“Well, it seems like you’re keeping your spirits up,” Rachel said. “Do you have family and friends in your corner to help?”
“No, not really. It’s the main reason I decided to come to Life Fulfilled.”
Another question formed on Rachel’s tongue, but she kept it there. Something Nick said had struck her as odd, but she was only putting it together now. She tried to replay everything he’d said, trying to find what didn’t seem right.
He seemed to sense her unease. He grew slightly rigid in his chair and even in the soft, ambient light and ease of the room, she felt the tension between them. He knew he’d said something he shouldn’t have and simply stared at her, waiting.
“Well,” she said, suddenly feeling the need to leave the room as quickly as possible, “I’ve bothered you enough. Thanks so much for answering my questions.”
“Oh, it was no bother. I hope it all works out for you.” He winked at her and said: “I’ll put in a good word for you.”
She smiled the best she could and then left the room. She replayed the last part of their conversation as she hurried by the front desk. She knew what it was now and it settled on her like a soiled blanket as she got back into her car.
It’s why I do my best to help. Not only the people and offices of Life Fulfilled, but the other clients, and the ones that are waiting. I mean, I know what that stress of hanging out on the waiting list is like…
He was only a client. How would he have access to the waiting list?
Because he helps with filing, she told herself. And even though the receptionist said it’s all non-classified material, who’s to say he didn’t happen upon the waiting list somehow?
Then, of course, there was the tension that had bloomed between them in the silence. He knew he’d slipped up and was waiting to see if she’d notice. When he saw that she had sensed something off, things had changed between them.
Now the one advantage she had going for her was that Nick Nelson thought that she was poor Abby Granger with a tumor in her head. He had no idea she was an FBI agent.
It’s him, she thought. And before she could even bother to talk herself out of the notion, she grabbed her phone and called Jack. She knew she couldn’t arrest him then and there, as she’d blatantly lied about her identity. But she could follow him and have Jack confront him and arrest him for mere suspicion.
It rang twice before he answered. “This is Agent Rivers.”
“Jack, where are you?”
“On the way to the office. Why? Where are you? Did you get my t—”
“I’ve got our guy, Jack. I’m parked right outside Life Fulfilled and he’s inside.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I went inside to ask about a few clients under the pretense of being a possible client, looking for information. He was—”
She stopped here when she saw Nick Nelson come out of the Life Fulfilled building. He was moving quickly and looking directly across the street to where a parking garage took up the first quarter of the block. His speedy stride and the fact that he was exiting the building before his appointment suggested that his little slip-up, even to someone he had no reason to suspect was up to anything malicious, had rattled him a bit. And as far as Rachel was concerned, that was also an indicator of guilt.
“He’s on the move, Jack. You’re just going to have to trust me on this. I’m on leave, remember. No gun, no badge. He’s…yeah, he’s headed to the parking garage across the street.”
“Rachel…if you really think this is him, do not engage. I’m on the way. Just try to keep an eye on him.”
“Yeah, I’m already ahead of you.”
“Okay. I’m on my way. And Rachel…please be smart about this.”
“Always.”
She ended the call and opened the driver’s side door. When she looked across the street again, Nick Nelson had disappeared behind a column, heading for the stairs on the left side of the garage.
Rachel waited for a break in traffic before she crossed the street and then, just thirty seconds after Nelson had crossed in front of her car, she also entered the parking garage.