Twenty-One: The One
Soundtrack: The One I Love by David Gray
Jocelyn looked at him and gave him a smile. "Damn, Spencer, you should wear a suit more often."
He wanted to respond, but didn't know how. She had shut him down so completely he didn't know how to interpret the statement.
She unbuttoned her suit coat, popped the snap on her holster, and walked out of the elevator. He waited.
"Gentlemen," she said. "We have a meeting with your boss."
Eliot stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall. He took three steps before either guard reacted.
Jocelyn was standing a few feet in front of the men. "Don't go for the guns boys," Jocelyn said. "We're not here to hurt you or your boss."
Eliot came to a stop on her left and examined the guards. They were different than the ones he encountered previously. The one to his left was tall and broad with dark hair and dark skin. The one to the right was shorter and older but just as fit, with pale skin, graying hair, and a square jaw. Both were wound so tightly that a sneeze would set them off.
Square jaw looked them. "You'll have to surrender your weapons."
"The hell we will," Jocelyn said. She looked up at the camera over the doorway. "Do you really want to make an enemy of Arden Doyle?"
The double doors opened and Janvier stood there with his arms open as if he was welcoming old friends. Of course there were two men behind him pointing enormous guns at them.
"This is going to be a most interesting meeting," Janvier said, stepping to the side and motioning them in.
Jocelyn entered and he followed, trying to watch every man as he moved. As they passed, Janvier motioned at square jaw. Eliot glanced over his shoulder and saw Janvier whispering something.
He didn't like it.
Jocelyn walked into the living area, and went right to the balcony door and opened it. That was part of plan C and plan G. Then she put her back to it. Eliot stood next to her. Three more men were stationed in the living room and already had guns pointed at them.
Janvier entered the room and headed for the bar. The two trailing gunmen took up positions so that he and Jocelyn were facing a semi-circle of five shooters, the closest standing ten feet away.
"Feeling claustrophobic?" Janvier asked.
"Smells like a frat house in here," Jocelyn responded.
Janvier eyed her. "Or perhaps you have a sniper on the roof across the way."
Eliot clenched his jaw. That was Plan G.
"Perhaps Arden does," Jocelyn said. "He doesn't tell me everything."
Janvier stared at her for a moment and then smiled. "Would you like a drink, ma cherie?"
"Stop calling me that."
Janvier laughed. "I'll take that as a no." He glanced at Eliot. "What about you, old friend?"
"Maybe when we're done with business."
Janvier took his time dropping ice in a glass and mixing a drink. "I suppose Melissa has told you why I put the contract on you."
"She did," he said. "And I'm not the one you're looking for. You know me better than that."
"Ah, but I don't," Janvier said turning to face them. "I knew the old Eliot Spencer, but this new one that is going around saving people and righting wrongs… him I do not know."
"Neither do I," he replied. "Because I'm not that guy."
Janvier raised an eyebrow looking intrigued. "Really? Then who are you?"
"Oh shit," Nate said over the comms. A cold shiver raced down his spine. He'd never heard Nate cuss in the middle of job.
"I'm Arden Doyle."
Janvier's five hitters looked back and forth between him and Janvier. Janvier studied him carefully and then laughed. "I do not believe it."
"Believe it," Quinn said stepping into the room, pointing a suppressed gun at him. "I've seen him in action."
He instinctively squared up to Quinn. Jocelyn jerked her head towards Quinn and her jaw dropped open. "Quinn…?" Her voice was heavy with concern and confusion.
Quinn smiled at her and not in a friendly way. "Just couldn't sit this one out, doll."
"Quinn," Nate said sharply, "What are you doing?"
Eliot took a quick scan. Two of the guns were raised and pointed at Quinn. The other three guns were just as confused as Jocelyn. One was pointed at him, one at Jocelyn, and one was so confused his weapon was pointing at the couch. Janvier was leaning against the desk and smiling. Janvier met his eyes, smiled, and raised his glass.
Eliot scowled.
Quinn moved farther into the room but kept all the gunmen between them. "And now that you know who he really is, I'll be expecting a bigger paycheck."
"To eliminate one of my largest competitors?" Janvier said. "I will double the price."
Now all the guns were pointed at them. Quinn was smiling.
"Whatever you're doing," Nate said, "You better do it fast."
"You're making a huge mistake, darling," Jocelyn said, a new edge in her voice.
"I'm sure you think so, doll, considering I'll be killing not only your boss but your lover."
Another cold chill ran over his spine, and the adrenaline in his system doubled.
"Oh, bloody hell…!" Sophie cursed.
Janvier pushed off the desk and stepped towards Jocelyn. "Too delicious," he cooed. "Melissa, ma cherie, I want you to know that there is a place for you in my organization once Doyle is dead."
Jocelyn turned her head toward Janvier.
"And in my bed," Janvier added with a smarmy smile.
"Not in this lifetime," she said and turned her head towards Quinn.
Quinn pointed the gun at her. Eliot yelled, "No!"
Quinn fired. Jocelyn stumbled backwards. Eliot felt a sharp pain in his chest. The pain grew into a sound in his throat that he had no control over.
Another shot. Jocelyn's torso twisted and Eliot's knees buckled. The sound in his throat moved up and out his mouth.
The final shot. Jocelyn fell backwards.
He put his arms out and caught her. His knees gave way and he fell to the floor with her. His keening continued as he watched her give a final, rattling exhale.
He stared at her as the keening faded. He was surprised to feel tears building in his eyes. He had never had this much trouble controlling his emotions.
"Merde!" Janvier cursed. "You did not have to kill her!"
"Were you not listening?" Quinn snapped. "She chose him over me!"
Eliot lowered Jocelyn to the floor and tried hard not to blink. He put his eyes on Quinn and put his fingers on the seam of his jacket where the remote was hidden.
The corner of Quinn's mouth edged up into a malicious smirk. "That will do."
Quinn pulled the trigger. One. A burst of crimson on his shirt. He turned his torso so he would fall close to her.
Two. Another burst of crimson and he started falling.
Three. The final explosion on his chest. He spun slightly so that his chest hit the floor first, his legs sprawled. He turned his head towards her and let his eyes close.
Don't see Elysium
Don't see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
~ The One I Love by David Gray ~