One of the many reasons Wolfe hadn’t wanted to involve the team. “Understood,” he said, reaching the door to 3D, a clean wooden door whitewashed to a shabby-chic look like the rest of the doors down the hall. He pulled leather gloves from his jacket to cover his hands while Force did the same. “I prefer boot to knocking. Any argument?”

“Nope. Kick ahead.” Force paused and reached for the doorknob, which twisted easily. He looked over his shoulder at Wolfe. “That’s not good.”

Wolfe shook his head, adrenaline surging through his veins and sharpening his senses. “I go low.”

Force silently pushed the door open to reveal darkness. “Go,” he mouthed.

Wolfe shot inside, his gun already out and pointed, Force behind him and to the right. No sound, no movement. Just darkness and a smell that hit him harder than a right cross. He coughed out almost silently, his eyes watering. Metal, blood, and death. Ripped flesh had its own scent.

Force shut the door and flipped on the light to reveal the living room. “Holy fuck.”

Blood splatter coated the walls, the floor, and even parts of the ceiling. One nude body, a male, hung halfway across the sofa, his face partially turned toward them, his visible eye bloody in death.

Wolfe swallowed down puke. “That’s Spanek.” The guy was barely recognizable from his photo with cuts all over his face and body, some deep, some surface. He stepped over still fresh pools of blood, shutting down all emotion to partially turn and look through the barely open doorway to what had been the master bedroom. “Jesus,” he breathed at seeing the dead woman inside.

Force approached from his left and looked past him. “Any idea who she is?”

“No. Must’ve been with Spanek when Rock got here.” Gary had gone to town on her face with more cuts than Wolfe could count, and that didn’t take into account the swelling and bruising. A purplish hand mark marred her neck. She was nude, spread-eagled, and definitely dead. Blood pooled all around her, soaking through the bedclothes.

“Okay.” Force exhaled loudly, no doubt trying to stay in control. “Let’s gather what information we can and get out of here before calling it in.” He nudged the door open with his gloved hand.

Something clicked.

Wolfe stiffened, grabbed Force by the arms and started running for the exit. “Go!” They hit the doorway just as a wave of heat smashed into them, throwing them into the wall on the other side of the hall. Wolfe impacted headfirst and dropped, smoke filling his lungs.

“Force,” he croaked. Then darkness claimed him, cold and empty.

* * *

Thrumming pain and swirling lights jerked Wolfe from the darkness. He freaked, striking out, finding himself on a stretcher being carried through the heated night.

“Whoa. Take it easy, big guy,” said a male voice.