beach.

 

Puller checked his watch. It was eleven. “Let’s go.” He popped the trunk and

pulled out from his duffel a set of NV goggles. “Good thing I didn’t have my

duffel in the car when we went into the water.” “Yeah, good thing it was just us

in the car,” shot back Knox.

 

They hoofed it as close to Ballard’s place as they could without the possibility

of being seen. Hidden behind a sand dune, Puller powered up his goggles and took

a sweep of the place. “Initial conclusions?” asked Knox a minute later. “My

brother was being quite literal when he called it a fortress.” “Great.” “High

stone walls. Big gate, exterior security, and I’m betting internal sweeps. No

doubt they have electronic surveillance as well.” “Just another quiet, relaxed

day at the beach.” “Paul said he got in there.” “Yeah, well he’s Superman and

Spider-Man rolled into one, remember?” “Let’s time the security sweeps for the

next hour and go from there.” Puller shimmied up a tree and viewed the interior

of the compound’s courtyard.

 

A few minutes later an SUV pulled down the road and the gates opened to admit

it. Puller watched as it swung into the courtyard and backed up to a set of

French doors. Men got out of the vehicle and opened its rear doors.

 

The French doors opened a moment later and Puller watched as a gurney was rolled

out. It was quickly loaded into the back of the SUV.