Page 87 of Welker

“It’s ajar, LT,” Sin confirmed, flying closer.

Welker spoke into his comm. “Mase. We have confirmation of a back door, and it’s slightly open. There’s also, via another larger alley, access to the rear of the building for trash pick-up…and a SWAT team.”

Mason didn’t hesitate. “Squads A and D, rendezvous with Welk’s unit behind the store. And I don’t have to tell you all to take the long way around so you won’t be spotted by anyone inside who might be watching.”

Mase got quick affirmatives from Welk, Mike, and Hops, while Sin brought the drone back in, put it back in its case, and ran it over to place it on the steps of the bus before rejoining their unit.

Welker, with his “minus-one” squad—Sin, Brent, Vic, and Ryker—jogged down the street to the mouth of the wide alley which would give them a quick in and out. They were immediately joined by the two additional units Mason had deployed.

Welk easily deferred to Mike, who was always the chief’s second in command.

“Unit H, take the right side of the door,” Mike ordered. “Unit A, the left. And D, I want you poised behind the dumpster in case things start to go to hell once we’re in.”

Within seconds, everyone had taken their positions.

“B, E, and F,” Mason’s voice sounded over their devices again. “Flank the front windows, ready to breach at my go. All remaining units, give cover from your twenties outside the building, and be ready for secondary entry if needed once our front-line people are in.”

Welker knew the balance of the well-oiled team would have themselves spread out around the area for optimum coverage, along with deploying their best snipers onto nearby roofs.

From Welker’s location behind the building, he heard Mason working the bullhorn, alerting their adversaries. “Attention inside the convenience store. We have the building surrounded,” he warned. “Come out with your hands raised, toss your weapons aside, and no one will get hurt.”

There wasn’t a sound of movement from within that Welker could hear, nor did Mase get any shouted-out responses to his plea.

The Chief gave it two minutes before he issued a second, similar statement, then he was back on the comms when an answer wasn’t forthcoming. “Okay team. If that’s the way they want to play it. On my go, we enter through the back and the front, simultaneously. Fire only if threatened, and have determined that use of lethal force is necessary.”

That was standard protocol. But for the books, Mason always reminded them not to rely on their weapons alone.

Mason hated the paperwork that went along with a messy op.

“Everyone in place?” he asked rhetorically, two minutes later. “All units sound off,” Mason commanded.

Their letters were barked out by the squad leaders, one after the other, with Welk chiming in when it was his turn, to let the boss know his officers were ready.

“Okay,” Mason declared. “On my mark. Three, two, one… Go. Go. Go.”

Welker, first in position on the right, reached out and yanked the door fully open, going in low, while his teammate, Ryker, right behind him went in high. With their heads on a swivel, SWAT members poured in after them, and…

Dammit. There wasn’t a person standing inside except those team-members who had come in through the front, the automatic door now closing behind the influx of squads.

With a well-practiced nod of Welks’ head—along with Mike’s—their two units, aided by the others, began methodically sweeping each aisle, shouting “clear” each time they were certain no tangoes were lying in wait.

“Chief,” Mike’s voice eventually came over the air, confusion in his tone. “There’s a pile of five cell phones on the floor in front of the candy display. I’m going to approach.”

Welker stealthily ran to Mike’s side, where they gave each other a nod and inched forward to have a look at the devices.

That’s when they heard it. A distinct shuffling behind the long counter to their right.

Welk and Mike looked at each other and slowly backed up.

“Chief,” Mike stated with a voice that wouldn’t be heard by whomever was hiding. “We have possible activity behind the counter. No visuals.”

“Everyone stay in position until I give the word,” Mason barked. “Sin? Where’s that drone?”

Sin, who’d moved in behind Welk, started to come to her feet, but?—

“On it, boss,” Opal responded from the bus before Sin could answer. That was good. The faster this was accomplished, the better, and it would have taken precious minutes for Sin to get back to The Beast.

“Sandrine, are you near the door?” Mason asked brusquely to one of their teammates who was stationed outside.

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