The red Pontiac pulled up smoothly by the curb and Devin, dressed in a black suit and tie, got out casually. Father would have another fit if he knew how Devin had gotten hold of the car, but he learned a long time ago which things to tell Father, and which were better kept to himself. There had already been too many useless fights, too much time wasted between them. If the old man was in bad shape Devin did not want their last moments together to be a struggle. Besides, the car came in handy for missions such as these.
A sly grin appeared on this face as he crossed the busy street and rang the doorbell of a large, Victorian style house. A woman in her mid-thirties opened the door. Before she had a chance to say anything, he waved his badge in her face.
"Mrs Winters, I presume?" he started. "My name is Marc Smith. I'm with the state. I have a warrant for Catherine Bailey. If you could fetch her for me, please."
The woman looked at him in shock, but if there was anything he had learned from his years of conning people it was to stay focused. Everyone believed a man who was decisive and resolute.
"Right now would be good," he persisted. "I'm afraid I'm on a rather tight schedule this morning."
He gave her a short, self-assured smile and pulled a piece of paper out of his suitcase.
"Here is the paperwork. You were informed of my visit I assume?"
The woman seemed troubled.
"N-no," she muttered. "No one told me anything. Is Cathy being re-located?"
"Yes."
The woman studied the fake warrant. As he had hoped she stepped back to let him enter.
Children were playing on the floor in the living room. A little girl with blonde pigtails and big, bright eyes stared at him. The woman picked her up.
"Come on, Cathy," she said. "Time to go with the nice officer."
"I'll take her," he offered.
She was so tiny and fragile. It made his heart swell.
"She's been a pleasure to have around," the woman told him. "Such a delightful child. You take good care of her."
"We will," he assured her.
Quickly he walked back to the car. As soon as he opened the door, Lena popped out of the back seat where she had been hiding.
"Cathy!" she sighed. "You're back."
Devin cautioned her to keep quiet. Still, he was happy to hear the little girl giggle. The intense look in Lena's eyes as she faced him, almost made him blush.
"Come on," he said. "Let's take Cathy home."
As he drove off, a black BMW started its engine.