Hello My Angel - Sue Brown Page 0,59

laugh.

“Thank God you never suggested that to his face. You’d have never got out of there alive.” Cal actually shuddered.

“You’re such a snob,” Josh teased.

Cal snorted. “I’m Sir Gideon’s nephew.”

No lights were obviously on despite the approaching twilight and he couldn’t see any cars in the driveway.

“It looks unoccupied,” Josh said, disappointment in his tone.

“Max said they used to spend most of the time around the back.”

Max had proved a vital source of intel about each house. They really needed to find a way to keep him once this was all over.

“You never came here?” Josh asked.

Cal shook his head. “I only saw Weatherly in the office. She was my boss, not a social acquaintance.” He paused. “That’s not quite true. I saw her at Waterslea a few times but that was all. I should’ve thought about this place sooner.”

“We’ve been kinda busy,” Josh pointed out.

“True.”

They were silent until Dave parked and they met up with Rick and Gil. They were all dressed in black. Josh thought it looked more like the gathering for a funeral than a rescue mission.

Cal glanced at each of them. “Ready?”

They nodded. His gaze lingered on Josh. “Ready, my angel?”

“Let’s just find her,” he said grimly.

It was what would be left of Weatherly when they found her that worried him.

Cal squeezed his shoulder and they set off for the entrance down the side of the property.

They’d discovered it studying the plans; a small gate which led to the side door of the house. It was shielded by large trees and the garage. Gil bypassed the alarm on the gate with a muttered, “Amateurs.”

If they got out of this alive, Josh was going to have a long talk with Weatherly about her security.

Cal gestured to a square brick building and Dave nodded. They split up, Josh and Cal heading to the house, the others heading to the garage. They’d almost reached the side door when Dave spoke in their ear.

“There’s a Nissan Micra in the garage. The bonnet is warm. Also Weatherly’s Merc. It looks like it’s been unused for a while. And guess what? There’s another blue Fiat 500.”

Josh looked at Cal. “She obviously likes the car.”

Cal grimaced and tried the door handle. It was unlocked and Cal cautiously pushed the door open.

“We’re going in,” he murmured. “Max, do you copy?”

“Copy that,” Max said, sounding more awake than before. “The kitchen is on the left, the living room’s on the right, and there’ll be a small staircase ahead.”

“We’ll check upstairs first,” Cal said.

Josh grabbed Cal’s arm. “I can hear voices. I’m not sure where from.”

They listened but it was hard to pinpoint the direction of the voices or even whether it was a man or woman speaking. Then Josh spotted a small ornate grate in a wall. He pointed it out to Cal who nodded. The voices could be coming from anywhere in the house.

“Let’s stick to the plan,” Cal muttered and led the way upstairs.

Josh followed him, admiring how light-footed Cal was despite his height and bulk. He licked his lips at the sight of Cal’s tight ass just level with his eyes.

Cal stopped, turning to look down at Josh. “You’re staring at my bum, aren’t you?”

Josh thought about denying it, but what was the point? Cal had a stunning butt. “Yup.”

“Keep your mind on the job,” Cal admonished.

“I can multi-task, boss. I’m good at that.”

“I know, Angel. I know.”

Cal leered at him before walking up the stairs again. Josh grinned as he ogled Cal’s ass some more.

As they went through each bedroom, Josh could see why Sir Gideon had coveted this place. The top floor wasn’t huge but each bedroom was immaculately decorated in a style which could have stepped out of the Edwardian era. He had a sudden flashback to being in Philip Barton’s country home and thinking his mom would love to visit. Likewise this one. One day when the world wasn’t coming to an end, he would bring his mom over.

If he survived today.

He bumped into Cal who’d stopped in his tracks.

“Charlie?”

“Quiet. There’s someone up here.”

Josh listened. Cal was right. He could hear light footsteps coming from the master bedroom. Cal pointed to the door and Josh nodded. He eased it open and went through, Josh on his heels. The room was a study in oak paneling, the center piece a huge four poster bed with burgundy draperies, but that wasn’t what attracted Josh’s attention. He was focused on a slender dark-clothed figure who pointed a pistol at them.

Josh’s jaw