Harlequin's Shadow

Chapter 27: X Marks the Spot

Peter ordered Mozzie and Travis inside the van when a gray car passed their location. They'd be able to observe the chalet via surveillance feeds. The night before, Travis had set up remote monitoring equipment around the perimeter. The cameras combined with their high-powered binoculars should provide adequate coverage, but Peter was braced for the glitch that inevitably appeared whenever Neal was involved.

His hope that Neal was inside the sedan was quickly dashed. Mozzie's prediction that hired help would be sent to perform the initial reconnaissance appeared accurate. No chance that either of the two men who exited the car was Neal in disguise. Both were shorter. They were dressed in casual clothes. They had swarthy complexions, perhaps indicating they came from one of the Mediterranean countries. After ringing the doorbell at the front door repeatedly, they went around to the back of the house.

When the men drove off, Mozzie took off his headset and gave a thumbs-up. "They will report to their comrades that no predators are about. The main flight will lift off at any moment. We should move into position."

Travis looked at him, puzzled. "Are you comparing them to geese?"

"Hardly. For this con, House Martins are our best indicators. Advance scouts survey the terrain then report back to the flock." Mozzie waggled a finger at them which Peter yearned to swat down. "Much is to be learned from our feathered friends."

With Mozzie firmly entrenched in birdwatcher mode, Peter prepared himself for yet another lecture. He supposed it could be worse. Despite Travis being present, Mozzie hadn't launched into his latest theories on extraterrestrial slime.

The previous night had been much more enjoyable. They'd stretched out on blankets and stargazed while comparing favorite science fiction movies. In comparison with the constant background noises of Brooklyn, the quiet of the German countryside seemed otherworldly.

By the time the Volvo reappeared, they'd already moved into position near the chalet. Dense firs provided excellent cover.

Peter could see two men in the front seat. A blonde woman was in the back. This time the car wasn't alone. A large white rental truck marked with the logo of Sixt, a European rental company, followed closely behind, and along with it an unexpected glitch. They now had two vehicles to follow. Travis had brought enough tracking devices to place on both undercarriages, but what if the vehicles drove off in different directions? Was this karma for not having brought in the German police?

The Volvo pulled first into the driveway. The passengers in the Volvo exited before anyone left the truck.

"That's Kate," Mozzie murmured. "Don't let the blonde wig fool you."

"And there's Adler," Travis added. Despite the mustache, he was readily recognizable. They didn't appear to be wearing prosthetics.

Mozzie glanced over at Peter. "You can breathe now, Suit. It's going as we expected."

"I haven't seen Neal yet," Peter whispered back. "And how will we monitor two vehicles?"

"We won't need to," Travis said. "I brought along a few extra tricks." He patted the nylon backpack next to him. "A little crushed cork mixed with silicon carbide in the gas tank will make them think they have engine trouble. We'd already planned to sneak up to the vehicles to plant the trackers. I should be able to dump in enough additive to give them a major headache. If I have the time, I can also loosen a few key bolts with a wrench." He opened the pack and began pulling out tools.

Mozzie beamed at him. "Another shared interest! We must discuss further."

"Later," Peter ordered. "Disable the Volvo. Make them use the truck."