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phone. “Sarah, I’m assuming you heard all that. When you see her come out of the lobby, follow her, okay?”
    “You don’t believe her story?”
    “I don’t know what to think. Either way, we still don’t know her real name.”
    “She arrived in a taxi, so I’m assuming that’s how she’ll get home.”
    “Good. Try to stay close to her and call me when she gets home, or wherever she ends up. I’ve already paid for the room so I’ll just hang out here till I hear from you.”
    “Roger that. I think I see her coming out now.” Sure enough, Rita was heading out of the lobby with her trench coat wrapped tightly around her slim figure. She headed straight to the taxi, still parked under the porte cochère. She said something to the taxi driver then opened the back door and got in.
    I started the engine and pulled out into the road, keeping a safe distance behind the taxi, driving through downtown and away from the city heading north. I almost lost them at one point because I got stuck at a red light but I was able to catch up to them at the next signal.
    I could feel the beads of sweat dripping down the side of my face. More from excitement than anything. That’s why, for the most part, I love this job. When things get intense, the rush of adrenaline is almost euphoric.
    Finally, the taxi took the exit for a town called Peabody and I followed it through several neighborhoods until the driver finally stopped in front of a house. I stayed back at least five houses - pulled over to the opposite side and called Carter.
    “The taxi just dropped her off,” I said. “Ready to write down the address?”
    “Yep. What is it?”
    “Seventy-three, Lincoln Avenue. I think we’re in Peabody but I can’t be sure. I’ll take some pictures of the house. There’s a red car in the driveway and it looks like it might be the Mazda.”
    “Great. Nice work, Sarah. Now just stay put and keep watch on her house. I’m going to plug that address into my database program and find out who owns it.”
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    About ten minutes after Rita entered the house, she came right back out again. This time she was dressed more casually in jeans and a sweatshirt. Her hair was up in a ponytail and it looked like maybe she had removed some of her make-up. The reading glasses really threw me off. For a second I thought this couldn’t possibly be the same woman. The transformation was astounding. She went from glamorous movie-star gorgeous to average everyday woman but it was definitely her. I’m not exactly sure why I was so convinced; however I was positive she was the same person.
    I was about to pick up my cell to call Carter, anticipating she might get in her car to go someplace, but she didn’t. Instead, she took a left out of her house, walked across the lawn to the next-door neighbor’s house and knocked on the door.
    Someone let her in, an older woman, and Rita disappeared inside. I waited another three or four minutes. When the door opened again, Rita came out, holding the hand of a young girl with brown pigtails. I estimated the girl to be around five or six years old. She skipped happily alongside Rita and I surmised this must be Rita’s daughter. My heart gave a little jerk of empathy when I saw the girl’s face and realized she had Downs’ Syndrome.
    When Rita and the girl were back inside their own house, I dialed Carter’s number.
    “I think Rita has a kid. About five or six years old. Her next door neighbor babysits. Have you had any luck finding out who owns this house?”
    “Not yet. I’m still working on it.”
    “Want me to stay here or come get you?”
    “Why don’t you stay there for a little while longer?”
    “Okay. Call me as soon as you know something.”
    I tossed the phone on the passenger seat and tried to get comfortable. I was starting to get cold since the sun had gone down. The rain had subsided but there was still a chill in the air. I found a scarf in my back seat and wrapped it