Chapter 62

CHAPTER 62

W e rolled into town half a minute after Pike, deadly silent, the electric motor performing stealthily and with lights off. We came down State Street, straight toward Oddities. Luke was standing up through the sunroof, the Barrett to his shoulder, peering through a thermal scope on top.

I paused halfway down State Street. I had an earbud in and Pike had just updated me that Rose had gone into Oddities and given us all the two-minute hack. I checked the thermal drone display.

I updated Luke. "Three hot in Oddities. That will be Rose, Poppy, and Serena. One in the SUV. One still on rooftop to your right front.

"Got ‘em," Luke confirmed. "ROE?"

He was asking about the rules of engagement. Whether he should start shooting or wait to be shot at. Which was something we should have agreed on before crossing the line of contact. I had no idea what Oz and Pike's ROE had been, but Poppy and Rose were in there with a crazy woman, so I didn't want any shooting until absolutely necessary.

"Weapons tight."

"Roger that," Luke said .

Pike's voice crackled in my ear. "I see you. Ninety seconds. No movement in the SUV."

"We're rolling," I said to both Pike over the phone and Luke in the hatch.

I drove the minivan slowly down State Street to get closer. I had a lot of faith in Rose, but faith didn't trump firepower.