"Do you know what the big deal was?" asked Bly.

Seliah cut Bly a sharp look and shook her head. She glanced at the screen and turned to Hood and blushed deeply.

Hood remembered that late August and early September was busy for Ozburn. He was often in San Ysidro, "purchasing" and setting up another safe house for Carlos Herredia's North Baja Cartel. He was in and out of Buenavista, too, getting the Agate Street house ready for activation. He was checking out properties in Yuma. Eager to establish U.S. strongholds, Herredia was renting stateside homes as fast as Ozburn could buy them.

Hood excused himself and let himself onto the deck. The sunset was an orange and indigo spectacle over Catalina Island. Soriana picked up before the ring.

"Frank," said Hood. "Oz sent Seliah some e-mails over the last few weeks. He's talking about something or someone being beside him, and a really big deal that he's at the center of, and some God and Jesus stuff."

"Shit."

"Any word out of San Ysidro or Yuma?"

"None."

"Sean sounds apocalyptic. Like a crusader, an angel of vengeance. Like he'll just keep on going."

"You think he'll hit San Ysidro or Yuma?"

"I think it would make some sense."

"We can't patrol San Ysidro and Yuma without giving away the game. We can't roll them up without busting Sean's cover and loosing the wrath of the North Baja Cartel on him. So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that Ozburn sounds like he's out of his mind."

"I'd say this morning proves it."

"We're with Seliah now."

"Is she cooperating?"

"Mostly."

Back inside Hood caught inquisitive looks from both women. He apologized for the interruption and stood behind the couch again and looked over Seliah's shoulder.