Chapter 98

Two days after the knife attack, Martin told Claire, “The last guy showed up last night. We’re 12-strong.”

Luke, “At 2;30 this morning, Holly will call Delgado, tell him we’re dead and she and Tammy are on the road heading west.”

Martin, “We’ll be in place at Delgado’s compound.”

Claire, “I’m on the line with Luke, letting him know what Holly does.”

Luke, “We take out the 12 perimeter guards — automatic carbines with suppressors. We toss the bodies in the vans. Reassemble and blast through the front and back doors simultaneously.”

“What about those three other structures — around the main house?”

“Surveillance drones show them empty at night. Delgado uses them to store guns and, we think, dope. Plus a lot of stolen stuff that he’ll be moving to out-of-state pawnshops.”

Luke, “We’ll clear them as soon as we do the main house.”

Claire, “Kill everyone there. Men, women, kids, dogs. No witnesses. Ransome and two assistants will be there in case we take any casualties.”

Willow said, “Claire, what if he really has those five preteen whores?”

Luke answered, “It’s a firefight, Willow — no time to pick and choose.”

Martin sounded a sympathetic tone, “It’s too bad, but once we breach, it’s hell on earth.”

Luke, “One good thing, it’s a residential neighborhood. No surveillance camera’s pointed toward the complex.”

Martin, “Our primary concern is the targets. Secondary, the cops — we have to be in and out as quickly as possible.”

Claire pointed to the blueprints, “This is where I met Delgado — it’s his office.” She moved her finger, “This door was closed every time I’ve been there. I believe it could be his bedroom.”

Luke, “We’ll hit there first. but he’s too big to hide. And he certainly can’t run.”

Martin, “It never goes smoothly.”

Luke, “No, no it doesn’t. But we’ll all be wearing Flexible Rifle Armor — that should increase our odds a little.”

Claire said, “And they won’t be. Fuckers.”

“No, they won’t.”

Claire, “I just wish Luke would let me go with you.”

“Not feasible. I’d be worried about you. I need total focus.”

Claire looked at Holly, “You can always warn Delgado.” She shrugged, “Or you can die quickly.”

Luke knew that there was no way Claire would let the woman off that easily. And, probably Holly knew it too, knew it deep down. But even a faint hope of a bullet might be enough to convince her to follow orders.

Plan B was to attack Delgado instantly, even without the element of surprise. No, he should still be shocked to hear the doors explode just as Holly was warning him.