ suits have never worked an undercover operation, so they have no concept of how long it takes to build trust.”

  Lexie gave a slight smile. “Well, something happened yesterday that might help our cause.”

  Kate pulled her chair closer. “What happened?”

  “Savannah invited me to go overseas with her, Haley, and Nick for some kind of international animal rights conference. It’s called The Gathering, and from her description, it sounds more like a terrorist training camp than a conference.”

  “I’ve heard of The Gathering. That’s outstanding,” Adam said.

  “You’ve made so much progress in such as short period of time,” Kate added. “Don’t let these headquarter assholes get to you. This isn’t about you or your work quality. It’s strictly about their little stat game. We’ll figure it out.”

  “You don’t think HQ would shut the undercover op down, do you?” Lexie asked.

  “I don’t think so, but we need to start thinking of an exit strategy,” Adam suggested. “We need to decide how to proceed, who to press, and when to pull out.”

  “Well, obviously I’m the closest to Savannah. She and I spend a great deal of time together. Although she hasn’t admitted to being at the fire, I think we agree she probably had something to do with it.”

  “I think we all agree that Savannah is the weakest link,” Adam said. “Kate and I will work on an interview strategy for Savannah. When the time comes to scoop her up, we’ll be ready. I was hoping that we’d have more time to develop intelligence on this group, but the arson changed our time schedule. We need to change our line of thinking from intelligence gathering to prosecution. Lexie, you have to push Savannah for information. It’s full-court press time.”

  The server brought their food, but Lexie didn’t have much of an appetite. She had a sick feeling in her stomach.

  “If you don’t want those fries, I’m going to eat them,” Adam joked.

  “Step away from the fries,” Lexie warned.

  After lunch, Lexie took a stroll down the beach. She kicked off her shoes and felt the sand squish between her toes. This has to be the best feeling in the world, she thought as she strolled along the water’s edge. The Pacific coast was a sight to behold, and the ocean had a calming effect on her. After a half hour of walking, she consoled herself with the fact that no matter what happened with the investigation, she was going to leave LA knowing she gave it her all.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Savannah

  After English class, Savannah came back to her dorm, expecting to find it empty. Instead she found Nick lounging on her bed.

  “Nick! Oh my God.”

  He stood up just in time for Savannah to leap into his arms and knock him back down on the bed. She smothered him with kisses.

  “Hey, sweetheart. How’s my girl?”

  “Better now that you’re home. You are home, right? Please tell me that you aren’t leaving again.”

  “I’m home.”

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Savannah said, tears of joy streaming down her face. “I thought you were never coming home.”

  “I told you I’d be back. I just needed to get out of here and let things cool down a little. Finding that tracker gave me a bit of a scare. I didn’t want to put you and Haley under the microscope. So what did I miss?”

  “Nothing much. Haley and I have been going to the NWM meetings, but everyone has kind of chilled after the fire. Even the aboveground activists have been quiet. Have you heard from Badger?”

  “Not a word. I think we all need to stay clear of Badger for a while.”

  “I think Badger is a fucking lunatic, and I hope I never see him again,” Savannah huffed.

  “I don’t know what got into him, Savannah. He’s always been a little on the crazy side, but he’s not usually reckless.”

  “He almost got you and Haley killed, and that security guard’s death is on him. I hope he never comes back.”

  Nick tightened his embrace around her. “Everything is going to be fine. I’m home, Badger is gone, and things are back to normal. What have you been up to lately? How are classes?”

  “Classes are going okay. I’m not going to win any academic awards this semester, that’s for sure, but I’m passing everything. Even chemistry. And Lexie and I have been hiking together almost every weekend. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She’s been a great distraction while you were gone. Since Nora and I hardly ever talk anymore, it’s nice to have a nonjudgmental person to hang out with,” Savannah said.

  “What about your parents and brother? Are you getting along with them any better?”

  “Nope. I talk to my mom a couple of times a month. I haven’t spoken to Hunter since Christmas. Anyway, Haley and I have decided that we want Lexie to go with us when we go to the Netherlands for The Gathering.”

  Nick’s voice sounded hesitant. “Wow, that was a quick decision.”

  Savannah unclasped her arms from around Nick’s neck and pushed away.

  Nick exhaled. “If you and Haley want Lexie to come with us, then that’s fine with me. I’ll look forward to getting to know her better.”

  Savannah relaxed. She grinned at Nick. “I’d like that. She’s been an amazing friend to me. I trust her completely.”

  “You haven’t said anything to her about the fire, have you?”

  Savannah sprung up from Nick’s lap and turned on him. “Of course not! Why are you and Haley always thinking the worst of me? I take the security culture as seriously as you do. I haven’t told anyone, and I never will.” Savannah was so angry she could barely contain herself. “When are you going to trust me, Nick?”

