“Check acting off her ‘bucket list.’ ” Sin’s words bled sarcasm.
“Was she alone?”
“Yeah, but she ordered two specials to go.”
“Two meals? That could be our first indication that Sally Braden, the coed, is still alive,” Fletcher said.
Sin chewed on her lower lip for a moment before saying, “We have to act on the premise that Sally is with Miranda. Our primary objective is to save the girl.” Checking the time, she continued. “We’ve been in fights where innocents were involved before. The plan stays the same. We check out the rooms and make our way to the fourth floor. Garcia, if you see anything that might be construed as a second person, you let me know.”
“Got it.”
She looked at Sanchez. “Did you come just to tell us the news, or are you staying?”
“Staying.”
Sin smiled. “Good to know.”
She watched as Sanchez eyed the way they were dressed. “You have tactical gear in the car?” he asked.
“We’re not using any. Weapons only. Concealed until we’ve reached our target”
“What! Are you crazy? This maniac has already used knives, a flame thrower, and plastique, and you want to go in without armor?”
Sin’s outer shell stayed cool, but her inner demeanor started to heat up; she was turning from agent to soldier. “Look and listen, Mayor. What do you see and hear?”
Sanchez searched the night and appeared to be concentrating. “I can’t see much, not a lot of street lights in this part of town. But I hear voices.”
“You’ve been out of the field for too long,” Sin said. “What you hear are the voices of children and adults. What you hear are the voices of people who are enjoying a balmy fall evening. What you hear are the voices of innocents. What do you think will happen when we approach the target in full SWAT gear? Do you think they might change the way they’re acting. Do you think they might give us away?”
Sanchez waved her off. “I get it, but I don’t like it.”
“So I ask you again. Are you sure you want to stay?”
Sanchez nodded. “I’m sure.”
Sin didn’t smile, nod, or say anything to the affirmative. She just looked at him, and then turned to Fletcher. “Sanchez will clear the bottom floor. Fletch, you clear the second, and I’ll do the same on the third. You two will meet up on the second floor landing before you continue. You will meet me on the third floor landing. We do it without announcing ourselves or making a sound. If the doors are locked, pick them. If a door gives you any resistance, don’t open it, just move on.”
“Why?” Sanchez asked.
“We can see lights on in all the apartments. That means the doors have been opened recently. They should open without a lot of lag or resistance. Resistance could mean that the place has been rigged. Open the doors with a light touch. If anything feels even remotely wrong, move on.”
“But—”
Sin moved directly in front of Sanchez. “But nothing. The bitch is crazy, but she doesn’t have a death wish. She won’t rig a room with explosives if she is in it. If you don’t like the way the door feels, it could be a trap. Keep moving.” She placed her hand on Sanchez’s shoulder and looked into his eyes. “Raul, I know you were a good agent. Charlie wouldn’t have said so if you weren’t. You either have to start thinking like one, or you need to stay here and cover our backs.”
Sanchez seemed to get a little taller as he listened to Sin’s words. He took his gun from the holster, pulled back the slide chambering a bullet, and placed it back in its cradle. “Let’s move,” he said.
“My favorite two words,” Sin replied.
Sin led Sanchez and Fletcher toward their target, remaining discreet in their approach.
Making their way up from 1st Street, they walked behind a group of teenagers. They were as nonchalant as possible while attempting to blend in. They knew there were no windows facing the front of the building from the apartment where Miranda was suspected to be in, but they knew better than to assume she wasn’t on the lookout.
Sin took nothing for granted.
The entire time they walked, Garcia kept a running monologue. “I haven’t seen much movement. One shadow in the kitchen, but that’s it. I hope she’s cooking something good because I’m getting hungry.”
“I’ll be sure to bring you some leftovers,” Sin whispered.
When they got to 2nd Street, they waited until they were adjacent to the first home on the corner of Harrison and 2nd. As soon as the group of teenagers had moved on, they broke off and darted for the bushes that fronted the first property. The house was dark and the bushes allowed for good cover.
“Our target is two houses up,” Sin said. “Luckily, the further we’ve traveled from the river the less light and life there’s been. Hug the foliage but keep it casual until we get there. I’ll open the front door, clear the foyer, and then you two follow me in. Affirmative?”
Sin didn’t wait for an answer, she just covered her head with her hoodie and walked up the street.
“Is she always this cool under pressure?” Sanchez whispered to Fletcher.
“She was born for this,” Fletcher answered. “This is when she comes alive.” He took his eyes off Sin for just a second and glanced at Sanchez. “All the bullshit leading up to this point, that’s what makes her uncomfortable. Right now she’s in her element. And I’ll tell you, there is no one I would rather follow into battle.”
With his last words, he and Sanchez began moving toward the house. By the time they reached the steps leading to the front door, Sin was already inside.
64
Sanchez watched Fletcher ascend the winding, old staircase. Memories of the first time he entered the building flashed through his mind, but he erased the images of the past in order to concentrate on the
