Page 54 of Storm Warning

He gave a slight nod and stood. “Let’s go, Elias. We have an intruder to catch.”

Riley watched the computer screens, waiting for the two men to appear so she could follow their progress.

Iona joined her at the table. “Andre didn’t know about your second specialty?”

“No.”

“Does he know about your time in the CIA?”

“I told him a couple of hours ago. He was surprised.”

“I’ll bet. People underestimate you, Riley. I didn’t think he would.”

“It’s not his fault. I told him the CIA hired me as a computer analyst and eventually became a field agent, but I never mentioned the interrogation training.”

“He seemed to accept the news.”

“Maybe.” Andre was a cool customer when called for, squashing his reaction to upsetting news until later. Riley hoped he wouldn’t view omitting information as holding back on him.

“You’ll see.”

Yeah, she would. Hopefully, Andre Marsh wouldn’t break her heart.

Riley straightened when Andre and Elias appeared on one screen. She and Iona followed their progress from one quadrant to another. Riley had to admire their skill. What techniques the military taught them, Fortress honed to a fine point and added ten layers of skill.

The two men communicated with hand signals, eventually splitting up to intercept their quarry before he breached the inner perimeter they’d established.

Riley followed Andre’s progress as he moved closer to the intruder. Tension built inside as the stranger stopped suddenly and scanned the area. Had he heard something? In the next instant, the man drew a weapon and held it down by his side. From their positions, neither operative saw the stranger’s action. They could walk into gunfire. “We have to warn them their target has a weapon.”

“Do it.”

Riley pressed a button on the console that allowed her to communicate with the operatives. “Target is armed. Unknown if he has more weapons.”

“Copy.”

That’s all she and Iona could do until Andre and Elias scooped up the prize and brought him to the cabin. Riley would have chosen a neutral place to interrogate their soon-to-be prisoner, but she didn’t know the area, and it was obvious he knew where Riley and the others were staying. How he found out their location was a problem for later.

On the screen, Andre and Elias converged in sync on the intruder, weapons locked on their target. The man froze, then slowly raised his hands above his head.

While Andre held the stranger at gunpoint, Elias confiscated the weapon, then searched him for more. By the time the search ended, zip ties, duct tape, and a black hood littered the ground.

Iona whistled. “Looks like Elias and Andre foiled another kidnapping attempt.”

Riley shoved her hands through her hair. “I don’t understand why suddenly people want to kidnap or kill me. I’ve been ticking people off for a decade. Why am I of interest now? I’ve been out of the game for two years.”

“Some people have long memories.” Artemis’s team leader stood. “Come on. We must be ready when Elias and Andre arrive with our guest.”

Switching the screen of her tactical watch to monitor the security camera views while she worked, Riley followed Iona to the kitchen.

“What do you need to do your work?” Iona stood with her hands on her hips, glancing around the room. “I know you’ll need a chair. What else?”

“A tarp for effect, a hand towel, and a bucket of water.”

Iona smiled. “A fake waterboarding. I like it.”

“Whatever works.” Riley meant that literally. Under normal circumstances, she regretted scaring someone into telling the truth. Not here and not now. All she wanted was to uncover information to stop the true culprit before he or she hurt someone she loved. Yes, her handsome operative could take care of himself. Didn’t mean she wanted to be responsible for a potential injury to Andre. She’d do anything to prevent it.

Together, the women gathered supplies and set up the scene. By the time they heard Andre’s voice through the comm devices, they were ready.