It took them three hours to circumnavigate the roughly half-mile perimeter. They moved slowly and carefully, staying outside the perimeter of not only The Lion’s property but the neighbors’ as well. He called upon the patience drilled into him with his special ops training to wait and watch and move only as much as necessary. Both he and Pete knew the old saying, “slow is smooth and smooth is fast,” was more than a training aid; it could mean the difference between having a very bad day and survival.
The house sat in a pool of darkness making it hard to photograph. Dave spotted two infrared cameras and assumed there were enough for full coverage of the approach to the house. The four guards he’d spotted wore night-vision goggles as well. No motion sensor triggered lights would come on warning an intruder that he’d been detected. The guards would just be notified and they’d take him out with surprise and silenced weapons. Whoever had planned Szegedy’s security was smart. A direct assault wasn’t going to work.
Neither he nor Pete spoke until they returned to Pete’s rental, stowed their gear in the trunk, and drove a mile in the opposite direction of the new hotel. When they were satisfied they weren’t followed, Pete got on the freeway.
Dave had focused on looking for a possible tail, but in the back of his mind he’d turned one possibility after another over in his mind. He didn’t see any way to get into The Lion’s house to plant a tracker on the money the police could follow—not without pulling some kind of Mission Improbable caper. He hadn’t planted a tracking device earlier because he assumed The Lion would check for it. That’s why he’d asked for Ana’s help. Szegedy wouldn’t look for a magical tracer. Unfortunately, Ana’s work wouldn’t provide probable cause for a search warrant.
“Getting into the compound is going to require finesse, more people with different skills than we have, and will probably draw undesired attention,” Pete said, mirroring his own conclusion. “We should consider removing The Lion from the game board ourselves…I’m trained as a sniper.”
Dave clenched his jaw until his teeth ached. God help him, he’d thought about that, too. Three years ago he might have done it. Hell, a year ago he’d taken out some human traffickers without a second thought. But that wasn’t who he wanted to be anymore. Doling out death should be a last resort.
“I’ll keep that in mind. In the meantime, I’ll see if I can get us some backup.”
“Who? No offense, but if you had people to call, why’d you call Jack?”
“None taken. My partner was busy with another case. He might be able to help now. And the guy we do a lot of work for owns a security firm. I already owe him a debt I can never repay. I’m only thinking of calling him now because we’re up against a wall.”
Pete chewed that over for a minute before asking, “What kind of training do his guys have?”
Dave had only worked with them a time or two. They’d been good, but they probably weren’t just sitting around waiting for him to ask for their help. “They’re solid, but I don’t know if they’re available. Or if we need them. Like you said, this calls for finesse.”
“Do you have a plan?”
Dave huffed a laugh. “I’m working on it.”
Kellan glared as Jasper continued his story. He couldn’t really blame his partner. They’d never been able to tell tales on each other to a new girlfriend. None had ever known what they were, and U’dahmi secrecy had to be maintained.
“Kel cut it close with his transition that time, too,” Jasper whispered confidentially to Tasha. “He loved the wife he’d inherited and didn’t want to leave her.”
Troy had called Zeke and postponed their dinner. The three of them had just finished a late supper at The Village Pizzaria. Only two other couples shared the patio with them.
“I had good reason to be concerned,” Kellan growled softly. “Women alone didn’t fare well in those days. I had to make arrangements for her.”
“It’s okay,” Tasha squeezed his hand and the warmth of her touch settled him. “I know you had other women in your life over the years. I’m glad you liked them—though I’m less than thrilled you put yourself at risk by waiting until the last minute.”
“It wasn’t as bad as he makes it sound,” Kellan objected.
Jasper clicked his tongue. “She’s a keeper.” He leaned toward Tasha as if speaking confidentially to her. “But if you ever decide Kel is too boring, you can hook-up with me and Troy for a menáge.”
Annoyance flared, but before Kellan could cuff Jasper, Tasha snorted. “Dream on.”
