54. Into The Lions Den
FIFTY-FOUR
Into The Lion's Den
CJ
Movement at the house caught CJ’s attention. Mac and Charlie ran away from the garage, heading toward the backyard. Jon vaulted over a bush into the neighbor’s yard, followed by Brett. CJ grabbed Jenny, pulling her into a crouch.
“Something’s up,” he said.
It would be much easier to walk back to the car along the sidewalk, but that would put them in view of the house and whoever was inside. The only reason his team would have bailed was if they had seen someone, which meant he and Jenny needed to take a detour to get back to the vehicles.
“At least we know someone’s home,” Jenny said.
“Yes, and that means Melissa is probably there, too.”
“Let’s wait to hear what the others found, then we’ll go in.”
CJ stopped, floored by Jenny’s comment. “What about Sam?”
“Like you would ever wait? Let’s just not be stupid about it.”
They circled the back of the lot and skirted behind the neighbors’ yards, weaving in, over, and around the fences. When they made it to the vehicles, they were the last to arrive.
“Report,” CJ said.
Charlie, Jon, and Brett snapped to attention at the command in his voice. Mac’s grin greeted him. CJ was probably only one in three people in the world who would think the look on his face was anything but terrifying, but he knew Mac well.
Charlie spoke first. “The white van is parked in the garage. The back doors were open, and there were red roses in the back and all over the floor.”
“She’s inside.” Mac stared at CJ, not even trying to sugarcoat his words.
He’d already guessed as much but was glad to have it confirmed.
Jon leaned against the black SUV. “Not a sign of anyone at first. House looked empty. Three bedrooms, only one with a bed. Back door leads off the kitchen, and other than the front door and garage, the bedroom windows are the only other entry and exit points. Bedroom windows have security locks on the inside and are blocked with dowels.”
“There were beer bottles on the counter in the kitchen,” Brett added. “At least two. A door led down to a basement. I’m betting that’s where he took her because we didn’t see anyone in the house.”
“Any sign of a second man?” They had to remain open to the possibility Pierce Channing sheltered Scott Patterson within his home.
Brett spoke. “I heard two voices but saw no one. I’m assuming they were headed up from the basement. We ditched before they could catch us, but definitely two male voices.”
“Damn,” CJ said.
Mac’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Not good.”
“Not good at all.” CJ looked at Charlie. “Did you get a look at them?”
She shook her head. “No. When Jon whistled, Mac and I high-tailed it out of there.”
“Anyone look at the yard? Any reason to think there’s another entrance to that basement?” There’d been nothing in the vacant lot.
No one said anything. It would affect planning, not knowing. Everyone understood this.
CJ breathed out. “We’re blind. It’s risky.”
Mac nodded.
Jenny’s cell phone rang. She glanced at it. “It’s Sam.”
“Tell him we’re waiting.”
“You want me to lie?”
“I want you to follow orders,” CJ said.
“Yours or his?”
He rolled his eyes. “Just answer the fucking phone.”
She put the phone to her ear. “Sam?” Her gaze flicked to his. “Yes, we’re around the corner, holding position. No, we haven’t engaged…Yes, CJ’s behaving.” There was a bit of back and forth between Sam and Jenny before she hung up. “He believes me and says he’s less than an hour out, …and under no circumstances are you to engage.”
“Okay,” CJ turned to his team. “Now who has suggestions for going in?”
They tossed around several ideas but settled on the only one that granted them access to the inside of the house. Charlie pulled a suitcase out of the back of Jon’s car. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail, put on a pair of black running pants, and a tank top, which emphasized her cleavage.
Brett whispered in her ear, the sound too low to make out, but by his tone, Brett was not pleased.
In an uncharacteristic gesture, Charlie cupped Brett’s cheek. She didn’t kiss him, but there was definite tenderness in that touch.
“It’ll be fine,” she whispered. When she smiled, Brett’s shoulders slumped. She twirled on the sidewalk. “How do I look?”
“You look hot,” Brett said, “too hot.”
Mac shook his head and rummaged around in the back of his car, searching. “Here.”
He tossed earbuds and a small music player at Charlie, which she clipped on the inside of her bra.
“Don’t lose them,” he warned.
Jenny put a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be fine.” She turned to Charlie. “If they invite you inside, tell us what you see. Stay only a couple minutes. Get in and get out.”
Jon opened the back door of his car. He sat with a computer in his lap, typing away. A few minutes later, he pulled a piece of paper off the portable printer and handed it with a clipboard to Charlie.
“Your ticket in,” he said. “You’re asking for donations to a women’s shelter. It’s your sorority’s charitable work this semester.”
As capable as Charlie seemed, it would be two against one on the inside if things went down.
“We need to get a visual on the basement,” he said. “See if you can get down there and give us a report. Mac and I will slip in the kitchen door and get in position.”
Jenny shook her head. “Not a good plan.” She pointed at him. “Channing knows what you and Mac look like. If he sees even a hint of you, it’s all over.” Her finger shifted to Bret and Jon. “Let them go. If they get caught, play it off as a fraternity prank.”
“Sounds reasonable,” CJ admitted, although he wanted closer to the action. Briefly, he wondered if this was how Sam felt, always sending in others to do the work.
“All right,” he said as he clapped his hands together. “Charlie will work her magic and get inside.” He turned to her, his tone turning serious. “You know who you’re dealing with, and what these men are capable of. You need to be on guard.”
“I got it, boss.” She cupped her breasts and glanced down. “Let’s see if these perky boobs are worth their weight in gold.” She gave him a wink.
“Oh, honey,” Jenny said with a laugh, “you’re too much.”
CJ motioned for Brett and Jon to follow Charlie at a discreet distance, while he, Mac, and Jenny hung back.
As Charlie walked away, Mac cycled through radio checks. To the men inside, it would look like she was listening to her music, but the sophisticated technology inside the player allowed full two-way communication.
Sam would skin CJ alive once he found out what he was doing, but he couldn’t wait. He had a team of six skilled operatives who were well trained in hostage rescue and two women to save.