Page 95 of Tough as Steele

Nate ran his night vision binoculars over Holt’s property two hours before sunrise, the sky glowing with just a hint of the morning to come. Holt owned five acres of mostly wooded land, and the cleared area held a small house with lights beaming into the darkness, illuminating a few outbuildings. Nate searched that area, looking for any movement. The screen door on the house snapped closed, and Nate swung his gaze in that direction. Holt stepped out carrying a duffle bag and the ransom money bag over his shoulders, which he threw into a large pickup truck.

“He’s here,” Nate said, adrenaline burning in his body. “But he’s packing up to leave. He gets on the road, his escape skills say he’s as good as gone. We can’t wait for backup. We need to take him now.”

Londyn looked up from her binoculars. “He’s dangerous. We should call in SWAT. Besides, we don’t even know if he has Mimi.”

“He’s the best lead we’ve had so far.” He held her gaze. “SWAT can’t get here on time. It would take a couple of hours to get a team mobilized out here in the country, and Holt’s packed and ready to go. And even if SWAT got here, he’d pick the team off one by one. Seems like he’s after me and only me. I need to be the one to take him down.”

“That’s precisely why you shouldn’t go,” Londyn said. “He’ll kill you.”

“Not right away,” Nate said, thinking about his time spent with Holt. “He’s the kind of guy who has to have his say. He won’t kill me before he tells me how I ruined his life and proves that he’s smarter than I am. But he’s not. And with your help, we can best him.”

Londyn sat back on her haunches. “What’s your plan?”

“I’ve got some tactical gear in the trunk. We gear up and split up. I’ll head for his truck to be the target. You’ll circle around back and take him from behind. It’s the only way.”

She shook her head and rubbed her face. “I’ll go with you and do my very best, but I want to go on record as saying I don’t support this idea.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to come with me if I didn’t need help.” He slid closer to her and cupped the side of her face. “I don’t want to risk your life.”

“It’s not your call,” she said, her eyes insistent. “I’ll be in on this takedown no matter what you say.”

“Remember.” He held her gaze, hoping to impart his seriousness. “This guy is highly trained and has no qualms about killing you. Be more alert than you have ever been. I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

Londyn tapped the ballistic helmet that Nate insisted she wear. He had only one, and it was large on her but would protect her head. He was sure that Holt wouldn’t kill him before talking to him, and she had to trust his assessment of the situation. Otherwise, knowing Nate didn’t have equal protection would leave her paralyzed.

She offered a prayer and lowered her NVGs. She felt like she was going into battle, and she was. Their foe was a trained killer. One who’d struck multiple times now, and as Nate had said, the guy would have no qualms in killing again. But Nate was the real target. She hated that he split up with her to keep her safer and put himself in the path. But she couldn’t change his mind, and she had to forget about it and focus on her job ahead.

She inched forward under the cloak of darkness. She imagined Holt hunkered down behind a sniper rifle, the skill to take her out. He could put a bullet in an exposed body part and stop her. One to the leg would disable her, and then he could finish her off. She had to remain under cover as much as possible.

She darted to the first arborvitae in a line of eight trees planted as a wind screen. She took a long breath. Held it.

Counted to ten. Looked around the greenery. No movement.

Go! Go!

She shot out. Faster this time. Her feet crunching over dried leaves to the next tree, the sound like an explosion in her head.

She held and counted. Lurched forward again. And again. And again. Over and over.

Reaching the last tree, she let out a breath. Hauled in another. Tried to slow the adrenaline that told her to flee, not move closer to the danger.

God help us! Please!

She peeked around the tree. The house stood about two hundred feet away, an open field standing between her and the building. Her heart thumped. Hard. Threatening to leave her chest.

She pressed her mic. “In position.”

She held her breath waiting for Nate’s reply.

“Nearing the truck.” He sounded sure and confident.

She tried to embrace his confidence and searched the area with her binoculars. “Wait. Holt’s on the move. Heading toward the far side of the property. I need to get a better look at what he’s up to.”

“No! You’ll be exposed. Stay put.”

Londyn never knew a whisper could sound so loud. “I can get to the house without him seeing me. Moving now.” She released the mic and lifted her rifle.

“Remember his skills.” Nate’s voice startled her.

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