Page 38 of The San Marco Heist

Will hit a pre-programmed set of keys on his laptop and the screens switched to display local maps, weather forecasts, and video feeds from nearby trees. Cover established. We were bird watchers.

I slid the door open and smiled at a man with warm skin and light eyes, wearing a local police officer’s jacket and peak cap. “What can I do for you, officer?”

He peered inside, no doubt evaluating potential threats, then gestured to the front windows. “There’s no overnight parking allowed here.”

Scarlett stood from her seat by Will and edged past Jayce. “We’re doing avian migratory research.”

I hooked a thumb over my shoulder, toward the screen on the wall behind the driver’s seat. “It’s easier to monitor the cameras without the sunlight.”

The officer looked up at the cloudy sky.

“Daylight, I mean.” I stepped back. “Some local birders reported sightings of a Montagu’s harrier, which is—”

He put up a hand and shook his head. “This is a car park, not a research station. I’ll need you to move along, please.”

“Of course.” I nodded, smiling at the team to ensure the officer didn’t come in to inspect anything. Although the video feed of the nests were live ones and Will could likely have spoken at length on the cover story. “We’ll pack our stuff up and be gone within twenty minutes.”

“If I find you here in a half hour, I may have to cite you.” The officer tipped his peak cap. “Have a good day.”

I slid the door closed as Will hit the button to bring the drone video back online.

The bottom camera was dark, the front one obscured by leaves. It was suspended a couple of feet off the ground.

Will’s face and shoulders fell.

“Sorry,” murmured Brie. “The wind was too much.”

He looked up at her, their two sad faces mirroring each other. “At least you got it into a bush instead of the middle of the lawn or on one of the patios.”

“We have to… you know?” Brie gave an exaggerated grimace.

“No.” Will pointed a finger at the screen. “We were streaming all the data, so it doesn’t contain anything sensitive. We don’t need to destroy it. Maybe I can recover it later?”

Energy sparked through Jayce, and she practically bounced. “My turn?”

All gazes turned to Scarlett, who nodded. “We’ll have to call the guys and see if there’s time today. Otherwise, we need to figure something out for tomorrow.”

Jayce’s eyes grew wider the longer Scarlett talked.

“But yes, Jayce, you’re going in for reconnaissance.”

Chapter 16

Malcolm

Thatnight,Istaredout the window at the darkening city, the sun already having set and leaving nothing but gloom. Will’s feed from the drone was processing through Brie’s AI program, generating a 3D model. The team had transitioned from chatting to bickering, the stress of the last few days wearing them down. It had taken eons for them to agree on a plan for tomorrow—Scarlett, Jayce, and I posing as event planner staff to get access to the house—and once that was done, Scarlett ordered everyone to bed.

The days were long, the nights too short, and we only had three days left for planning.

I paced away from the window to sit on the bed and stare at my phone charging on the side table. Would the kidnappers call again before the party? How was Emmett holding up?

There was a knock at my door.

It was after Scarlett’s imposed curfew, so it wouldn’t be anyone from her team. I hadn’t ordered room service, and it was too late for housekeeping. Likely a guest at the wrong door. The knock came again, so instead of waiting for them to realize their mistake, I stood from the bed, made my way down the short hallway, and peered through the peephole.

So much for curfews.

I undid the safety latch and swung open the door to a smiling Declan.

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