“Only if they have a microscope,” Striker said.
“Even if they stomp on the glasses the mic is in the frame, they won’t hurt it,” Reaper said. “We just need to be able to hear.”
“Why would they stomp on my glasses?” Gabriel asked.
“Asserting control, diminishing a prime sense. If they’re really paranoid, they may strip search you,” Rowan said as if he knew the scenario personally.
Gabriel had imagined much more romantic circumstances for getting naked with Sommer in his house. Something other than his dick crawling up inside him, trying to stay out of the fray.
Good times.
“So how are we getting them out without shots fired?” Reaper asked.
“Flashbang,” Finley said. “We brought a supply.”
Gabriel leaned forward and pointed to the screen. “Okay, potentially, here’s what can happen. I want Sommer out of the line to be hurt by the flashbang. This right here is a guest bathroom. There are no windows, so I imagine they’d be fine with Sommer going in there by herself. It’s barely big enough for one. So, I go home,” Gabriel threw up air quotes. “I talk to them. If I’m in there, their guard will be down.”
“And their guns up,” Striker said.
“Potentially,” Gabriel said, then went back to the screen to point out the locations. “But I signal Sommer to go into the bathroom. Break the windows and throw it in the living room, dining room, and kitchen.”
“If they don’t let her go?” Striker asked.
“I can hear you. Give me a countdown, and I’ll throw her on the ground and cover her with my body. Best I can do.”
“We have to do it before they beat the snot out of Gabriel or tie him up,” Rowan said, again with the echo of a past experience in his tone.
“If they’re trying to keep him from testifying, why wouldn’t they just shoot him on sight?” Finley asked. “Serious here. This scenario only works if they want to have a chat with you, Gabriel.”
“They’ll talk to him first. It’s just good form,” Rowan said. “My guess is they’ll want to know the weak points of the case so they can make others go missing or they can lean into it. Then they’ll kill him.”
“Fuck off,” Gabriel said. The strategizing was important to success, but every second Sommer was facing the threat alone was too long.
“Here’s the plan: We try to get Sommer behind a closed door before they damage Gabriel. JTF takes the three positions and on my count,” Striker said, “they throw the flashbang. Like Gabriel said, he knows it’s coming because he can hear the countdown in his ear. Reaper will be ready for quick response if required.”
Reaper pulled a gun from his pocket holster.
“I’ll monitor the technology and manage the mission. We’re from different backgrounds, so I’ll use: ‘On my command. Three. Two. One. Execute. Execute. Execute. Action takes place on the first Execute,” Striker said.
“Got it. I’ll take the back door to the kitchen,” Finley said.
“Dining room,” Rowan called.
“And I’ll take the living room, which is my preference,” Prescott said, “since it’s out of the line of fire, and I have a dinner date planned with my beautiful wife tonight.”
“Well, I don’t want to spoil your dinner plans,” Gabriel said. Then he patted him on the shoulder, stood, and walked toward his car.
This better damned well work.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Gabriel
Saturday Night
With the glasses in place, Gabriel walked up the street to his car, drove home, and pulled into the driveway.
He got out and walked slowly to the front door, stopping to look at the splintered frame.
