Rescuing Melissa (ALPHA TEAM: Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists)

57. Curtains

FIFTY-SEVEN

Curtains

CJ

“There!” Movement in a window of the house caught CJ’s eye. He waved to Mac to get his attention.

Mac squinted and stared at the suburban house.

“She’s unlocking the windows.”

A minute later, a curtain flapped in the second bedroom. The third bedroom faced opposite the street so they couldn’t tell if she’d unlocked that one as well. Probably not, it would be too risky.

“She better not get caught,” CJ said with concern. His skin itched to rush inside the house, take down the men, and save Melissa. Instead, he and Mac jogged up and crouched below the window.

“She knows what she’s doing,” Mac said, “Those assholes are cleaning up the lunch dishes before taking her downstairs. I’m sure she’s in the clear.”

“She’d better leave soon.”

Part of him wanted Charlie to go with the men downstairs. That order had been one of her instructions, and he needed to know if Melissa was in the house. It was a dangerous gamble, and he prayed he didn’t regret it later. He’d never risk Charlie’s safety with such a bold move, but he trusted her ability to take care of herself. If he’d been able to send Jenny inside as well, he’d feel a lot better. He reminded himself Charlie was alone. No matter how well trained, she was outnumbered. Which meant they had to be ready to act.

He rapped on the glass, making sure he was concealed behind the bushes, damn things were filled with thorns.

Using Morse code, he sent her a message.If unsafe, outside now.

With a tap on the glass, she replied.GTG.Which meant she was good to go.

He blew out his breath. The final decision would be hers to make. He hated being so far removed from the action. Helpless. That’s how he felt.

Mac’s jaw was set. He’d sunk into attack mode. CJ felt the mood hit him, too. That moment before a mission when the world narrowed into crystalline focus and life balanced on a knife’s edge.

There was a loud knock on the inner door. Charlie’s squeak was followed by a deep masculine voice. “You going to stay in there all day, or do you want to play? Pierce and I are getting impatient.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Damn. He hoped she could extricate herself without raising suspicion.

She tapped on the glass.Five. Then come.

Anything could happen in the next five minutes.