He pulled into Langley in the early evening. His first priority was finding a safe place to stay, and he had the perfect place in mind. He drove around the surrounding area several times, checking for any unwanted activity, but it was clear, as he had expected. He parked the rental car in an old shed behind the property that he had discovered long ago, and made his way through the back. He was careful to watch for any signs of occupation, but again, as expected, there was none. A few quick maneuvers and the house opened up for him, welcoming him home after so long...
He wasn't prepared for it. He should have been, but he wasn't. It was as though Stockwell had carried out his threat. He wandered from room to room, not expecting and yet, stupidly, hoping to see Murdock, or Hannibal, BA, Frankie. Anyone. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. He didn't want to lose his edge, not now. Not when he was so close to Stockwell he could smell him. He knew it was the smart thing to do, staying here. It was absolutely the last place anyone would look for him. But he could feel his guard coming down, almost physically painful. He wanted them to be here. He wanted to see them, to hear them, talk to them. He passed the bedrooms. Hannibal's cigar smoke wafted through the air. BA's jewelry jingled behind the next door. Murdock's soft murmuring to Billy. Frankie's incessant chatter. He lay down on his bed, bare mattress rough and musty, and slept among his family.
The black van finally pulled into Langley in the early morning hours. Its occupants were tired and tense. Hannibal figured Face was either here already or close to it. They didn't have much time. They first drove to Carla's house, where Murdock checked to make sure the car was in the garage. A few more minutes playing peeping tom told him Carla was home. Back in the van, he activated the tracer.
"Good to go, Hannibal."
"Okay, she'll be up and around in a couple of hours. Let's find a quiet place to park, BA; Murdock, you take first watch. Soon as she starts moving, wake us up."
Murdock saluted from the back seat as the van pulled away.
He awoke, feeling relaxed and rested for the first time in literally months. In the early light of the morning, the house was inviting, but no longer filled with ghosts. He was glad of that. He would be able to focus on the Job, not wallow in wishful thinking. He halfheartedly turned on the tap in the bathroom - nothing. As expected. He would place a work order later that morning for the utilities. He would be here for a while.
He cautiously made his way back to his car. He was in Stockwell's territory now; he couldn't afford to get careless. A quick breakfast at a low-rent cafe and he was on his way. He passed Stockwell's office building - no signs of activity at this early hour. As expected. He continued on to his objective.
He spotted the van almost immediately. If he hadn't been intimately familiar with it, he knew he would have missed it. Parked behind three rows of used pickups at a dealership four blocks from Carla's. He drove past, eyes straight. He knew that one of them would be awake, watching. Parked this far from her house meant they had her bugged. Good. It would save him the effort. He pulled around the block, parking on a side street that afforded him an angled view of the van. He smiled.
"Game on, Colonel?"
Murdock sat in the back of the van, listening for the telltale beep that would alert him to movement of Carla's car. He was watching the street, also, for any unusual activity. Very few cars had driven past the lot; it was still a bit early for commuters. Murdock knew he was keyed up. The reason for his coming back to Langley with Hannibal on that first trip instead of BA had not been lost on him. He knew he would have been the more logical choice to stay in LA but he was also aware that Hannibal was keeping a close eye on him. He would not let him down, he would keep himself focused. He would not let Face down.
It was a minute hesitation that caught his eye. A car coming down the street, nothing unusual about it in appearance. Just another clone car. But it had slowed for just a split second before moving past. He tried to catch a glimpse of the driver but it was still too dark to see inside. Murdock sighed. Probably nothing. Maybe wishful thinking. Just nerves.
He settled back to listen for the beep.
Carla was packing. They would all be moving temporarily to the Meadows, no going to the office, no returning home at the end of the day, no opportunities for being followed. She was still stinging from Stockwell's words after Smith and Murdock had found the office. And having to go through a refresher driving course with Able 14 was embarrassing beyond words. It wouldn't happen again. She angrily shoved the last of her belongings into her bag and locked up. The Meadows was only a few miles away, but she intended such an extended route it would probably take her a good hour to get there.
As she pulled out of the drive, she thought of Peck. Smith and his remaining men were a nuisance, and she had no doubts that Stockwell would be able to deal effectively with them. He had before. But Peck was dangerous. Carla was convinced that he was unhinged. Stockwell underestimated him. And that cockiness could put them all in jeopardy. Damn his arrogance, she thought, not sure which man she was actually referring to.
Murdock almost jumped out of his skin when the beeping started suddenly. Carla was leaving earlier than expected. Hannibal and BA had awakened immediately at the noise, and after waiting a few moments to determine the direction she was heading, the van pulled out of the lot and moved into traffic.
He waited until the van had gone several blocks before pulling onto the street behind them. Should they get on the highway he would have to move a little closer, but on the quiet streets of Langley it would be easy enough to keep them in sight from a distance. Just the fact that they had the van told him they had not been in Langley long, and they would be tired. Just tired enough for him to take advantage. The Colonel was overconfident. As always. As well as he knew Stockwell, he knew The Colonel much much better. And he would use that knowledge. He would use The Colonel as his own little tracking device. Stockwell was not the only one who wouldn't know what hit him.