Double-Back (Jake Waters Book 3) (22 page)

"Maybe from before we even arrived," Tony agreed.

"All the strange activity that we witnessed might have been to drag us around so we could be spotted, or to set up the watchers he would need to guard his back," Jake added.  He tried to think back if what they had observed made more sense in this light.

"They would have to be pretty good," Tony said.  "While I wasn't exactly thinking about someone watching for us, I kept my eyes open to the possibility.  I haven't noticed anyone."

"Perhaps that's because they didn't need to follow us.  Jeff could have had them set up in places they could safely watch without being detected, and then simply led us to those locations.  They could have spotted us, and after we showed up in enough places where he went, they'd have a make on us."

"Shit!" Tony cursed.  "You are probably right.  That could be exactly how they worked it."

"Do you think they know where we are living?" Jake asked.

"No one trailed us back to the rental," Tony said with assurance.  "I watched for trails.  That's automatic.  I also scanned the car for any form of tracker.  It is clean."

"Perhaps they are being very careful with that task also," Jake suggested.  "If a couple of cars ran a multiple tailing effort, then dropped away, you'd probably discount them.  Then, if they were already in position the next time, they could pick us up closer to the rental, and follow us a few more miles.  Perhaps they haven't found us yet, but are getting close?"

"Why would they think they had to be so careful?"

"They don't know who you are, but they might believe one of us is the Back-Tracker.  They are concerned if one of their vehicles is spotted, we'd Back-Track and they'd not be able to pick us up the next time through the time loop."

"Maybe," Tony agreed.  "But if our guesses are true, then we were probably spotted and identified a couple of days ago.  The only thing that makes sense is they hope to trap us somehow.  Whether that means a simple execution, or an attempt to capture us for interrogation, we can't know.  We also don't know how close they are to executing their plan."

Tony unconsciously reached under his windbreaker and checked the small Springfield in its holster.

"I'd guess they'd go for a quick elimination," Jake suggested.  "If they have any thought one of us might be their enemy Back-Tracker, they wouldn't dare risk us realizing we'd been busted and escaping by looping back.  They'd want to drop us before we realized we were vulnerable."

"You mean while we were sitting here confidently performing our stake-out of Jeff?" Tony asked.  "Smug that we know he is inside with a young woman he picked up so openly the night before."

Tony started the SUV and smoothly pulled out and drove away.

"Of course, we could be wrong," Jake said.  "He might not know about us at all."

"I'd bet against that," Tony said, as he drove away, watching for any sign of pursuit or tail.

"We go home a different way," Jake suggested.

"I think we don't go home at all just yet," Tony said.  I want to go somewhere and think this out first."

Half an hour later found them crossing the Verrazon Narrows Bridge.  Tony continued until he spotted a golf course off the road, and pulled into one of the large parking lots spottily occupied by the morning golfers.

"You know, this thing you can do is kind of fun when it is being used for our benefit.  I can't say it makes me very comfortable when someone else is doing it.  You don't think it's Jeff, so who do you believe they have with the ability?"

"There's no way to be positive based on what little we know.  I'd guess either Paul or Natalie.  They seem to be key to everything that is happening, and whoever has the ability has been keeping it relatively quiet.  Based on the studies Susan had Shaun run, the Mob group Paul is involved with hasn't had an unusually small history of arrests which might hint at use of the ability.  That makes me biased toward Natalie, but what little we know of her suggests she has relied on her superior knowledge to solidify her position.  I can't help but wonder if whoever it is has little experience with the ability, or is a little afraid of it.  Perhaps it is something they have discovered only recently."

"Until we figure out who it is and put them out of action, we are at considerable risk," Tony pointed out.  "They can lead us into something, see what action we take, and then use the ability to go back with the perfect counter to what we are doing."

Jake nodded.  He'd done the same himself many times. 

"We need to make this situation work for us," Jake said after a moment's thought.

"How?" Tony asked.

"They are trying to use Jeff as bait to get us," Jake said.  "We are pretty sure of that.  So, we have to make them think we are falling for it, or at least one of us is.  That might bring the others out of hiding as they attempt to close the trap.  I think their Back-Tracker will want to be certain they have found the person the FBI has who mimics their ability.  That suggests once they believe they have a shot at me let's say, they will appear.  Maybe we can use that to close the trap on them instead."

"You sound like you have already decided you become our bait," Tony replied.  "I don't think Susan would think much of that, nor is it strategically wise.  You are the only one that can undo mistakes."

"They don't know you," Jake pointed out.  "They might have a lead on me as Bob Trask who works with Susan.  That means it makes more sense for me to be the one they spot."

