Duncan frowned. “Can’t I go to the safe house?”
“No.” Cold’s tone left no option for debate.
“You good with splittin’ us up?” Jules rumbled. “Think that’s safe?”
“Considering the large number of very exuberant armed guards now at our disposal, yes.”
Looking around the current crowded state of the house, it was probably for the best.
Jules and Jerry were passive aggressively scooting away from one another on the couch while Cold lounged in the armchair. Thirdsies was kneeling down in front of the fireplace at his feet like a dog while Valdemar hovered near the stairs.
Pym had pulled over one of the chairs from the breakfast table, and Duncan stood next to him. With no clear place to sit, Roger plopped on the bottom step. Mickey opted to lean against the doorframe.
There was no immediate sign of Alistair or Rufus Corman.
Huh, but where was—
“Are you guys doin’ gangster stuff?” a little voice whispered from the top of the stairs.
“Rowena!” Cold scolded. “Why aren’t you in your room studying?”
“Because my dumb teacher is in the bathroom!” she replied.
Roger turned to look up at her and waved.
“Hi, Mr. Roger!” Rowena waved back excitedly.
The front door was directly in front of the stairs, and Mickey could see Rowena peeking around the banister at the top. He attempted a friendly wave.
“Hi, Mr. Mickey!” Rowena grinned. “I need your help! Lady Archibald Doobie Doo didn’t show up for teatime again!”
Mickey bowed his head. “I’ll do what needs to be done.”
“Rowena.” Cold did not sound amused, but he was smiling. “Go.”
“Hey! You don’t get to boss me around!” she challenged. “I’m not a gangster person!”
“Go now or Princess Snaggletooth sleeps with the fishes.”
“Jokes on you! Sheisa fish! She’ll be fine!”
“Rowena!” Cold raised his voice.
Rowena squealed and scurried back down the hallway out of sight.
Sighing, Cold reached to gently massage his temple.
Jules stifled a short laugh.
“To business,” Cold said briskly. “According to our new friend Mr. Corman, Matteo and the bulk of his men are staying at the Lancet House just a few blocks from here. It’s a three-story home in the historic Mordecai suburb. It is guarded twenty-four seven, and there are at least two dozen men, all heavily armed. They brought in enough food to last for weeks, and they have no intention of leaving the city. We need to snuff him out as soon as possible.”
“How the hell are we gonna do that?” Jules grunted. “You want us to go in heavy?”
“Not quite. We’re going to fire a single shot at the door, draw them out in small groups, finish off who we can before the authorities arrive. A direct assault would be suicide, and we cannot risk lingering for too long. It is no guarantee that we will be able to take out Matteo, but that is not our goal.”
“Thought that was the idea?” Mickey raised a curious brow.
“No. For my final plan to take the city, it’s more advantageous if Matteo survives. Our aim here is to further weaken what remains of his men. We need to eliminate him as a threat, but allow him to remain a tool.”
