My husband commented on my improved mood. I refuse to give up; I will find a way out of this life.
—The diary of Megan Jean
“That is insane,” Mia said.
Riley was going through her backpack. She pulled out a holster and handed it to Mia before putting one around her own waist.
“We’ll never have another opportunity like this,” Riley said. “It’s stupid to waste it.”
“How are you planning on getting inside,” Mia asked, “then taking out whoever is in that room?”
“The way you spoke about this guy and his reputation I expected a fortress,” Riley said. “Even if he knows we’re coming his defenses are minuscule.”
“That’s what he wants you to think,” Mia said. “He is very smart and very dangerous.”
“He can’t fake body heat,” Riley said. “There are ten people in that giant house. Even if they know we’re coming I can take them. Are you in?”
Riley pulled out another gun and attached a silencer to the end. Mia held out her hand and Riley handed her the weapon.
“We shouldn’t kill him,” Mia said. “It might screw up the bigger plan that’s back in play.”
“I know,” Riley said. “But we can knock him out and rough him up a little. If that other man in the room is on your side it will be a piece of cake.”
“So what’s your strategy?”
“Figure out where his security system starts,” Riley said. “As soon as we trigger it he’ll know it’s us, but he can’t call for any agents or backup as long as you’re with me.”
“So we let him know we’re coming?”
“Maybe your man in the room will knock him out for us,” Riley said. “Then we grab Rod and make a break for it.”
“If that is Rex and if he is really on our side, don’t you think he would have done that by now?” Mia asked.
“Still,” Riley said. “Two on two? How hard can it be?”
“This isn’t like you,” Mia said. “You’re acting reckless.”
“Alex,” Riley called.
He came over to them. Riley threw him a gun.
“You’re not scared to shoot anyone are you?”
“No,” Alex said.
“Three on two,” Riley said. “Does that make you feel better?”
“I want to help,” Corinna said.
“You can help by meeting Frank and Laura,” Riley said. “Follow the tree line north to the street. Tell them to wait for us outside the gate. Leave now.”
Corinna took off along the tree line. Mia was grateful she was out of harm’s way.
“Now, he is going to want to kill you,” Riley said. “But if you don’t accompany us we have no guarantee he won’t call in extra security. So when we get near the room you need to stay out of sight. I don’t want you anywhere near him. Do you understand?”
Mia nodded her head.
“Alex, we are expendable,” Riley said. “He knows who you are and your relationship with Mia. He has no clue who I am or what I’m capable of. I have an electronic scrambler. I’m going to take it with me and go in separately. I want him to spot the two of you. Mia, take this.”
Riley put the electronic sensor in her hand.
“Stay out of the way of any electronics,” Riley said. “I’m going to circle the house to come in through the east side. I want you to wait here twenty minutes and then enter the view of his cameras from this end. He should come after you.”
“But Rod is on the opposite side,” Alex said.
“I’m coming in from that direction,” Riley said. “I think Grant will be too distracted by you to notice his security system failing on the east side. I’ll enter the house and come up through the opposite way. I will get Rod. You two meet me by the front door.”
“What if he doesn’t come after us?” Mia asked.
“Then break into the house and head toward the east wing,” Riley said. “But don’t lose your way. That house is huge. Remember where the door is. Alex should know the layout.”
“I remember the episode,” Alex said.
“Try to keep his eyes on you,” Riley said. “And kill anyone who isn’t Grant.”
Mia gulped. She wasn’t ready for this.
“Wait twenty minutes,” Riley said.
She left her bag on the ground and secured what must have been the scrambler to her wrist. The binoculars hung around her neck.
“This is crazy,” Mia said.
“It will work,” Riley said. “Twenty minutes.”
With that Riley took off along the trees toward the back of the house.
“She should have taken the sensor with her,” Alex said. “For all she knows she’s setting off Grant’s security right now.”
“I’d never underestimate Riley,” Mia said. “She knows exactly what she’s doing.”
Alex nodded and watched her jog away.
“We might die tonight,” Alex said.
Mia looked up at him.
“That thought has crossed my mind a lot, and I’m still here,” Mia said.
“I’ll take luck over skill anytime,” Alex said.
Mia gave a short fake laugh. The sky was starting to lighten. Mia pulled out her phone and checked the time. It was almost five A.M. In two hours she would see Andrew again. Mia repeated that in her head, assuring herself that she would survive the next couple hours.