Herald used the mirror to watch behind them. “I can’t see Nick. I don’t know if he sees what’s going on.”
“My view’s blocked too.” She wanted to sit up or open a door to see, but that would endanger Nick. The CD didn’t seem worth this risk now. “What is he doing? Does he see Nick?”
“No. Just be ready in case something happens,” Herald said. She wasn’t sure what she would do. “He’s leaving...and smoking. He must have forgotten his cigarettes.”
She breathed again.
“Where’s Nick?” she asked, daring to look. Herald turned his head, and then the door handle clicked.
The door swung open and Nick slid into the car. “Go!”
Detecting the urgency in Nick’s voice, Herald hit the gas too hard and squealed the tires. He slowed down, clearing this throat while glancing in the rear view mirror. Cora wondered if they should have involved him in this. It was a little late to change that now.
“I see Terrance coming back with someone else.” Herald eased off the gas as Nick and Cora both hit the floor. “A couple men are running to the BMW. Did they spot you, Nick?”
“They might have noticed someone behind the car, but I grabbed the bag and relocked the car before they were anywhere near.”
“Did you get it?” she asked, hugging him when he nodded. Nick held the bag out for them both to see. Cora removed the CD and found “Back up” written on it in her father’s handwriting.
“Shoot! Get down.” Herald’s whisper stopped her before she could look at the key or note. “Someone’s smoking by the exit. Could be one of them.”
Nick yanked Cora on top of him and pulled the blanket over both of them. They lay absolutely still. Cora could only hope that the blanket covered them completely. She couldn’t breathe in the sudden heat, but she toughed it out for a long minute.
She was so thankful they were together.
“We’re clear, but stay down.” Herald instructed. “I’m not sure if that man was with Keith or not, but there’s no point in taking chances.”
Nick pulled the blanket away from their faces, keeping an arm around Cora. When he stretched up for a soft kiss, the night before flashed through her mind. His small smile and suddenly hazy eyes made her wonder whether he was thinking about it too. “We did it!” he whispered.
“Okay, we’re clear,” Herald said.
They pulled themselves onto the seat and quickly scanned the cars around them. Nick stretched out his long legs, called Adam, and then set up a meeting place at a busy intersection. When they arrived, Adam jumped in the front passenger seat.
“We got it,” Cora said. She took the note out and handed it to Adam. “Take a look at this.”
“I know this handwriting. Aunt Angela wrote this.” Adam looked up at Nick, and Cora saw the confusion on both their faces.
“Angela?” Cora nodded as she pulled out the other piece of paper she’d put into the bag. “This has a yes by her name.”
“What?” Nick scanned the list of Holloway family members. “What does this mean?”
“I’m thinking the list is people who are involved in the drug operation or have knowledge of it. And that other note, well,” Cora paused, “Who’s tall and dark?”
After a short, shocked silence, Adam said, “Alexander? Angela and Alexander?”
“Wow.” Nick shook his head. “At least we’re finally getting some answers.”
“You could say that,” Herald agreed, “This really ties some things together.”
Cora shuddered, thinking of the time she spent with Alexander. It had all been a twisted game. Nick was right – Alexander had been setting Jerry up to get to her. The strange part was that he never touched her when he had the chance. He could have forced her. Instead he planned to have her witness Jerry’s murder to win her over somehow. He used everyone around him.
As planned, they split up. Nick wanted to make sure the CD was safe, and it wouldn’t be with him and Cora. Cora gave the list and the CD to Adam and Herald to take with them. Herald wanted Nick to take the car. Before they left, Herald leaned toward the window and told Nick, “I advise dropping the car at the office and grabbing a cab or something. Don’t drive your own car, either.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll stay smart.” Nick nodded and they drove away.
“Isn’t there anything we can do? We’re just leaving them.” She watched through the back window as Herald and Adam turned to walk away.
“People are looking for us, not them,” Nick reminded. “We can help by not drawing attention to them.”