For His Eyes Only by T C Archer Read Free Book Online Page B

boy,” she whispered, “let’s see if you can sniff out any rats.” She sensed Cole’s approach and glanced back. “Stay put.”
    He mumbled something under his breath, but halted. Jesse sighed. Blue Team operatives generally worked alone. On occasion, teams were assembled for assignments outside the charter. She had commanded such a mission and the men hadn’t taken to a female leader. She could imagine how Cole must feel. He probably hadn’t imagined a woman like her existed, much less considered the possibility he’d take orders from one.
    Lancelot followed her as they approached the first door on the left. The dog remained calm. They neared the second door, and still no growls. The same with the last door on the right. She looked back at Cole and motioned for him to follow.
    He reached her side and bent his ear so close his breath washed over her cheek as she whispered, “Wait here. I’ll see what’s ahead.”
    He straightened and leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and brows raised. Jesse grasped Lancelot’s collar and started forward. They reached the end of the hall. She stopped and peered around the edge of the wall. Straight ahead, half of the waiting room lay visible. She spotted the building’s main entrance. Where was the other exit? Jesse glanced at the dog. He remained impassive. She waved Cole forward. He tread lightly in those damned cowboy boots and came up alongside.
    “ Don’t you think you’re overdoing this?” he whispered.
    “ Where’s the other door?” she demanded.
    He motioned to the waiting room wall not visible from her position. “There’s an employee’s entrance in the secretary’s office.”
    “ Can we enter the office through the waiting room?”
    He nodded.
    The employee’s entrance sounded better than the front door. “Let’s go.”
    They crept into the waiting room, then toward the secretary’s office. If they made it out the back, the men would follow. Would they come back for Rayburn? His would be a publicity-generating death. Maybe they wouldn’t take the risk. Or maybe he was already dead. She repressed a grimace when her empty stomach burned with stress.
    They made it through the waiting room and into the office.
    “ I don’t think there’s anybody here,” Cole whispered.
    “ They’re here,” Jesse replied. “When we open this door, where are we?”
    “ There’s a small parking lot and a path connecting the office with the house.”
    Jesse released a frustrated breath. An open parking lot and back yard . “Stay here.”
    She started for the door, but got only three steps when Lancelot growled, then barked. Jesse lunged against the wall two feet from the door. Pain flashed up her leg.
    The door swung open, banging the wall inches from her shoulder. The muzzle of a Romanian Ratmil nine millimeter poked into the room.
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Jesse’s heart leaped into a furious rhythm. The weapon had a three round burst capability. Who the hell were they expecting? Then she realized: her .
    Cole dove into the waiting room and rolled from view as expertly as any professional. Lancelot lunged forward at the same time Jesse swung the door closed. The Shepherd skidded to a halt as she slammed the door on the shooter’s arm. The man held tight to the weapon and Jesse heaved her weight against the door. He grunted and yanked in an effort to free himself. Three shots zipped past her ear and through the waiting room wall. She winced. Her heart beat faster, irritating the dull pain spreading through her injured shoulder.
    Lancelot barked with breathless intensity. Jesse grabbed the gun muzzle, shoving as she kicked the door open. The shooter stumbled backwards. He crashed onto his back still gripping the nine-millimeter. Lancelot charged past and pounced on him, locking the man’s free arm in a canine grip. She rushed forward as the intruder leveled the nine millimeter on her. She kicked, catching the barrel’s edge. The gun