Page 52 of Zero
I watched her for a few seconds as she made her way across the street and began scaling the wall of a local laundry place.
Crash taught her that.
When we were all parked and running to our perspective positions, I couldn’t help thinking about Bailey. I knew she was hurting and there wasn’t anything I could do for her. All I had to help her until we got Justice back were my arms.
She’d made it perfectly clear those weren’t good enough.
Licking my suddenly dried lips, I allowed my mind to shift back to the task at hand just as Tex’s voice boomed in my ear.
“All right, ladies and gents, boys and girls, children of all ages.” Tex spoke in the voice of an arena announcer. “This is your cap’n speakin’. Falcon Eyes is in the sky and ready for your orders.”
I couldn’t help smirking. “Roll call.”
“Barbie here.” Barbie’s voice was calm, measured—as always. “Just show me where to aim.”
One by one, everyone else checked in. I looked around, ensuring we had no loose ends before we even began. Once I pulled the trigger on this mission there was no going back. “Remember, easy as she goes.” I reminded them.
“Roger.” The others chorused.
“Let’s do this.” I ordered.
Going into a rescue silent was always the best scenario. Often time we went in loud to confuse the bad guys. This wasn’t one of those situations. We wanted Justice out alive.
Instead of using my gun, I would use my blade should I come across anyone. The less noise we made the better it would be for the entire plan. If one of us broke the quiet, things could go south—quickly.
“Zero, Dude’s in place.” Tex announced. “The big bang is ready to go.”
“Roger.” I whispered.
The first man I came to, I went down low, taking his legs out from under him, while clamping one hand over his mouth and shoving my knife into the side of his neck. He jerked against me, the familiar sign of bleeding out.
I released him, laid his body quietly on the floor and moved on.
Bailey took down one with a swing of her bat to his skull. As he slipped toward the ground, she caught him, wobbled under his weight and fell with him.
We waited to see if anyone had heard.
Silence.
An eternity of silence.
When no one came running, she shoved him off her and we continued on our way, taking down those who would cross our paths. When we were in position, I checked on Bailey then asked everyone to check in.
Bòkò was the last to report in but eventually, he did. Once he was on board, I gave Dude the go ahead. Soon, the warehouse rocked with the explosion and chaos ensued. Still, he had the desired effect. The room holding Justice cleared out except a few men on the end that was left behind to keep an eye on them.
The bangs finally forced Morena to show his face. He barked orders at the guys who’d entered the room with him and as they rushed out, he stayed behind, staring at Justice. Staying low, I led Bailey down the steps and together we took out the men guarding the door. We rolled their bodies into a Janitor’s closet and closed it.
“We’re going in.” I told Bailey, handing her my knife. “When we do, you stay low and head right for Justice. Try getting him free.”
“Zero.” Crash called. “I’m in position.”
I pulled my gun. “Going in—three, two one—”
I yanked the door opened and took out the men to the right and left of Justice with two shots. Morena stepped toward Justice but Crash landed like Spider-Man on his back shoving him face first into the floor.
I glanced back to see that Bailey was on her knees behind Justice’s chair and I continued through the room, securing the far door.
“We have Morena.” I reported to the others.
