“WHAT do you think?” Grady asked once they were back outside of the sheriff’s department.
James shrugged. “I think he wants to do what’s right.”
“Do you think he can?”
“I think he has a better shot than we do right now,” James said. “The odds of these guys trying to wipe out an entire police force are pretty slim. Once it becomes public knowledge that the sheriff’s department has the flash drive, that takes the onus off of us. There’s no reason to keep going after us.”
“I hope you’re right,” Grady said. “No offense, but I can’t take living with all of you for one more second.”
“It’s barely been twenty-four hours,” James pointed out.
“And yet it feels like forever.”
“We should pick up dinner,” Finn said. “I don’t think the women want pizza again.”
“I promised Ally we would bring back Olive Garden if she was good,” James said.
“What are the odds she’s been good?”
“Why do you think I left Jake there?” James asked. “He’s the only one she’ll listen to.”
“He does seem to have some magical ability where our sister is concerned,” Grady agreed.
“I think he has a magic penis,” Finn said, grinning.
“Shut your mouth,” James said.
“Hey, I’m just saying … .” Finn glanced down as his phone started to ring. “It’s Emma.”
“Ask her if Ally has been good,” James said. “Tell her we’ll be back soon – and we’re bringing dinner.”
“Hey, sweetie.” Finn answered his phone with a broad grin. “How are things? What? Emma, slow down.”
James and Grady straightened, moving closer to Finn as the color drained from their brother’s face.
“Where are you right now, Emma?”
“What’s going on?” James asked.
“People are in the house,” Finn said.
“What? Where is Jake?”
“Emma, where is Jake?”
Finn listened for a few seconds. “He went out to walk the property line. They don’t know where he is. Ally is afraid he’s dead.”
“Tell them we’re coming,” James roared. “Tell them … .”
“Holy shit! What was that? Who fired that gun, Emma?” Finn was beside himself. “She says they’re all up in your office. Sophie just shot someone through the door. What do we do?”
“I … .” James had never felt so helpless. “There’s no way out of that office.”
The front door of the sheriff’s department flew open, and Sheriff Morgan strode outside with a purpose. “Good, you’re still here. We just got a report of shots fired at your house.”
“We know,” James said. “They’re on the phone.”
“What’s happening?” Morgan asked.
Grady shook his head. “They’re locked in an office, and there are men with guns about to enter.”
“Are they armed?”
“Yes.”
“Can they protect themselves?”
“From paid thugs?” James was about to explode. “They’re competent. They’re not mercenaries.”
“There are units en route,” Morgan said. “They just need to hold on for a few minutes.”
“And what if they can’t?” James was in danger of losing his focus, and his heart. “What if they can’t?”
Morgan shrugged helplessly. “They have to.”
“I’M going to keep shooting,” Sophie warned. “Stay away from this door. I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”
Emma had scrunched herself into a tiny ball and was lodged under James’ desk, but the other three women were standing shoulder to shoulder as they regarded the office door.
Sophie had already shot once, and if the voices in the hallway were to be believed, she’d either wounded or killed one assailant. She meant business, and her actions had stopped the incessant banging on the office door.
“We don’t want to hurt you,” a voice said. “We just want the flash drive.”
“We don’t have the flash drive,” Mandy said. “The sheriff does.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not,” Mandy said. “My husband took it there before you arrived. We don’t have it.”
“You expect me to believe you just walked away from eight-million dollars? I’m not an idiot.”
“You’re going to be headless if you don’t move away from the door,” Sophie warned.
“Seriously, Peter is going to be really proud,” Mandy whispered.
Ally, who had remained silent and strong even as she contemplated life without Jake, suddenly moved toward the office closet.
“What are you doing?” Mandy hissed.
“This house has an attic, right?”
“Yeah. It’s really dark and gross.”
“This is an older house, though,” Ally said, keeping her voice as low as possible. “Most older houses have access to the attic in closets.”
“Oh,” Mandy said, realization dawning. She moved toward the closet and yanked open the door, glancing up at the ceiling and smiling when she saw the small hatch. “You’re a genius.”
“I have my moments.” Ally’s face was contorted with unexpressed tears.
Mandy pulled her in for a tight hug. “Jake is fine. I have faith.”
“Me, too,” Ally said, collecting herself. “He won’t leave me.”
“He won’t,” Mandy agreed. “Now boost me up there.”
Ally did as instructed, and Mandy managed to slide the attic door open. “We can hide up here, maybe even find another way out.”
Ally inclined her head to the desk. “We have to get Emma up there first.”
“Good luck getting her out from under the desk,” Sophie said, frowning when she saw the door handle start to jiggle. She fired another warning shot at the door. “I’m not joking with you!”
The men in the hallway grumbled. “Stop shooting at us!”
“Then stop trying to get in this office,” Sophie replied.
Mandy moved around the desk and knelt down next to Emma. “We have to go.”
“I can’t,” Emma whimpered. “I’m too scared.”
