Page 125 of Fatal Intent

He took his time studying the area around the farmhouse, then focused on the house itself. The structure had good bones but overall was in poor shape. He memorized the exterior of the building and developed plans for infiltrating the farmhouse.

Grant frowned. If that’s where they were holding Rayne. Farms usually had outbuildings. What if Lindsey or Vance had taken her to one of the other buildings? Grant’s team wouldn’t have much time to find Rayne and get her out of there before the kidnapper decided she was too much trouble to keep alive.

Was it possible the kidnapper took Rayne to use as bait? If so, it worked because with this one move, three members of Echo unit were hunting for Rayne. The fourth member of their unit, Elias, wouldn’t be hard to find since he was waiting for the cops at the fishing camp. If the enemy was smart, they’d split up and wipe out four of the five members of Echo tonight.

His lip curled. It might work. However, there were a few problems with that scenario. First, Echo unit was hard to kill.They’d lived through multiple deployments, incurred several injuries and still come out the victors. They wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Second, Echo had more training now than when they were in the military. Surviving the training at Personal Security International ought to net them gold medals. The Delta team in charge of preparing recruits hadn’t spared them. If anything, Josh Cahill and his teammates had expected more from Echo unit because they’d trained and served together for years.

Third, Grant was highly motivated to rescue his woman. He loved Rayne and wanted a life with her. To save her, he’d go around, over, or through any obstacle.

“Turn right at the stop sign.” Andre peered at his screen. “Rayne hasn’t moved. She’s still at the Lindsey farm.”

This was good because at least they knew where to find her. This was also bad because he didn’t know what condition they’d find her in. If Lindsey and his cronies were involved in Rayne’s kidnapping and had killed her, Grant would take them all out. Then he’d have to figure out how to live without the woman who owned his heart.

“Five miles to go,” Andre murmured.

“Grant, do you have a plan ready?” Seth asked.

“Several. Which one we choose will depend on the circumstances we find ourselves in.”

“Because we have little cover, do you have a suggestion which direction we should choose to infiltrate the property?”

“A back road runs behind the Lindsey property. That’s our best bet for slipping onto the farm without raising an alarm. We’ll have cover until the last quarter of a mile.”

“Suggestions for how to cover that last bit so we can get your woman out of Dodge?”

“You won’t like it.”

“Let’s hear it, anyway.”

“Take the flare gun with us and set off a flare deep in one field devoid of structures.”

Silence, then, “You want to start a fire?”

“It’s an excellent distraction.”

“And also illegal.”

“We’re not cops anymore, Seth. Do you really think Lindsey will file a complaint with law enforcement?”

His team leader blew out a breath. “If he did, plenty of folks in the police department would be happy to proceed with charges. Even though we were cleared of any wrongdoing, most cops still think we’re guilty.”

Accurate statement. The undercover assignment where they’d met Artemis had changed the course of their lives. None of them could have expected the career change, but it had been the best decision they’d ever made.

“Grant, can you handle another short run?” Seth glanced into the rearview mirror. “We can’t drive up to the front door and demand they release Rayne. They’ll kill her just to torture you.”

“They’ve already done a great job of that.” His gut twisted into a knot thinking of the things his woman could be enduring. “I can’t lose her, Seth. I can’t survive without her.”

“We won’t let anything happen to Rayne or you.”

“I’m fine. Focus on Rayne.”

“Don’t lie to me, Bowen. You won’t do us any favors if you do.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How bad is the pain?”