hear her master’s voice in her head, echoing words from the famous martial artist Bruce Lee.
Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is uniquely your own.
Sydney planned to do all three.
CHAPTER 30
Dash permitted Bruce to set up a command station in the great room, as long as he was allowed to stay and observe. Operatives had brought in equipment that mapped where Wake Marshall drove. The team leader was in constant contact with his people as he assessed the situation and various cars switched off as they followed at a distance.
Sydney’s phone buzzed from inside Dash’s pocket. He saw Jayla’s name on the screen and answered it, walking out of the room and down the hall to the kitchen in order not to be a distraction. He stopped when he saw Herc finishing up his mac and cheese and lingered in the hallway instead.
“Hi, Jayla. It’s Dash. I guess somehow Sydney and I mistakenly traded phones today.”
“Oh. Well, have you heard from her? Monty’s getting a little antsy since she’s not home yet.”
Bruce had made it clear that no one was to know about Sydney’s kidnapping. Dash hated lying to the assistant but he wanted to follow the security expert’s advice.
“When I left not too long ago, she was still at the studio. She had a few things to do and Ron Sampson wanted to watch the dailies with her. He was concerned about the scenes we shot today with Keely. Both were pretty long so I’m guessing she’s going to be pretty late. Tell Monty about the dailies and Ron’s anxiety over them. If anyone understands, it’ll be Monty. I know Sydney’s shared with him that she really wants a future in directing. That means playing the game and not alienating Ron in any way. He’s the boss. Sydney will jump however high he tells her to right now in order to make the film she wants and be able to keep making films in the future.”
Jayla sighed. “You’re right. I’ll calm Monty down. Get some dinner in him and tuck him in for the night. Thanks, Dash.”
“Tell him hi for me. I’ll stop by and see him soon.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
“Bye.” Dash hung up and returned to the great room. The energy had changed since he’d left minutes ago.
“What’s up?” he asked Bruce.
“They’re slowly making their way in this direction. I’m betting that Sydney wants to be on her home turf. If she’s been able to calm Marshall’s fears, maybe she thinks being in her father’s house will give her an advantage.”
“I just hung up from Monty Revere’s assistant. I didn’t give her a clue about what was happening. Maybe we need to if you think they’ll show up there.”
“I’ve sent a team to sit on the house in case that’s their final destination. If they pull up, my people will apprehend Marshall when he gets out of the car.”
“Then we’re playing a waiting game to see what he does,” Dash said.
“Right.”
Brenda caught his eyes. Dash went over to her at the doorway. They stepped into the entryway.
“I’m going to supervise Herc getting ready for bed,” she said, “but he wanted to tell you goodnight.”
Dash hugged his brother tightly, not wanting to think what might have happened to him if Sydney hadn’t been able to talk Marshall into letting Herc get out of the car. That alone made her Dash’s hero.
“Is Sydney here?” Herc asked, a hopeful tone in his voice. “Or is she with the bad man?”
He couldn’t lie to his brother. “No, Sydney’s not here yet but Bruce and his friends are watching out for her. I know she’ll want to see you soon. Go with Brenda. She’ll read you another chapter in Harry Potter and then you need to hit the sack.”
“Brenda made yummy mac and cheese,” Herc told him. “You need to eat some, Dash.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll heat some up. Thanks for the tip, buddy.” He brushed a kiss on his brother’s head. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Herc replied and left with Brenda.
Dash went back to stand by Bruce and observe.
“They should’ve turned at that intersection,” the operative leader said. “Oh, God. They’re coming here. Listen up, people. Get our SUVs out of the driveway. Now! Team Gamma. Stay put at the Revere house but be on standby. Teams Alpha and Beta, head toward the DeLauria house.” Bruce looked around the room. “Team Delta, be ready.”
Immediately, three security members left the room. Three others remained.
“They’ll make sure everyone in