"This is an interesting discussion, but it is all moot.  There's a good chance they have already made the two of us, working together."

"That's now," Jake said.  "But it wouldn't be that way if I Back-Track to the moment we just arrived in New York, and we run this entire operation differently.  I'll remember everything we have learned, and can brief the earlier you.  We'll plan an operation that looks like there is only one of us, who is watching Jeff unaware of the possible trap.  Meanwhile, we are setting things up to catch them.  Since we've already monitored Jeff through those days, I'll be immediately aware of any changes in his actions.  That would alert me that they might have looped back and were planning on making some kind of a move.  There were only a couple of places where he could have setup a trap before, and I'd avoid following him to those places just in case, so those locations wouldn't be available to them.  We'll also limit the number of times I allow myself to be spotted, since we already know what he is up to.  With the pre-knowledge of events, and you watching my back, the risks would be nonexistent."

"The risk is never nonexistent," Tony argued.

"Extremely small then," Jake corrected confidently.  "From what I've seen, their Back-Tracker is somewhat inexperienced and makes mostly small jumps.  We'll know if they are planning something."

"I thought you just told Susan that additional Back-Tracking could complicate or invalidate everything we are learning?" Tony asked.

"Perhaps," Jake replied.  "There's a lot I don't know about the interaction of multiple Back-Trackers.  But this situation is different than the one I was talking with Susan about.  If I were to Back-Track to allow Susan to change how she approaches Anne, their Back-Tracker would certainly be aware of it.  That could trigger the very concerns I was warning Susan about.  However, our current situation is likely the result of the last Back-Track their person implemented.  I can think of no reason they would have triggered a follow-up.  If I Back-Track within the current framework, I'd be affecting something their Back-Tracker wouldn't be able to detect a change in, because he'd have no memories of the way the events have played out the last couple of days.  We'd arrive in New York, and all they would know would be the new way things play out.  The events here are enough removed from what is happening in Washington with Susan and Anne, that I think we can do it without triggering anything."

"You're absolutely sure about this?"

"Not a hundred percent," Jake admitted, "but it seems consistent with everything I've observed.  Besides, if we are to do anything, we have to take some risks.  As it now stands, we are limited and might have to run, assuming they know too much about us."

"I'm not certain Susan will approve of this," Tony warned.

"I don't plan on telling Susan," Jake revealed.  "She needs to be focused on events as she has seen them.  Knowing about us doing something tricky could be just the change that makes this all go bad.  We'll tell her afterwards."

"So, you'll go back, tell me what happened this time around, and we'll move into the rental as before.  Then we'll see if we can lure their people out by making them think they have tricked you?" Tony asked.  "Just when do you do this?"

"No time like the present," Jake replied, and Back-Tracked.

Saturday Afternoon, May 14

Jake frowned at the familiar sense that his mind was processing memories of days yet to come.  The dull ache in the back of his head also alerted him to the fact his future self had just Back-Tracked.  He and Tony were currently passing an extremely large railroad yard on their approach to New York City.  It was Saturday afternoon, and they would soon be arriving at the rental house that Tony had arranged for them. 

"Small change in plans," he warned Tony, who looked at him oddly.

"Did something just happen?" he asked.  "I saw you grimace a moment ago."

"They are expecting us.  We believe that Jeff is being used as bait."

Jake explained what normally would have taken place over the next couple of days, including what Susan would learn about her old friend on Tuesday morning.

"That's what we learned over the next couple of days and what Susan informed us on the Tuesday call?"

Jake nodded. 

"Natalie is nowhere to be found, and Susan guesses she might be with this Paul Martin somewhere.  You and I were concerned that Jeff Rineri might have fled as well, but he hadn't.  The only logical reason we could come up with is they were using him for bait, to try to catch us."

"You came back so we can turn the tables on them somehow, didn't you?"

Jake nodded, and explained what they had discussed.

"Susan is going to be furious when she learns that you knew about Anne for a couple of days and didn't inform her," Tony pointed out.

"I'll have to explain how her knowing would put the primary loop in danger."

"You don't think she'll call bullshit on that?" Tony asked.

"Maybe, but we need to see how this works.  Maybe developments will render the issue moot."

After they had made the necessary arrangements and obtained the keys to the rental house where they would be staying, they headed out again and obtained a nondescript car for Jake to drive.  They had already agreed that they would travel independently and only one of them would perform the monitoring duties this time around.  As far as Jeff Rineri and his supporters would see, only Jake would be trailing him.  Jake had already summarized the kinds of things they had observed the brother doing when they had monitored him the next two days.

