[b]From Chapter 3:[/b][i]
I felt it just before we turned the corner by the old railway station-that prickling sensation you get on the back of your neck when you're being watched. I cast a surreptitious glance behind me, but no one was there. The uneasy feeling wouldn't go away though, so I turned the corner and motioned for Eric and Sydney to follow my lead.
Instead of moving down the block like we had before, we stepped inside the station and waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later we heard footsteps and whispering as our tail tried to figure out how they'd lost us. We watched as they cautiously slunk around the corner, obviously looking for us.
Once they had passed our hiding place, I stepped out behind them alone, holding my pistol in front of me. "Hey fellas, you looking for me?" I asked casually.[/i]
[b]Chapter 4: Since You Know So Much.[/b]
Before I could blink, I found two revolvers in my face. Moving slowly, I placed my own weapon back in my jacket pocket, studying the two men in the process. The one on the right was tall, with features that looked like they had been carved from stone. He was beardless, and his glasses rested on top of a straight, thin nose. His counterpart was shorter and pudgier, with a short little mustache that had so much grease in it that it looked like it had been painted on.
I noticed they were returning my perusal, and after a minute the taller man nodded slightly to the shorter one and they both put their guns away. "I'm glad to see you don't feel the need to shoot me boys," I commented, striving for a laid-back tone.
"We're not here to shoot you Vaughn," the shorter man said. "We're here to help."
I raised an eyebrow at that and replied, "Well, I have a rule against taking help from people I don't know. It seems you gentlemen have an advantage over me there."
Once again they glanced at each other, coming to a silent agreement. "I'm Billy and this here is Harry," the taller man-Billy-told me. "Teddy said you might need help, so he sent us."
A chill ran up my spine when I heard that. Last I knew, Teddy wasn't going to send help because of the mole. Somehow, this did not sound good. "Is that so? Well that's funny because when I talked to Teddy he said he was having some internal problems and wouldn't be able to spare anyone."
"You mean the mole," Harry stated mater-of-factly. I nodded shortly and he continued. "The mole is why he couldn't tell you we were coming. We're not really here, if you catch my drift."
I thought about that for a minute. Sure it sounded plausible, but I'd been in this business long enough to know things aren't always what they seem. Finally, I looked Harry straight in the eye and asked, "How can I be sure you're not the mole?"
A sigh came from Billy's direction, and when I shifted my gaze to him he was rolling his eyes in exasperation. "We don't have time for this Vaughn," he told me. "Look, why don't you just bring Miss Bristow out here and let her be the judge. After all, she's the only one who can ID the mole," he pointed out.
I looked at him in disbelief. "if you think I'm going let her anywhere near you jokers before I know you're clean, you're-"
"Absolutely right," a voice from behind me finished.
"Syd! What are you doing out here?" I hissed, not taking my eyes off the men for a second.
"I'm doing what I can to save my father Vaughn" she answered. "You can ease up, neither of these men are the man I talked to."
I felt my guard relax fractionally and I glanced back at her for the first time. "You sure?" I inquired.
Her gaze hardened almost imperceptibly as her eyes met mine. "Mister Vaughn, I am not a child who needs her hand held as she crosses the street. I'm a grown woman and I know what I saw. These men are clean. Now are you going to let them help us, or should we just stand here arguing?" she asked harshly.
I stared at her a moment longer before nodding reluctantly. "Why don't you gentlemen step into my office?" I suggested, gesturing toward the station.
They hesitated for a second before following Sydney inside. I took a minute to check the shadows, noticing that the sun had disappeared behind the gathering clouds. Once I was satisfied that we were safe, I stepped through the door and joined the others. "Eric, this is Harry and Billy. Eric is my partner," I said, making the necessary introductions.
"Nice to meet you boys," Eric replied, not moving from where he stood holding up the wall. "You mind filling us in on what's really going on here?"
I hid my smirk while I watched the Feds stumble for an answer. That was exactly the question I'd been wanting to ask, and it would be interesting seeing them come up with something. "We told you, we're here to help," Harry said quickly.
"Sure, I can believe that. What I want to know is what's going on with Bristow. He didn't just disappear, did he?"
Harry shifted nervously under Eric's stare. "I don't know what you're talking about," he stalled.
"Come on, we're all on the same side here. You know if he was taken or if he left on his own, and I want you to tell me," Eric requested.
Harry looked over at Billy, who just shrugged as if to say, "Might as well." Turning back to Eric, he said, "We've been staking out Sloane's hideout all week and haven't seen hide nor hair of him. There's no way he was kidnapped, he must be hunting him down on his own."
