She was a miracle worker who had fixed all of them up.They would never be back to what they were before they were injured, but they felt more whole if not improved.Dr.Shane added modifications to their prosthetics like pocket holders for knives and ammo.
“I’m sure you’re all hungry.Get something to eat; afterward, we’ll make a plan.”
The guys threw their stuff on the ground and piled into the kitchen.They didn’t carry more than a small travel duffel each.They all packed light.Just a few toiletries and a change of clothes.Weapons were probably still downstairs in the car.The building was secure, so Jack wasn’t concerned anyone would try and steal anything.
Jack wasn’t surprised all the nachos were devoured in a matter of moments.“Alright, let’s get to planning.”They all moved into the living room.Jack, Andrea, and Barry took a seat on the couch.Carson and Rob took the bar stools while the rest stood.Since it was a safehouse meant for one or two, he hadn’t needed much furniture.
“I got the blueprints of the hotel,” Barry announced, opening his laptop and showing it to everyone.“There are three exits.The main, back, and a side emergency.”He pointed each of them out on the screen.“The conference room is here.”He pointed toward the back of the building.“There are two doors in and out of that room.One leads back into the main part of the hotel and the other toward rooms.”
“Can you get to any of the exits from that side exit?”Luke asked.
“There are a lot of twists and turns, but yes, you can get to the emergency exit.If we can block the emergency, we can cover the main exits and the two side entrances into the room.That leaves three to cover the conference room.”
“Any chance you were able to get a back trace through the number for who our buyer is?Make sure we’re not outnumbered.”Jack didn’t want any surprises.The seven of them could handle just about anything, but it was better to be forewarned than unprepared.
“I’ve tried, but there is no information.”Barry looked at him regretfully.“It’s a restricted number, so there is nothing to go off of.We’re going in blind.”
“No, you can’t do this then,” Andrea spoke up.
“Andrea.”
“No, you have no idea what you’re up against.How many.It could get you all killed.”
Most of the guys chuckled, which only seemed to upset Andrea.She didn’t understand this was what they did for a living.Faced overwhelming odds and came out on top.It was why they were chosen for this assignment.
“They aren’t laughing at you, sweetheart,” Jack assured while stroking her back, trying to smooth her ruffled feathers.“We plan for all kinds of contingencies.What’s the weapon situation?”he asked Luke, already knowing the man was well-prepared but wanting to reassure Andrea.
“We have enough for at least fifty men.Andrea, even if there are more, they aren’t all going to pile into the hotel at the same time.The buyer may have a few people with them as cover, but they aren’t going to bring them in by the dozens.”
“What if they’re dressed like civilians and hidden throughout the hotel?”
Jack scratched his upper lip to keep from smiling.He looked around to see a couple of the other guys trying to hold back their laughter.Except for Luke, he was stoic.It wasn’t because he didn’t find it amusing—he probably did—but he was in leader-mode and could understand her concerns even if she had seen too many bad spy movies.
“Barry can access the security in the hotel to view anyone coming in and out the hotel until we show up tomorrow.”
“You can?”Andrea asked, sounding stunned.
“Yeah, there isn’t much I can’t hack.”Barry waved her off.It wasn’t a boast but the truth.Jack had seen Barry do some incredible things on the computer over the years.Things he hadn’t thought were possible either.
“Alright,” Luke spoke up, taking over one again.“I want Carson and Greg covering the main exits.Barry and Rob cover the conference exits.The rest of us will set up around the room itself.Clear?”Everyone nodded.“Good.Andrea, did your sister make a reservation for the hotel to stay in?”
“Not that I saw.”
“Alright, Barry, make one in Holly’s name.”
“Holly’s?”Andrea asked confused.
“They are expecting your sister.So everything needs to be under hers unless you know of an alias she used.”
Andrea shook her head, looking sad.Jack remembered her saying she wasn’t close to her sister.He continued to rub circles around her back.She was holding up better than he’d thought given the situation.
“Alright, we’ll do weapons check and get some sleep.Tomorrow, we’ll set up at the hotel.”The guys started filing out of the loft, leaving Jack and Andrea alone.
Jack turned to face Andrea.“I’m going to help the guys; will you be okay here?”
“Yeah,” she said the word, but he had a feeling she was holding back on him.
“What’s going on in that pretty mind of yours?”