"I don't like that you are exposed," Tony said when they were discussing the plan as they ate their dinner of pizza and beer.  "Susan would be livid.  The whole reason you were moved out of Washington was to ensure you weren't spotted, and could be available to unravel any complications that developed.  What if they simply decide to shoot you from ambush?  There's nothing I can do for you if you are dead."

Jake had explained this to Tony, but that had been the Tony that had been a couple of days in the future.  He'd have to convince this earlier version.

"I already told you that we know what happened the next two days.  There was no danger.  At most, they monitored us quietly in preparations for whatever actions they had in mind.  My guess is that the sister, and most likely Paul, if Susan is correct, aren't even in New York.  They would have wanted to be safe somewhere, and wait until Jeff and his people report back what they find.  We watched him until midday Tuesday without any interaction.  Only if their Back-Tracker had some reason to loop back, and now notes that there is only one watcher when there were two before, should they become concerned.  I can't see that happening. My Back-Track was a loop inside of their own, and they should be unaware that it happened.  Also, any action they elect to take will be apparent as a change.  We adjust immediately if that happens."

"I'm not certain that I agree," Tony objected.  "Before there were two of us.  That alone might have given them reason to hesitate.  Perhaps they worried there were more of us and they were attempting to find out.  With just you out there, they might elect to act sooner.  Also, last time around you were wearing the disguise, as thin as it was, they might not have gotten a good enough look to realize you are the Bob Trask they had learned about.  We are assuming they know about him, aren't we?"

"I think we must assume as much," Jake agreed.

"Okay, now you want to wash the dye out of your hair and do away with the glasses in order to ensure they make the connection.  If they have someone taking photos with a long-range lens, you will be captured on film and they will know they have you.  If they have any thoughts that you are the counterpart Back-Tracker, they will be eager to do away with you."

"That's one of the things that will be your responsibility.  I'm expecting you to use your skills to keep a watch on whoever they have deployed to watch me and tail me, so we know if they are planning something and can react appropriately.  With what you observe, and my awareness of any changes from before, we'll be certain to know something is being planned."

"I don't like it.  I think you might be over simplifying things."

"I believe they aren't ready to do anything this soon, however, we will handle the monitoring differently.  We don't need to watch Rineri with the same intentions as before.  Then we were trying to see what he might do, and hoped he might lead us to any others who were involved in the previous events.  That meant staying on him all the time.  This time all we need is for them to spot me, so they can plan an action.  We can make this more a game of now you see me, now you don't.  We'll be selective about where we let Rineri lead me, and only allow me to be spotted at times we are certain are safe.  Those times will be in locations where any attempts against me would have almost no chance of success, forcing them to plan something different.  That will throw them off guard a bit, and make any planning more difficult.  Hopefully you will be able to spot some of those he has watching, and ensure that no one tails me back to the rental.  We need to keep our base secure."

"I still think it would be better to reverse our roles," Tony complained.

"They don't know you, which is good because we want an ace in the hole, but because they don't know you they would be less likely to take action.  They would probably believe you were just another agent or some local help hired to watch Rineri.  We want to lure them out where we have a shot at grabbing them.  That makes me the preferred bait."

"That's another thing.  How do we hope to grab them if one of them is their Back-Tracker.  If you try to arrest one of them, they'll simply initiate one of your loops, making it never happen and being wise to our plan."

"That's why we simply hope to make them aware so they can start planning, and hopefully reveal themselves to you as you lurk in the shadows," Jake said.  "Unlike before, we will be cutting the surveillance off much earlier than the last time through this.  By Monday noon, we will have disappeared.  Rineri won't know where I have gone, which will hopefully confuse them and make them wonder what I learned."

"That's when we go back to Washington?" Tony asked.

Jake nodded.

"We have to do a couple of things.  First, we will be in Washington on Tuesday when Susan calls us with the news of what she has discovered.  She'll be sending Lester and Solly to Boston to check out the sister and be warning us that Jeff might have escaped also."

"That's when you'll tell her what the new plan is?"

"Correct!  But also, we'll arrange for Laney to come to New York to support me.  He'll probably be followed, so we'll need to deal with any tails he picks up.  I'm sure they will buy Laney going north to help out. I've worked with Jim in that role many times, and it would explain why I might have disappeared.  They'll believe I'm getting ready to make a move."

"Once Jim gets to New York, it'll be two people watching Rineri, supposedly unaware that he has people watching us," Tony agreed.  "And that's when you'll allow me to be with Jim, not you?"

"That's correct," Jake said.  "With you appropriately dressed, and with Jim in tow, they'll be duped more easily into assuming that you are me.  They will have seen me tailing Jeff for a couple of days and won't be as intent on the details as before.  That's why we have to get you some clothes that look like what I've been wearing while we are in Washington."

