James

The ‘music’ is still playing, and I don’t hear the sound, but beside me, a half-empty cocktail glass shatters and Klempner, snatching at my arm, tugs me to one side. Crouching behind the bar, “That’s Finchby.”

“How d’you know it’s Finchby?”

“Because he’s a fucking lousy shot.”

“So, where’s Baxter?”

Above us, in a line on the shelves above us, the top rank of bottles shatter, exploding their contents in a multi-hued shower of liquid and shattered glass. “That’s Baxter.” Abruptly, the music cuts out…

“Thank fuck for that,” mutters Klempner beside me, inching up to look over the bar.

Another line of fire, lower this time…

Finchby’s voice. “That’s my stock you’re shooting up, Baxter…”

Klempner grins. “C’mon… They’re in the office.” His head swings. “Where’s Jenny?”

“Down the stairs. Hopefully, Michael already has her out.”

“Good. That gives us a free hand.” He checks his watch. “Right, with me… One, two, three…”

His rifle over the bar, Klempner fires blind towards the office door. It chatters then falls silent. He curses…

Out of ammo?

Jammed?

… then tugs a handgun from his pocket and fires. “Run…”

*****

Klempner

A group of half a dozen of the women mill around, seeming not to know what to do without someone telling them...

Natural slaves...

The Glock raised in my hand, “Get out!”

One blathers at me, runs up pleading, then her eyes fix on my pistol.

“Out!” I yell, pointing to the door. “Saia! Ir!”

get the message. Another runs up,

Too stupid to live…

the Glock, I cup my paired hands, then... “Boom...” I open

finally, they get it. Eyes

two running

Fuck…

after them, and there, running ahead of

Finchby…

Gotcha!

pistol. He’s way too slow, yelping as I slap the hand to one side,

spluttering, panicking… I plant my fist

Got the bastard!

pressed against the collar at the front of his

me.

friend here

like a piglet

Which it is…

to you yet. If you annoy me now, we might move on to that part

his face. “If you want him able to

Ever the pragmatist…

top and bottom, and Finchby drops to the ground, landing heavily and on his

to carry him away? Knowing I'd have thought you would have...” James points two fingers at

But Baxter's not here and I need to know where he is. I’m sure our friend here will

James and I drag

his way

grip on Finchby, I straighten up. Finchby takes the opportunity to kick out and

Like I said…” He looks down to Finchby again, his mouth pinching…

“You bastard, Hickman. You were

was to help you with…” He meets my eye, shrugs. “Sorry, Mr Klempner. It wasn’t

I get that. Hickman, it seems to me that

nods glumly. “I'd say

do you feel about a

eyes spark, head inclining.

“Yes, me.”

to attention. “What would you

you can lay your hands on to get this bastard

nods, thinks, then, “I'll try his office.

pick up his

microscopically,

for me, you take orders from

“Yes, sir.”

around.” I check my watch.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255