Kellan’s phone rang and his attention focused on the device he drew it from his pocket. The number wasn’t familiar, but he answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Hey, Matthews. This is Dave Hopkins. Cam gave me your number and said you might be able to help me with a problem I have.”
Kellan frowned at his phone. He’d only met the man once and it hadn’t been friendly. Dave was understandably sensitive to the idea of a Celestial occupying a human’s flesh. He’d been slow to accept that Antoine had volunteered the corpse he wouldn’t need. Now Dave was asking for help as if they were best buds? “I’m in California.”
“I know. So am I. That’s why Cam suggested I call you. Can you meet with me? I’m in San Clemente.”
“Go,” Jasper said. “It’s safer for us both if we part ways.”
“Hold on,” Kellan said and muted his phone.
His partner stood and threw a couple of tens on the table. “Don’t worry about contacting Ezra. I’ll do it. I should have done it in the first place.”
“Wait! Don’t you want help transitioning to a new body?”
“That’s your plan, not mine. Troy wants me to stay.”
Kellan winced. “You’ll be a pariah.”
Jasper stood. “Not to you, I hope.”
“Of course not.”
“Good enough, then. I knew the risks when I chose this path.” Jasper bowed and lifted Tasha’s hand to his lips. “Take care of him.” He straightened and spoke to Kellan. “If this doesn’t go well, you may need the information I gathered on Three. Ada Lovelace is guarding an encrypted flash drive.” Then he walked away.
Kellan didn’t try to stop him. A moment later he un-muted his phone. “Tell me about this problem you have.”
Dave smiled at the nurse behind the desk and slipped into Jack’s room without interference. It was late, well past visiting hours and Alex’s bedtime, but the little boy was still awake and playing checkers with Jack.
“Hah! King me!” Alex gloated.
From the chair Julie said, “Keep your voice down or they’ll toss us out of here.”
“Sorry,” Alex stage whispered.
“Hey man,” Jack held out a hand in greeting.
Dave clasped it. “Take it easy on him, Alex. He’s wounded and off his game.”
“Did you know he owns a dojo? He’s going to teach me and Mom once he’s back on his feet!” Alex exclaimed.
Jack’s gaze skimmed over Julie where she sat with her legs tucked under her. “I’m doing okay.”
Julie snorted. “He is. They just gave him a shot.”
Pete slipped through the door in time to hear. “Can I get some, too?”
“Shots are only for people who get shot,” Alex explained.
“I’ll pass then.” Pete leaned against the wall.
“What did you find out?” Jack asked.
“Pete, could you take Alex for an ice cream?” Julie asked. “The cafeteria should still be open.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “You just don’t want me to hear what you’re going to talk about.”
The corner of Julie’s mouth lifted in a half smile. “That’s right. So do you want ice cream or do you want to sit in the hallway?”
“Ice cream.”
“Pete?”
“Sure thing. Come on little man. I could use some vanilla, how about you?”
“Chocolate!”
Dave waited until they were out of the room before he said, “The short
version is that The Lion’s place is a fortress. We’re not—”
The door opened abruptly and Dave started to reach for the Taser holstered in place of his gun. Firearms weren’t allowed in the building unless carried by a police officer. That alone wouldn’t stop him from carrying, but a missed shot could travel through a wall and hit a civilian, so he’d subbed the Taser. It was better than nothing.
Detective Draper stood in the door. “Stay in the room. I’m leaving a uni outside in the hall.”
“What’s going on?” Julie asked.
“The three men that attacked you are all dead.”
“But they were recovering!” Julie protested.
“Not anymore.”
Dave shared a look with Jack. The expression on his friend’s face had turned grim. He’d returned fire in defense of Julie, and Alex. He and Pete wouldn’t be charged with murder. But that wasn’t the main concern. “I take it they didn’t all suddenly die from their wounds.”
