Page 65 of Built of Illusions

Nelson fired at the trees where the voice had originated. Except that wasn’t where Flynn was standing. They’d recorded his voice to come through the speaker as well.

With a shriek, Nelson fired several shots at Holo Josie. When the hologram didn’t react, he let out a screech of rage and whirled, firing his gun in all directions.

Nico ducked behind the tree and felt it shudder from the impact of some of the bullets. He wanted to call out to Josie to duck, but she knew the drill. And he didn’t want to give away her location.

Nico bent and peeked around the tree. He fired off a shot, aiming for Nelson’s shooting arm. He knew where his team members were situated, but he was very careful with his weapon. Friendly fire injuries still killed.

Nelson howled as the bullet hit him and he whirled, firing at Nico again. Nico stood behind the tree and gave the others a chance to take their own shots.

Voices again called for Nelson to drop the weapon, but he was still emptying his rifle into the area. Nico wished again for Josie to be in the lodge. She wasn’t trained for this shit and this was intimidating for people who did have the training.

When the tree stopped shuddering, Nico went low around the other side of it and aimed again. Nelson was down on one knee and the rifle was drooping, but he wasn’t out of contention yet.

Tansy shouted through the earpiece, “Jetson’s in.” Nico held his fire, but kept his gun aimed.

The dog leapt from the side onto the gunman and took him to the ground and then the team rushed in from all sides.

Sam, Flynn, Mitch, Marcus, Graham, Joe, and Nico, all with their guns aimed and ready.

In the dark, it was difficult to tell where Nelson had been injured. He screamed wordlessly, like a caged animal. Which was exactly what he was going to be.

Sam grabbed the automatic and Joe moved in to place his gun right in Nelson’s face. “Adrian Nelson, you’re under arrest for all kinds of fucked-up shit.”

Marcus pulled out handcuffs and then leg restraints and the howling man was soon bound.

Nico holstered his weapon and pulled on gloves before taking out a knife and slicing the backpack off the man. “Pat him down for explosives.”

Nico opened the backpack, but didn’t find any bombs or poisons. A couple of knives, a garrote, more handguns. A camera. And souvenirs. Some he’d seen, but there were also items he hadn’t seen before.

More planned victims who would never know they’d been targeted by this man.

Aisling and Bella walked into the clearing and Nico turned to where Josie had been hiding. He called her name.

Tansy’s voice filled his ear. “Nico. Josie needs help. Hurry.”

Josie thumped her head back on the tree trunk. Instead of helping the team, she’d got herself injured.

Shot.

With a shudder, she shook off that terrifying thought. It was likely a graze, but it hurt and she wasn’t sure her leg would hold her through the climb down the ropes.

“Josie!” Nico’s terrified voice reached her.

“I’m fine. It’s not serious.” At least she was pretty sure it wasn’t serious. Without a light, she couldn’t really tell. Her leg was throbbing and bleeding but she mostly didn’t want to tumble down the ropes to the hard ground below.

“Josie.” Nico clambered onto the platform and squatted beside her. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

He ran his hands over her quickly and found the blood before she even had a chance to tell him herself. He swore vividly then shouted loudly for Mitch who was a paramedic as well as a firefighter.

Josie patted his arms. “I’m fine. It’s not bad. I just didn’t think I’d be able to get down the ropes by myself. I’m fine, Nico.”

“Mitch. Get up here!”

Josie grabbed his hand. “I’m okay, Nico. Really. Breathe.”

He looked at her like she’d told him to eat Jetson.

Mitch’s head popped above the platform. “Hey, Josie. What’s up?”

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