Page 39 of Fatal Intent
His eyes widened as his gaze drifted over Rayne in a slow sweep.
She smiled and kept walking toward the guard. When she was close enough to speak without drawing attention from other guards, Rayne said in Spanish, “I haven’t seen you around the compound. What’s your name?”
“Raoul.”
Rayne edged closer. “I’m Rosa.” She gifted him with a sultry smile, one she’d practiced many times in front of a mirror.
“You’re new here?”
She nodded. “I’m so excited to be here that I couldn’t sleep. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“You’re a welcome distraction.”
“Thank you. You’re so kind. Everyone has been nice to me.”
“What’s your job?”
Even a cartel group had to eat. “I help prepare meals.”
Behind him, Jake crept closer with a syringe in his hand.
Raoul looked puzzled. “I don’t remember seeing you.”
She put her hand on his forearm and squeezed a little. “My first meal prep is today’s breakfast. I’ll have to go soon so I’m not late for work.”
“I won’t be off duty until lunch.”
“That gives me something to look forward to, Raoul.” She edged closer. “I’m so glad to meet you. I feel as though I have at least one person I know now. Will you save me a place at lunch? I hate eating alone.”
He beamed. “Of course. I’ll see you there.”
Jake’s hand snaked around to clamp over Raoul’s mouth and nose while he plunged the syringe into the guard’s neck. Within seconds, he slumped into Jake’s arms. The medic dragged his unconscious body to a thick clump of bushes 100 yards away and laid him on the ground.
“Nice work,” the medic said.
She shrugged. “Simple distraction.”
He handed Rayne her Go bag and holster. “Time to get moving.” Jake tapped his earpiece. “Guard eight is down,” he murmured.
“Copy,” Seth and Zane replied.
After scanning the area, Jake and Rayne made their way to the wall surrounding the compound. Rayne gauged the height of the structure and turned to Jake. “Give me a boost.” When he complied, she used his strength to give her enough momentum to crest the top of the concrete block wall.
Lying along the narrow flat surface, Rayne looked for the guards posted around their target building. She finally spotted the guard assigned to the back of the building. His focus was on his cell phone rather than on keeping an eye out for trouble.
She waited to see if the guard put away his phone and resumed his watch. Five minutes later, he shoved his phone into his pocket and returned to his rounds. “Jake, guard four is back on patrol,” she whispered. “Wait for my signal.”
“Copy,” he whispered.
As soon as Four’s back was to Rayne, she jumped down from the wall, landing lightly on her feet and sprinting to the onlycover between her and the building, a large tree. Rayne waited until the guard made another circuit. As soon as Four turned his back to her again, she raced toward him. Palming her Ka-Bar, Rayne slammed the hilt on the back of Four’s head. The guard sank to the ground. “Jake, go,” she whispered.
The medic joined her and administered the shot to keep Four unconscious for hours.
Together, they hurried to the back door. Jake activated his earpiece. “Z, we’re ready to go after the kids. Where are they?”
“West side, the room at the back corner.”
“Guards inside?”
