Page 42 of Silent Sins
She managed a tight smile. “Yeah, just … nervous, I guess.”
“You’d be stupid not to be. Trust the plan. Trust the team.”
“I do. It’s just … this is a big step, you know?”
“I know.” His eyes held a depth of understanding that made her heart flutter.
The team paused in the shadows, still on the far side of the fence, their earpieces crackling to life as Paul’s voice filled the channel. “This is Paul. I mean, uh, Delta Fox.” He quickly changed to the mission nickname Fenn had jokingly given him. “All clear on the perimeter,” he reported, his words tumbling out in an excited rush. “No signs of activity or––” A sudden clatter interrupted him, followed by a muffled curse. “Sorry, sorry,” he muttered, his voice sheepish. “Dropped the little ear thingy.”
Mason’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “Paul, focus,” he growled, his voice low and commanding. “No more distractions.”
Avery shot him a sympathetic look, understanding his frustration. Paul’s enthusiasm was endearing, but it could also be a liability in a high-stakes situation like this.
“Sorry, boss,” Paul replied, his tone chastened. “Won’t happen again.”
Mason sighed deeply.
Avery pointed at the far side of the building. “There goes the security sweep. Guards’ll be inside now until the top of the hour.”
The team huddled in the shadows, waiting for Tai to deploy his drones and have a look around from the air.
Avery curled her fingers around the cold metal of the chain-link fence, trying to keep herself in the moment. It was the best way she knew to make sure her senses, and her reaction times, stayed sharp.
“The exterior is clear,” Tai informed them, his attention on the monitor controlling his dark, silent drones.
With a nod from Mason, the team moved forward, their footsteps quiet on the pavement. Paige took the lead, the device clutched in her hand like a talisman. As they neared the door, she raised a fist, stopping them in their tracks, and fired up the machine. “Go, baby.”
Red lights flickered, changing to amber and finally a steady green. “Sound generation is working,” Paige told them over the comlink.
She pulled out the clone she’d made of Paul’s keycard. Untraceable back to him, the card would show an anonymous entry. An instant later she swiped the keycard across the lock, and the door clicked open with a soft beep. “We’re in.”
The sharp tang of rubber and machine oil filled Avery’s nostrils. The space was cavernous, the darkness broken only by the faint glow of emergency lights. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the gloom as she followed Mason and Paige deeper into the building.
The others peeled off, shadows slinking toward the outer edges of the warehouse. The plan was for Fenn, Tai, Graham and Kate to box in the four disoriented security guards at the back of the building, securing their arms and legs with zip ties while Mason guarded her and Paige as they tackled the computer in the office.
Their progress was slow and methodical, each step carefully placed to avoid making any noise. Every creak and groan of the old building set her nerves on edge. She could feel the tension radiating off the others, their bodies coiled like springs ready to snap.
“Hold up,” Tai warned over the comlink. “We’ve got two guards still in motion.”
Mason raised a fist to signal a stop.
She and Paige froze. Waiting.
After a moment, Tai came over the comlink again. “Nighty night. All four guards down.”
“Let’s keep moving,” Mason ordered.
As they approached the main office, Mason signaled for them to halt once more. He pulled a small screen from his vest and held it to the door.
“Heat detector,” Paige said. “He’s making sure the office is empty.”
“It’s clear.” Mason pocketed the device again. “How’re the guards looking?”
“All four zoning out. Just the way Paige said,” Tai announced. “Securing the cargo now.”
“They’re kinda cute when they’re buzzed,” Fenn added.
Mason pushed the door open.