Half past seven the next evening, saw Robbie Lewis sat in his car a mile from the old asylum. There were non-uniformed coppers stationed around the 1 mile radius. He didn't dare bring any with him. If there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Carl Ashworth would carry out his threats. It'd be ok for him, one shot, probably in the head and that'd be the last of it. But this nutter was the kind of guy that would delight in making James witness his superiors death before crippling him for life. The knowledge terrified him.

.

James eventually came round to the sight of Carl standing over him.

"Come on copper. We're gonna go meet your governor." James groaned again. Lewis had fallen for it. He looked up vacantly at his captor. A little voice in the recesses of his mind told him that he had possibly got concussion. He ignored it, trying to stand. The world span as he leant against the once padded wall. Carl roughly grabbed his collar. As he was being half dragged out he suddenly realised he'd have to stop this nutcase. The shot gun that had just been shoved into the side of his head would keep Lewis far away enough. Or it wouldn't. But James refused to think about that. His ribs screamed in protest as he was shoved ahead, pushed through the foyer of the dilapidated building. They hid behind a wide stone pillar and James slid, panting to the floor. His only hope now was that Lewis, in his hurry to get there, would get pulled over and arrested by a traffic cop. Admittedly not going to happen, but James' pain dulled mind, could see no other alternative that would keep his chief away.

.

Driving up the main drive of the old place, Lewis shrugged off his jacket. He may need to move fast, it'd only be hindrance. The officers around were given orders that if, after 15 minutes he had not returned, they were to come and help. Slowly though, he had no wish to set off a bloodbath. He advanced into the building, aware that Ashworth was probably watching him and probably knew exactly where he was. Looking to the sides as he walked, he saw the run down tables and chairs and the leaflet rack that made up the foyer. He heard a scuffling noise and a shout. If his sergeants voice made him pause, the noises following made him stop.

.

James could hear his friends footfalls as he walked into the foyer. Next to him, Carl hefted the shot gun. Hathaway's senses were on full alert and in his worry, he did the only thing he could think of.

"SIR! GET OUT! HE'S GOT A SHOT GUN!" he roared in an attempt to get his superior officer to turn around. He was rewarded with a kick to the stomach and having a strong hand pushed into his throat. Choking, he stared levelly into his captors eye's, it worked. Unnerved, Carl let go of Hathaway's neck and let him drop onto the open floor gasping.

.

Lewis didn't need 25 years experience to know that the dull thud was a caused by Ashworth kicking James. It went quiet and Lewis was just about to speak when James fell out from behind the pillar, grasping his throat and alternatively gasping and coughing.

"James? Are you ok son?" Lewis shouted across the echoing foyer. A hand raised, a shaky thumbs up, before the exhausted young man slumped face down on the floor, breathing heavily. This reassured the older man somewhat although he'd have been happier if the lad had spoke. He could see a dark red patch on the back of the James' head and gulped.

"No more questions copper. Or he gets it." Carl moved behind James' prostrate form, towering over him.

"You want me. Not him. Leave him alone."

"Wrong. I'm indiscriminate Mr Lewis. If you're a copper I'll get you" To accentuate his point, he gave James a light kick in the leg. "You put a foot wrong Detective Inspector and he gets hurt. He puts a foot wrong and...well we'll see. Might hurt you." Lewis swallowed. Carl turned to Hathaway. "Get up" When he got little response he shouted. "GET UP! Or I'll shoot your boss." James moaned. Breath rasping, he struggled to his feet. If it had only been the two of them, he'd have given up. But he couldn't let the maniac behind him hurt his governor. Shaking slightly, he stood, giving his superior a ghost of a smile as he swayed a little. Lewis gnashed his teeth at the site of his sergeants injuries.

"Ashworth! You can't think you'll get away with this. My station knows that I came out here. If I don't come back, they'll come looking for you."

"Shut up inspector." Carl slammed the butt of the gun into Hathaway's shoulder. James merely grunted in response as he nearly lost his footing. His head injury was catching up with him. Lewis could see that he was on his last legs and if he collapsed, Ashworth would kill them both.

"Away man, you know Ah'm right." The unhinged man, realising some truth in the older man's words, sunk a punch into Hathaway's stomach, causing the man to double up, coughing and spitting at the floor.

"Enough's enough. You tell me Lewis. Which one of you do I kill first eh?" Lewis was rooted to the spot. It was a cruel game the man was playing and Lewis didn't know the rules. He looked at James, doubled over and made a decision. He couldn't see the man in any more pain.

"You best shoot me first Carl. 'Cause if you shoot that'n you'll have to turn that gun on me sharp because I'll be going for your throat." James couldn't believe what he was hearing. That madman of a boss was going to let himself get shot in an attempt to save him. Also, where did he get all that patter from? Wasn't like Lewis to act the hard man. Hathaway saw Carl levelling the gun at Lewis and gathered his strength. His entire body was focused on Ashworth's trigger finger. Finally he could stand it no longer. He launched himself at Carl just as he pulled the trigger. The shot buried itself into he ceiling, accompanied of Lewis' shout of; "No! James." as he realised the danger his sergeant was in. The two men scuffled, James' virtually dead weight working to his advantage, as he pinned Carl to the floor.

"Stay...back...sir." James looked at Lewis. "He's...still got...the gun." Lewis could only nod. The glint of the barrel made it apparent that thesaid gun was sandwiched between the two men. He could see James' strength failing, he was amazed the lad had even managed to charge the heavier man.

And then the gun went off.