Page 32 of Victorious Vice

I check my watch. It’s four thirty. A little over three hours until dinner is served and I meet Agudelo’s young daughter.

I sigh and walk up to my suite.

The room has been fully serviced.

All new towels, and a box of chocolates on my pillow.

I didn’t sleep last night, and I’m exhausted.

Without changing my clothes, I lie down.

And blackness falls.

11

RAVEN

Ihave to hand it to my brother.

This safe house is invisible. Hidden in plain sight.

It’s on a property adjacent to a ranch, made to look like an abandoned dwelling for ranch hands. Seven other houses encompass the small neighborhood, all abandoned. It’s slightly set apart from the other residences, but not so much so that anyone would take notice.

“Access is completely restricted and protected by multiple layers of security,” Falcon says, showing me the front door. “This entrance is reinforced, the locks are electronic, and”—he points to a subtly-placed camera overhead—“video surveillance shows every point of entry to the home. Entry requires a thumbprint.”

“So can you add my thumbprint so I can?—”

Falcon holds up a hand. “No, Ray. You need to stay here. We’ll add Jared’s thumbprint.”

He’s got to be kidding.

But I’m too tired to argue about it.

When we arrive, instead of a foyer, there’s a security room where someone can monitor every surveillance camera and control access to the house.

“Jared will be able to communicate with anyone outside the house through satellite technology. The room is equipped with a secure landline and encrypted communication,” Falcon says.

Impressive. I’ll be totally imprisoned.

We leave the security room and we enter a comfortable-looking living area.

“Hawk and I wanted this place to feel like as much of a home as possible. There’s a living room, dining room and kitchen. The living room is furnished with leather recliners and a leather sectional.” He gestures to a huge flatscreen TV. “If you’re bored, there’s this. And a bookshelf.”

“Great,” I say. “I can catch up on all my soaps while under lock and key.”

Falcon doesn’t react to my sarcasm, and leads me into the kitchen. “I took the liberty of stocking the fridge for you. Bread, fruits, vegetables, lots of meat. Use those up first. If you end up staying here longer, there’s plenty of nonperishable cans in the pantry.”

“Falcon, yousaidI would only be here until the gala.”

“Right,” Falcon says. “Just in case, though.”

“There is nojust in case.”

Falcon closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before continuing. He points to a door off the side of the kitchen. “That leads you to the garage. It’s built for two cars.” He opens the door to the garage and points to the rear. “It’s hard to see from here, but there’s actually a tunnel that connects to the main part of garage. If you follow it down, there are two electric vehicles and one gasoline-powered car stored underground, in the event you have to make a quick getaway.”

“Let me guess, Jared will have the keys?”

“Yes, Raven, he will. That’s his job.” Falcon rubs at his forehead. “I’ve added a stockpile of gasoline underground.”

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