State of Pursuit by Summer Lane Read Free Book Online

outside, getting ready. I’m waiting for my Lieutenants to meet me here. I need to speak to them privately before we leave this place.
    Because when we leave…we might not be coming back.
    Morbid, but true.
    “What’s up, boss?” Derek asks as he saunters into the room, his rifle over his shoulder, pack on his back. “Bad news?”
    “No,” I reply.
    Uriah, Vera, and Andrew enter the room right behind him, geared up and ready to go.
    “You’re going to need to travel as lightly as possible,” I say. “We’re not driving into Los Angeles, it’s too dangerous. And we can’t fly, either.”
    “So how are we getting
in
, Hart?” Vera snaps. “We can’t just appear there.”
    “I’ll show you,” I say.
    We take a long hallway toward the back of the building, exiting into the backyard. Only
this
backyard ismassive. An empty swimming pool fed by a natural spring is wedged between lavish landscaping – exotic shrubbery and marble water fountains.
    “Geez
Louise
,” Derek says. “How rich
was
Arlene?”
    “Very rich,” Manny replies. “Her family raised cattle for over a hundred years. Good salt-of-the-earth people.”
    “How do you know her family?” I ask.
    “We go back a long way. I’ll tell you the story sometime.”
    “Fair enough.”
    In the back of the property, the stables stand tall and proud. The building is beautiful, and once we enter the side door, I smell straw and livestock. It’s a comforting scent. One that reminds me of my time spent with Chris and his family last Christmas. Before their farm was burned to the ground.
    The interior is glowing with lamplight. Beautiful horses snort and shake their heads in their stalls. Maybe they’re not used to having this many people in their living space.
    Sorry, guys.
    “Oh, my God…” Vera mutters. “Horses. We’re taking horses.”
    “It’s the tactical edge we need,” Manny exclaims. “And fortunately for you, I know everything there is to know about horseback riding. You’re welcome.”
    “We’re going to die on these things,” Vera sighs.
    “Not likely,” I reply. “United States Special Forces used horses in Afghanistan. They’re tough, they make good time, they’re pretty much all-terrain…and they’ll get us in and out of the city undetected.”
    “Not a bad idea,” Andrew remarks.
    “Not bad at all,” Uriah adds.
    Vera slowly, hesitantly strokes the nose of a toffee-colored horse. She’s smiling, peaceful. When she catches me watching her, she hardens.
    “So,” she says. “What now?”
    “We saddle up, obviously,” Manny replies. He pats the cheek of a brown-hued horse. “Take only the necessary items. Weapons, food, ammo and water. You’ve all got tactical medical kits on your person, so besides that…you should be set. Keep it light, boys and girls.”
    “We brought a ton of supplies in the Humvees,” Derek comments, “and there’s no way we’re going to be able to take all of it on horseback. My RPG is going to have to stay behind.”
    He looks utterly crushed.
    “It’ll be okay, Derek,” I say, squeezing his shoulder. “We can’t use an RPG in downtown Los Angeles, anyway. It’s not exactly discreet.”
    “No.” He grins. “But it would be
awesome
.”
    “Manny,” I say in a low voice, “you’re going to have to walk me through this. I’ve never been on a horse before.”
    “Girl, believe me when I say that
you
more than anyone else here is capable of riding a horse,” Manny answers. He presses my hand against the forehead of his horse. “This is Katana. She’s my favorite of the lot, and the most even-tempered. She’s best suited for you.”
    “Oh.” I peek around the side of Katana’s head, studying her huge, long lashed brown eyes. “Hey, girl. Nice to meet you.”
    Katana nickers a soft, breathy nuzzle in response.
    “The secret of horseback riding is simple,” Manny begins. Arlene strides into the room with a bucket of water, sets it down near Katana’s stall, and