The Rescue(46)

“Sergeant, I’m putting an end to his little game here,” said Reeves, reaching for the door handle.

The moment Reeves pushed the door open, Decker bolted out of the Toyota, heading for the revolving door that led to baggage claim. Reeves scrambled out of the car, nearly knocking the sergeant over as he sprinted toward Decker.

“He’s running for baggage claim!” said Reeves, drawing his pistol with his free hand. “Blue ball cap. Everyone out of the cars!”

Decker continued running for the door as a dozen FBI agents jumped out of their cars, guns drawn, and sprinted across the walkway in pursuit, scattering the crowd of travel-weary passengers. Amid screams and fleeing civilians, Reeves barreled toward his target, realizing he wouldn’t reach Decker before he piled into the baggage claim area. Enough of this, he thought, bringing his gun up.

Before Reeves could bark out a command, Decker collided with a long-haired woman—but oddly didn’t knock her down. Decker had the woman in an embrace, kissing her passionately, when Reeves skidded to a halt next to them.

“Decker! That’s it for—” he started, finishing with a hiss. “What the hell?”

A sturdy, buzz-cut woman dressed exactly like Decker pulled away from the kiss and glared at him. “The hell? You gotta problem with two women kissing?”

The other woman, a stunningly attractive brunette, gave him the same look.

Reeves grunted and pointed at them. “I’m not buying this, ladies,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at Kincaid. “Keep these two right here.”

“Where’s Decker?” said Kincaid, as Reeves took off for the silver Toyota.

“Who’s Decker?” said the brunette, loud enough for Reeves to hear.

Reeves wheeled around. “You know exactly who Decker is!”

“Exactly who are you?” said the buzz-cut woman.

“Supervisory Special Agent Joseph Reeves,” he said, fumbling for his badge. He stuffed the radio in his pants pocket and drew the badge holder out of his suit-coat pocket, opening it in her face. “And you’re an accessory!”

“To what?” said the woman.

Reeves paused for a moment, not coming up with a good answer. “Hold that thought,” he said, turning toward the Toyota.

He froze in place, briefly unable to move. The driver was gone.

“Dammit!” he muttered, frantically searching the crowds. “Sergeant Powell!”

The police officer jogged over, an exasperated look on his face. “What’s going on here?”

“I don’t know yet. Decker seems to be missing,” said Reeves, approaching the empty Toyota. “I need you to shut down vehicle traffic going in and out of the arrivals level.”

“That’s not gonna happen. Sorry. I’m not going to lock down one of the busiest airports in the world without a warrant for Decker’s arrest or rock-solid proof he committed a very recent crime. I’m getting the distinct impression you have neither.”

“I’m not asking you to lock down the airport,” said Reeves, looking inside the sedan’s windows. “Just the roads leading out of departures. She probably hopped in a car that was following us.”

“She? How many people are you following?”

“Decker may not have been in the car at all.” Reeves motioned to the two women surrounded by FBI agents. “The woman there, with the ball cap, must have swapped with him somewhere.”

Powell looked unconvinced. “Do you plan on arresting either of these women?”

“I don’t know yet,” said Reeves. “I need to search the car.”

“Do you have a warrant to search the car? Probable cause?”

“I don’t have a warrant.”

“Or probable cause,” added Powell, sighing. “Sorry. I’m going to need you to move your agents out of the pickup zone. You can continue this circus anywhere but here. I have an airport to secure.”

“You don’t have to be disrespectful about it.”

“My apologies,” said Powell, quite unapologetically. “I just put every officer at the airport on alert for a guy that’s not here. I need this area clear of your vehicles immediately. No hard feelings.”

“None at all,” said Reeves, grumbling as he dug the radio out of his pocket.

There was no point to pressing the issue, or attempting to find Mackenzie. She was as gone as Decker at this point. “All units. Let’s pack this up. All vehicles on the move in thirty seconds.” He looked at Powell. “Is that good enough for you?”

“Perfect. Better luck next time.”

Reeves feigned a smile and left the sergeant standing next to the Toyota. He passed several agents on the way to Kincaid, who clearly had his hands full with the two women.

“There he is,” said the brunette. “Can I go home now? I’ve been traveling all day.”

“I’m sure you have,” said Reeves, before focusing his attention on Buzz Cut. “So. When did you switch with Decker?”

“Sorry?”

“Just cut the crap,” said Reeves. “I know you switched out with him somewhere on the drive here. Was it the grocery delivery truck by Venice Boulevard?”

“I’ve been in that car all night,” said the woman.