An Unlikely Hero (1) Read Free Page B

appear to be going.” He clenched his fist and banged it down on the metal shelf protruding out over his legs.
    “Take it easy, Chase!” Tony peered closer at the monitor and smiled. “Kind of a looker, don’t you think?”
    “There may be a bomb over there, remember? Get your brains out of your pants for once.” Chase glanced over at the smirking agent and frowned. “Seriously.”
    Tony only shrugged as he leaned back and checked his gun strapped under his arm. “Good thing the police got that tip last night about some kind of fireworks going off in the neighborhood or we could be in deep…”
    “Why the hell isn’t she going with them?” Chase was a people watcher. It didn’t take him long to know something was amiss with the “Cleavers.” Their body language spoke volumes. The little girl clung to her mother with one arm while wiping at a tear with the other as the mother kissed and spoke lovingly to her. The man patted his daughter, and then took her to her car seat where she was snuggly fastened in. He then turned and kissed his wife shortly on the lips, said something, then quickly jumped in the SUV and backed out of the driveway where he disappeared down the street and out of the subdivision.
    Tony looked more closely at the monitor. “I know one thing for sure-if that sweet thing was my wife, I wouldn’t be just givin’ her a peck on the mouth.”
    Chase watched the woman stand rigidly as her family faded from sight when he realized she was staring at the van. A bewildered look caused her brow to crease as she shaded her eyes to block the glare of the warm California sun. But in a moment she’d come to terms with whatever tumbled in her imagination and retreated into the house.
    “Whoops! We’ve been made, Chase. Mrs. Scott is phoning the police!” Tony grinned and patched into her phone line. “Grass Valley police. Yes. Not a problem. We’ll send a car around right away.” Tony disconnected. “She could be trouble.”
    “Move the van down the street. Have Thomas bring the truck around and I’ll get in after I have a look around. Police reports say something shot into the sky and disappeared in this area. This place would be on the right trajectory for it to land.”
    Tony started the van. “Too bad we didn’t get the report until this morning. Whoever shot that thing off was long gone by the time Enigma raided the house. If we hadn’t got a lucky break about that missing radioactive material in L.A. we’d never even give this a second look. Finger prints are being run but the boss doesn’t expect they were that sloppy.”
    “Probably burned their prints off before they started the job.” Chase frowned. “Looked like whoever it was left in a hurry. Neighbors didn’t seem to know much about them but why would they? That section is made up of blue collar workers. This area,” Chase lifted his chin as he stared at the Scott house, “smells of money, nannies and once a week gardeners. Our little Grass Valley housewife over there can smell trouble a mile away. She’s probably president of the neighborhood watch committee.”
    Satisfied that the police would take care of the suspicious van across the street, Tessa eyed the swaying flowerbeds in the backyard with pride. Hard work and a green thumb had transformed a lifeless space into a calming retreat that her family cherished and friends admired. The explosion of reds, yellows and purples breathed life into every corner of the acre she called home. White vinca and snow-on-the-mountain outlined every mulched bed and walkway. The tall white picket fence separated the Scotts from a grouchy neighbor, but even he could often be spotted admiring the beautiful, almost wistful atmosphere that Tessa had created. It was during this moment’s pause that something caught her eye in the flowerbed. Whatever it was, the sun bounced off its metallic finish and caused Tessa to squint.
    Walking to the object sticking out from one of her prized tea