Page 55 of Storm Warning

“One minute warning.”

“I’m ready.” Riley hoped Andre could handle her other skill set. She did the breathing exercise she’d used to slip into the task while working for The Company.

She tapped her earpiece. “Secure him to the chair in the kitchen and cover his head with the hood he brought for me.”

“Copy that,” Elias murmured. “Thirty seconds.”

Iona turned off all the lights except for the hood light over the stove. Pools of deep shadow formed along the walls and in the corners of the room. “Perfect. Ready?”

Riley nodded and moved into the darkest shadow beside the china hutch and waited.

Seconds later, Elias opened the door and led the intruder through the doorway with Andre steps behind them. Elias and Andre shoved the man into the chair on the blue tarp and secured his arms and legs to the chair with the duct tape he’d brought to use on Riley. They also covered the man’s head with his hood.

Andre and Elias stepped back. Elias set the other man’s Sig in the china hutch and stood beside Iona, ready to help when needed.

Riley glanced at the operatives. “Did he tell you anything?”

Both men shook their heads.

Of course not. Why ask for one thing to be easy? She would have to do this the hard way, something she despised.

Andre squeezed her hand. “Ready?”

She nodded.

“How can I help?”

“Are you good at dumping buckets of water?”

His eyebrows shot up. “I rock at it.”

“Good. You’re hired.” Riley studied the prisoner. “Elias, you’re playing the good cop.”

He scowled. “I hate that role.”

“Suck it up.” Iona rolled her eyes. “You can be the villain next time.”

“Promises, promises.” He winked at her.

When they walked from the dining room to the kitchen, the operatives sobered. Elias stood in front of the prisoner while Iona remained off to the side. Andre stayed back and waited for Riley’s signal.

Riley glanced at Elias and gave a slight nod. Let the fun begin.

“Here’s how this will go,” Elias said. “Tell us what we want to know, and we’ll send you on your way. We’ll even do you a favor and start off with simple questions.”

A snort from the intruder. “We both know how this works. If I talk, you kill me. If I don’t talk, you torture me, then kill me. I don’t see how I can win.”

“I don’t remember anyone mentioning your dying. Anyone else remember hearing that?”

“Give me a break, man. I’m not stupid.”

“No one said you were. Since you’re smart, let’s start with this question. What’s your name, sport?”

“John Brown.”

Elias chuckled. “You’re a funny guy, John. You sure you don’t want to do this the easy way? Might be better for your health. There are consequences for lying, you know.”

“Bite me.”