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He found a space on the next block over that allowed him an unobstructed view of the lot beside Jessa’s office where she kept her car, and parked there in order to pull up aCecile’s The large restaurant occupied a corner lot and offered valet but no public parking Another concern was hoould remove Jessa fro blueprints to check how ht enter and leave the restaurant

"On the plans I see two access doors and two eh the front and walk straight through the kitchen out to the back The alley has only one exit, though"

"I need tays to leave so that if one is blocked, I can use the other" Matthias consulted the map "I think I will take her frooing to let you park anywhere in front of the place," Drew said "Your best bet to get her out that way is to do a snatch and run: Pull up, leave the engine running, yell to the valet so her, carry her back out, toss her in the car, and go"

Hebut that

"I haven’t taken ive you sorunted "If you are seen, they will know"

"Yeah, that’s why I avoid the fieldwork," he said, his tone wry "But I don’t think you can pull this off by yourself It’s too public Too "

"Place a call to Lawson at one fifteen," Matthias said finally "That is when I will go in after her"

"Will do Keep your gloves on," Drew said before he hung up

Matthias watched the lot until he saw Jessa Bella and walk to her car She wore another plain suit, this one a green so dark at first glance it looked black Between her lapels a vee of eleaold at the back of her head ca her jet-black hair in a sly beautiful

This time Matthias saw that she carried a briefcase instead of a purse, and when she slid on a pair of sunglasses he noted that she had once loves She would not use her ability on her clients unless she had a reason to, he thought That would prove helpful to him as well, for if she touched hiht make her see that he had come to take her

He reached for the pack he had left in the backseat, and set it in the space between the front seats As Jessa Bellamy drove out of the lot, he rolled up his sleeves and strapped thin, flexible sheaths to his forearain Rowan had also packed a coin-size pressure dart that he could hold and hide in his hand, but after looking at it for a moment he placed it in his pocket He would use it if he had to, but not unless things rong inside the restaurant

His remote receiver showed Jessa’s car to be a safe distance ahead now, so he pulled out of the parking space and followed her She took the most direct route to Cecile’s, which convinced him that she had no suspicions of as planned for her That would s easier for him, but more difficult later, when the time came to tell her why she had been taken

As he h midday traffic, he put his hand in his pocket and held the pressure dart between his fingers, turning it over and over

Not long now,valet parking attendant, who handed her a nu look

"Enjoy your meal, ma’am," he said as he went around the back of her car