29 The Second Shot

Disclaimer: I do not own The A Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A Team.

A few yards from where B. A. struggled with the dark figure from the van, Hannibal stopped and directed his attention to the log building where the single gun shot originated. When they left Murdock, pale and weak but determined to protect Melody, the older man had not expected the pilot to have to use his Browning.

Sure, it was a surprise to find out there were two stalkers that followed Melody up here. But three?

Thinking about the possibilities of what had happened soured Hannibal's stomach. Looking at Face, he could tell the Lieutenant was just as shocked and worried. From the expression and the way he turned toward the cabin, the younger man was likely to forget his military training and run headlong through the front door to lend assistance to his best friend.

Hannibal grabbed Face's arm and pulled him toward the two wrestling figures. He didn't care if his Lieutenant understood why he did that or not.

We can't just charge in there. We have to have a plan.

When Face tried to pull away, Hannibal hissed, "We need to know who we're dealing with. You rush in there without knowing who's there and what kind of weapons they have and you're likely to be shot and killed."

Was I about to add "too" to that?

The Colonel was relieved when Face relented and nodded in resignation. They scrambled the few feet from the back of the van to the front where the Sergeant straddled the intruder and drew back his fist.

With one bruising blow to the chin, B. A. knocked out the man they had flushed from hiding. Face winced at the sound of knuckles cracking the stranger's jawbone. The black man hadn't held anything back from his punch. "That's for Murdock," he muttered as the man underneath him went limp.

"What'd you do that for? We could have gotten information from him." The con man stared at the unconscious intruder and grimaced at the warning growl B. A. made.

"Don't need this guy ta talk. Ain' the time for talk. Time for action. I wasn't the only one heard that gunshot. " The Sergeant crouched beside the man on the ground and patted him down for weapons. Pulling out a switch blade from a jacket pocket and a Heckler and Koch P7 from a shoulder holster, he handed both to the Colonel. "This one coulda been the one that winged Murdock."

"His buddy in the outhouse was armed, too." Face stared at the cabin. He clenched both hands into fists.

I know, kid. I know you want to find out what happened to him. So do I.

Glancing at Hannibal, seeing his disapproving frown, the Sergeant muttered, "No one touches my ride without me sayin' so. B'sides, the fool needs us." B. A. turned the stranger over on his belly and motioned with his head toward the back of the van. "Faceman, get me some rope an' I'll make it so this guy don't cause no more trouble."

Hannibal watched as his men secured the intruder's hands and feet and propped him sitting down against a tree, passing another length of rope around his chest to keep him upright.

Once done, B. A. and Face knelt near Hannibal, waiting for his orders.

"One of us is going to have to get close to the window facing the van to see where Melody and Murdock are and what's going on." Hannibal didn't look at either man when he spoke. "B. A., you sneak around the side and wait by the front door for my signal. Face, you've got the back door leading into the bedroom. When I give the signal, get in there as quickly as you can."

A scream came from the cabin followed by a second gunshot and the sound of a woman sobbing.

"Get in place. Now!" Hannibal watched as the two men darted into the darkness behind the log building. Cautiously he crept toward the window nearest the van and paused to take a quick breath before peeking in.

At first all he could see was Melody standing with her back against the window blocking much of his view. She moved slightly to her right. It was then he noticed someone was in front of her, keeping her shielded from danger. An arm bent back to hook around her waist and nudge her slowly toward the bedroom door. Blood saturated the red plaid flannel of the sleeve covering it.

"If th' li'l lady says she don' wanna go with ya, ah ain' gonna letcha have 'er. Those first two shots were warnin's. Ah'm a better aim than that. Don' make me prove it." The tone was shaky and weak, higher in pitch than usual showing how much pain the speaker was in, but it was definitely Murdock's voice.

Murdock won't kill unless he's forced to do it to protect someone else.

In a way, knowing the gunfire they had heard did not come from an intruder's weapon reassured Hannibal. Then he looked to see who Murdock was addressing and saw no one at all.

A chill sped down Hannibal's spine as he heard Melody's gasping sobs. "Please. No . . . one's here . . . no one . . . please . . . please let me go, Murdock."

The delirious man growled a reply and continued to move with her toward the bedroom door. Hannibal ducked back down out of sight and ran his gloved hand across his mouth, wondering what to do to disarm the pilot.

If any one of us makes a sudden appearance, he might not recognize us. Or maybe he will. You never know with Murdock. He might shoot first and ask questions later.

For once, the Colonel hoped Face was not in position and waiting for his signal to attack.