“Finn is waiting for you,” Mandy said. “They’re all waiting for us. We can’t survive in here, and we can’t leave without you. Do you want to see Finn?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re coming,” Mandy said. “And you’re coming now.”
Emma reluctantly crawled out from under the desk and followed Mandy to the closet.
“Boost me up,” Ally said, engaging the safety on the gun and tucking it in the back of her pants. “Once I’m up there, I can help pull Emma up.”
Mandy nodded, forming a cradle with her fingers. “Oomph,” Mandy said when Ally gained her balance by grabbing her hair. “You weigh a ton.”
“I’m going to forget you said that,” Ally said. “I know you’re under duress.”
Ally pulled herself up into the attic, making a face as she looked around. “This place is filthy.”
“Is that really our concern now?”
“Boost Emma up,” Ally ordered.
Once Emma was safely in the attic, Mandy turned to Sophie. “Come on.”
Sophie shook her head. “You go first. I need to make sure these guys stay on the other side.”
Mandy didn’t look convinced. “You are not staying behind. All of us go, or none of us go.”
“Just get up there,” Sophie said. “Trust me. I have an idea.”
Mandy shot her one more dubious look and then climbed the shelves on the side of the closet and grabbed Ally’s hand. Emma and Ally worked together to hoist her up and drag her into the attic.
“You weigh a ton,” Ally mumbled.
The three women waited, peering through the hole. Now it was up to Sophie.
“I think you guys should go before you run out of time,” Sophie said. “Do you know who my father is? His name is Peter Marconi, and he’s going to rip you to shreds f
or this. You should escape while you can.”
“Peter Marconi is your father?”
“He is.”
“Well, good then,” the voice said. “It seems we have a powerful bargaining chip.”
Sophie’s smile was grim. “Why did I know you were going to say that?” She pulled the trigger three times in rapid succession, and then she booked toward the closet, pulling the door shut behind her. She jumped, catching Mandy’s hand on the first try. Ally and Mandy struggled with her dead weight, but once Sophie was in the attic with them, they flopped back on the dirty floor as they gasped for air.
“Let’s get moving,” Sophie said. “It’s not going to take them long to get up the balls to go through that door. We need to be quiet and careful. Small steps. No big sounds.”
“Which way?” Ally asked, peering into the dark.
An idea occurred to Mandy. “This way. Everyone grab the hand of the person in front of them. Oh, and shut that attic door. It won’t stop them from following, but it might give us extra time.”
Sophie did as instructed. “Let’s move. I’m starving, and I desperately want to see Grady for some reason.”
“I’m betting the feeling is mutual,” Mandy said, trying to feel her way through the dark. “Everyone be quiet now.”
Twenty-Six
“Drive faster,” Grady urged, hanging on to the door handle as James’ Explorer careened around a curve.
They were following Morgan’s vehicle, chasing the line of police cars as they sped toward Harrison Township. They were still too far away, and there was no way of knowing what they would find when they got there.
“They’re fine,” Finn said. “I’m sure they are. They’re strong.”
“They are strong,” James said. “They’re strong.”
“Drive faster,” Grady said. “Just … drive faster.”
“WHERE are you leading us?” Ally whispered. It felt like they’d been walking in the dark for hours. They could occasionally hear noises in the house beneath them, but the attic dispersed them into eerie and muffled sounds. There was no way of knowing who was in the house – or where they were.
“There’s a window on the far side of the house,” Mandy said. “It opens. I know it opens because James said it was a concern when we bought the house. There have to be so many emergency exits for a house to pass inspection for sale these days, so that window had to be replaced. It has one of those safety handles on it.”
“You want us to jump from a third-story window?” Emma asked, her voice quavering.
“No,” Mandy said. “The window opens at a crease in the roof. James was worried that snow would pool there, and he was complaining about it, but it’s going to save our lives now. I’m guessing he’s not going to complain about it this winter either – no matter how many shingles he has to replace.”
“So, we’ll be on the roof?” Ally asked.
“Yes.”
“People will be able to see us from the yard then,” Ally said.
“Yes,” Mandy agreed. “You don’t think the police are on their way? It sounds like we’re in a war zone. Once we’re on the roof, these guys are either going to run or be shot by the police. We’re safer on the roof. Plus, if James and the others come back, they’re going to be able to see we’re safe on the roof, so they won’t run headlong into danger and get themselves shot trying to save us.”
“You’re so much smarter than you look,” Ally said. “Do you think we’ll be able to see Jake from the roof?”
“I’m hoping he’ll be able to see us, too,” Mandy said. “I’m guessing he’s trying to figure out a way to get into this house and find his way to you without getting himself killed. If he sees us on the roof, we don’t have to worry about him playing hero.”
“I love you,” Ally said, throwing her arms around Mandy impulsively.
“I love you, too,” Mandy said, patting her back. “Look, there’s the window.”
“Let’s go,” Sophie said, moving forward. “I just hope I get to shoot another of them from the roof.”
