Jagger pulled out binoculars and he checked out the house to see what they were up against.
It was protected with cameras, but he could also see small tripwires ahead, glistening in the sunlight that was filtering in through the trees.
“He’s boobytrapped. Elizabeth, now’s your chance with your plan. If we get closer, we risk accidentally setting one of those bombs off. Then, we have two problems. One of us is dead, and he knows we’re here.”
Elizabeth was aware.
So, she got her tech ready.
“MATE, is he awake?” she asked.
Her AI scanned the house.
“No, Elizabeth. He’s in his bed and fast asleep. What is your directive?”
Well, this was about to be fun—for MATE. This was right up her alley.
“Ghost him out of there. You know how Trey makes people freak out? Be a hologram and spook him for me. We need him to come to us.”
MATE measured the distance and gave her the bad news.
“In order for that to happen, I need to be closer,” she stated. “I can do it if you get me fifty feet closer to the house. I have to be within a certain distance of all tech to do that.”
Elizabeth stood.
And Gene nearly shit himself.
“Uh, I’ll go.”
Elizabeth stopped him.
“I’m smaller, and I’m good at creeping. Bears don’t creep. Cover me, and I’ll get her closer to do the damage. Be ready to contain him when he comes out.”
Gene was to the point.
“Don’t. Get. Blown. Up.”
That was definitely the plan. Elizabeth liked her legs and head.
A.
Lot.
The last thing she wanted was to be blown to kingdom come by this asshole.
Nodding at the team, she knew they’d keep her safe. MATE was with her, and she was moving carefully as her AI kept updating her.
“Closer,” MATE said.
Elizabeth ducked a wire and stepped over another. When she did, she was almost there.
“I’m going into the bushes,” she stated, pulling down her ski mask and slipping into the prickly bramble. She was going to be scratched up, but she’d be alive.
Priorities.
Sometimes, you had to go with the best option, and the bramble would hide her.
“This is good,” MATE said. “See you in a few.”
