Page 37 of Fatal Intent

“Guess that leaves us to bring up the rear,” Elias said to Iona.

“Works for me. Let’s get out of here.”

Two minutes later, the caravan of black SUVs left the private airstrip without lights. They turned right onto a back road and made their way further into the countryside, heading for Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, a large tropical rainforest, a place Los Lobos used as a base for their operations.

An hour later, the operatives arrived at their chosen entry point to the rainforest. They backed into the treeline, parked, and then unloaded their bags.

“Gear up,” Seth ordered. “When you’re ready, we’ll contact Zane and have him link with us.”

“Thank God,” Teagan murmured. “For a job this dicey, I don’t trust anyone other than Zane to handle the tech logistics.”

“He’s the best,” Elias agreed.

After the operatives had donned their bullet-resistant vests, then added flash bangs, extra weapons and magazines, and more knives and grenades and supplies for Grant to create explosives if the operatives needed them, they slipped the Fortress comm devices into their ears and tapped them to turn them on.

Seth grabbed his phone, turned it to satellite mode, and called Zane. “Hey, we’re ready.”

Seconds later, Zane’s voice sounded through the comm devices in their ears. “Copy that. According to Maddox, there’s been no change in the situation with the principals.”

“Copy.” Seth signaled the rest of the operatives. “Let’s go.”

They set off at a slow pace, then increased their speed after their initial stiffness wore off. While they ran, Grant stayed close to Rayne. His lips curved. She was good at challenging him to run a little faster. He would never be as efficient a runner as Rayne, unfortunately. She ran like the wind, probably because she enjoyed the sense of freedom. He slogged through runs like they were a chore to be checked off a to-do list because for him,they were endured. He’d rather pump iron any day of the week or swim laps.

An hour into the run, Seth signaled the teams to stop and take a brief break.

While Grant and the others needed a break, the mission clock continued to tick in his head. They were running out of time thanks to the machinations of Gerald White. If Fortress didn’t get to the White family before Gerald made his pitch to the leaders of Los Lobos, not only would the White family die but Gerald likely wouldn’t make it out of Nicaragua alive either.

Seth glanced at Andre and used hand signals to send him on a scouting mission. After a glance at Riley, the operative slid his Go bag over his shoulders and soon disappeared in the thick foliage of the rainforest. Five minutes later, Seth signaled to move out.

The operatives resumed their jog through the rainforest, on high alert as they ran closer to Los Lobos’s compound. Fifteen minutes later, the group halted again when Andre emerged from the forest.

“Sit rep,” Iona said.

“Perimeter guards are posted half a mile from the compound. They’re spread out too far to be effective, but the men are heavily armed. From the half-mile perimeter, guard posts are staggered closer to the compound itself.” Andre grabbed a nearby stick and drew the rough outline of the compound and marked the spots where he’d seen guards posted.

Seth touched his earpiece. “Zane, did you copy that?”

“Got it. Pulling up a satellite image now. I’ll send it to your phones in two minutes.”

“Copy.” He focused on Andre. “Were you able to see the compound?”

“Yes, sir.” Again, he crouched and went to work with the stick. “Guards are posted in these places.” Andre markedten places along the compound’s outer perimeter. “The only exceptions are the four guards on this building and this one.” He pointed to two structures on opposite sides of the encampment.

“That’s where the cartel is holding the Whites.” Teagan frowned as she studied the rough sketch in the dirt. “Depending on what we see in the satellite photo, I still think the best high ground to cover both buildings is here.”

Jake’s brows knitted. “Once you take a couple of shots, you’ll have to move. Otherwise, the cartel members will get a bead on your location.”

She smiled. “I have a list of potential places to set up.”

He grimaced. “Of course. Sorry. I’m just concerned about the children. The parents will follow directions. The kids might be too afraid to listen and obey a stranger with all the surrounding chaos.”

“You brought meds to knock them out if necessary,” Seth said.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to use the drugs if I can help it. I’m afraid it will traumatize them further.”

“We’ll help as much as we can, but ultimately, the call is yours. Our job is to make sure the Whites get out of here safely. You’ll have to choose how best to get them ready to move out in a hurry.” He glanced at Rayne. “We’re depending on your skill with kids to convince them to cooperate.”

“I’ll do my best, sir.”