Page 84 of Very Special Forces

"Three,"said Solomon. "I expected something ruder."

"Itnever crossed my mind. I am a lady."

"Do youhave a good visual for the warehouse?"

"Yes, solong as no one parks a truck in front of my car. I can see thedoors and the courtyard. I can't see any movement."

"I don'texpect you will. I expect everything to remain quiet."

"Howcome you're here? I thought you were taking the shift after me. Didsomething change?"

"Nope,just some reconnaissance."

"Anyword from the Army?"

"They'reputting together their team. The takedown will probably be in theearly hours of the morning when our thieves least expectit."

"Andwhen the last businesses here are closed. No witnesses," Iadded.

"Exactly," agreed Solomon. "I'm taking off. That sandwichlooks good."

"I'doffer to share but we don't want to attract attention. Suspicioussandwich sharing could raise alarms."

"Don'tworry, your sandwich is safe. There will be eyes all around butdon't look for anyone. If you do see anyone, make a note and I'llfire them later."

"Harsh."

"Practical. I'll check in with you soon."

I turnedon the radio and unwrapped my sandwich, taking my time to eat it,then I munched through the bag of chips and finally slurped thesoda. I raided the glove compartment and door pockets for somethingsweet but all I came up with was a melted chocolate bar that didn'tlook too appetizing so I put it away until I got really desperate.Mostly though I street-watched. After a half hour, two guys walkedout of a nearby business and got into the car in front of mine anddrove off, leaving me feeling more conspicuous. Fifteen minuteslater, a truck with closed panel doors pulled in front andcompletely blocked my view of the warehouse.

Thatleft me with a choice: drive off and find somewhere else to park,risking someone with a sharp eye looking out of the warehouse andwondering what I was doing bunny-hopping the car along the street;or hope the van moved soon; or get out and take a walk, continuingmy reconnaissance on foot.

Aftersome umming and ahhing, and no sign of the van moving, I slid overto the passenger side and climbed out, the van concealing mymovements from view. I locked the car doors, prayed the car wasstill there and in one piece when I returned, and took off at aslow pace. I walked to the next block and turned the corner, takinga few paces before I stopped. I leaned my back against the wall anddrank my soda, looking for all the world like I had nowhere betterto be, which was true.

From mynew standing viewpoint, I could see directly onto the warehousecourtyard. As I waited, two guards came around the far wall,passing by the doors and disappearing around the near side. Ichecked my watch, waited, and ten minutes later, they came aroundagain. Neither looked armed but I had no doubt they could reachweapons harnessed at their hips or shoulders in seconds. They alsomight smell a rat if they came around a third time and spied mestill standing there. I had to move.

Pushingup from the wall, I looked around. There were no cars on this blockand no areas for easy concealment. I could walk back to the streetand onto the next block and back again but that would fall undersuspicious movement. It was probably best that I headed back to mycar and hoped the van would move imminently.

I almostreached the turn when a movement caught my eye from a partiallyopened doorway. Someone was moving inside but was it one ofSolomon's guys? Curious, I stepped into the doorway and levered thedoor open, waiting for hinge squeaks that never came.

Inside,I had to blink to adjust my eyes to the gloom. Yes, there wassomeone at the window with a telescopic lens pointed at thebuilding opposite. I paused, my breathing shallow, as the manshifted into the light. It wasn't one of Solomon's men but I didknow him.

"Whatare you doing?" I called out.

Hewhipped around, his weapon drawn. "Jeez, Lexi! You scared the shitout of me," snapped Maddox.

"That'sthe second time you've pulled a gun on me."

"Don'tmake it a third! I might actually shoot you!" He sheathed his gunand breathed out heavily.

"Pointtaken." I walked over, careful where I stepped since the buildinghad obviously been left in a hurry by its previous occupants andpaper and furniture were strewn everywhere. Plus, it smelled like alitter tray and I did not want to step into anythingunsavory.

"Whatare you doing here?" we both asked at the same time.

"Afteryou," said Maddox.

"Youfirst," I said. "I found you so I get to ask first."

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