Page 123 of Storm Warning

“I still don’t like it. We can be a normalizing factor, Seth. You said having ten people going into Cowan’s home would draw the eye, and I agree with you. I don’t agree that sending in five men will be a better option. If your goal is to appear normal, couples visiting a friend looks more natural than five men.”

Andre’s mouth curved. “She’s got you there, Seth.”

His friend stared at him, a promise of retribution in his eyes. “Who do you suggest going in, Iona, and why?”

“Andre, you, Riley, Elias, Violet, and me.”

“Why you?”

“Leader’s privilege. I want to see for myself what we’re up against. I doubt Cowan will give us much information, but it will be something. Also, if Cowan treats women as pretty things to play with and dump back in the box, he won’t think twice about me being there. Riley could be a catalyst like she was during Berkley’s interrogation. Cowan knows her. With an ego like his, he’ll believe he knows what makes her tick, but he won’t know how to handle the woman Riley has turned out to be.”

Seth was silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod. “All right. We’ll do it your way.”

Grant stared at Seth. “What about the rest of us?”

“Keep watch. We can’t afford to let anything slip past us. Also, make sure our interrogation area is ready. Although Riley did a great job, you might think of something else useful that our interrogators can use. Those of you going to Cowan, gear up. We leave in two minutes.”

Andre grabbed his Go bag and strapped on his gear. With a Ka-Bar, two Sig Sauers plus multiple magazines, bullet-resistant vest, more knives, throwing stars, grenades, and flashbangs, helooked more like he was going to war than on a catch-and-cart mission. The chances were excellent that Cowan was prepared to defend himself and whatever flavor of the night was in his bed. Like Berkley, Andre figured Cowan was ready and willing to throw his co-conspirator under the bus if it made him look better.

When he finished gearing up, Andre slipped the strap of his Go bag over his shoulder and joined the others in the living room.

Seth glanced at everyone. “You know the drill. Stay focused. That especially goes for you and Riley, Andre. You two have the most to lose in this game. Don’t hand the enemy a victory by letting down your guard.”

“Copy that, sir.”

“Let’s load up. Two SUVs. Andre, you and Riley are with me. Violet, you’re with Elias and Iona. Stay alert when we’re driving. I don’t like that Berkley found us. If Berkley knows where we are, so does Cowan. He’ll be ready.”

The group walked down the corridor and into the stairwell. Soon, they drove out of the hotel parking garage and turned right toward Franklin. Seth glanced at Andre. “You’re navigating. Zane’s bots came up with the address where Cowan is staying just in time.”

“He always comes through.” He couldn’t remember a time when Zane had disappointed them. The SEAL was incredible.

“Is he on board with being our tech support tonight?”

“Yes, sir. He’s awake and ready. Zane is waiting for our signal. We’re taking Interstate 840.”

Seth nodded. “I figured as much. So, Andre, what’s the real reason you didn’t wake me when Berkley showed up at the hotel?”

He stilled. Seth knew? How? “I….”

“Before you finish that sentence, remember I can read you like a book, so don’t bother lying to me. I want the truth unless you want to run five extra miles every day until you retire. Am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal, sir.”

“Talk.”

Boy, he’d put himself in the doghouse with Seth this time. “Riley isn’t the only one who’s worried about teammates being targeted to smoke her out. So am I.”

“You didn’t work for the CIA unless I missed something in the past few decades. Did I?”

“No, sir. However, if the person targeting Riley and me knows me at all, he already has a target on Echo’s back.”

“We’ve established that we’re all targets, Marsh. You better have a stronger explanation than that because I can see you needing another pair of running shoes by the end of the month.”

“Look, you’re married now. I didn’t see a point in making you even more of a target than you already were.”

“Did you alert Noah?”

“Not until we finished interrogating Berkley. We needed Violet to knock him out, and that required an explanation to Noah first.”