CHAPTER 13
“Didyou know rattlesnakes become more active at night here due to the hot temperatures?” Elias asked him as they crept behind a huge cactus.
“Dude, you grew up on a mountain. Do you think they’re different because they live in Arizona? Grow a pair,” he hissed. “While you’re at it, shut the hell up. The way you keep talking, you’ll wake the dead.”
Scanning the landscape with his night vision goggles, Owen counted eight cameras, two gates, and four dogs. He guessed prancing around in underwear paid a ton of money.
“Where did you put the meat?” he asked as Elias skidded to a stop to let a critter have the right of way.
“It’s in my backpack. Do I have to open it here? There’s a shit ton of spiders and other things waiting to crawl in and lay some eggs.”
“When did you become such a ninny?” Owenbarked as he turned and tugged the backpack off Elias’ shoulder. He took out the fresh pieces of meat to keep the dogs busy while he scaled the gate. Knowing Cade’s soft spot for injuring animals, he knew the signs of an electric fence posted every three feet were fake. If not, why the second fence? He moved into position and turned to Elias.
“Stay here until I open the gate,” he whispered.
“Out here? By myself?” Elias exclaimed. “There are coyotes and shit waiting to make a meal out of me. I’d rather take my chances with you.”
“When we get home, remind me to pummel your ass,” Owen threatened as he inched forward. “Stay right behind me then.”
“Like I didn’t already plan on it,” Elias snarked.
“Will you shut up?” Owen insisted.
“You’re talking, too,” Elias hisses angrily.
Owen rolled his eyes, reminding himself he did this for his mother, who always acted with patience and kindness, with the qualities of a saint.
Throwing the bits of meat in the corner of the gate, he watched as three of the dogs lifted their noses high in the air and sniffed. When they detected the smell, they came running, gobbling up the pieces.
Owen silently leaped over the first fence and cursed as Elias landed on his ass with a yelp.
“We’re attempting to go in unnoticed,” he growled, yanking his brother by the collar and setting him to run. He hoisted him over the secondgate as the camera moved in the opposite direction. Then, he climbed it himself in a heartbeat. As they reached the door, Owen yanked Elias into the bushes as the camera turned in their direction. Taking out his lock pick, he waited for the chance to clear the path to the door.
“Stay here. When I unlock the door, you wait for the camera to swing in the other direction and then run inside,” he directed Elias.
“Gladly,” he muttered, pissing Owen off more. Having second thoughts about letting Elias tag along, he took off as soon as the camera turned. He fiddled with the door lock and turned the handle.
Scanning the yard for Elias, he saw his brother standing like a statue in the middle of the yard, in plain view.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he whispered furiously. Then, he heard the low growl of the fourth dog coming directly behind Elias.
Owen wanted to bang his head against the stucco siding. Glancing at the camera, he dug into the backpack and threw meat from the bag toward the dog. At first, the animal continued growling at Elias, but the scent of the beef piqued his curiosity. He lifted his nose in the air, appearing torn between the food and Elias.
Finally, the food won out, and Owen motioned for Elias to walk slowly toward him as he threw more pieces. The dogs on the outside began to bark,and Owen jerked Elias into the house and slammed the door. Pushing him up against the wall, he scanned the interior, searching for a silent alarm. Cade wasn’t stupid, and getting in seemed way too easy.
“What are you doing?” Elias whispered. “We know he’s at a club downtown. They posted pictures less than ten minutes ago.”
Owen hung his head. Elias knew better after having five brothers, how sneaking around worked. Only now did they play a more adult and dangerous version.
“I’m checking to see if he has a silent alarm. Hold still,” he ordered as he dug in his bag and tossed baby powder into the air. The infrared beams glowed across the room.
“Cool,” Elias said, staring at the maze. “I thought they only did it in the movies.”
Owen’s head began to throb as he tossed a little more, getting an idea of where to walk. “Stay there until I can shut these down,” he said, moving his way a few feet at a time, stopping, and tossing powder into the air.
“Owen,” Elias whispered.
Not bothering to turn toward his crazy brother, he signaled for him to shut his trap.
