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"I'm going after your son. I'll need certain equipment to do it."
Hope filled her eyes. "I'm going with you."
"No way," he said firmly. "It's not safe. You need-"
"Don't tell me it's not safe!" She lunged to her feet. "If Justin is there, I'm there. Did you see the terror on his face? Did you see that freak sitting next to him, hiding behind that fucking mask so I can't identify him to the police?"
"A mask?" Lyssa frowned.
"Yeah, Doc. A mask. With black eyes and fake vampire teeth. It scared me just looking at it. I can't imagine what my baby is going through-" Stacey's voice choked into silence.
Co
His jaw tensed as her rejection cut deeply.
"A mask…" Lyssa whispered through white lips. "Oh no!"
Co
The clock was ticking.
Shoving the cell phone in his pocket, Co
Aidan sank into the chair in front of the duffel.
"I'll make coffee," Lyssa said.
"I'm going to pack," Stacey muttered, leaving the kitchen.
Co
He climbed into Lyssa's Roadster and took off.
Chapter 13
The drive from the massive wrought iron security gate to the front of the McDougal mansion was not a short one. It was at least two miles long and it wended up the rather steep hill in a series of sharp turns. Cameras on poles turned their eyes to mark Co
Having seen Aidan's memories, Co
Co
He rounded the circular drive and parked Lyssa's BMW in the parking spot designated with Aidan's name. The main house was located around the next bend. This smaller building was set aside for Aidan's use.
When Aidan was ready to work, a team of six assistants would be on hand to help him. Since he was supposed to be in Mexico, the building was deserted, which suited Co
Pulling Aidan's keys out of his pocket, Co
In some respects, it reminded him of both the rock cavern in the Twilight and the private gallery in the Temple of the Elders where the floor dissolved into multi-colored swirls and glimpses of a starry expanse of space. Fanciful, he knew, to compare this sterile human environment to the mysteries of the Twilight, but he couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu.
Co
They were all charged, due Aidan's lengthy absence, so Co
The level of security utilized by McDougal was astonishing even to a man possessed of Co
"Who are you?"
Co
"Co
"Should I know you, Mr. Bruce?"
Smiling wryly, Co
"Then why are you absconding with my expensive equipment?"
Co
"Ah, yes. You mercenary types are never completely free of danger are you?"
"You're taking this well," Co
"How does Mr. Cross figure into this plan of yours?"
"I brained him and stole his car and keys."
"And you magically know your way around my facility as if you've been here many times?"
"Uh… something like that."
There was a long hesitation, but Co
"Yes, sir. I know that." He caught up the bag and left the room, moving with bold strides down the hall.
"There is a good reason for that."
"I'm sure there is." Co
"I don't allow people to take advantage of me."
The lock mechanism beeped its approval and the pneumatic locks disengaged with a sharp hiss. Co
"I'm riot taking advantage of you, sir." He began pulling handguns from their respective racks and laid them out next to the laptop. "I promise to return everything I'm taking with me today."
"Including Mr. Cross?"
"Especially Cross," Co
"I'm inclined to stop you."
"I'm inclined to make it difficult for you to do so."
"I have a dozen armed men surrounding Cross's vehicle as we speak."
Co
"Hmm… I have a fondness for swords," McDougal said.
"Me, too. I can kick a lot of ass with one. It's not pretty, so I'd prefer to take a more peaceable route, if you don't mind." Working industriously, Co
"You know your way around an armory, Mr. Bruce."
"It's a prerequisite for us mercenary types."
"I could use more men like you," McDougal said, though in truth it was a demand. They both knew Aidan was at his mercy. "I think you owe me for my cooperation, don't you agree?"