Looks like an albino. There may be others in the house, but if there are, we haven't seen 'em."

Looks like an albino. There may be others in the house, but if there are, we haven't seen 'em."

"Opposite end of the block from you, in the white sedan parked at the corner."

"Okay, I see you. We're going to hit the house. You and Mason take the back, we'll come in from the

front. How much time do you need to get in position?"

"Give us three minutes."

"Right. Get moving."

She watched as the white car at the far end of the block pulled away, so Chambers and Mason could

come in from the next street to cover the rear of the house. She started to time them.

"I don't want any slipups," she told the others. "We go up to the front door, I knock and yell B . O. T ,

to keep the locals happy, and then we break in immediately. Chris, you kick in the door. Remember, we

don't know how many of them might be in there, so don't take any chances. Have your weapons drawn

and ready. First sign of any resistance, shoot. Save your spell strength, we'll need it to keep them

subdued. Got it?"

"Got it," Rosowitz said.

"Right," said Stanley.

They checked their weapons. Megan looked up from her watch. "All right, they should be in position.

Let's go."

Stanley started up the car and drove down to park in front of the house. Warily, but quickly, they

proceeded up the front walk, keeping their eyes on the windows.

"Front window's been broken," Stanley said.

"Must have happened when they took Ramirez," Megan said. "I'll bet he put up a struggle. But they had

the girl on the inside and he probably didn't have a chance."

She indicated, with quick jerks of her head, where they should take up position on either side of the

door. Then, with her pistol held pointing up, she stepped up to the door, pounded on it three times, and

yelled, "B.O.T.! Open up!"

Immediately, she stepped back and Rosowitz kicked open the door. They came in fast, pistols held

ready, out in front of them, swiveling to cover all angles of the room. Simultaneously, Chambers and

Mason broke in from the back.

"Chambers comin' through!" yelled Chambers as he came in from the back of the house, alerting them

not to fire at him by mistake. Mason followed him closely. They saw no one.

"He's gotta be in here somewhere," Mason said.

"Check upstairs," said Megan.