from us.
“The target is in the parking lot and should be inside the store within a minute,” I said into the communication devices. “Get ready.”
“I’m ready,” Kira said.
“We’re in place,” Bo reported.
“Me, too,” Hala added.
We watched as Remington exited his car and walked toward the entrance. “Target is wearing a tan trench coat,” I said. “Entering now.”
A couple of minutes passed with no sound.
“Excuse me, sir.” I finally heard Frankie speaking through her mic. “I have a few questions about a tablet over there. Can you help me, please?”
“Of course,” the reply came.
I assumed Frankie had moved the associate away from the register, freeing up Kira to talk to Remington. I turned her mic down so I could focus on Kira. Two minutes later, I heard her talking.
“Hello, sir,” Kira said.
“She’s engaged Remington,” I whispered to Wally and Mike, who watched me intently.
“Can I help you find something?” Kira added.
“No,” Remington answered. “I’m just here to buy a couple of burner phones.”
“Well, you’re in luck. We’ve been running a special on prepaid burner phones. Two for one.”
“Really? Which ones?”
“These right here. You came at the right time, because there are only two left. Would you like to purchase them?”
They discussed the price for a moment, and then Remington fell silent. I presumed he was looking over the phones. I prayed Frankie had done a good job of repackaging the ones we’d bought and replaced with our versions, so he didn’t spot anything suspicious.
We all gave a collective sigh when he said, “Okay, I’ll take them.”
“Great. I’ll ring you up over here.”
“No, thanks,” he said. “I need to pick up a couple more things. I’ll pay at the front.”
I exchanged a panicked glance with Wally and Mike.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Kira said smoothly. “They need to be purchased from the electronics register since it’s a special deal.”
There was a pause, and then he must have agreed, because we heard some shuffling noises. I hoped they were headed toward the register.
I checked the audio on the others and discovered Bo had intercepted the associate after he’d left Frankie and was asking him questions about a digital camera.
“Here you go,” I heard Kira say as I turned down Bo’s audio. “Have a nice day.”
A minute later, Kira murmured, “Mission successful.”
I heard a noise from Hala’s device, so I turned it up. “Kira, you have trouble headed your way. Get out now.”
“Kira, get out of there,” I repeated. “You have company coming.”
“It’s store security,” Hala added. “They must have spotted you at the register.”
I heard shuffling noises. “Kira, are you out?”
“Not yet,” came a whisper.
“Bo, Frankie, can either of you help Kira?” I asked. “Diversion, distraction, something to give her time to get out.”
“Go out the back, Kira,” Jax instructed. “Loading zone area. I’ll pull the car around and be ready for you.”
“Kira, go out the back,” I repeated. “Jax will be there.”
“On it,” Kira said.
I was getting dizzy from all the voices coming through. I’d lost track of Remington. “Where’s Remington?” I asked Mike.
“He’s coming out the front entrance now,” Mike answered. “Looks like he’s got a bag in his hand. I hope it’s the phones.”
I peered into the distance and saw him. Like Mike said, he had a bag in his hand.
“Jax, are you in position to get Kira yet?” I asked, turning my attention back to the operation.
“Yes.”
“Ooooooooh.” I heard a loud moan over the comm link and then a thump.
“What was that?” I asked, alarmed.
“Hala,” Bo whispered. “She fainted directly and dramatically in front of the security team. It’s stopped them temporarily. Go now, Kira.”
Now I understood the value of the acting classes Hala was taking. “Good girl,” I said under my breath.
“I’m at the loading zone,” Kira said. “My coat and hat are back on.”
“Go to your left,” Jax said. “I’m parked just out of view of the side security camera.”
Kira didn’t respond, so I hoped that meant she was too busy making her way to Jax.
“Our target just pulled out of parking lot,” Mike said. “Tell everyone the mission is accomplished.”
“Everyone get out now,” I relayed. “Repeat. Withdraw immediately.”
“I’m out,” Kira said. “In the car.”
“Thank goodness.” I exhaled in relief, but there were still three more team members inside. “Where’s Hala?”
“She’s okay,” Bo whispered. “They’re checking on her now. I’ll make sure she and Frankie get out.”
“We’re clear,” Jax chimed in as his car pulled out of the parking lot with Kira safely inside. “See you guys later.”
I shifted in my seat, facing Mike. “Can you hear anything from