"So if you know where Sloane is, why haven't you taken him down yourself?" I questioned.
"We're hoping that Jack's appearance will smoke out the mole," Billy responded.
"Wait a minute, you're using my father as bait?" Sydney asked incredulously.
"You could say that," Harry admitted. Sydney's eyes began shooting sparks and he quickly continued. "Now wait a minute, before you get all riled up, that's just part of the game. Your father knew that when he signed up, we all did. The good of the country comes before the life of one man."
I caught Sydney by the arm before she could strangle him. "Hold up Syd, you know that's how the Feds work." She glared up at me, daring me to agree with them. "However, now that we're all together and Sydney can ID the mole, there's no need for this anymore. Harry and Billy are going to take us to Sloane's now, aren't you guys?"
"Vaughn, I don't think you understand," Billy protested.
"Oh, I understand perfectly," I cut in, staring them both down. "I understand that your code requires you to leave a good man out to dry if it's in the interest of the greater good. What you need to understand is that I have only one goal in my line of work, and that's getting the client what they want. Miss Bristow wants to see her father again-alive-so I'm going to do whatever it takes to see that she can, and you're going to help me. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Harry muttered.
"Good. Now I think it's about time to leave, don't you?" I asked, almost politely.
We all turned to the door and were surprised to see that it had started to drizzle. Harry, Billy, and Eric turned up the collars of their coats and stepped outside first. I was about to join them when Syd tugged on my arm. "Vaughn, it's raining," she said quietly.
I looked at her strangely and said, "What of it? I doubt Sloane takes a break for the weather."
She sighed, gesturing at her apparel. "I don't have a coat," she pointed out.
"Well why not?" I asked somewhat stupidly.
"Because it wasn't raining this morning Vaughn," she snapped in frustration.
Just then Eric stuck his head back in. "Are you guys coming, or should we wait until kissy time is over?" he asked, sarcasm oozing in his tone.
I glared at him before taking my coat off and handing it to Syd. "Here, wear this. Now let's move!" I commanded, pulling my fedora over my eyes to block the rain. Without looking to see if she was following, I stepped into the rain and walked across the street to where Harry and Billy were standing.
"Nice of you two to finally join us," Billy said.
"Enough with the wisecracks, let's get this over with. Where are we going?" I queried.
"Sloane's lair is about a mile southwest of here. If we cut straight through, we should be able to beat Jack there," Harry responded.
For the next 30 minutes, we walked quickly and silently through the rain. Finally, after as many twists and turns as the mafia has snitches, Billy motioned for us to stop. "We're going to circle this building and come around on the backside of the warehouse on the other side of the block," he whispered, pulling his revolver out of his pocket. Following his lead, Eric and I both took our pistols in hand as the warehouse came in sight.
We stopped again as Billy gave us our orders. "Harry and I will go in first and take care of the guards. Wait until we give the all-clear, then join us inside."
"I don't think so," I disagreed, shaking my head. "Eric, you go with Billy. Harry will stay here with Sydney and I."
Billy stared at me for a second before curtly nodding in agreement. Harry, Sydney, and I watched as the two men disappeared into the warehouse. Once they were gone, Harry turned to me with a curious expression on his face. "Do you trust anyone other than yourself Vaughn?" he asked.
I shrugged, saying, "I trust Sydney, Eric, and Jack. Outside of that, not really. Teddy's a good man, but you Feds play by a different rule book. It's safer this way." Harry's reply was cut off when Eric reappeared, giving the all-clear. "That's it, let's move," I said, letting Sydney go in first.
"What's the set-up?" Harry asked Billy once we were inside.
"Five men down here, plus Sloane and one other man in the main room," Billy replied quietly.
"Sounds like this is good timing then," I said. "We can take out Sloane and his man and just wait for the rest of them to show up."
Just as I was saying that, we heard the distinctive screech of metal against metal as the front door opened. "Hey Mister Sloane, Bristow's almost here. You want us to stop him before he arrives?" a familiar voice asked.
"That's okay Vinnie. I need you, Willie, and Eddie to go back and follow him in. Make sure he doesn't bring any reinforcements, this is just between him and me," Sloane said with an unpleasant chuckle.
"Yes Mister Sloane," Vinnie replied obediently. A few minutes later the door opened again, leaving the two men alone once more.
"Are you sure that's completely wise sir?" the other man asked in a cultured voice. "What if he manages to get away?"
