Page 178 of Protecting You
All wrapped up in winter gear. Their faces hidden.
More decoys, meant to confuse Ghazi and his people. Convince them all was well. No need to panic.
No need to kill anybody.
Callan figured another ten, fifteen miracles, and this just might work.
Please, God. Please, let it work.
“They’re on land,” Grant said through the earpiece in Callan’s ear.
He was itching to go. To get Alyssa and Peri in his arms.
But still, they waited.
And then, just as the engine rumbled to life, Grant said, “It’s time.”
Meaning the state police had docked and were headed to the house.
Whatever happened now, it would be over soon enough.
Please, protect them, Father. The soldiers, the cops.
The ones I love.
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
“Time’s up.” Ghazi clamped a hand on Alyssa’s shoulder and squeezed. “Benson, grab the girl.”
“No, don’t,” Alyssa said. “I think I’ve got it.”
He squeezed harder. “How long have you had it?”
She didn’t answer, just typed. Slipping through the window the SJSS programmer had left cracked.
On the second screen, the interface opened. Giving Ghazi access to every attack drone the government contractor had ever built.
“Out of the way.” To Benson, he said, “Get Spencer in here, and have Eckel take over for him.”
Benson slipped out.
“Move onto the bed,” Ghazi said.
Alyssa reached down and pulled the child out from beneath the desk, ignoring the strain in her back from the awkward angle. She reclined on the bed, back against the wall, with Peri in her arms.
The child barely reacted, never opening her eyes. Was she such a sound sleeper, or was the Lord keeping her asleep? Either way, Alyssa thanked Him.
The young, skinny guy who must be Spencer stepped into the bedroom and settled at the desk.
Ghazi watched over his shoulder. “Well?”
He was tapping, tapping. “She got us in. I need a minute to get familiar with it.”
Ghazi turned to Alyssa, smiling. “You’ve saved yourself and your little friend some pain. I hope that eases your conscience, knowing that thousands will die because of you.” He pulled out a handgun.
She gasped.
She’d known, of course, that he planned to kill her. But already? Just like that?
