The house that Bobby found was a family home and very suitable for a child. There were five rooms but as far as Ranger was concerned, they'd just use the large, open plan, kitchen, family room. There was a crib against one wall with a cot next to the bed for Bobby while Ranger would take the recliner. Not a problem for Ranger as, in op mode, he seldom slept.
He read through the paperwork that Lindsay Cooper had given him. The child's medical records were startling to Ranger as he'd heard that children were frequently ill. Paulo had never had as much as the sniffles. He looked up at the toddler who was playing with his train while making nonsense noises. Ranger smiled slightly and then caught himself. He looked over at Bobby who was sitting in front of a bank of monitors showing the varied outdoor and indoor cams they'd set around the house.
"Paulo has never been sick," Ranger said. Bobby looked back at his boss and raised a brow in surprise.
"She did say that the babies were specially engineered. Makes sense that they'd take special precautions. You don't want an weapon of mass destruction taking a day off." Bobby said. Ranger nodded and looked back at the papers. He shifted through the varied tests they'd done to determine the extra abilities that the child would have as an adult. Strength and stamina were top of the list. Most of the comments involved potential. As Ranger looked over the comments he could appreciate the use Paulo would be but couldn't help but feel a sliver of dread for the toddler. He turned the page and began to read just as Bobby turned sharply from the computer.
"Heads up, Boss, we've got company. Two to the west and heavily armed." Bobby said. Ranger picked up his gun. "Hold up! I've got two more on the south and one on the East." Ranger weighed his options. If they stood their ground there was a good chance that they wouldn't be able to properly protect Paulo but he couldn't pass the chance to gather some intel. Ranger checked the monitors to make sure he was clear and slid out of the hidden door that one of the Rangeman contractors had installed off of the family room. He cut around the east side of the house.
"Kill everyone but the child! We need the child alive!" He watched the assailant in full black gear speak into a small Bluetooth in a low voice. Ranger slipped behind the man and shot him in the back of the head with his silenced pistol and grabbed the Bluetooth as he fell and putting it in his own ear. He pulled the body into the bushes next to the house.
"Got one of them," he said, attempting to mimic the man he'd shot. "Circle north." He slipped over to a tree and rapidly ascended it. He waited for the control to ask which one he'd gotten but no one did. Clearly this was a raid simply about the child. The assailants followed his instructions as he saw two of them heading in his direction. The most important thing to Ranger was to know if the people looking for the child knew him and as he studied the faces of the men headed in his direction, he didn't recognize them just as he hadn't recognized the man he'd shot. They passed by him quickly and he slid down the tree and edged around. Two more. Neither he recognized. He may a split decision and cautiously headed for Bobby.
"They've moved," someone whispered. They're in the garage. Orders?"
"Hold. They'll come out. Wait for that moment," Ranger said.
"Radio silence. That's not Tom." A voice barked. Ranger had the information he needed so slipped back through the secret door and into the garage. He slid into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt. Bobby waited for orders. Ranger listened carefully for a few moments but his Bluetooth was silent. He pulled it out of his ear, wiped it off and crushed it in his hand. Bobby handed him a plastic bag.
"Tracker?" Bobby asked.
"I don't think so but you know technology. We'll stop and toss it. We're going to be hit hard when we leave. Just keep driving." Ranger instructed.
"Second safe house?" Bobby asked. Ranger hesitated and then shook his head.
"Home," he said. "They have numbers and we need numbers and the best way to keep this kid safe will be to take him to Trenton." Bobby glanced back at the child and then at Ranger.
"Stephanie?" Bobby asked.
"What about her?" Ranger asked.
"I was there for your eye test, Ranger, I think you know what I'm saying." Ranger considered Bobby's words before looking back at the toddler. He really did look a lot like Ranger.
"Get her to the apartment so that she's there when we arrive. That gives Tank six hours to explain the op to her. I'd feel better if we had her close with an op of this magnitude. We all have to stick close until this is done." He said.
They heard the door crash open on the other side of the house and Ranger nodded. Bobby accelerated slamming right through the garage door. They'd pay for it but the element of surprise was priceless. Ranger glanced at the hood impressed that the vehicle had only sustained a few scratches. He raised an eyebrow.
"Military grade, best way to go every time." Bobby quipped. He whipped around the corner. A black Escalade was in hot pursuit. Bobby hit the right turn signal and made a quick left.
"I learned that on television," he explained. His evasive maneuver didn't work as their tail stayed right behind them. A bullet pinged off the back of the SUV.
"Well, that's going to attract police attention," Bobby said dryly. Ranger checked his weapon. Normally he'd take evasive action but he thought it best, in this instance, to simply slip away from them. Bobby took another corner on two wheels and Ranger looked back at Paulo again who was cooing happily to his train. His heart skipped a small beat at the tiny boy who would grow up to be weapon. Seemed a cruel fate for any child.