This might just be the opening he needed, he thought.

 

Chapter 27

 

THEY DROVE FOR about five miles. The woman was a reckless driver, taking curves

too sharply and often veering into the oncoming lane on the two-lane road before

sliding back in the nick of time to avoid traffic coming the other way.

 

Rogers kept far enough behind her so she wouldn’t grow suspicious, although in

the five miles they had passed at least six other white vans. It was the vehicle

of choice for the legion of contractors and service people who made their living

catering to the homeowners and landlords around here.

 

At last she slowed and pulled into the driveway of a large stuccosided home with

a red-tiled roof set on the beach. It looked as if it had been magically

teleported from Florida to North Carolina.

 

Rogers pulled past, rounded a bend, steered the van off the road, jumped out,

and quickly made his way back to the house, settling in behind some high grass

that was part of the perimeter landscaping.

 

The woman had climbed out of the car at the same time the front door of the

house opened. The young man who stepped out was wearing khaki shorts and a white

T-shirt. He was tall, young, and handsome.