Page 57 of Seaside Strangers
He turned and walked back toward the house he’d been using for cover, two lots down from his target. The narrow path between the dunes led up to the patio and driveway—the same way he’d come in. At the top, he glanced over his shoulder. The patrol truck had parked near a jetty, the two men settling in like they planned to stay a while.
Damn it.
He continued along the path, cut across the street, and reached the Explorer. Goon One looked over from the passenger seat as Leo climbed into the back.
“What’re you doing back here?”
“Got pushed off the beach by the cops. Have to wait until they leave before I can get back in position.”
The man’s expression twisted in annoyance as Leo leaned back against the seat, keeping his thoughts to himself. No point stirring things up now. There’d be time enough for that later.
An hour after being kicked off the beach, the patrol vehicle was gone, and their friend from Chicago had returned to his post, this time farther down on a jetty.
Brian called to update KC. The other two had pulled off surveillance, driven into town, and stopped at the local deli. Not long after, they came back with food and parked in the same spot along the road.
Inside, T3, Trouble, and Sean stayed out of sight while KC and “Moriah” stepped onto the porch.They kept their bodies angled so the man on the beach would only see Peanut from behind. Leaning against the railing, they passed a few minutes with casual, meaningless conversation.
A moment later, Sean came out of the house carrying his overnight bag and briefcase—the case now holding two communication headsets—and made a show of saying his goodbyes. As he headed down the steps toward the street where his rental sat, KC and Peanut went back inside.
From the window, Trouble kept watch through the blinds. “He’s on the phone. Probably telling his buddies you and Moriah are still here and alone.”
Peanut pulled off the wig and changed into black tactical clothes. KC dropped onto the couch, forcing himself to relax even though every instinct pushed him to end this sooner rather than later.
“Good,” he said. “Sean will hook up with Brian. If these idiots are as predictable as they look, two will come in, while one stays with the vehicle. We’ll handle the ones inside. My brothers will take out the driver.”
Having known the Malones a long time and trusting them, Sheriff Griffin had agreed to keep patrols off their road unless something wentwrong. Brian would give him the signal when things started.
They settled in to wait.
Time dragged. The overcast sky kept the light flat, and as the afternoon wore on, the area grew quieter. Fewer cars passed along the road, and pedestrians and bicyclists had all but disappeared. The beach was deserted, too, except for their lone observer.
Inside the beach house, they stayed relaxed, but the watch never lapsed. One man remained at the window at all times, eyes on the guy out on the jetty, then traded off with the next without needing to say a word. Updates remained brief and low-key, enough to keep everyone informed.
KC moved through the kitchen with purpose. Between him and Moriah, they’d stocked the place well enough for a few days, so there was enough food for everyone. He put together a few sandwiches, set them on the counter with chips, then grabbed drinks from the fridge and passed everything out as the others rotated through.
At one point, they fired up the gaming console, and for a while, the low hum of the system and low-volume sounds from the TV filled the room. They played in short bursts, passing thecontroller when it was time to take over at the window. Even then, whoever wasn’t watching stayed aware, listening for any change from the man on watch.
Conversation came and went—nothing important, just enough to pass the time. They settled into a rhythm—watch, switch, and wait.
As evening crept in, the gray sky darkened further, and the road out front grew quiet.
One by one, they fitted their comm sets into place, the small microphones resting along their cheekbones. Everything was ready.
Now it was up to the men from Chicago to make their move.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Boredom hadLeo itching for something to happen—he was ready to scream. While he sat out on the windy beach, Goon Two had taken over watching the front of the house from the SUV, leaving Leo stuck with the cold, damp sand again. Goon One was probably still stretched out in the passenger seat, catching some sleep.
Shivering, Leo shifted his stance and stared at the house again. He couldn’t understand why anyone would choose to live by the beach in a place that was so quiet. It dragged on him. He wanted noise, movement—something alive. Chicago fit him better, where the streets never really went still. Earlier, a few people had walked along the shoreline,but now it looked abandoned. Nothing moved out there, and the silence was wearing on him.
That would change soon enough.
He let out a low breath, a grin tugging at his mouth as he thought about what was coming. The guy Moriah had been with on the porch earlier would be the first problem to deal with. After that, he’d make sure she gave up what he wanted. He wasn’t in a hurry. Not after everything this mess had cost him.
He yawned and stretched out his arms and legs. The steady rhythm of the waves had started to make him drowsy. Rolling his neck, he pulled out his phone and checked the time. More had passed than he’d realized.
It was a little after nine and dark enough. The cloud cover would also work in their favor, keeping them out of sight as they moved in.
