Hot Revenge Box Set 2

*****

James

The message from Charlotte’s abductors…

Finchby…

Baxter…

… replays in my head…

Marsh Street under Barnbridge Road overpass 9pm

Bring the money

No police. No other people or she dies

If late she dies. So does the baby

Brandy and rage burn inside me.

The bag containing the ransom money swings heavy in my hand. I'm the decoy and at some level, I know I may not come out of this alive. Klempner's Kevlar vest gives me a little comfort, but it’s the fury inside that warms me against fast falling temperatures.

I should be afraid…

But I’m not.

Jade-Eyes…

My beautiful Jade-Eyes…

Your

I met Charlotte, my Virgin, we

she deserves. None of

change any

No. Nothing.

past is what has made her what she is. Strong. Fearless. Resourceful. Even in the dire situation she’s in, imprisoned in her cell, racked with pain, coughing up green slime,

coming for you,

And me?

I’m the decoy.

the stars but does little to blanket in what passed for the heat of the day.

mile to reach the rendezvous point, near enough to get there quickly. Far enough that, hopefully, they won’t spot

walk briskly, my footsteps click-clicking down empty streets. It’s not that late, but the cold is keeping people indoors and, after all, Christmas is coming. Most folks will be with friends, at parties or simply at

fairy lights, dressed with spray-on snow and Santa, Please Stop Here signs. In my own home, we

I pass by.

residential zone and passing into more uncertain territory.

old town, under the overpass which carries the modern road to Barnbridge. It's a risky spot for the unwary, noted for assaults and random

of fire or medical emergency followed by muggings for cash and drugs, and attacks on medics and fire officers

feeling

Better than the alternative.

has to

the overpass, dim under inadequate sodium lighting. From the road above, moisture trickles down, streaking stark concrete walls white before settling

the overpass, late evening traffic grumbles past. But

“Hello?”

voice echoes briefly, then dies

here.” I pace, circling,

Nothing…