her phone out. Covering the light from the tiny screen, she searched her contacts and made a call with her fingers crossed.
Just as a voice answered, she heard the sound of breaking glass.
“Hello? Summer?”
“Stan? Help.”
31
Everything happened at once.
A thunderbolt of hyperawareness lit him up and stole the breath from his lungs.
His father was watching the front of the Gerry’s house. He called from his lookout post, “Arnie, something’s happening.”
Before he could react, Stan ran into the room. “The backyard lights are out. I heard popping sounds. Might have been a from a pistol.” He sucked air into his heaving chest. “And Summer called. She needs help.”
Swiftly pulling on the black mask, Arnie issued commands. “Stan. The flash devices. Exactly as Milo instructed. Time them carefully. Green, yellow, and red.”
“Understood.”
“Dad?” Arnie sighed, and said, “Sorry.” He took the gun out of his waistband and handed it off. “Whatever you do, don’t shoot. Let me handle things.”
Having previously gone over everyone’s role in detail, they moved out in silence. It felt like he was back in the war, leading a squad into danger. He gestured to Stan. His brother was to move across the front of the house, get eyes on whatever he could through the windows, and then slip down the side.
Arnie signaled to his dad, and they stealthily snuck through the Gerry’s privacy fence. Right away, he noticed the outside door was slightly ajar. He pointed at it and stared intently at his father. Did Summer slip out?
His father’s head shook twice. He mimed his hands on a steering wheel, and Arnie nodded his understanding. If she slipped out, it wasn’t to go for a leisurely stroll. Summer’s car was still in the driveway. They’d seen it just now.
Inside the small vestibule, he had a decision to make. After touching the doorknobs for both residences and finding each unlocked, he clenched his jaw.
What was the possibility of Summer knowing she was in danger and taking action?
Well, she went into hiding right after Giselle made her threat, so the probability was high.
He motioned to the guesthouse and took two steps toward the main house. His dad motioned a thumbs-up and quietly opened the snowman-covered door. He slipped inside, and Arnie did the same, quietly entering the Gerry’s home.
Moving cautiously from room to room, he spied broken glass in a back hallway and froze. A window was wide open. At least one person was inside the house.
What would Summer do? Where would she go to evade danger?
He recalled every detail of the Gerry’s property. The broken window was near the side of the house—the side without adequate security.
The likelihood of more than one intruder grew exponentially.
Creeping farther into the dark hallway with his senses on high alert, he peeked around a half-open door, detected nothing, and moved on.
A sound rendered him motionless. Where had it come from? A grunt followed by a thud sent him forward at Mach speed. At the exact second the first flash device went off outside, he burst through the half-open door.
Two figures, both wearing black, were scuffling near the open door to the side patio. His nose detected a sweet chemical scent. Arnie moved closer, identified the unmistakable smell of cheap chloroform, and realized he was dealing with a rank amateur. The knockout chemical had more legend than effectiveness. One whiff did not put anyone on the floor. For it to work, continual exposure was necessary.
The scene became a fright movie when the terrifying screeches of an angry feline cut through the air. The scuffle went supersonic. He struggled to see in the darkness but only got a glimpse of a house cat using its claws to shred one of the black-clad figure’s legs.
Howls of pain cut through the darkness, followed by the howler screaming, “You bitch!”
The person backed away and into the shifting moonlight streaming in through the door.
Arnie’s mouth dropped. A stranger with bloody scratches on one cheek was pulling a knitting needle out of his shoulder.
Arnie realized the other black-wearing figure was Summer when she screamed, “Fuck you, Todd,” and lunged at him.
In the changing darkness, the only way to pick out two distinct bodies was to follow Summer’s golden head. She was on fire but so was her assailant. The scuffle continued for a few seconds until the second flash device exploded. This time, the windows rattled, and the air filled with smoke.
He seized the moment and sprang into action. Stopping the brawl with his unexpected presence, he took advantage of their surprise.