Private Rogue

Chapter 57

Fear conquered Justine’s grief. She stepped away from Beth and went over to Taft, who studied the iPad.

“Roni, can you bring the kids in here?” Jessie said.

She nodded and ducked into the living room. “Come on, guys. We need to go back,” she said. A moment later she appeared at the door with Danny and Maria and ushered them into the family room.

“Where are they?” Justine asked, peering at the iPad.

“We’ve had two triggered at the back on the outer perimeter, either side of the property. Looks like they came along the beach.”

He pointed to an on-screen digital representation of the property. Two markers near the waterline were flashing red.

“Could it be someone walking a dog along the beach?”

“It’s private,” Taft replied. “Shouldn’t be anyone out there. And...”

He stopped talking and gestured to the screen where a third marker, this one further into the garden, had been activated. “We’ve got another one.”

“We need to get to the cars,” Justine said.

Jessie nodded.

“What’s happening, Mom?” Maria asked.

“We’ve got to leave,” Jessie said, before Beth could answer.

Justine wracked her mind, replaying the journey from Manhattan. Had she and Jessie been so wrapped in grief they’d slipped up and failed to notice they were being followed? Or had their location been compromised some other way? She had no doubt whoever was out there wanted Beth and the children.

“I’ll take point,” Taft said, producing a Glock 19.

Maria gasped and looked at her mom.

“It’s OK, honey,” Beth assured her.

Justine wasn’t a fan of guns, but she was glad to see one at that moment.

“Alvarez, you watch our six,” Taft said.

“We’ll split for the vehicles,” Jessie added. “Beth, you come with me and Jim. Justine, you take Maria and Danny in the Suburban with Roni.”

“I’m not leaving my children,” Beth said firmly.

“We need to separate the targets,” Jessie replied. “It’s too great a risk for you all to be in the same car.”

“I am not leaving them!” Beth shouted.

Jessie shook her head. “OK. Beth, Maria and Danny come with Jim and me. Let’s move.”

Justine nodded and fell in beside Maria, who looked up anxiously. Justine smiled at her but got no response.

They followed Taft to the front door. He checked the windows either side, gave the thumbs-up, and opened the door. There was a crack and a whistling sound. Taft clutched his throat and fell to his knees: he’d been shot in the neck.