Page 113 of Long Past Deadly

“Elizabeth still in her office?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Double check. I wish she’d gone home.”

Harry frowned, exasperation in his expression. “You and me and what team of horses to drag her there? She’s cleaning her shotgun. Ranch girl knows how to kill varmints.”

Mac snorted, but got back to business. “I want positions on everybody.”

“Delaney will supervise building security through the night. No surprise bombs this time. Remy will handle oversight of all the teams.”

“Keeping attention high is going to be difficult if the timing drags waiting for Mercer.”

“No doubt.” Harrison wandered off to keep things rolling.

There was a balance between procedure and overkill, but in this case, careful was their call sign no matter how that appeared. The guy had an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. He was coming and everyone knew the stakes. Still…what was it Hunt always said? Prep for the moment of clusterfuck. It always comes.

The wait was on.

&&&&&&&&&&

QM International Flash Update: 00:45:20 PST 12/28 – San Diego HQ. Active operation in progress. All non-operational personnel remain at secure alternate locations. Maintain communications and await further instructions. Ϙ

Alanna heard the door and cracked an eye. The light left a blur in her vision.

“Get up, you two.” Mackey’s gruff voice brought her to attention. ‘Whit’s outside. We have movement down the block.”

She rolled out of Quaid’s arms to stand, letting him move. “He’s what? What the hell is he doing?” She claimed her two weapons from the coffee table. “Stubborn old man.”

“At this point, he’s springing the trap in the wrong place. We’re shifting the plan. Quaid, you, me, Hunt, and Ryker. Outside. Whit’s not going to get him contained in the building. It’s going to be the parking lot.”

Quaid swore. “We’ve already done the fucking parking lot. There’s no way to trap him there.”

“We better get ready for a fight, then.” Mackey left them.

“This is my fault. I shouldn’t…”

“Shh. We’ll after action it later. Let’s go nail this bastard. Not in my parking lot again. This time we take him.” Quaid handed her the tactical vest and helped her into it. She did the same for him.

“What time is it?”

He glanced at his watch and followed her out of the office. “One ten a.m.”

“His hunting time.”

He checked her gear and stopped to say something, but didn’t. She took his hand. “I know. Let’s go.”

Quaid opened the door for Operations and ushered them into quiet mayhem. He left her at the door and went to Mackey, listening to terse instructions she couldn’t hear.

She paused a minute, disoriented, then shook it off. She really had to address her eardrum and hearing issues when this was all over.

Everyone stuck to their jobs and were calling out updates as necessary. It was as well structured as any operation she’d seen.

Ryker came to her side. His own gear solid and in place. “Ready?”

“Yes. Let’s go. Before he kills Whit.”

“He wants you, not Whit.”