Page 95 of Lethal Danger

He paused. A hasty move to get out of the car right away could be just what someone wanted. Reaching for the paper without checking his surroundings would make him vulnerable to ambush.

He checked the side and rearview mirrors. Nothing but quiet parking lot, dotted by the ten cars that remained there for the overnight security guards.

Hand going to his holstered Glock, he slowly stood, checking in all directions.

An engine started.

Jazz’s SUV pulled straight ahead through the empty stall in front of her and drove at an angle across the parking lot to leave.

Hawthorne reached for the paper on the windshield.

Blank.

He turned it over.

Typed letters stared up at him. Curiosity killed the writer. Go somewhere else for research. Or it’s The End for you.

Twenty-Seven

A crash smashed through Jazz’s dream, jolting her upright in bed.

Flash sprang to his feet, snarling, and raced out of Nev’s guest room.

Jazz snatched her Sig from its holster on her nightstand. Rushed after him.

A large blur nearly crashed into her in the hallway.

Alvarez. The K-9’s barks stung her ears as he sprinted past.

Pop-pop-pop.

Shots. Near the back door. An AR-15?

Nev dashed up behind Jazz in her pajamas and satin cap.

Jazz stopped, gave her a look. All they needed to communicate the plan. Jazz would lead high, Nev would follow low. They hurried forward, weapons ready.

Snarls and barking. The intensity meant Flash and Al were charging to attack.

More pops cracked through the house.

If whoever it was hurt Flash…

Jazz pressed forward around the corner to the kitchen, trying not to let her rising emotion force her to rush into an ambush.

Yells and screams brought a smile to her face. The boys had caught their targets.

Jazz and Nev cleared the kitchen quickly and hurried to the short hallway that led to the mudroom by the back door.

She hit the mudroom fast, confident of what she’d find.

Flash had a man’s arm in his jaws, pinning the squealing thug to the floor near a fallen AR-15.

Al controlled another guy, latched onto the man’s hand and pulling hard.

Jazz glanced at Nev who stood a few feet from Jazz’s side and aimed her gun at the intruder closest to her.

Nev nodded.

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