"And you are hoping we can pick up something that would quickly disable any potential Back-Trackers in their group as well?" Tony asked.

Jake nodded.

"I assume you can come up with something."

"The problem is going to be speed and range," Tony explained.  "Anything that fires a drug is limited range, and the drugs probably won't work fast enough to disable your Back-Tracker before he can trigger an escape.  A Taser-like device is short range, and we may not have the opportunity."

"That means I might need to simply resort to an old fashion rifle and shoot from where I'm hiding," Jake said.  "We may not be able to take whoever it is alive, at least the first time."

"The first time?"

"Once we know who and where their Back-Tracker is, even if I've had to shoot him or her, I can loop back and when we do it again, I can be positioned in the right place to bring them down easily and safely."

"I'd suggest once you have dealt with this person, you let it stay that way.  Don't give them another chance by looping around their demise," Tony suggested.

"We can discuss it afterwards," Jake promised.  "But once we have their Back-Tracker, either dead or disabled, this all becomes far easier."

Before going to bed that night, Jake washed his hair clean of the dye, returning it to its normal color and style.  The next morning he drove across the East River in his rental, with Tony following along somewhere behind.  Even knowing he was back there, Jake couldn't spot him.  He decided that if he couldn't see Tony, no one else would link him to his spying either.  Of course, as yet he hadn't shown up near Rineri's house in Astoria to attract attention.

The morning was another of those tedious days that Jake hated about Back-Tracking.  He was reliving the events he'd already seen from before, trailing Rineri as he moved from place to place, talking to a variety of individuals for reasons known only to him.  Jake tried to see if anything Rineri did looked fake, as if he was just going through the motions to fool any followers, but he was either a consummate actor, or he had real business to conduct.  Jake made no attempts to try to spot Tony.  He assumed he was out there somewhere.  At least he hoped he was.  Despite what he had told Tony, Jake felt unusually exposed as he followed the Mob suspect around that day.

"They were watching alright," Tony informed Jake when they met back at the rental.

"They didn't follow me back here?" Jake asked.

"Only part way, then they dropped off when traffic became light.  I was about to warn you to go someplace else just before they did so."

"Why would they do that?" Jake asked.

"They couldn't continue without being concerned you might spot them," Tony explained.  "I bet tonight they will scout the area you were in looking for your vehicle, which fortunately will be out of sight in the underground parking, but tomorrow when you head home, they will have several vehicles already waiting here in the area.  You would be less suspicious of a car that was on the road when you entered the area, than of one who had followed you for some distance."

"You are certain whoever you spotted was there to see if someone was following Rineri?"

"Positive," Tony said.  "Some of them were very good, and I may have even missed some.  I saw two spotters with cameras and long lenses.  Those were what gave them away.  Expecting to find someone, made it far easier to spot them.  When we were both following Rineri together, my attention must have been focused on him, otherwise I might have seen them that time."

"Do you think they were able to get sufficient photos to identify me?" Jake asked.

"If they have anything on Bob Trask, then they'll know that it's you," Tony said.  "You don't think we can simply skip the monitoring tomorrow?  It would certainly reduce the risk if they try something.  If they figure out who you are tonight, they might adjust their plans from the last time, and make a move against you in the morning."

Jake shook his head.

"If they lead me somewhere different than the last time, I'll break off.  That would be a warning something has changed.  Assuming tomorrow's schedule is a repeat, then I think it might be useful if I can drag one of their watchers with me when I break off rather than simply disappear.  If he sees me heading back toward Washington, it will reinforce our plan to link up with Jim."

"If someone tries to follow you all the way, we'll have to make certain you lose him," Tony warned.

"With you following as before, that shouldn't be a problem.  Once we get to Washington, we'll leave the rental near Norm's place.  They'll assume I went back to meet with them, but we'll stay at Bess' place."

"And the next day you'll ride back to New York with Laney," Tony finished the thought.  "If they plant a tracker in the rental, or something more interesting, you won't be using the car anyway."

Jake nodded.

The next day it went just as planned.  After making himself seen as he followed Rineri around through the same list of places he recalled from before, Jake broke off just after lunch, climbing into the rental and heading out of New York.  Tony kept him informed via their special spy radios that he was being followed, and once it would be clear to anyone that he was headed back toward Washington, Jake was able to take advantage of the heavy workday traffic to shake his tail.  Making several on and off the freeway maneuvers as directed by the hidden Tony, they confirmed he was no longer being followed.  They planted the car as discussed, and then Tony drove them to Bess's place where they could acquire the items they would need for the rest of the plan.