Did she mean what he thought she meant? “Not if you’re on the run.”
She didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Fair enough.”
Chapter47
Crowdedin the back of the ambulance, Taryn’s friends and associates gathered around her. She’d called in nearly every favor for this rescue, but she’d made her peace with that. She owed Ash. His sister had been taken on her watch and she’d do whatever necessary to atone for that.
“Thank you.” She acknowledged every member of the small but mighty team she’d been able to assemble on short notice today. One of her contacts had identified this building as a probable location through recent medical equipment sales. Although this was a rush job, Taryn had sent another woman to scout the location. She’d confirmed the presence of a patient but had been unable to get close enough to verify that it was Hope.
Ash had been ecstatic at the news and had wanted to come but she’d vetoed that. He needed to prepare for his showdown with Caspar. Plus, she didn’t want to worry about his emotions overruling his common sense on such a delicate mission.
Sasha, who was an EMT, drove the ambulance. Taryn was thrilled she’d been available today because she had no idea how otherwise they’d transport a coma patient without medical assistance.
Gen was the computer technician. Technically, she was a hacker, although she wasn’t on the same level as Ash. She was the one who’d backtracked the video feed and would loop the video feed and manage any of the other technical needs they encountered. Allie was a creative thinker and an accomplished thief. Daryl—the only man on her team—would provide the muscle.
Though Taryn had tried to cover every contingency, worry gnawed at her. This was the shortest timeline she’d ever worked under. What if she’d forgotten something?
“Let’s go over this one more time,” Taryn said. “Gen will loop the video and get us through the door. She’ll also get Hope’s machines ready to travel. Sasha will be the transportation out of here. Daryl and I will take first crack at any guards who might be in the room.”
She studied their faces. “Keep your eyes open and jump in where you see a need. Questions?”
No one had any.
Taryn hoped they were ready. There’d been no time to practice. “Okay, let’s do this.” She quelled the nerves unsettling her stomach.
Gen huddled over her tablet in the back of the ambulance. A small laser projected a keyboard onto a smooth shelf and her fingers clicked the virtual keys.
“I’ve looped the video. I didn’t find any alarms, but if this guy’s as good as you say, they’re probably hidden.”
“It’s a chance we’ll have to take.” Taryn hated the idea, but they had a very tiny window to make this work. She hated that they had to stage this rescue during the day.
“One of the rooms on the main floor is drawing a lot of power. It’s the same one we had a patient sighting in, so I think this is the right place.”
It was a relief to have that confirmed. That the room was on the main floor was a bonus. It would be a lot harder to get a hospital bed or a stretcher down multiple floors.
“Ready?”
Everyone nodded.
Damn, she was proud of her people. Their success, their willingness to help, almost made up for Rhonda’s betrayal.
Sasha circled the block and they exited the ambulance in ones and twos, approaching the building from different directions. No need to draw attention arriving in a big group.
Daryl and Gen went first so Gen could pick the lock.
Gen made quick work of it. Daryl flashed a thumbs-up.
Taryn walked quickly up the front steps and took the lead through the open door, trying to act like she belonged there.
Her jacket was lined with protective gear. Arms loose and hands free, she studied her surroundings, ready for anything. A number of apartment doors lined the hallway. She didn’t hear much. Hopefully everyone was at work, leaving fewer people to notice them.
Halfway down the hall, Taryn stopped and turned. Which door to choose?
“Gen, would you scan again?”
Gen nodded and pulled a tech contraption out of her pocket. It looked homemade and probably was.
Turning this way and that, she aimed the device in every possible direction, including up and down.
