Nowhere to Run - Chapter 12

Michael watched the house from the woods. From his vantage point he could see the back and side doors. Bart had gone out a few minutes ago got into the old ford and driven away. Michael guessed his work here was done.  For now. He also knew the bastard would be back when it was party time. That’s what Bart always said when it was time to inflict his sick interrogation skills on some unsuspecting victim. Party time. Michael's stomach clenched at the thought.

     The house looked quiet now. Twilight had come and the shadows around the house had deepened.  Soon he would make his move, when the cover of darkness would mask his approach. He could see a shadow moving about the kitchen and two sentries that were stationed around the perimeter of the yard. Almost invisible to the untrained eye. Watching, waiting for intruders. Waiting for him.  If they were going to kill Evie, they would have done it right away, these guys don’t mess around. There is never a move made that doesn’t have a reason behind it. They brought her here to flush him out. They were counting on him coming for her.

     Michael’s lips hardened into a thin line as he realized they knew him a bit too well. And that could be his downfall. But Evie was waiting and he was going to get her out or die trying.  And just in case, he still had the Glock.

The moon disappeared behind clouds as he watched the sentry pass by. The man was barely discernable in the darkness. It was time.

Staying low Michael made his way stealthily across the yard and took cover behind the first car. He reached though the open window and popped the trunk. Lifting out a crowbar, he laid it on the ground next to him. A further search of the trunk gave up a bolt cutter.

“Perfect.” He said.

Keeping low, Michael made his way to the side of the house and ducked behind a thick cluster of bushes as the sentry made another pass. Once he was gone, the bolt cutters made quick work of the electric. When heard a faint curse as the lights went out, Janerone knew he was here.

God help them both.

     Michael scaled the drainpipe with the ease of a jungle cat, reaching the roof and levering himself up to the second level. He lay flat out on the roof so he wouldn’t be seen from the ground below. Men were shouting in the yard, calling to one another.  When he was sure they were gone he got to his feet, crouching low to slink along the roofline. He moved between the shadows and chose a window near the back of the house.  It was used as a storage room last time he was here and he hoped that hadn’t changed.  He had the window jimmied open within seconds and slipped in without making a sound.  With the Glock in one hand and a penlight in the other.  A quick scan of the room showed it was still storage.  Old manuals, books, extra cots and equipment.

     Soundlessly, Michael cracked open the door to the hallway.  He could hear voices downstairs, but before he dealt with them, he conducted a quick search of the upstairs. All rooms empty.  All available men were probably searching the grounds for him.  And there was sure to be one guarding Evie, probably another one or two in the house with Janerone, and he had counted three in the yard.  That made six, possibly seven men total. Not good odds. And Black Bart could be back any minute.

     Michael crept slowly down the stairs. Voices came from the kitchen and he recognized them immediately, Ned Janerone, underling to the Director and Dick Hartman, an old teammate.     

     “We searched the area sir,” Dick replied. “No sign of him. We found the wires cut on the side of the house, Penrose is attempting to repair them now. Perhaps he chicken out or is waiting to come back later.”

     Janerone laughed mirthlessly, “This is Dimitri Michaels we’re talking about!  I worked with him many times, he’s no coward! He’s here somewhere. Search the grounds again and the house, too!”

     With a quick “yes, sir,” Michael heard the back door opened and slam shut.  Now, as far as he could tell, Janerone was alone in the kitchen. 

     Too bad it was Ned, thought Michael, he worked with Ned a few times. He thought him to be reliable and intelligent but completely gung ho for the Team.  Michael just hoped his weapon skills weren’t as good as he remembered.  Janerone was ex-CIA, multi-talented in intelligence, weapons and strategies.