Page 26 of Master Cordell

“Why?”

“Because of you, my brother is dead. And I want payback.”

Shit. After sixteen years in law enforcement, he could be any of the thousands of people he’d come in contact with. “Who’s your brother?”

There was a bark of ugly laughter. “I’m sure you’ll figure that out when we meet.”

The bastard was jerking Cordell’s chain, trying to drag out the torture—and it was fucking working. Cordell practically growled, “Where and when?”

“Mako Heliport. Hangar ten. One hour. No cops and come alone and unarmed.”

The call was disconnected before Cordell could respond and ask for proof that Tiffany was alive and unharmed, and something about the location niggled his brain.

“What the fuck?” Dante exclaimed, and everyone turned to look at him. “That’s where Reed’s chopper is stored—hangar ten.”

That’s why it’d sounded familiar—Cordell and Tiffany had met the pilots there for their flight to Miami a few weeks ago. The suspect must have followed them, otherwise it was a damn weird coincidence. How long had this asshole been watching them?

Cordell’s eyes narrowed. “Call your pilots. See if they know anything, and tell them to stay away from the heliport until further notice.”

“Here’s the topography.” Nick swung Dante’s laptop around so everyone could see the landscape of the heliport and its surrounding area. He zoomed in on a small building on the far side of the helipads. “Looks like a utility shed or something. Perfect spot for Jake to set up, directly across from hangar ten.”

The Trident Security sniper studied the images then nodded. “You’re right. It’s not the greatest location but at least it gives me some height. Get him to come toward the main hangar doors. If he stays deep inside, I’m going to be hampered by the shadows at that time of day. Make sure you stand to either the right or left side of the hangar and get him to turn toward you, so if he’s holding Tiffany in front of him, I can get a side head shot if I need to take it. While I’m getting ready, Nick can do some recon.” He pointed at his husband. “Call Cookie in Tampa and have him find out if there’s a surveillance system at this heliport that he can hack into.”

Nick whipped out his cell. “On it.”

Dante rejoined them after disconnecting a call on his own phone. “Neither Kairo or Serenity picked up, which is unusual during the week. They’re always on call in case Reed has a change of plans.”

“So, it’s possible they’re being held hostage too,” Cordell speculated as he stared at the laptop screen.

“Or they’re involved,” Boomer added.

Frowning, Dante shook his head. “Serenity’s been with Reed for over four years, and Kairo’s been her copilot for about a year and a half now. Both are extremely loyal. But while I want to say it’s impossible for either to be involved, I’m not willing to bet Tiff’s life on it.”

“Tell us about the hangar. How many entrances?”

Dante pointed to the laptop where Boomer had brought up the satellite view of the heliport and zoomed in on hangar ten. “Main entrance is here with bi-folding doors. Pedestrian doors are here, here, and here—all with small, plexiglass windows.” He tapped the front, left side, and rear of the building. “No other windows, except in the office which is here.” Another tap on the right side. “The mechanics and pilots are the only ones who use that. There’s room inside the hangar for three choppers, but I’m not sure if the other two will be there with Reed’s. If not, there won’t be many places for cover. The ceiling is vaulted, but no loft.”

“Mechanics, you said. Are we possibly looking at more hostages or suspects?” Cordell asked.

“Could be, but the mechanics move from hangar to hangar depending on what they’re working on. Since this one is furthest from the control tower, they’re never in there unless working on one of those three helos. The pilots do their own routine maintenance on the birds, but if it’s something beyond that, the mechanics are called in.”

They spent the next five minutes figuring out a plan of attack, then everyone piled into their vehicles. They had just enough time for Boomer, Dante, Jake, and Nick to get in position around the hangar before Cordell arrived to face off with the bastard holding Tiffany. When they were a mile away from the heliport, he pulled into a parking lot to wait while everyone else continued onward. Nick would peel off at a service entrance and drop Jake off near the building that would give him a direct line of sight into the hangar. After that, Nick had his own assignment to approach from the west side of the hangar. Dante and Cooper had the back entrance, while Boomer would cover the east side.

Trying to tamp down his impatience, Cordell activated his earwig. “Everyone, check in.”

“Sniper one, just gaining access to the shed. I’ll be in position in a minute.”

Nick’s voice came next. “Alpha two—just hid the truck. I need two minutes, tops.”

“Alpha three in position,” Dante reported. “There’s a Chevy pickup parked back here that’s been hot-wired. Serenity’s and Kairo’s cars are here too.”

“Copy that,” Cordell acknowledged. “Alpha four? Sit rep.”

“Alpha four in position. Um, shouldn’t Junior and the Aussie be at least betas?”

Despite his sky-high anxiety, Cordell couldn’t help but smirk at the few grumbles that came over the line at Boomer’s teasing question. He glanced at the clock on the truck’s dashboard. Another minute and a half and everyone should be set. Then they had an additional four minutes before his hour was up.Please let Tiffany be okay, he silently prayed.I don’t think I can live without her.

Once Nick said he was in position, Cordell put the truck in drive and pulled out onto the road. It took everything in him not to floor it and squeal into the heliport’s parking lot with guns blazing. “Alpha one heading in.”

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