The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [60]
Out of habit, Drake scanned the parking lot one more time before turning the key in the ignition, mentally cataloging his surroundings and finding nothing suspicious. "By now they know that Rangel has failed and chances are they're looking for us. If they've done their homework, they know we've left the area by now, but they don't know if it was by plane, train or car. Their first assumption would be by plane since it would be the quickest mode of transportation. There's a chance they might have someone posted at various airports looking for us. I think we should stick to driving. It's less risky."
He looked around before backing the car out of the slot, and then continued. "It won't take them long to figure it out, but all I expected was a head start." His eyes narrowed. "They still don't know where we're headed. Let's see how long we can keep it that way."
"Do you think it's wise to stay on the interstate?" she asked as they pulled out of the restaurant's parking lot and entered the four-lane highway that would lead them back to the expressway.
"Let's do so for now. We can always change our plans later if we have to. Besides," he added, "I want to reach Phoenix before dark."
At first traffic was pretty congested then the further they drove the less traffic there was. They had driven less than a hundred miles when Tori happened to notice a car weaving out of traffic behind them. "It may be paranoia slipping in, but I don't like the look of that black sedan a few cars behind us. It's been passing other cars trying to keep up with us."
Drake glanced into his rearview mirror at the same time he shifted to reach for the pistol he had placed on the seat next to him. "Yeah, I noticed that, too. Let's get off at the next exit to see what it does."
His first thought when he'd noticed the car was that a professional would have had better tailing skills and wouldn't have been this obvious, which meant the person driving was an amateur or someone who wanted them to know they were being followed.
The next exit was a good ten miles away and sure enough the black sedan was right behind them. Not knowing who or what they were dealing with, Tori had already taken the safety off her gun and was ready, grateful there weren't many cars on the road. No matter what, she wanted to consider the safety of others.
"We don't want to give him the appearance that we're on to him, so let's keep driving for a while," Drake said, turning down a two-lane road that contained even less traffic. "It may not be the actual hitman but someone who's been ordered to tail us. I think a hitman would have made a move by now."
Tori nodded at the same time Drake's mobile phone rang. He snatched it out of his inner jacket pocket and hit the talk button, his hand still steady on the wheel. "Yes?"
"I've called in a few favors with the Bureau," Hawk said. "Don't panic. The black sedan that's following you is on our side."
Drake sighed deeply. "I was beginning to wonder."
"Thought you might be and the driver called suggesting that I let you know that the Bureau will have someone posted every so many miles until you're out of California. They won't interfere with you, but will be there for protection just in case you need it. Once you reach Arizona you'll be on your own for a while."
Drake nodded. After Phoenix he would head for Texas. He had plenty of friends who he trusted in Houston; especially Ashton and Trevor.
"Must have been a hell of a favor you called in," Drake said, knowing it wasn't the usual protocol for the Feds to assist the CIA this way.
Hawk chuckled. "It was."
"Any more information about Rangel?"
"Nothing concrete. I've contacted Casey and of course he's concerned with what's going down. He's going to do a check on a number of things in-house and get back with me. He knows I'm the middleman between the two of you for now."
Drake nodded. He definitely preferred having Hawk at his back than Casey. There was something about the man he just didn't like.
"How's Tori, Drake?"
Drake glanced