  Nick jumped up from the bed. “Calm down, Savannah. I do trust you. That came out wrong.”

  “Oh really? How was it supposed to come out? You don’t trust me, and I’ve never given you any reason not to trust me. I haven’t told a soul about what happened to us. I think you forget I’m as guilty as you.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

  Nick sat down and put his head in his hands.

  Savannah paced around the small room a couple of times and then went to the mini refrigerator in the corner. “Do you want something to drink?”

  Nick looked up. “Sure.”

  “Water, juice, or Coke Zero?”

  “Juice, please.”

  Savannah poured them each a glass of cranberry juice. They drank in silence.

  Savannah finally broke the silence. “Can we start over? I don’t want to argue.”

  “Neither do I. I’m sorry.”

  Nick took another sip. “So you and Lexie have taken up hiking?”

  “We have. And we’ve only been dangerously lost one time,” Savannah said nonc
halantly.

  “As opposed to not-dangerously lost?” Nick asked.

  “We weren’t entirely at fault. The trail wasn’t clearly marked, and we missed our turn. At the end of the day, we ended up on the wrong side of the mountain, miles away from the car.”

  Nick’s eyes shot open. “What did you do?”

  “We flagged down a motorist, and she drove us back to our car.”

  Nick chuckled. “Didn’t you have a map?”

  “We did, but it didn’t help.”

  “Two women with a map and you still got lost. I need to buy you a compass,” he told her.

  Savannah put aside her anger, and she and Nick made love all afternoon. They were still snuggled up in the bed when Haley came home. “Look who the cat dragged in,” she said as she entered the dorm room.

  “How are you doing, girl?” Nick asked.

  Haley turned her back so Savannah and Nick could put their clothes on. After the two were sufficiently dressed, Haley hugged Nick. “I’m glad you’re home. That girl of yours has been worried sick about you.”

  “I’m glad to be back. Anything on the underground radar?”

  “Nothing that I’ve heard. The police are still investigating the fire, but so far no persons of interest have been named.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Any other trackers found?”

  “Nope. Bobby, who works at the Jiffy Lube, has been checking all our cars for us. I think we might be in the clear,” Haley said.

  “I hope so, but you know how the feds are. They’ll investigate a dead case forever. Hell, they’re still searching for Jimmy Hoffa.”

  Haley laughed. “You got a point there.”

  Savannah sat quietly dressed in her rumpled up sweat pants, faded “I love NY” T-shirt, and pink piggy slippers.

  “You look glamorous in your pig slippers,” Haley joked.

  “Nick has returned, so I can let myself go,” Savannah jovially replied.

  “Don’t I have a say in this?” Nick asked.

  “Nope, you lost your say so when you took a month-long sabbatical,” Savannah responded.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Nick grabbed Savannah and pretended to body slam her. He tickled her until she laughed so hard she snorted.

  “Stop! Stop! I give.”

  Nick tickled her just a little longer and then helped her up from the floor.

  “When you two are finished wrestling, do you think we could figure out what we’re going to eat for dinner? I’m starving, and I don’t feel like cafeteria food.”

  “If you can talk your roommate into leaving behind the barnyard animal slippers, I’ll take you two to dinner, as long as it doesn’t cost me over forty dollars.”

  “Savannah, get those ridiculous slippers off. Big spender here is taking us to dinner.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Alexis

  Feeling a new sense of urgency, Lexie decided to make another hiking date. Savannah seemed more talkative when they were out on the trails alone. Hey hiking buddy. How about another hike this weekend?

  She drank a large glass of water and poured herself a bowl of cereal. Her phone beeped, letting her know that she had a text message.

  Yes. Definitely.

  Lexie remembered her lunch with Adam and decided to push things a little further. Want to grab some coffee later?

  The phone beeped again. I only have one class this morning, how about lunch instead?

  Lexie answered. Even better. Where and when?

  Savannah texted back, I’ll come your way. Seed at noon?

  Cool. Meet you there.

  Lexie called Kate but reached her voice mail. She left a quick message saying she was meeting Savannah for lunch in Venice. That’s strange, she thought. Kate always answered her phone.

  Fifteen minutes later, Kate returned the call.

  “Sorry about that, Lexie. Adam and I were in a conference call with HQ.”

  “Oh God. What now?” Lexie asked.

  “Same old shit. They want arrests, and they want them yesterday.”

  “Did you tell them we’re going as fast as humanly possible?”

  “We tried, but they’re fucking hardheaded. They think they have all the answers.”

  “Well, if they think they can do it better, why don’t they drag their happy asses out here and try?”

  Lexie could hear Kate laughing.

  “You have a way with words, Lexie.”

