Jack On a Wire by Diane Capri

Author:Diane Capri
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Lee Child;Jack Reacher;Kim Otto;vigilante justice;conspiracy thriller series;financial military thriller;FBI police procedural;serial killer
Publisher: AugustBooks
Published: 2024-02-16T15:32:51+00:00

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Chapter 23

Monday, June 20

Upstate Vermont

With headlights already off and windows lowered to hear threatening noises, the driver squelched the ignition and rolled the white van silently into the gravel driveway. The damp morning air wafted inside the van carrying the mixed scents of the surrounding forest.

The home was secluded in rural Northern Vermont.

“Are you sure this is the right house?” the driver asked for the tenth time. “We could be approaching innocent civilians. We need to be certain.”

The shooter refused to listen to any more nonsense. “Aborting the mission is not an option. Pressing forward is the only way. We’ve been over this.”

“Civilian casualties will bring never-ending heat down on us, you know that,” the driver said, adrenaline roughening his voice like heavy grit sandpaper.

“All we need to do is get into the house without alarming any local residents who might be out birdwatching or whatever these yokels do up here,” the shooter insisted, patience wearing thin. “Stop talking. She’ll hear you.”

They had attached stolen magnetic signs to the van’s steel side panels impersonating Green Mountain Electric. That detail had also been the shooter’s plan. He was devious. And clever. Which had served them well so far.

The driver rolled to a stop and moved the transmission into park as quietly as possible.

“Ready?” the shooter asked, slipping the counterfeit Green Mountain Electric cap onto his head.

The caps matched the green overalls and green paper booties they’d donned to cover their clothes and shoes.

Both were the shooter’s idea. The costumes suggested authenticity and would reduce the risk of forensic evidence they might inadvertently leave inside the house.

Better to be too careful than too sloppy.

“Yeah.” The driver pulled his cap on and gave a quick nod in response.

The shooter, younger and leaner, placed his feet carefully and firmly on the gravel. Ready to go.

The driver stepped out of the van slowly, experience evident in his steady, assessing gaze. He scanned the perimeter silently. He signaled that he noticed nothing amiss.

They made their way to the door, porch wood creaking under their weight.

The driver raised one gloved hand to ring the doorbell. The chime sounded loudly inside and echoed through the still morning air.

Nora Ramsey, a striking woman in her late forties, opened the door. She was dressed for the day already. Which meant she could have been watching as the van approached.

Her gaze was sharp and alert as she studied them with frank curiosity.

“Can I help you?” she inquired, her voice clear, poised.

She held her right arm slightly behind her, hand out of sight. She could have been holding a pistol.

A woman living alone in the woods was likely to know how to defend herself. Which was a contingency they’d planned for. But they needed to get inside the house first.

“Good morning, ma’am.” The driver offered a friendly but apologetic smile as he touched the bill of his cap politely. “We’re from Green Mountain Electric. There’s been a report of faulty wiring in the area. We need to check your house.”

Ramsey’s brow furrowed.

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