Page 64 of Critical Mass
“Should we call the police?” she asked. “They can probably get there before we can.”
“It’s better to keep this between us. For now, at least. Until we know what’s really going on. Do you have security footage?”
With trembling hands, she pulled it up on her phone and thrust it toward Hudson. “Here.”
He squinted as he watched the screen.
“Two men,” he murmured. “I’m guessing they’re professionals, not just some random thieves looking for jewelry.”
She frowned. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
They climbed into Hudson’s car, and he took off down the road.
She had no idea what she’d find at her house.
But this nightmare was getting worse and worse by the minute.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Hudson calledhis team as he headed down the road.
“Jake,” he said when his colleague answered. “I need backup at Natalie’s address. There’s a break-in. Could be Sigma, could be Ravenscroft’s enemies. Either way, I want eyes on the perimeter.”
“On it. ETA fifteen minutes.”
Hudson disconnected and focused on driving.
Natallie’s limbs shook as she sat beside him.
He understood. Someone had violated her space, her sanctuary. She wanted to confront them, to take back control.
But confronting unknown hostiles without proper backup was how civilians got killed.
He saw her studying her phone as he drove. “Any updates?”
“I’m looking at my cameras, but I don’t see them anymore.”
“Could they have left out the back door?” he asked. “Or a window the cameras don’t cover?”
“Maybe.” She frowned. “It looks like . . . it looks like the rest of my cameras have been disconnected.”
Hudson wished he could say he was surprised, but he wasn’t.
They reached her neighborhood. Everything looked normal, peaceful. No obvious threats.
Which meant nothing. The best operators knew how to blend in.
They pulled into her driveway. Jake was already there and walking toward the house with his gun drawn.
Hudson turned toward Natalie. “I’m not going to tell you to stay in the car because I know you won’t.”
“You’re right.”
“So stay behind me.” Hudson’s hand moved instinctively to where his weapon was concealed under his jacket. He hadn’t been able to bring it inside the office—they had metal detectors—but he’d kept it in his car. “If I say run, you run. Understood?”
She nodded, her face pale but determined.
