Page 57 of Beachcomber Danger

He felt Shana’s eyes on him. She’d heard Peter’s diatribe, but he couldn’t imagine her thoughts, didn’t have time.

“Clear it for you?” Peter said.

“We have Shana and Sassy and their intel is that the Chambers are there. Posing as servers, but I’m not so sure.”

“They talked about it explicitly. They said they were serving—” Shana leaned in and made sure Peter heard her.

“Why aren’t you so sure?” Peter asked.

“No imagination and it would be tough to pull off. The feds used a microscope and examined every aspect of the servers including their DNA. I think they’d have a better shot as posing as guests.”

“They’ve examined the guest list as well.”

“Sure, except for the people who are known celebrities, or people who are insiders, friends of the President and First Lady.”

“You’re telling me they’re posing as someone the President knows.”

“That’s where I’d put my money.”

“Problem is you’re betting with the President’s life.”

There was silence for a few beats.

“We’re arriving in less than five minutes. I’ll meet you at the security back door. I’d appreciate it if you could make sure no one shoots at me.”

“I can’t make any promises. But I’ll talk to Andrews.” The governor ended the call.

“He wasn’t very happy,” Shana said.

“Being in the middle of a shit-storm where the President’s life is at stake will do that to a person.”

“I meant about the part where he yelled at you for breaking out of jail. What did you do?” She didn’t sound mad or accusing. There was no sign of a scowl on her face, but that may have been because her bottom lip was the size of a small balloon animal and she couldn’t make a scowl if threatened at gunpoint.

“I’ll tell you all about it. Some day.”

“I’ll tell you if he doesn’t,” Cap said. Dane looked in the rearview mirror and noticed Sassy was asleep. With any luck, she would stay that way and miss the show.

Without slowing down, Dane veered the car left into a long drive leading to the back of the estate. There was a black SUV ahead across the drive and two armed agents standing by.

“Checkpoint number two. Reminds me of Iraq.” Dane stopped the car and hoped to hell Peter had talked fast or they were in trouble.

Cap got out of the car first and Dane didn’t move.

“I’ll get out and help.” Shana asked.

“Can’t hurt.”

Shana shoved the door open. Dane looked at his watch. Seven forty-five. Damn.

Cap spoke with the two agents and Shana joined them as Dane watched, but the SUV hadn’t moved and the agents hadn’t budged after nearly half a minute. Dane was contemplating his options when his cell buzzed.

He checked the ID and was surprised and not surprised to see that it was Andrews. He punched it in and put the phone to his ear. Half expecting another chewing out, harsher than the one from Peter, he set his jaw.

“We’re heading for the rear security entrance and ran into a roadblock, can you get us in?” Dane spoke before Andrews had a chance.

“I’m on it. You have Shana and Sassy?”

“Yes.”