I could almost see Sloane's evil smile when he answered. "He won't Sark. He wants this as much as I do. Be assured, things are going exactly as I planned. In fact," he gestured toward the door which was opening once more, "I believe that's our illustrious friend now."
I felt it just before we turned the corner by the old railway station-that prickling sensation you get on the back of your neck when you're being watched. I cast a surreptitious glance behind me, but no one was there. The uneasy feeling wouldn't go away though, so I turned the corner and motioned for Eric and Sydney to follow my lead.
Instead of moving down the block like we had before, we stepped inside the station and waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later we heard footsteps and whispering as our tail tried to figure out how they'd lost us. We watched as they cautiously slunk around the corner, obviously looking for us.
Once they had passed our hiding place, I stepped out behind them alone, holding my pistol in front of me. "Hey fellas, you looking for me?" I asked casually.[/i]
[b]Chapter 4: Since You Know So Much.[/b]
Before I could blink, I found two revolvers in my face. Moving slowly, I placed my own weapon back in my jacket pocket, studying the two men in the process. The one on the right was tall, with features that looked like they had been carved from stone. He was beardless, and his glasses rested on top of a straight, thin nose. His counterpart was shorter and pudgier, with a short little mustache that had so much grease in it that it looked like it had been painted on.
I noticed they were returning my perusal, and after a minute the taller man nodded slightly to the shorter one and they both put their guns away. "I'm glad to see you don't feel the need to shoot me boys," I commented, striving for a laid-back tone.
"We're not here to shoot you Vaughn," the shorter man said. "We're here to help."
I raised an eyebrow at that and replied, "Well, I have a rule against taking help from people I don't know. It seems you gentlemen have an advantage over me there."
Once again they glanced at each other, coming to a silent agreement. "I'm Billy and this here is Harry," the taller man-Billy-told me. "Teddy said you might need help, so he sent us."
A chill ran up my spine when I heard that. Last I knew, Teddy wasn't going to send help because of the mole. Somehow, this did not sound good. "Is that so? Well that's funny because when I talked to Teddy he said he was having some internal problems and wouldn't be able to spare anyone."
"You mean the mole," Harry stated mater-of-factly. I nodded shortly and he continued. "The mole is why he couldn't tell you we were coming. We're not really here, if you catch my drift."
I thought about that for a minute. Sure it sounded plausible, but I'd been in this business long enough to know things aren't always what they seem. Finally, I looked Harry straight in the eye and asked, "How can I be sure you're not the mole?"
A sigh came from Billy's direction, and when I shifted my gaze to him he was rolling his eyes in exasperation. "We don't have time for this Vaughn," he told me. "Look, why don't you just bring Miss Bristow out here and let her be the judge. After all, she's the only one who can ID the mole," he pointed out.
I looked at him in disbelief. "if you think I'm going let her anywhere near you jokers before I know you're clean, you're-"
"Absolutely right," a voice from behind me finished.
"Syd! What are you doing out here?" I hissed, not taking my eyes off the men for a second.
"I'm doing what I can to save my father Vaughn" she answered. "You can ease up, neither of these men are the man I talked to."
I felt my guard relax fractionally and I glanced back at her for the first time. "You sure?" I inquired.
Her gaze hardened almost imperceptibly as her eyes met mine. "Mister Vaughn, I am not a child who needs her hand held as she crosses the street. I'm a grown woman and I know what I saw. These men are clean. Now are you going to let them help us, or should we just stand here arguing?" she asked harshly.
I stared at her a moment longer before nodding reluctantly. "Why don't you gentlemen step into my office?" I suggested, gesturing toward the station.
They hesitated for a second before following Sydney inside. I took a minute to check the shadows, noticing that the sun had disappeared behind the gathering clouds. Once I was satisfied that we were safe, I stepped through the door and joined the others. "Eric, this is Harry and Billy. Eric is my partner," I said, making the necessary introductions.
"Nice to meet you boys," Eric replied, not moving from where he stood holding up the wall. "You mind filling us in on what's really going on here?"
I hid my smirk while I watched the Feds stumble for an answer. That was exactly the question I'd been wanting to ask, and it would be interesting seeing them come up with something. "We told you, we're here to help," Harry said quickly.
"Sure, I can believe that. What I want to know is what's going on with Bristow. He didn't just disappear, did he?"
Harry shifted nervously under Eric's stare. "I don't know what you're talking about," he stalled.
"Come on, we're all on the same side here. You know if he was taken or if he left on his own, and I want you to tell me," Eric requested.
