Chapter 65

Bruno was all for storming the house “without mercy or regret.” But Randy pointed out they needed to weigh certain strategic and tactical considerations before acting.

“You want to sit here talking while who-knows-what goes on in there?”

Randy coolly picked up his radio. He described their position and requested backup: “Make sure you alert the Coast Guard. We control the only road out of here, but they may have a boat.”

He turned back to Bruno. “Right now, we don’t know how many men Jurevicius has with him. If he has even a couple that are armed like his other security people, then we have a serious situation on our hands.” Randy pulled out his weapon and checked the clip. “However, if we wait for backup, the odds shift dramatically in our favor.”

“That’s fine, but these people are murderers. Alison may still be alive, and if we act now we’d have the element of surprise.”

“Let me show you something,” said Randy. “Be quiet, keep low, and don’t shut the car door.” They had parked in a turnaround just off the main highway. It was, in fact, the beginning of the dirt road they’d seen from the bridge. “This line of trees along the water blocks our line of sight to the house. There are only two places we can go to get a good look. One is the bridge and the other is standing right next to the house. In both cases there’s no cover. The basic principle—if we can see them, they can see us—applies. To mount an effective assault, we need a plan. To develop a plan, we need surveillance. But we can’t do surveillance without being seen.”

“But …”

“I know what you’re going to say. I feel the same way; I’m ready to fight, right now. But we have to be smart about it.”

“We can’t just sit around and wait …”

“That’s what I’m trying to explain, if you’d just shut up. We do have an option, but it’s risky. We have to engage them in a delaying maneuver.”

“Uh-oh.” Bruno was starting to see where this was leading.

“We’ll try to get them to negotiate, keep them talking and stall for time. The more time they spend with us, the less time they have to prepare their escape.”

“But what if they just shoot us …”

“Yeah, that’d be a bummer. I told you this was risky. But in the past they’ve only attacked children … and your dog. And they seem to do it surreptitiously. When confronted by armed men, face to face, in broad daylight, I like our odds.”

“You do? You just said they have superior firepower …” Bruno felt himself trembling. The fear was mounting and he couldn’t control it.

“You’ve got a better weapon—up here.” Randy patted Bruno on the head, then let his hand rest on the psychic’s shoulder, trying to impart some of his courage through physical contact. “All you have to do is talk. It doesn’t even matter what you say. Just get them talking. I’ll cover you, and if shooting starts duck behind the car and pray the cavalry gets here in time. Whatdya say? It’s your call.”

“My call?”

“Yeah, your call. You’re the civilian. The Chief doesn’t want you involved in this stuff. But I can’t stop you if you want to do it.” He stepped back and looked Bruno in the eye. “Whatdya say?”

“Yeah, boss.”