“We don’t know the cause of death yet. We’re looking into it. But just to be on the safe side, we’re posting a man outside your door.”
Jack swore. “Somebody got to them.”
“We think somebody got to the driver, too,” Draper said. “Hikers found a body matching his description earlier today. He appears to have been questioned rather forcefully.”
“Torture is a bad way to get good information,” Dave observed.
“I doubt The Lion keeps up on modern interrogation techniques,” the detective observed dryly. “By the way, where have you been for the last few hours?”
“At the hotel catching some shut-eye before coming back here to relieve Julie. Pete caught a ride with me.” Thank goodness Melendez had suggested the alibi. They’d snuck into the hotel after their recon, and made sure they showed up on the hotel security cams on the way out in civilian clothes.
“Alex!” Julie jumped up from her chair. “Pete took him down to the cafeteria.”
The detective held up both hands, preventing her from rushing out the door. “I’ll send somebody after them. Everyone stay put until I come back.” He hurried out the door with his phone in his hand.
Dave pulled Julie to his side with an arm around her shoulders. “Pete’s with him. He’ll be fine.” He kept his tone even and reassuring even though his gut was clenching.
“The guy the hikers found will have told them that he and his buds couldn’t find the money that Chad took,” Jack said.
Dave nodded. “Leaving Szegedy with a mystery to solve. Should he believe what the fool said while being tortured, or the fact that he received a call from an angry thief that pointed him to the money which he found in the idiots’ house?”
“I’d go with the money,” Julie said. “It’s hard evidence.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Dave said with a sorrowful grimace. “The Lion is cleaning up loose ends.” His last shred of hope that the return of the money would be enough to pacify The Lion so he’d leave Julie alone evaporated.
He hoped the U’dahmi Apostate had a brainstorm because he was out of ideas.
Tasha leaned against the built-in dresser and listened as Dave laid out the situation in a low tone. Five able-bodied adults were crowded into the hospital room. A little boy slept with his head pillowed on the shoulder of the man hooked up to an I.V. in the hospital bed. Dave’s sister, Julie, sat in the only chair with her legs tucked under her. Her dark hair was messy and dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked like she was at the end of her rope. Tasha knew exactly what that felt like.
“When I asked Ana to put a tracer on the money wrappers and planted the money at the house, I thought I could make Szegedy believe his own guys had betrayed him and he’d forget about Julie.” Dave spoke softly so the police officer outside the door wouldn’t overhear. “But they pulled The Lion’s attention right back to her by making him wonder why they’d be desperate enough to assault a hotel filled with security cameras.”
Tasha noted that Dave said, “tracer” not “spell.” He wasn’t sharing the paranormal stuff with his sister and friends, thank goodness. This situation was complicated enough without having to convince them that psychic abilities and magic were real. He understood the concept of “need to know,” and they didn’t.
“So now The Lion knows that not only are his guys stupid and careless with his money—thus the hits—but also that there may be another player whose goals are bigger than making a quick score,” Kellan summed up. “This all started with Chad. You think Szegedy will come after Julie for answers—even though he’s got the money—because of what those fools did?”
“Yeah.” Dave nodded. “He’s already proven he’s willing to go to extreme lengths.”
“She’s the weakest link,” Pete agreed. “No offense, Julie.”
“None taken.”
“He didn’t climb to the top of the food chain by leaving important questions unanswered,” Kellan added.
“Exactly.” Dave rubbed a hand over his chin.
“Have you considered moving her to Tucson?” Kellan suggested. “Jared could—”
Julie opened her mouth but Dave cut her off. “We discussed it. Julie’s not a fan of that option. Or have you changed your mind since your hotel room was assaulted and Jack shot?”
His sister glared at him. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. But there has to be more of a plan beyond just moving us. Alex and I can’t hide forever. He’d find us eventually. And I don’t want to leave—” Julie glanced at the man sleeping in the bed and then down at the floor.
