The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 48

“Have a good night.” Gretchen called as they made their way to the door. “Be careful on the way home. If it’s too cold I can give you a ride.”

It was eight-thirty and though the diner was open another three hours Lynn had reached the end of her shift. Now that the dinner rush was over it would be quiet the rest of the night especially during the fall and winter which were their slowest seasons.

“I think we’ll be fine tonight,” Lynn assured her.

“Bye Gretchen!” the trio happily waved before heading out into the chilly evening.

“See you tomorrow,” Lynn said before following.

Sean and Theo walked on either side of Alexis linked arm in arm while their mother a few steps behind they walked down the street. It was several blocks to reach home, almost forty minutes, but it was shorter and more direct than taking the subway which would take them out of their way.

As they walked Sean began tapping his sister’s arm with a message she relayed to Theo on her other side, ‘We’re being followed. Black SUV. Don’t look too hard.’

‘No kidding. It sticks out like a sore thumb.’ Theo struggled not to laugh. It wouldn’t be a good idea to cause their mother needless worry by drawing her attention to it.

‘What exactly are they doing?’ Alexis asked wanting to get a sense of their movements and patterns.

‘They drive up a half block or so. Park and wait for us to pass then they move again.’

‘Okay. Next time we pass the SUV Theo turn around to talk to mom. See if you can get a look at who’s behind the wheel. Make sure you grab the license plate.’

It was slightly frustrating to have to rely on them without contributing but there was nothing for it. Theo let go of her arm and turned to face their mother. He walked backward as they continued down the sidewalk.

“Hey mom they’re taking us to the aquarium on Friday. What’s your favorite animal there?”

“Let’s see,” Lynn smiled. “I guess it would have to be the penguins.”

“Penguins? Why because they are cute?”

“Well yes they are cute waddling around in their little tuxedos. But they are also monogamous. That’s pretty rare when it comes to animals.”

“I thought animals pair up all the time.”

“Oh they might for a season. The next time they may choose a different partner and when they do pair it’s only for the mating part. Most males don’t help in baby rearing at all.”

“So the animal world is full of dead-beat dads huh.” Theo snorted.

“But penguins are different. They stay together and raise their chicks together and the next year they find each other again.”

“Cool.” Theo nodded as if satisfied and turned around. ‘I don’t recognize the driver but the other guy is definitely the one from the diner.’

‘What the heck do they want from mom?’ Sean complained.

Alexis mulled over her own thoughts, ‘Just keep an eye on them for now. We’ll figure it out at home.’

They talked about their day and interesting class work as they walked knowing how much their mother liked to hear updates. Alexis eventually dropped back to walk with their mother. Lynn hugged her close unaware of their ongoing vigilant watch of their observers. It turned out there were two SUVs. About halfway home the SUVs switched but the pattern remained the same. The boys noted the license plates and men inside waiting to discuss it at home.

Reaching the old, drafty apartment complex the trio was glad to get off the street. Theo collected the mail and they headed upstairs. Though the building had an elevator it hadn’t worked in the ten years they’d lived there.

Lynn sighed when they finally reached their apartment on the fifth floor. Ushering them inside she shut the door and relocked it also locking the two extra dead bolts before taking off her coat. Her feet ached and she was chilled from the walk but she grinned and bared it. The boys were growing like beans and would need new jackets next year. Their needs came before her comfort.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“Okay mom.”

“Yep!”

Taking off her shoes Lynn headed to the bathroom. Even before the water started Sean and Theo headed to the windows peaking between the blinds. Theirs was a corner apartment which gave them a view of two streets.

“Got ‘em,” Theo announced. “SUV on the corner.”

“Just one?” Alexis asked.

“Looks like. The other might be on the other side or they watch mom in shifts.”

Alexis thought about that, “Maybe at night. But I don’t think both SUVs are for her.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I think the other one was for us and since we’re all in for the night now there’s no reason to have two hanging around.”

“It does seem like overkill for one person,” Sean commented. “But what makes you think they are also watching us?”

“It’s a hunch.”

“Why though?”

“We’ll figure that out once we find out who owns the vehicles. Sean?”

“Right.” He grabbed her school tablet from her bag.

Setting it on the coffee table he connected to a neighbor’s WiFi and set up his network to disguise his IP before heading to his destination: the DMV. Theo retrieved a drink from the fridge before flopping on the couch beside his brother. Alexis sat cross-legged in the chair waiting for the results. Neither of them asked what he was doing since neither would be able to follow.

“Did you get the make and model?” Sean asked. All vehicles looked the same to him.

“Ford Escape. Probably 2010 or so,” Theo answered easily. “I doubt they’d go for the latest model but it certainly wouldn’t be older than that either.”

First license plate?”