Gotcha!

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The binoculars kept the two figures in its lens until they disappeared across the street into a thicket of forestation.

It was easy to spy without fear of being seen while parked in the semi-hidden garage of an abandoned gas station. This location had been a clever place to hide out in plain sight. Street and pedestrian traffic had been at a minimum, and it had a quiet, easy vibe to the area.

How Zia had come to such a place was a mystery that had to be solved. Even if she had an inkling of what powers were at play, it was a long shot to think she could be the tactician to pull this off.

On the other hand, this surveillance and the plan to deal with Zia had been flawless and undetectable. A brief thrill of pride that zipped through to produce a tingle of excitement was the only emotion allowed to go unchecked. The signals from Zia’s trackers had been so precise they’d lead to her exact whereabouts. Prominent and accurate the digital breadcrumbs had worked without fail, to this point. There was never going to be a time to let any guards down.

Trees stared back from across the street in a taunt. The Mutt had managed to disappear in daylight. Inconceivable. When it came to covert maneuvers, it was doubtful Zia had any such skill or capacity to pick a place like this. Someone or something had to be helping the twit.

Surrounded by an abundance of trees and vegetation, the area had been spared most of the heavy-handed touch of urbanization. The Diner was the most prominent fixture on this stretch of road leading into the City of Atlanta. Being here in person rendered valuable information, like the fact that The Diner was heavily warded. So much so, that there was no way to enter without serious damage.

Who or what protected it was debatable, but that mystery would have to be solved after this bit of business was concluded. Another perusal of the popular local’s spot that was The Diner warranted a bit of respect and awe.

Fascination spread with the discovery that such an innocuous-looking place could harbor some much fortification. Just went to show, more than what was on the surface was always afoot.

Zia Carter had come to Atlanta as the intel had suggested. Tracking her to The Diner had been a breeze, but then she walked across the street with an older woman and disappeared. That’s why two trackers weren’t enough. A third one would make for more insurance.

A glance at the readout confirmed the disappearance. The area must be a dead spot. There was nothing there now but a grove of trees. The older woman would be the first place to start with who might be helping Zia stay off the grid—and that patch of trees.

All the digital and older paper maps from present to at least a hundred years back always showed the area as a grove of trees with probable historical preservation rights. Knowing Atlanta, the only way this area hadn’t been turned into a gentrified landscape with buildings full of ambitious up-and-comers, is that it had to have protection.

In answer to the pondering question, the early morning sun sat high above in the Eastern sky placing this area west of Atlanta. It was likely in the path of a marching Union army on its March to the Sea. Yes, by the looks of how old the trees were, the spot was looking more like part of a path that General Sherman marched through on his way to take Atlanta during the Civil War.

After waiting over an hour without another trace of them, wheels of tactical planning whizzed. More than an extra tracker was needed. Yes, the idea formed nicely with what was in store for that mutt. Time to put shoe leather on the ground—expensive, cocky shoe leather.

The phone line connected in less than two rings. Someone was eager as ever. The notion brought a tickle to a face that might look like a grin if anyone were observing.

Time to set this phase into motion.

“I have your next assignment.”

“Which is?”

“You’re taking a little trip.”

“What? Where? You know I can’t up and leave at a minutes’ notice. I have to make plans.”

“Remember who you’re talking to. I always have all aspects of any plan I preside over already made.”

The huff of air that came through the receiver was all that was needed to know concessions were ready to be made to make this request happen.

“Okay, where to?”

“You’re going to Atlanta. I’ll have an electronic ticket ready for you to travel as soon as tomorrow.”

“And then what? How long will I need to be there?”

That question was ignored. Had to keep the conversation on focus.

“And then you’ll get your next assignment from me when you get there.”

Had to keep the knowledge of already being here in Atlanta secret until the last moment. It was also time to shorten the leash on Zia. Couldn’t have her gallivanting around with all sorts of mysterious people, including the older lady she was currently taking a long walk in a patch of trees with.

“Bring enough clothes for a week, including casual ones you don’t mind getting dirty.”

“Whoa, I hope you don’t think I’m doing any manual labor.”

“I don’t have to hope. You’ll do whatever is required. You and I both know that. Stop your squawking and get ready. I’ll take care of arrangements to help make your absence easier on your end.”

Another hesitation.

“Yeah, all right. When did you say I have to be at the airport?”

“Tomorrow at the earliest. More like the day after, but don’t doddle around. When I send the ticket information, you need to be ready to move.”

“So, I take it the information we got was spot on?”

Again, with that damned “we.”

“Too soon to say. That’s why I need you to go and make sure it pans out.”

“Sure thing. And, you’re welcome anyway.”

Don’t cuss, don’t cuss. The mantra helped a cooler head to prevail.

“As I said, it’s too soon to know for sure. When you get to Atlanta, you’ll need to bring your A-game. Not sure of all the players on the board right now, but you need to make sure you play your position to win.”

“Don’t I always? You and your gameplay analogies are strangely comforting.”

“I’m not here for your comfort.”

“Right. I just—”

“No, just nothing. This is business. Be ready to work or be replaced. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Good. Wait to hear from me and be ready to move when I say so.”

A quick press of the disconnect gave a little satisfaction of staying in control of the fiery words that scorched the back of the throat. Working this deal couldn’t end fast enough.

Once Zia was flushed out, and in an area of more control, the next phase of the blueprint would begin. For now, it was time to up the current protocols.

Another glance over to the forested area across the street and for a split second, it looked as if a shimmer of something rippled across the scene. That anomaly was enough to take another look. This time concentrated effort went into the observation.

Strained enough to bring on a headache, nothing out of the ordinary was detected. Still, it couldn’t hurt to put a pin in that location for later review. There might be something more than met the eye.

Tired from all the hustling about to keep the left hand from knowing what the right hand did, it was time to get some rest. One last glance over at the trees gave no more insight.

“Soon enough.”

Comforted by those two words, the car came to life and eased out of its dark hiding place to take the road toward Atlanta’s busy downtown.

When the time came, there would be no hiding place or refuge for Zia to use. She would play her role as the sacrificial lamb she was always destined to become.