Page 64 of Built of Illusions

Joe had flown in late the night before and had arrived at the property around two in the morning with Marcus and Troy. They all thought Nelson would strike early. His anger wouldn’t allow him to do anything else.

The group had spread out around the orienteering and obstacle course hubs. Tessa’s body couldn’t handle the cold or stillness for any length of time, so she stayed inside the lodge with Tansy and their computers. He couldn’t imagine two better people to control an operation. Their computer skills and brains were unparalleled.

Nico was on one edge of the rope course with a view of the clearing and the forest leading to the road. Josie sat on a platform above him. Her platform was on the far side of a tree, giving her more protection. He’d wanted her to stay at the lodge, but she’d refused, saying she needed to be near if anything went wrong with Tansy’s programming. He would make sure she was protected.

The team was looped in via earpieces and they all wore wrist bands with three buttons. Circle for Help. Square for Now. Triangle for I see him. Simple and effective. If they pressed a button, Tansy and Tessa would receive it and pass it on to everyone else. No lights from cell phones to give away positions.

About an hour before sunrise, Tessa spoke. “The doctored security beam has been disturbed. Camera shows a dark hooded figure climbing the fence and entering the woods. Looks to be carrying a backpack.”

Perfect. Nelson had taken the bait.

The drone would be circling but it wouldn’t be as effective over the forest. Sam and Graham had placed more security cameras and beams around their workout spaces, so they’d have more triggers as he closed in on their position.

Assuming he was working in a straight line to the lodge. If he wasn’t, they’d go to Plan B. Or C.

Tessa let them know as the man progressed through the woods, exactly as they hoped. “He appears to be holding a rifle.”

Damn. Nico had assumed he’d bring a gun, but he’d assumed handgun. The rifle would mean he could take a shot from afar. Nelson’s behaviours had shown he preferred to be up close with his victims, so the long gun was a surprise.

Nico wondered if he meant to use it to take out people who got in his way. People who weren’t himself or Josie. He was sure the man would also have at least one knife and steel wire for a garrote.

Several members of their team were stationed around the other obstacle course, but they wouldn’t engage him there. Instead, they would follow Nelson in and cut off his escape route. Tessa announced his progress through the woods as the team activated their buttons to acknowledge they could see him.

Tansy chimed in. “Drones and security system show no other activity anywhere on the property or road. Activating program Holo Josie in ten seconds.”

She counted down softly and when she reached zero, the climbing wall disappeared from sight and Josie appeared. Not like the holograms in Star Wars. There was no halo of light surrounding her or fuzziness in the image. If he didn’t know better, he would swear the woman he loved had climbed from the platform down to the clearing.

Pure magic.

Willow. Come here, girl.

Josie’s voice spread softly through the woods. Whispers traveled easily in the night sky and Tansy had recorded Josie’s voice and installed a speaker in the wall. The wall he actually couldn’t see anymore from his angle. All he saw was Josie surrounded by trees. Serious magic.

Having Holo Josie outside looking for a dog was a brilliant idea. It wouldn’t be immediately obvious this was part of a trap. The dog that Holo Josie called was securely inside the lodge. The only dog well trained enough to be outside with them was Jetson. He was glued to Sam’s side and ready to help.

Willow. Where are you girl? We need to get back inside.

Tessa spoke again. “Subject is nearing the orienteering station. Camera shows him standing still. He’s likely heard Josie’s voice.”

Willow. It’s freezing out here. Come on girl.

“Subject is moving toward the trap.”

Holo Josie turned to the other side of the clearing, rubbed her hands together. Come on Willow. It’s time to go in.

“Subject is on the edge of the orienteering clearing.”

And Nico could see him. He pressed the triangle on his wristband to alert the team then aimed his gun at Nelson. Their goal was to take him in without firing a shot, but no one was taking chances. So far, Nelson had only worked with a knife and his garrote, but the rules of the game had changed. Anger would be fueling Nelson’s decisions and that made him unpredictable. He hadn’t brought in a rifle without the intention to use it.

Marcus, Troy, Graham, and Sam with Jetson would be following Nelson and closing in the trap. They all had skills with evasive techniques and stealthy movement.

Flynn and Mitch were on either side of the clearing. Aisling and Bella were armed and on other platforms from the rope course above.

When Holo Josie looked out into the woods and called again for the dog, Nelson moved forward and lifted his hands. Holy hell, the rifle was an automatic.

Nico suppressed the urge to take the man out without a warning. He worked on the right side of the law, but it didn’t make the idea any less tempting.

Flynn’s voice rang out. “FBI. Throw down your weapon and put your hands in the air. You are surrounded.”

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