IV It's Just Business, Baby…

"Sit down, sit down," said Franco, pulling out two seats in the office before reaching into a cabinet and pulling out a first aid kit. Rolling his sleeves up, he delicately dabbed some oil onto his wrists, the area noticeably sore from the bonds Jimmy had used.

"Uh, we'll stand… would you like a hand with that?" offered Benny.

"No no, it is fine. How is young Miss Chase?"

"Striking as ever," replied Jimmy.

"Ah, you've noticed that about here have you?" chortled Franco.

"Pretty hard to miss," said Benny.

"Haha, yes, she is blessed. Anthony was a bit of a dick letting that piece of ass go! Ahahah," laughed Franco.

"Err, indeed," said Jimmy.

"Franco, Victoria said you could help us with some vans that are coming in for the Corolla's," stated Benny.

"We need to stop them before they can deliver their shipment," continued Jimmy, "LCPD cannot face up to that sort of firepower if it hits the streets."

"Yes, that'd be a bit much. I know the vans you are talking of – silky smooth, got some sweet little 2 litres in the front and you can get a crap-tonne of stuff in the back. Great if you ever need move bodies – ahahah."

"Yeah, sounds like you know the vans pretty well," said Benny.

"I should, Anthony's hired them off me. For free of course, I owe that man a lot of money," said Franco, pulling his sleeves back down.

"You're indebted to him?" questioned Jimmy, "How the fuck we meant to trust you?"

"Because I owe Victoria more," replied Franco. "Listen, Officer Mitchell, here's the location of the drops. Two vans, entering the city in two different places. I'm sure your boys can help you take that lot out. Be there at this time."

Jimmy reached over and took the card off Franco. "Thanks – let's go Jimmy."

"No," said Franco, "Officer Krieg stays with me; I have something else for him to do."

"Lucky boy Benny boy - seems you get to score today as well!" winked Jimmy as he vacated the office.

"Right then young Benjamin, let's go for a drive," said Franco, heading out the second office door. Shrugging his shoulders and breathing a sigh, Benny followed the old man outside…

X

"So where are we going?" said Benny, stroking the throttle gently as cruised over the bridge.

"Just follow directions, we're joining up with a convoy," replied Franco as Benny casually thrust the car up a gear. "I hope not all of you cops drive your cars like such pussies," he croaked, "No wonder all the perps get away!"

X

Benny swung the car through a set of electric gates and down into an underground car park. Clicking the doors shut with the key fob, he followed Franco up some stairs that led into a deserted lobby. The whole building seemed closed for refurbishment and, as Benny followed Franco up more stairs, the stench of set-up filled his nostrils.

"Keep close," croaked Franco.

"Close? I thought we were joining a convoy," said Benny.

"We are," replied Franco, pushing the door open to the third floor, "a human convoy."

Benny stepped out onto the third floor to see a trio in front of him further up the corridor. He caught sight of a jet of blonde hair and the unmistakable legs of Victoria Chase being pushed into a room by two suited heavies. Not good thought Benny.

"In you go sir," said Franco, directing Benny through the same door, the two heavies waiting for him. Benny reluctantly crossed through the door.

The meeting room was Spartan with white walls and a drab grey carpet. Victoria stood on one side of the room, two more heavy set guys standing behind her, one with his hand on her shoulder, the other looking like he was just about ready to climax just by standing next to her. Strange thought to have in this situation thought Benny.

At the head of the room, a figure stood with his back to the door, flanked by several other suited individuals – a short woman who had her hair tied back stood dominated by two clearly more powerful individuals. One turned around, Benny didn't recognise him.

"Benjamin Krieg, nice to see you again! Benny, come over here," the man chuckled, the woman making way and standing over by Victoria.

"Lucie," stated Victoria, nearly spitting the words out as the blonde woman manoeuvred herself to Victoria's left.

"I'm alright if it's all the same Mr…" said Benny, trying to appearing relaxed.

