Page 46

Forty-Four

In the conference room, Jenna stared at the map of the lowlands displayed on the screen.

It never ceased to amaze her how military men organized a mission.

Kane naturally took charge, pointing out the areas where they’d be most exposed and mapping out a plan to get into the mine without being seen.

She waited until he’d stopped talking and looked at him.

“So exactly how do you plan on getting to the mine without him seeing you? We don’t know if he’s there or he could be anywhere close by. ”

“I already have that organized.” Kane pulled on a Kevlar vest before checking his weapon.

“I commandeered a lineman’s truck, and they also supplied me with a jacket.

Rio has volunteered to climb up the pole and make like he’s working.

He’ll act as our lookout and if anyone sees him, he’ll pass as being perfectly normal as they’re always working on the lines in that area, so I’m told. ”

“Rio will drive close to the hillside.” Carter moved a toothpick across his lips as he indicated to the map.

“The rocky outcrops are just uneven enough to prevent a line of view from the mine’s entrance and give us cover.

He’ll drop us there as he’s turning the truck around and we’ll head back to the mine undetected. ”

Seeing many unforeseen dangers recalling the last time they were down that mineshaft, Jenna frowned. “This guy is an unknown quantity. We already know he uses explosives. What if he has the mineshaft booby-trapped?”

“That’s why we’re taking Zorro with us.” Carter stepped back from the screen and filled his pockets with ammunition from a stack on the table.

He looked at Jenna and held up a small shoulder bag, which he slung across his chest. “If we find anything, I can disarm it. We’d already considered possible IEDs. ”

“I’ll be leaving Ben with you.” Raven geared up and smiled at her. “We won’t fit him in the truck and he likes Duke.” He patted a first aid kit slung over one shoulder. “I’ll be taking care of Olivia.”

Time was ticking down and the team had moved at warp speed to get ready.

Jenna looked from one to the other. “Your first priority is getting Olivia to safety. If she’s there, we’ve found his lair and we can set up a stakeout to take him down the moment he shows.

Rio, you take Olivia and bring her here. ” She looked at Kane. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, if we get her out when he’s not there, Rio should go and take Raven with him.

They can bring Olivia to you and then drop the truck back and pick up their vehicles.

” Kane scratched his cheek. “If they can wait somewhere close by, maybe in the industrial area, they can come in when we have the killer restrained or need backup. We’ll need the vehicles to bring the killer here.

We’ll all be communicating by coms. The phone service out there is sketchy.

” He slid a water flask into his belt. “We need to move out.”

Stomach clenching like it always did when they were ready to face down a killer, Jenna exchanged a look with Kane that said everything she needed to say.

She wouldn’t be by his side this time watching his back.

The next moment, he slid from loving husband and father into combat mode in a split second.

If she hadn’t known him for so long, it would be frightening.

“Save the girl and do what’s necessary to take that monster down. ”

“Copy that.” Carter grinned around his toothpick. “We’ll be home in time for dinner.”

As the team headed out of the door, boots clattering on the tile, Jenna went back to her office and leaned both hands on her desk.

Her heart pounded and her stomach twisted as the problems and dangers of dealing with a complete unknown rushed through her mind.

They’d dealt with many vicious murderers in their time, but they’d always had an idea of their limitations based on their crimes.

This one was different, an unknown quantity, a multiskilled killer looking for his next thrill.

She stared up at the ceiling. “Keep them safe.”