Tasha understood what the other woman left unsaid. She didn’t want to leave Jack. The expression on her face said that something good was just getting started there, and she wanted to see where it might go.
Dave pressed his lips together. “Okay. We’ll keep that option in reserve. Maybe you could think of it as a vacation. There are lots of things to do in Tucson. You could both learn to ride.”
“If The Lion can’t find me, won’t he go after Jack, the next most vulnerable target?” Julie countered.
“All three of you could go,” Kellan said.
“I’m not vulnerable,” Jack said in a slurred voice without opening his eyes. Apparently, the drugs were taking effect.
Julie lifted a brow at Kellan. “Who are you again? Dave was a little bit thin on the details.”
Tasha stood up from her perch on the counter and caught Julie’s gaze with her own. “He and Dave work together sometimes. Kellan helped rescue me last spring—and nearly died doing it. Then he took me away from my sister and hid me someplace the bad guys couldn’t find me. I didn’t like it at the time, but it was the right thing to do.”
“Oh.” Julie pressed her lips together.
“Okaaay,” Dave said. “We’re all riding the ragged edge. Let’s sleep on it and reconvene in my room at 0800.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kellan had just thrown the deadbolt when a brisk knock on their hotel room door drew his attention to the peephole. Dave waited in the hall.
“What happened to ‘let’s sleep on it?’” he asked as he opened the door and stepped aside so the other man could enter.
“You’ll get your beauty rest, but we need to talk where we won’t be overheard by the others.” Dave nodded a greeting to Tasha who sat on the king-size bed then turned back to Kellan. “Cam and Jared think you might be able to help, but I don’t see how. I don’t know what your skillset is beyond your ability to possess people.”
“Hey!” Tasha exclaimed. “That’s not what he does.”
Kellan sighed. He’d expected something like this from Dave, but he was still disappointed. “I inhabit the body of the recently deceased—and I don’t hurry that process along. You know this already.”
Dave’s jaw bunched once, twice, and then he nodded. “You’ve kept Tasha safe. What can you do to help me keep my sister and Alex alive?”
“It doesn’t sound as if she’ll accept our first choice—sending he
r away,” Tasha said.
“And you can’t force her.” Kellan made it a statement, not a question. “Not if you ever want her to speak to you again.”
Tasha gifted him with a conspiratorial grin. “I’ll bet Jack could persuade her.”
Kellan smiled back. “Probably. Especially if he went with her. But he doesn’t look like he’s in shape to be discharged any time soon.” He turned to Dave. “Jared could arrange a Medevac helicopter, but that’s not exactly low profile.”
Dave grimaced. “Jack’s getting a lot of medication. He’s lucid some of the time, but most of the time the docs are keeping him pretty doped up so he won’t try to get out of bed. You saw him tonight. He’s really not in any shape to convince Julie of anything. And a Medevac would draw The Lion’s attention. Any flight plan filed could be discovered. He’d just follow them to Tucson.”
“We need a more permanent solution.”
“I’d rather not commit murder,” Dave said. “Even if Szegedy deserves it.”
Kellan gave him a hard look. “Good to know. I was thinking we might deflect the threat.”
“How?” Dave asked. “From what I observed, The Lion’s security is top-notch. I don’t know to get to him unless we nuke him from orbit. Permanent, but not exactly subtle.”
“I have an idea about that.” Kellan spoke in a relaxed and casual tone even though he felt anything but.
Tasha made a noise that sounded like a growl, drawing Dave’s attention.
“You don’t like his idea? What is it?”
“We considered and discarded several possibilities on the drive from the hospital,” Kellan said.
“You discarded them,” Tasha corrected. “We’re supposed to be partners.”
Kellan shook his head. “Only up to a point. I promised your sister I wouldn’t let any harm come to you. You’re still in my care and I won’t allow you to put yourself at risk.”
“You won’t allow me?” Tasha threw her hands in the air. “Drawing breath is a risk!”
Apostate Page 25
