Page 56 of Static/Cling

If Kassian hadn’t been watching, he might not have noticed that the dog caught up with the ball, ignored it, and kept on going, to disappear between two buildings.

“Kas.” Leif yanked on his arm. “Now!”

Forced to ignore the dog and whatever Roger might do next, he spurred himself to motion, darting across the road while the second guard ran from the hut.

They all vaulted the low stone wall near the gate, but out of view of the camera trained on it. Low hedges on the other side, between the walls, served as meagre cover.

Leif pointed to the camera at the same time Sal said, “Camera’s blind. Go!”

There wasn’t enough foliage to keep them concealed, so they dashed towards the door in the tall fence.

Bjorn had only to slip his hand between the bars of the door and touch the swipe pad next to it. There was a softzapand the fuzz of electric buzz tickling his ear from his earpiece, then the gate unlatched, creaking a bit as the latch gave. It swung inward under Leif’s palm.

“You guys wait here,” Kassian said, gripping Leif’s arm and holding him back.

“Can’t.” Leif glanced back, and Kassian followed his gaze. He was right. There wasn’t enough cover for them to get back without being noticed unless they had horseshoes up both their asses.

“Fine, but stay close, and stay hidden.”

“If you stay right against the wall, at least ten feet from the gate, the cameras won’t see you when I let them go,” Sal said.

“Got it.” Leif pointed to a spot along the wall concealed by more bushes, and Bjorn nodded.

Once inside and flattened behind a head-high row of lilac bushes and away from the gate and the direction the dog had gone, Kassian finally let out a long breath.

They eased their way along the wall, shoulders brushing the metal barrier until the commotion at the gate could only be heard through Roger and his communication device.

“Sorry!” He was panting, as though he’d been sprinting after the dog.

Kassian bet it was more out of nerves, but at least it was authentic. As long as it didn’t devolve into a full-on panic attack.

“I’m so sorry,” Roger repeated. “I had no idea—” He squeaked.

“Rog?” Sal’s voice came over the com, clipped and tight.

“Wait, Sal,” Kassian ordered. “Just wait.”

“Honestly, I didn’t even know this was here. I thought it was a sand pit. I threw the ball hoping he’d just run himself out. Do you have any idea how much energy huskies have? Because it’s a lot. They can run?—”

“Wait here,” a gruff voice said.

“O-okay.”

Kassian didn’t think Roger was feigning the nerves.

“You’re doing great, Rog,” Leif said before Kassian could think what to do. “Just keep them occupied a little while longer.”

“The car’s inside. The guard from inside went after Dash. The first guard is outside looking across the road. Tell me you’re not still there.”

“Nope. We made it in.”

A heavy sigh came over the earpiece. “Excellent.”

“What happened?” Kassian asked. “You were supposed to go in and get the dog and get out. Why did he take off?”

“I’m…”

“Roger, what did you do?”

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