“Jastremski and some of his boys. You’ll remember him from Charleston.”
Torres’ vehicle stops just behind them. She and O’Neill spill out of their sedan. Eight other agents, dressed in flak jackets and weapons drawn, emerge from the SUV’s. Zack and Jastremski don’t bother with introductions.
“We’re at your disposal,” Jastremski says, grasping Zack’s hand.
“Appreciate you coming,” Then to us he says, “Everyone suit up.”
I put on my vest and tighten the straps. Suddenly I’m missing the custom one Zack had made for me. Not only was it lighter weight, it provided me with better coverage.
“She’s stopped,” says Bradley. “The car pulled into a long dirt driveway that’s opposite the thicket of trees you’re in front of. The tree line curves around to the back of the property. You could approach from there pretty easily.”
“Send me a satellite image,” Zack orders.
“Sure thing.”
Within seconds Zack is studying the photo on his phone. “It looks like a small cabin.”
“Are there any other cars in the area?” Torres asks.
Bradley answers. “No.” I’ve been scanning the surrounding woods. “I’m not seeing any other nearby activity.
Zack pulls his personal vest from a duffel and slips it on. I have a hunch he’s wishing Betsy was in there too. “Any of your guys have an extra sniper rifle?”
Jastremski points to one of his men. “Hansen will set you up.” Zack tosses the duffel in my direction before going to seek out the agent. “You’re going to want this.”
I look inside.
My vest.
He packed it.
It takes me seconds to change. By that time Zack’s returned.
We all gather around.
“We’ll use the trees for cover,” Zack says. “Once we reach this clearing we surround the place. There’s a door in back and one in front. We’re not taking any chances. Jastremski, take three of your men and cover the sides of the house. Send two with Emma and me. My team will take the front.”
Hanson and a third guy joins Zack and me.
Jastremski picks three of his remaining five for his team. “These last two?”
“With Torres and O’Neill. Torres’ team will go in through the back. We move fast, stay in communication, and coordinate. Got it?”
Heads bob up and down.
Bradley’s voice cuts in, “I just heard from Quantico, the Forensics team they’re sending is an hour out.”
Torres has already slipped her gun from the holster at the small of her back. “So we secure the cabin and then do our best to leave it undisturbed. Everyone remember, this is very likely a crime scene. We don’t want to contaminate any evidence.”
It’s not difficult going, so we’re able to move with swift precision. The low-growing brush and the trees are spaced close enough to conceal us. The moist, flat ground is covered with a cushion of pine needles and dropped leaves that mask the sounds of our approach. We leave Torres, O’Neill and two other men at the rear of the house. Jastremski sends two others to cover the east side. Then Zack and I move with him and the remaining toward the west, guns drawn. Jastremski’s team stays behind to monitor from that vantage point, the remaining continue on with us. We circle around to the front. The only car in the driveway is Eve’s. The house is small. There are three steps leading up to a modest porch. Large windows are covered with heavy curtains drawn. But the front door is open. Zack motions toward it with his gun.
My gut tells me the kidnappers are gone—and so is Robby. The two men accompanying us glide soundlessly onto the porch and position themselves, back flush against the outside of the house.
The air is still.
My heart is pounding.
“Son of a bitch,” Eve shrieks. The oath is accompanied by the sound of breaking glass as something is thrown against the wall.
“We’re going in,” Zack tells the others.
One of the guys reaches for the handle to the screen door and swings it wide open. Zack is the first
Torres’ vehicle stops just behind them. She and O’Neill spill out of their sedan. Eight other agents, dressed in flak jackets and weapons drawn, emerge from the SUV’s. Zack and Jastremski don’t bother with introductions.
“We’re at your disposal,” Jastremski says, grasping Zack’s hand.
“Appreciate you coming,” Then to us he says, “Everyone suit up.”
I put on my vest and tighten the straps. Suddenly I’m missing the custom one Zack had made for me. Not only was it lighter weight, it provided me with better coverage.
“She’s stopped,” says Bradley. “The car pulled into a long dirt driveway that’s opposite the thicket of trees you’re in front of. The tree line curves around to the back of the property. You could approach from there pretty easily.”
“Send me a satellite image,” Zack orders.
“Sure thing.”
Within seconds Zack is studying the photo on his phone. “It looks like a small cabin.”
“Are there any other cars in the area?” Torres asks.
Bradley answers. “No.” I’ve been scanning the surrounding woods. “I’m not seeing any other nearby activity.
Zack pulls his personal vest from a duffel and slips it on. I have a hunch he’s wishing Betsy was in there too. “Any of your guys have an extra sniper rifle?”
Jastremski points to one of his men. “Hansen will set you up.” Zack tosses the duffel in my direction before going to seek out the agent. “You’re going to want this.”
I look inside.
My vest.
He packed it.
It takes me seconds to change. By that time Zack’s returned.
We all gather around.
“We’ll use the trees for cover,” Zack says. “Once we reach this clearing we surround the place. There’s a door in back and one in front. We’re not taking any chances. Jastremski, take three of your men and cover the sides of the house. Send two with Emma and me. My team will take the front.”
Hanson and a third guy joins Zack and me.
Jastremski picks three of his remaining five for his team. “These last two?”
“With Torres and O’Neill. Torres’ team will go in through the back. We move fast, stay in communication, and coordinate. Got it?”
Heads bob up and down.
Bradley’s voice cuts in, “I just heard from Quantico, the Forensics team they’re sending is an hour out.”
Torres has already slipped her gun from the holster at the small of her back. “So we secure the cabin and then do our best to leave it undisturbed. Everyone remember, this is very likely a crime scene. We don’t want to contaminate any evidence.”
It’s not difficult going, so we’re able to move with swift precision. The low-growing brush and the trees are spaced close enough to conceal us. The moist, flat ground is covered with a cushion of pine needles and dropped leaves that mask the sounds of our approach. We leave Torres, O’Neill and two other men at the rear of the house. Jastremski sends two others to cover the east side. Then Zack and I move with him and the remaining toward the west, guns drawn. Jastremski’s team stays behind to monitor from that vantage point, the remaining continue on with us. We circle around to the front. The only car in the driveway is Eve’s. The house is small. There are three steps leading up to a modest porch. Large windows are covered with heavy curtains drawn. But the front door is open. Zack motions toward it with his gun.
My gut tells me the kidnappers are gone—and so is Robby. The two men accompanying us glide soundlessly onto the porch and position themselves, back flush against the outside of the house.
The air is still.
My heart is pounding.
“Son of a bitch,” Eve shrieks. The oath is accompanied by the sound of breaking glass as something is thrown against the wall.
“We’re going in,” Zack tells the others.
One of the guys reaches for the handle to the screen door and swings it wide open. Zack is the first
Similar Books
