days now, they had monitored Tobias Baum’s every move, with nothing to show for it. Nora gazed through the viewfinder of the digital SLR camera for the hundredth time. It was equipped with a powerful telephoto lens that was fixed on the Baum estate. She could clearly see arrivals at the security gate. Making identifications wasn’t terribly difficult, because all guests, once inside, had to pass through a large, extended glass hallway. Ordinarily, one would think a man like Baum would have just a tad of paranoia, but Alex guessed that the glass was probably bulletproof, and if privacy was needed, shades were available for concealment. A vast majority of the estate was strategically shielded from onlookers by tall trees. The back of the property was virtually impenetrable as it backed up to thick trees that were part of the 180-acre Woluwe Park.
The villa Alex, Nora, and Duncan occupied, courtesy of Neville Schofield, was nearly fifteen minutes outside the city center, nestled among numerous impressive flats and detached terraced houses in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert municipality. It was apparent the British had had their own reasons for monitoring Baum on occasion, and rather than totally close up shop each time he left town, the villa remained operational should it become necessary to spy on him again. Much to Duncan’s delight, a sizeable amount of surveillance equipment was on hand as well. The living room window provided the best vantage on Baum’s estate. At night, the room stayed dark in case there were binoculars scanning the area for people like them. For three days, it was mundane, normal activity. When Baum’s car went rolling down the long driveway, Alex and Duncan were quick to follow. His destinations had been to his office in the city center, an antique store, an art gallery, and a couple of upscale bars one night. End of story. With that in mind, Alex hardly got excited when Nora announced, “Car approaching the gate.” Duncan, on the other hand, put down the novel he was reading and donned a pair of headphones, keeping his left ear exposed. On a predawn jog during the first day, Duncan had inconspicuously attached a tiny listening device next to the intercom at the entrance gate. It allowed him to hear the words being uttered from the occupant inside the car as it came to a stop outside the metal gate.
Looking at the meters move on his instrument panel, Duncan relayed what he heard. “A man named Davis to see Mr. Baum,” he stated. “They’re buzzing him in.”
Nora adjusted the binoculars’ magnification, following the car as it rolled toward the house. A single occupant exited, but he was cast in shadow as he made his way to the front entrance, which was opening upon his approach. A few steps inside and Nora would hopefully have at least a glimpse of “Davis.” He was patted down by a bodyguard as Baum approached from within the house. Nora could see a smile forming on Baum’s face as he extended a welcoming hand. After exchanging pleasantries, Baum motioned for his visitor to proceed down the hallway.
“Come on. Come on,” Nora whispered. “Give me a look.”
The visitor answered Nora’s plea when he turned his head toward the windows, admiring the overall craftsmanship and nerve of it all. Nora quickly adjusted the focus to get a clear, tight picture.
A firm press of her index finger snapped a series of pictures in rapid succession. She then released her finger and sat up firmly in her chair, the move made with such urgency it caught the attention of both Alex and Duncan. It was as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Motherfucker,” Nora said behind clenched teeth. Alex and Duncan looked at each other with puzzlement. Alex had to pretty much pry the camera from her hands in order to get a look. He only saw the backs of the two men as they disappeared from view. He looked to Nora for an explanation.
“What the hell was that about?”
She stayed silent in the darkness, the anger obvious
The villa Alex, Nora, and Duncan occupied, courtesy of Neville Schofield, was nearly fifteen minutes outside the city center, nestled among numerous impressive flats and detached terraced houses in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert municipality. It was apparent the British had had their own reasons for monitoring Baum on occasion, and rather than totally close up shop each time he left town, the villa remained operational should it become necessary to spy on him again. Much to Duncan’s delight, a sizeable amount of surveillance equipment was on hand as well. The living room window provided the best vantage on Baum’s estate. At night, the room stayed dark in case there were binoculars scanning the area for people like them. For three days, it was mundane, normal activity. When Baum’s car went rolling down the long driveway, Alex and Duncan were quick to follow. His destinations had been to his office in the city center, an antique store, an art gallery, and a couple of upscale bars one night. End of story. With that in mind, Alex hardly got excited when Nora announced, “Car approaching the gate.” Duncan, on the other hand, put down the novel he was reading and donned a pair of headphones, keeping his left ear exposed. On a predawn jog during the first day, Duncan had inconspicuously attached a tiny listening device next to the intercom at the entrance gate. It allowed him to hear the words being uttered from the occupant inside the car as it came to a stop outside the metal gate.
Looking at the meters move on his instrument panel, Duncan relayed what he heard. “A man named Davis to see Mr. Baum,” he stated. “They’re buzzing him in.”
Nora adjusted the binoculars’ magnification, following the car as it rolled toward the house. A single occupant exited, but he was cast in shadow as he made his way to the front entrance, which was opening upon his approach. A few steps inside and Nora would hopefully have at least a glimpse of “Davis.” He was patted down by a bodyguard as Baum approached from within the house. Nora could see a smile forming on Baum’s face as he extended a welcoming hand. After exchanging pleasantries, Baum motioned for his visitor to proceed down the hallway.
“Come on. Come on,” Nora whispered. “Give me a look.”
The visitor answered Nora’s plea when he turned his head toward the windows, admiring the overall craftsmanship and nerve of it all. Nora quickly adjusted the focus to get a clear, tight picture.
A firm press of her index finger snapped a series of pictures in rapid succession. She then released her finger and sat up firmly in her chair, the move made with such urgency it caught the attention of both Alex and Duncan. It was as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Motherfucker,” Nora said behind clenched teeth. Alex and Duncan looked at each other with puzzlement. Alex had to pretty much pry the camera from her hands in order to get a look. He only saw the backs of the two men as they disappeared from view. He looked to Nora for an explanation.
“What the hell was that about?”
She stayed silent in the darkness, the anger obvious
Similar Books
