The Murder That Never Was (Forensic Instincts 5)

“Which means our point of entry should be in the living quarters, not the sleeping quarters. Now we just need to figure out the most desolate area, and the one closest to the lake.”

“Yup. That’s why I’ll be covering all our bases and leaving as little to chance as possible.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I’m going to get as accurate a handle on where the most security is located before I let you two loose.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“Get where?” Marc’s head snapped around. “We’re meeting Aidan at the warehouse he instructed us to. Not on Lubinov’s grounds. Remember?”

“I remember. But you and I are making a quick stop on Lubinov’s turf. We’ve got the time. Aidan hasn’t even gotten to Burlington yet. And I have some of my own recon to do. So when we get to the fork in the road about a mile down, veer left.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The expansive grounds surrounding Lubinov’s mansion were utterly dark and equally still. The house was secreted behind groves and groves of trees, set so far back from the road that it would be invisible to a passerby.

A perfect place for top-secret experimentation.

Marc maneuvered the van just inside the property line and into a hidden recess in the wooded area that was a considerable distance from the dwellings.

“Okay, Ryan, this is as far as we go. Whatever it is you have in mind, it better be fast, and it better be from here. I’ve indulged you because you swore you’d get crucial data for us. But th

is is where I draw the line.”

“No sweat. I’ll go the rest of the way by foot.” Ryan had climbed into the back of the van and was rummaging around in his duffel bag. “Here,” he announced.

Before Marc could continue his tirade, Ryan pulled out a bird-like drone with a broad wingspan and a brown underside.

“Is that an owl?” Marc asked.

“Sure is.” Ryan grinned. “Meet Hooter—Bee’s big brother in flight.”

“Give me a break.” Marc shook his head. “Only you would think of naming your drone Hooter.”

“Hey. Show some respect. Hooter is going to surveil Lubinov’s property and take videos that will provide us with a map you and Aidan need to follow. He’s a nighttime drone—no moon, no problem. And he has infrared video camera capability.”

Ryan continued, as if Marc weren’t thoroughly familiar with infrared technology from his night vision training.

“Infrared detects warm objects relative to their surroundings,” he explained. “So humans and animals outside the house will show up as bright spots. Buildings, assuming they’re warmer than their surroundings—pretty much a given at this time of night—will show up, as well. Most important, so will security guards, who, obviously, need to be avoided. Like I said, no moon, no problem.”

“Thanks for the brush up course. Still, I have to admit I’m impressed with what you’ve built with your owl drone. Except for one caveat—distance. How close do you need to get for Hooter to do his job? Because, like I said, we’re not moving in. We have no idea how much security is stationed on the grounds. Lubinov’s not going to situate himself in such an isolated locale and then leave the place unguarded. If we thought he would, then Aidan and I wouldn’t have devised such an elaborate plan to get inside the house. We’d just kick the door down and walk in.”

“I won’t have to get close to the buildings,” Ryan replied. “Just close enough to use Hooter. Unlike Bee, he flies from a distance. Not to worry.” He gathered up the drone and its controls. “He’ll only have a few passes before he’s noticed. So it’s a good thing I made him as accurate as I did. Be back in a few minutes.”

“I’m going with you,” Marc said, unfastening his seat belt.

“That’s not necessary.”

“Yeah, it’s necessary. You may be a tech genius, but you’re an arrogant asshole. I’m a former Navy SEAL. SEAL outranks ego. You’re only getting a little wiggle room. My lead. Our getting killed won’t do Emma any good.”

“Killed.” Just tasting the word on his tongue seemed to give Ryan a cold dose of reality.

“Yes, Ryan, killed.” Marc’s jaw set. “Did you think we were watching some thriller movie? This is real. Now stop yammering, and let’s get this done.”

They stayed low to the ground and only went as far as Marc would allow.