There was another lock in the knob, but it was much easier to solve. In less than a minute, he’d twisted the doorknob and slowly pushed the door inward until there was a narrow gap between it and the jamb.
In the dimness beyond, he could see part of what appeared to be a small room.
He looked back at the client and Frank. The client smiled eagerly, but Frank looked pensive.
As quietly as he could, Parker said, “The others?”
Frank shook his head and mouthed,Nothing.
That didn’t sit well with Parker. For the first time, he began to wonder if they should abort.
The client clearly had other ideas, though. He gave Parker a what-are-you-waiting-for look and jutted his chin at the door.
Not finishing the job would mean Parker would only collect half the fee, plus it wasn’t like he really cared about any of the men Richter had sent him. All he needed to do was terminate Dame Felicity and get the hell out of there.
He should probably make sure the client got out, too, but he could handle that. The rest of the team was dispensable, as far as he was concerned.
The client shook Parker’s shoulder, his eyes narrowing as if he was expecting Parker to bolt.
Parker motioned for him to calm down, then he eased the door open and crept inside, the client and Frank following closely behind.
Felicity pressed the radio’sTalkbutton. “Carly, status.”
“I had to move a few things, but I’m finally at a vent on the back side of the house. It’s going to take another minute to move the louvers out of the way.”
“Understood.”
Felicity lowered the radio and glanced at the front door, wondering how long until Stone and the others returned. Shenoticed Jillian standing nearby, the gun in her hand shaking slightly.
Felicity had learned about Jillian’s history from Lance and knew that she was a skilled computer hacker and data analyst. Her weapons training came only after she’d joined the CIA a few short months ago.
“Perhaps it would be best if you waited this out with Seth and Mary,” Felicity said to Jillian.
“No, madam,” she said, her French accent thicker than usual. “My place is here.”
“Very well. But do try not to accidentally shoot me.”
Jillian looked aghast. “I would never.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Over the radio, Carly said, “I have eyes on the back. I can’t see directly below me, though. Only from about twenty feet out from the house, then all the way to the water. The area’s clear.”
“Copy,” Felicity responded. “Thank you.”
“I have a suggestion,” Jillian said.
“Go ahead.”
“We should be able to safely slide open one of the second-floor bedroom windows and get a look at the part of the yard she can’t see.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Let’s do that.”
They headed up the stairs.
As Stone, Dino, and Edapproached the back of the house, Ed motioned for the other two to hold position, then he crouched as low as he could and leaned out so he could see the rear of the house.
Within seconds, he was standing again and waving for Stone and Dino to join him.
