Page 125 of Storm Warning

Andre checked his phone again. “Take the next exit on the right, Seth. We’re ten miles from Cowan’s rental condo.”

Seth glanced at him, a smile curving his lips. “Most people just pay for a hotel room for a night or two and leave.”

“If he’s in bed with Obsidian Storm, this might be where he connects with the Storm.”

“Why in this city? Why not Los Angeles or New York City?”

“Think about it. Nashville, Tennessee is a crossroads for the country. Every major interstate runs through our city.”

“So he could easily arrange a meeting with his contact. All right. Let’s capture our quarry and take him back to the hotel. We’ll have to find a creative way to get him out of our hotel, though. People will be stirring by the time we’re finished with him.” He glanced at Andre. “Might be best to question him at the condo.”

“Maybe. Depends on the setup.” He grimaced. “I’ll let you explain to the others why we changed the plan in mid-stream and left them out of it.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“That’s why they pay you the big bucks, my friend.”

“You know, I think you should look for new running shoes.”

Andre chuckled. “Noted, sir. Turn left at the next corner.”

Soon, they parked on a quiet street a block behind Cowan’s condo. Nothing stirred except the leaves on the trees as a breeze disturbed them.

Good. This was the setup they needed. If things remained the same, the small team should be able to spirit Cowan out of the condo with no one being the wiser. The real question was whether Cowan traveled with a security detail. If he did, the Fortress team would have to deal with them after taking care of the alarm system.

The second half of their team joined them. Seth glanced at Andre. “Contact Zane. Tell him we’re ready.”

“Yes, sir.” He made the call. Zane answered on the first ring. “We’re ready, Z.”

“Copy that. Hold.” A moment later, his voice sounded in the earpieces of the operatives. “Linked communication established.”

Seth tapped his comm device. “Copy. Thanks for getting up so early, Z.”

He chuckled. “My son is up earlier than you, so I was already awake.”

Echo’s team leader turned to the operatives and gave instructions. “Questions?” When there were none, he said, “Let’s move. Andre and Riley, Elias and Iona, pair up and act like you’re just returning from a very late date. Violet and I will have to be more circumspect in our behavior.” His smile was smug. “Teagan doesn’t like it when another woman puts her hands on me. She might make an exception for Violet, but I’d rather not find out.”

“Good move.” Iona moved into position beside Elias. “She wasn’t shy about staking her claim to you. She’ll defend her rights with vigor.”

“I know, and I love it.” He sobered. “I love her with everything in me. You know what that’s about, don’t you, Andre?”

Andre wrapped his arm around Riley’s shoulders. “I do. That’s why we need to catch-and-carry Cowan and question him. I suspect Obsidian Storm is ready to make a move on the US, and that’s why Garcia and Mendoza are pushing to get rid of us. We’re a symbol of the wrong done to their fathers, and they plan to use us as a catalyst to start their germ war on our country.”

“I’m not a fan of using germs, warfare or not.” Elias shuddered. “Those creepy, crawly things you can’t see getting inside you and making you sick. Yuck!”

Zane chuckled. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

Seth’s lips curved. “Same here. Time to roll. Z, we need schematics of the condo if you can scrounge them up in the next two or three minutes.”

“Already ahead of you. It’s in your work email.”

“Tell the boss I said you deserve a raise.” Seth paused. “Look at the schematics. From what I see, the building has two entrances or exits, one in the front and one in the back.”

“Back entrance is the most viable,” Elias said. “I checked the satellite view Zane sent. Cowan’s street is filled with condos like his. Chances are good someone will be awake and looking out the window.”

“Hard to explain to the cops why we’re armed to the teeth.” Andre shrugged. Too bad about that. He’d liked to have carried more weapons on this small mission, but he held back for that reason. Hard to explain why you’re carrying a rifle at o’dark thirty in the morning in a peaceful neighborhood. The self-defense argument wouldn’t hold water here.

Riley expanded the view on her phone screen. “The owner of the building has a fence around his property.”