“I don’t understand, why are you asking me this?”
“Just bear with me, Hannah. Where do you shop?”
“Usually at the Pavilions on Vine. Melrose and Vine.”
Ballard was not familiar with the store but immediately computed that this was a different location from the markets frequented by the other three victims of the Midnight Men.
“Is there a coffee shop inside?”
“There’s a Starbucks.”
“Okay, what I want you to do is get in your car and go to Pavilions. If you have reusable bags, carry one of them in like you’re going to do some light shopping. But first go to the Starbucks. I will meet you there.”
“I have to leave here?”
“It’s going to be safest if you are not there tonight, Hannah. I want to get you out without anything looking unusual. You are just going to the store to pick up a coffee and some dinner. Okay?”
“I guess. Then what?”
“I’ll meet you there, we’ll talk some more, and then I’ll put you in the hands of another detective, who will make sure you are guarded and safe until this is over.”
“When should I leave?”
“As soon as you can. You drive up to Melrose and go right and head to the store. You’ll pass me and I’ll be able to tell if you are followed. Then I’ll meet you at the Starbucks. Can you do this, Hannah?”
“Yes. I told you I could.”
“Good. Put a toothbrush and anything you might need for an overnight stay in the reusable bag. But don’t take a lot. You don’t want it to stand out.”
“Well, I’ll need my computer. I have to work tomorrow.”
“Okay, your computer is fine. Make it look like you are carrying more bags inside the one you’re carrying.”
“Got it.”
“And what about a mask? What color do you have?”
“Black.”
“Black is good. Wear that.”
Ballard knew she would have to wear her LAPD mask inside out.
“Okay, one other thing, Hannah.”
Ballard looked down at what she was wearing. Because she had come straight from Acton, she was casually dressed, in jeans and a white oxford borrowed from Single.
“Do you have a pair of jeans and white blouse you can wear?” she asked.
“Uh, I have jeans,” Stovall said. “I know everybody has a white blouse. But not me.”
Ballard looked over her shoulder to the back seat, where she had various jackets and other clothing.
“How about a hoodie?” she asked. “You have a red or gray hoodie?”
“Yeah, gray,” Stovall said. “I have it right here. Why are you asking about my clothes?”
“Because I’m going to take your place. Wear the gray hoodie when you come to Starbucks.”
“Okay.”
“What’s the length and color of your hair?”
“Jesus. I have short brown hair.”
“Do you have any hats you can wear?”
“I’ve got a Dodgers cap.”
“Perfect. Wear that, and text or call me on this number before you leave. That way I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll text.”
They disconnected. Ballard was concerned that Hannah might do something that would stand out to anyone who had her under surveillance. But it was too late to worry about it now.
It was now time to call in backup. Ballard felt too alienated from her own department to go inside for help. She was already working without a net and probably providing more fodder for the upcoming Board of Rights hearing. Taking stock of her situation, she noted that her boss was the one trying to fire her, while her partner on the Midnight Men case had been anything but a partner. Lisa Moore had proven herself to be unreliable, lazy, and vindictive.
There was no doubt in Ballard’s mind who she needed to call.
He answered immediately.
“Okay, Harry,” Ballard said. “Now’s when I need you.”
41
The text from Hannah Stovall came in twenty minutes later. Ballard sent her back a thumbs-up and then waited with her eyes on the sideview mirror. A few minutes went by before she saw the silver Audi emerge from North Citrus Avenue and turn right on Melrose. Ballard checked the car as it went by and caught a glimpse of the driver wearing a blue Dodgers cap.
Ballard’s eyes went back to the sideview and she waited and watched. She let two minutes go by. No follow car emerged from Citrus. Ballard pulled out and gunned it down Melrose in an effort to catch up to the Audi, but a traffic signal at Cahuenga undid her. When she finally pulled into the parking lot at Pavilions she had to cruise down two aisles before spotting the Audi. She then caught a glimpse of a woman wearing a Dodgers cap entering the supermarket with a reusable shopping bag that looked weighted with belongings.