  “Did Adam even stand up for us? He seems to fold every time he gets a little pressure from those sons of bitches.”

  “He tried, but he has to be diplomatic about it.”

  “Diplomacy is over, as far as I’m concerned. Adam needs to find his balls and fight for this undercover operation. We have too much invested for HQ to shut us down now.”

  “I agree, but Adam has to play the game too. You and I have to concentrate on the case and gather the evidence for an indictment on this arson.”

  “I’m having lunch with Savannah today, and we’re hiking again this weekend.”

  “Good. The more time you spend with her and the others, the better. Try not to think about all this administrative bullshit. It’ll work itself out.”

  “Okay, I’ll try. I’ll call you when I get home from lunch.”

  “Where are you eating?”

  “We’re meeting at Seed at noon,” Lexie answered.

  “Is that the little place in Venice just off the Boardwalk, next door to the surf shop?”

  “Yep, that’s it.”

  “Okay. Good luck. I’ll talk to you later.”

  * * * * *

  Lexie activated her body recorder. It was a short walk to the restaurant from her apartment. Savannah was almost always on time, so Lexie didn’t worry about running out of recording time on the device. As she neared the restaurant, she saw Savannah perched at an outside table with Nick sitting beside her. The prodigal son has returned home, Lexie thought.

  Savannah spotted Lexie and sprang up from her chair. “Hey, Lexie. How are you?”

  “I’m great!” Lexie turned to Nick. “Hi, Nick. Welcome back.”

  “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”

  Everyone stood for an awkward moment.

  Lexie broke the tension. “Have you guys ordered yet?”

  “No, we were waiting for you,” Savannah answered.

  “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.”

  “You’re always starving,” Savannah joked.

  “Lexie and I love watching people in Venice,” Savannah told Nick.

  “It sounds like you two have become avid hikers as well,” he added.

  Lexie was excited to have something neutral to discuss. “We have, and we’ve been lost only one time.”

  Savannah giggled.

  “What do you expect when you turn two women loose with a compass and a map?” Nick joked.

  “Compass? We didn’t have no stinking compass,” Lexie said. “But for the record, I did buy one at REI after we got lost. So Nick, are you willing to brave a hiking trip with two women this weekend?”

  Savannah’s face lit up.

  “Well, that depends,” he said.

  “On what?” Lexie asked.

  “On whether or not I get to carry the compass.”

  “Well, I guess I could relinquish control of the compass to you.”

  “Then count me in.”

  The rest of the lunch was comfortable. The hiking stories seemed to put Nick at ease—that and the fact that Lexie didn’t interrogate him about where he had been the past month. They made final plans for their weekend hiking excursion and went their separate ways after lunch.

  * * * * *

  Savannah and Nick were two minutes away, so Lexie ac
tivated her body wire, did a cursory inspection of the apartment, and walked outside. She was saving the recorder on the CamelBak for the hike. When Lexie saw Nick’s car make the corner, she saw that Haley was in the back seat. Yes, she thought, this is my chance to hit the jackpot.

  “Hey, girl, long time no see,” Haley said as Lexie crawled into the backseat.

  “You ready to hike your ass off?” Nick asked.

  “You bet!” Lexie said. “I’m glad that you came, Haley. We’ve missed you lately.”

  “School has been kicking my ass. I’ve been stuck studying every weekend.”

  “That sucks.”

  “Yes, it does, but I think I’m finally caught up. I need to balance school and my activist projects better.”

  “I can relate to that,” Savannah said.

  “Where are we heading?” Lexie asked.

  “Have you ever hiked Malibu Creek?” Nick asked.

  “No.”

  “It’s an amazing hike,” Nick continued. “I think you’ll enjoy it. It’s a half-day hike. Several movies and TV shows were filmed there.”

  “Really? That’s cool. Which ones?”

  “The TV show M*A*S*H. They filmed the movies Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Planet of the Apes there, too.”

  “This is going to be fun,” Lexie said. “I can’t wait.”

  “I packed lunch for all of us,” Savannah said. “We might have to take turns carrying the cooler unless we leave it behind and eat after our hike.”

  “Since you took the time to pack our lunch, the least we can do is help you haul it around,” Nick laughed.

  The mood was light for the rest of car ride. Once they arrived at the trailhead and unpacked their gear, Lexie activated the recording device hidden in her CamelBak. She felt guilty doing so, secretly hoping that these three weren’t involved in the arson. The majority of the people she worked with in the FBI were total jackasses. It was refreshing to spend time with people who cared about something besides themselves or their careers.

  After hiking all morning, the four took a much-needed lunch break.

  “So, are you guys still thinking about attending The Gathering?” Lexie asked. She held her breath waiting for a response. Surprisingly, it was Nick who responded.