“Peter will definitely be proud,” Ally said.
“So will Grady,” Mandy said.
“Can we just get out of this attic?” Emma whined. “I feel like I can’t breathe.”
“Are you claustrophobic?” Mandy asked.
“My Dad used to lock me in a closet sometimes,” Emma admitted. “After … after he would, you know, he would lock me in the closet if I cried too much. I just don’t like it.”
Mandy’s heart stuttered. Emma’s father was a despicable child molester, and he didn’t leave his own children untouched. Mandy sometimes forgot the horror in Emma’s childhood. If Lance Pritchard was here now, she’d shoot him herself. Or, well, at least she’d let Sophie do it.
Mandy felt her way around the window, her fingers finding the release lever. She pushed the window open and glanced out. It was still light out, although the sun was starting to dip in the west. They would be visible, though, and that’s all Mandy cared about.
She climbed out of the window and swung down to the roof below. She crouched low and motioned for everyone to follow. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Mandy felt better. Everyone was going to be okay.
She was sure of it.
“I DON’T know what to do,” Jake admitted, glancing at Marcel for insight. “How many shots do you think that was?”
Marcel shrugged. “It sounded like three, one right after another.”
“You don’t think … you don’t think that they shot them, do you?” Jake was caught. He had no idea where the women were – he had no idea where Ally was – and he couldn’t see any movement in the house to give him a hint.
He was crouched next to the guesthouse, Marcel at his side. He was a man of action, but the idea of taking the wrong course was freezing him in his place.
“Killing the women doesn’t get them the flash drive,” Marcel said.
“There are four women in there,” Jake said. “What if they killed three of them to motivate the fourth to talk?”
“Then they would be giving up their leverage.”
“What leverage?”
“They must know the police are on their way,” Marcel said. “Their only hope now is to have hostages to try and barter their way out. Four hostages are much better than one.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am right,” Marcel said.
“So, what do we do?”
“I … .” Marcel broke off, tilting his head to the side. “You said there were four women in that house, right?”
Jake nodded.
Marcel pointed. “Well, now there are four women on the roof.”
Jake swiveled, a relieved sigh escaping his lips as he caught sight of three dark heads and one blonde one as they shuffled across the roof. “How in the hell did they get up there?”
“They’re resourceful,” Marcel said. “It also looks like they’re armed.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because all but the one with the red highlights have guns in their hands,” Marcel replied.
Jake looked again. “Emma. Yeah, I’m guessing she doesn’t know how to use one.”
“It’s probably good she doesn’t have one then.”
“I … I still don’t understand how they got up there.”
“They’re smart,” Marcel said. “They’re sending a message.”
“And what message is that?”
“They’re telling the world they’re safe,” Marcel said. “That means we can go in and clean up the … vermin … without worrying about endangering them.”
“You’re right,” Jake said, reaching in his pocket for his phone. “I have an idea.”
“WE’RE parked on the street in front of the house,” James said. “The sheriff is planning for an assault. We know that the women were in my office. We have no idea where they are now … or if they’re still alive.” James choked on the last word.
“T
hey’re alive,” Jake said.
“How do you know that? Where are you?” James wanted to believe Jake, but he couldn’t. Not yet.
“I’m behind the guesthouse with Marcel,” Jake said.
“Who is Marcel?”
“He’s one of Peter’s men.”
“Where are the others?”
“One of them was shot behind the house,” Jake said. “I was walking the fence when they attacked. I only survived because of them.”
“Well, we owe Peter a big thanks,” James said. “You still haven’t told me how you know that everyone is okay.”
“They’re on the roof,” Jake said. “I can see them from my vantage point.”
“How the hell did they get on the roof?” Despite himself, James was relieved. “That’s really smart, though.”
“I don’t know how they got there, but they’re there.”
“All four of them?”
“All four of them,” Jake confirmed.
“Jake has eyes on them,” James told Finn and Grady. “They’re safe, and they’re on the roof.”
“Well, that’s something at least,” Finn said. “I’ll tell Morgan. Where exactly are they on the roof?”
James relayed the question.
“They’re on the eave over the patio,” Jake said. “They’ve hunkered down with their backs against the incline. You can only see them if you’re looking directly up at them from back here.”
After telling Finn the information and watching his brother jog toward Morgan, James lowered his voice. “Tell Peter’s men to get out of there. The police are going through the front any second.”
“You got it.”
“Jake?”
“Yeah.”
“Watch them,” James said. “Don’t let them out of your sight.”
“I already made that mistake today,” Jake said.
“You were doing your job,” James said. “We had no way of knowing this would happen. If we’d been there, things might have been different. People could’ve died.”
“Yeah, but they were alone,” Jake said.
“And yet they survived,” James said. “I think they’ve proven that they can take care of themselves today.”
“Does that mean you’re going to stop hovering?”
“No,” James said. “Just keep your eye on them. We’re moving now.”
“I got them,” Jake said. “I got them.”
Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) Page 20