"Madden Benny. Jack Madden," the man replied with a smile.

"Okey doke, I'm alright over here if it's all the same Mr Madden. I'm sure you and Mr Corolla there have lots to be talking about so I'll just head out the door if it's all the same and get on with my cop stuff," spoke Benny, turning to head out of the door. Franco stood in his way, the two heavies stood further behind him.

"Have you got a license for that," Benny said, nodding at the shotgun.

"Get your fucking ass over here you filthy pig!" shouted the second of the two men.

"Whoa, sorry there Tony, of course I'll come over. Big party you've got going and I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of your guests. Nice to see Victoria here."

"Yes, veritable temptress isn't she? Can fuck like the best of them – just as venomous too – but it must be something to do with the European weather that makes these bitches so cold and miserable," retorted Anthony.

"Might just be your small dick," replied Benny.

"Nearly half past four," interjected Lucie.

"Good," said Madden, turning to face the window. "Heya Benny-boy, why not come and see our weapons drop come into fruition over here. Birdy tells us you have a few friends stopping by in a minute."

"Wow, everyone's a comedian here, eh Tony?" said Benny, strolling across the room. He looked down to see a multi-story car park littered with unmarked police cars holding armed officers. He noticed his unmistakable Buffalo was on the third floor.

"Indeed," started Tony, "Naturally to any old civilian this does look like an ordinary car park full of civilian car and yes, no-one would know that there are armed officers sat in those vans."

"But just watch what happens when someone knows they are there," smiled Madden, walking away from the window.

Benny faced the window pane in horror as several vans entered the multi-story, some springing to life from higher floors. He could see armed men approach from the back with ladders and spotted more than one heavy machinegun. When the first shots were fired, his head dropped – he couldn't watch.

"I love that sound," said Madden, pointing at Lucie, "That pop-pop-pop the rifle makes, you know what I mean? Much better than the swoooosh a rocket propelled grenade makes. See, listen to that, that sound is so dull!" he continued, flapping around the room. "Oh, but the explosion is exciting!"

"Your bastard," said Victoria coldly, Lucie spinning around. "Quiet you dirty slut!"

"Oooh, looks like we have a cat-fight on our hands," said Anthony, rubbing his hands together. "Rocco, Mikey – take her to my car, she's brought me all I need now."

"Benny," continued Anthony, "Can you see the burning cars? You stopped one fucking drop and I killed half your team. Isn't that your car? Punk-ass motherfucker. That prick Jimmy always up my ass, trying to catch me out – now look, self-centred paranoid motherfucker went and got himself killed."

Benny's eye flashed open to see the horror, his shining silver car was enveloped a crude black, bristling orange flames dancing decadently along the bodywork. Several bodies lay next to it - Benny could only presume one of them was Jimmy. His hand twitched, ready to reach for his gun but Madden put his hand on Benny's shoulder, stopping him.

"Don't even think about it," he growled.

"OK, so what do you what?" asked Benny, lowering his hand.

"From you? Nothing," said Madden, "I mean, the only reason I'm here is to make sure that Mr Corolla here doesn't mess up and actually gets my shipments to the Cavelli's. And we've achieved that now, haven't we Tony?"

"Indeed we have," answered Anthony solemnly, "at the expense of your fuckhead partner and a whole load of heat but still, it worth the thrill and no-one gets to fuck around with my Vicky."

"You're absolutely right," said Madden, gesturing to his associates to leave, "Do what you have to do here and meet me downstairs. I'll leave you with pretty boy to play."

"And play we will," Antony replied, pulling a revolver from inside his jacket.

Benny's head dropped.

"Fuck."

x

"Policemen battling it out in our world of opportunity live charmed lives," growled Madden as the lift doors shut.

Lucie turned and looked at him, blank. She spoke calmly, putting her hand on his arm. "Another of our chapters closed," she whispered, the solitary sound of a single gunshot following them from behind.