Chapter 12

Armando smiled as he saw Kristin seemingly give up hope.

"I would say I am sorry to have subjected you to that but I have to make sure you and Juarez are aware of the seriousness of our line of work and why you must not mess with me or my operation. I never liked Diaz. He was greedy and cocky and he stole a lot of our business...not to mention, that crazy stunt he pulled in Barranquillas. He and I don't see eye to eye...or rather, we didn't."

Juarez spoke up, trying to figure out how to get out of this mess. "So what do you want us to do now?"

"Well, I'm sure it's been a long day for both of you. Can I offer you something to eat?"

Kristin grimaced at the thought of food after what they just witnessed and shook her head.

"I suppose as soon as my men get back in here we will discuss our new living and working arrangements. I'm sure they'll be happy to share their rooms...and beds with you." He noticed how uncomfortable he was making Kristin and kept going. "Or perhaps you'd like to lie down on the couch." He added as she frowned even further at the thought. At that moment, they heard a helicopter flying nearby and the sound of several car doors slamming shut just outside the house. Armando ran to the front of the house and took a quick look out the window blinds and saw dozens of police and federal agents pointing guns towards the house.

He frowned as he registered what was going on. "Carajo! It seems my men won't be back, after all."

Kristin's eyes widened and looked at Juarez, who smiled slightly at her. A voice on a loudspeaker could be heard.

"Give it up, Armando. It's over! We have your men and Diaz's body. We have the house surrounded. There's nowhere for you to go. Hand over Juarez and the woman unharmed and we can negotiate."

Armando looked around, suddenly aware that there was not much he could do to escape at this point.

He looked down, trying to think. "How? How did they know where to find us? I was so careful." He seemed genuinely nervous and confused. He looked at Juarez angrily. "You...did you tell them?" He pulled his gun up to point at him.

Juarez was scared at the sudden rage that came out of the old man. "No, Armando. I would never do something to upset you like that."

"Don't lie to me, Juarez!" He cocked the gun and pointed it at Juarez's head.

"No! I swear! Armando! Please! I have a wife and daughter!"

Kristin spoke up in a panic. "No! Please don't hurt him! It was me! I led them here! I'm wearing a bug!"

Just outside...

As soon as she spoke those words, Nathan frowned, worried that she might have just sacrificed herself to save this man. He let out a small sigh. "Oh God...Kristin." Chief Rodriguez noticed his worry and tried to console him with a quick pat on the back.

Back in the house...

Kristin reached into her shirt and pulled out the bug, throwing it on the floor next to her. Armando dropped the gun from Juarez and turned to look at her angrily. Kristin made eye contact with Juarez and shifted her eyes to the front door as if to say he should make a run for it.

"Let him go, Armando. Take it out on me."

"You will pay for this, bicha."

Before Armando could pull the gun up to point it at her, Juarez took the opportunity to quickly punch the gun away from his hand and push him to the floor.

"Come on!" Juarez yelled at Kristin to follow him as he turned to unlock the front door and ran out with his hands up. Kristin barely got two steps in front of her before Armando managed to grab her ankle. She fell suddenly, but was quickly able to kick him off and regain her footing. She kept running for the door. However at the same time, Armando regained control of his gun and got up to run after her.

Outside...

Kristin could barely catch her breath as she ran as fast as she could out the door., which was hard to do in her heels. The first thing she saw was Nathan holding out his arms to encourage her. He smiled and released a breath, knowing she was free, and started closing the gap between them, not registering anything else happening around him. When she was just a few steps away from him, he heard Chief Rodriguez screaming from behind him. "Drop your weapon, now!" Milliseconds later, as time seemed to move in slow motion, Kristin's body jerked as he heard a gunshot.

"Bridger, get down!" The voice seemed distant, but Nathan somehow managed to react quickly enough to wrap his arms around Kristin and twist them so he gently lay her down on the ground next to him, using his body to partially shield hers. His movements were followed by a steady stream of gunshots coming from the police and Nathan briefly looked up to notice Armando's body fall lifelessly to the ground at the foot of the door. He glanced down at Kristin, her face obviously in pain and her eyes barely open as he noticed the blood dripping from her shirt, staining the pavement below. His movements were now hurried as he called out to Rodriguez.

"Dammit! Get her to the hospital! Now!" He was taking off his outer shirt and trying helplessly to wrap it around her and apply pressure to her wound.

Rodriguez quickly pulled out his radio. "Bring down the chopper, we've got a gunshot wound." He looked back at Nathan. "The helicopter can get both of you there. It's much faster."

Nathan looked at Kristin worriedly. "Talk to me Kristin."

"Nathan...I..." she winced at the pain and took a deep breath.

He interrupted her. "Kristin...you are going to be fine. We're getting you out of here."

No sooner were the words spoken when the police copter idling nearby made its way down to street level. Nathan quickly scooped Kristin up in his arms and carried her to the back of the chopper.

"Go! Go!" He yelled towards the pilot as soon as they were inside and the helicopter moved swiftly over the city to a nearby hospital.

Kristin spoke up. "Armando?"

"The police got him. I'm pretty sure he's dead."

"And where's the boy?" She struggled to stay awake and maintain a conversation.

"They have him in custody and are bringing him to Dr. Reese."

"Don't...don't let them take his child away. It's all he has."

"I know, Kristin. Reese told us the story. We'll do our best to help him." She nodded slowly and tried breathing they were landing, Nathan noticed her eyes were slowly closing.

"Come on, stay with me! Kristin!"

"Thank you...for not giving up on me. I think...I think my little...magic trick...is up."" She whispered weakly.

"Please...please stay with me! Oh God, Kristin don't leave me. Not now! Kristin!"

Those were the last words she heard as she closed her eyes and succumbed to the darkness.