Harry looked over at Billy, who just shrugged as if to say, "Might as well." Turning back to Eric, he said, "We've been staking out Sloane's hideout all week and haven't seen hide nor hair of him. There's no way he was kidnapped, he must be hunting him down on his own."
"So if you know where Sloane is, why haven't you taken him down yourself?" I questioned.
"We're hoping that Jack's appearance will smoke out the mole," Billy responded.
"Wait a minute, you're using my father as bait?" Sydney asked incredulously.
"You could say that," Harry admitted. Sydney's eyes began shooting sparks and he quickly continued. "Now wait a minute, before you get all riled up, that's just part of the game. Your father knew that when he signed up, we all did. The good of the country comes before the life of one man."
I caught Sydney by the arm before she could strangle him. "Hold up Syd, you know that's how the Feds work." She glared up at me, daring me to agree with them. "However, now that we're all together and Sydney can ID the mole, there's no need for this anymore. Harry and Billy are going to take us to Sloane's now, aren't you guys?"
"Vaughn, I don't think you understand," Billy protested.
"Oh, I understand perfectly," I cut in, staring them both down. "I understand that your code requires you to leave a good man out to dry if it's in the interest of the greater good. What you need to understand is that I have only one goal in my line of work, and that's getting the client what they want. Miss Bristow wants to see her father again-alive-so I'm going to do whatever it takes to see that she can, and you're going to help me. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Harry muttered.
"Good. Now I think it's about time to leave, don't you?" I asked, almost politely.
We all turned to the door and were surprised to see that it had started to drizzle. Harry, Billy, and Eric turned up the collars of their coats and stepped outside first. I was about to join them when Syd tugged on my arm. "Vaughn, it's raining," she said quietly.
I looked at her strangely and said, "What of it? I doubt Sloane takes a break for the weather."
She sighed, gesturing at her apparel. "I don't have a coat," she pointed out.
"Well why not?" I asked somewhat stupidly.
"Because it wasn't raining this morning Vaughn," she snapped in frustration.
Just then Eric stuck his head back in. "Are you guys coming, or should we wait until kissy time is over?" he asked, sarcasm oozing in his tone.
I glared at him before taking my coat off and handing it to Syd. "Here, wear this. Now let's move!" I commanded, pulling my fedora over my eyes to block the rain. Without looking to see if she was following, I stepped into the rain and walked across the street to where Harry and Billy were standing.
"Nice of you two to finally join us," Billy said.
"Enough with the wisecracks, let's get this over with. Where are we going?" I queried.
"Sloane's lair is about a mile southwest of here. If we cut straight through, we should be able to beat Jack there," Harry responded.
For the next 30 minutes, we walked quickly and silently through the rain. Finally, after as many twists and turns as the mafia has snitches, Billy motioned for us to stop. "We're going to circle this building and come around on the backside of the warehouse on the other side of the block," he whispered, pulling his revolver out of his pocket. Following his lead, Eric and I both took our pistols in hand as the warehouse came in sight.
We stopped again as Billy gave us our orders. "Harry and I will go in first and take care of the guards. Wait until we give the all-clear, then join us inside."
"I don't think so," I disagreed, shaking my head. "Eric, you go with Billy. Harry will stay here with Sydney and I."
Billy stared at me for a second before curtly nodding in agreement. Harry, Sydney, and I watched as the two men disappeared into the warehouse. Once they were gone, Harry turned to me with a curious expression on his face. "Do you trust anyone other than yourself Vaughn?" he asked.
I shrugged, saying, "I trust Sydney, Eric, and Jack. Outside of that, not really. Teddy's a good man, but you Feds play by a different rule book. It's safer this way." Harry's reply was cut off when Eric reappeared, giving the all-clear. "That's it, let's move," I said, letting Sydney go in first.
"What's the set-up?" Harry asked Billy once we were inside.
"Five men down here, plus Sloane and one other man in the main room," Billy replied quietly.
"Sounds like this is good timing then," I said. "We can take out Sloane and his man and just wait for the rest of them to show up."
Just as I was saying that, we heard the distinctive screech of metal against metal as the front door opened. "Hey Mister Sloane, Bristow's almost here. You want us to stop him before he arrives?" a familiar voice asked.
"That's okay Vinnie. I need you, Willie, and Eddie to go back and follow him in. Make sure he doesn't bring any reinforcements, this is just between him and me," Sloane said with an unpleasant chuckle.
"Yes Mister Sloane," Vinnie replied obediently. A few minutes later the door opened again, leaving the two men alone once more.
"Are you sure that's completely wise sir?" the other man asked in a cultured voice. "What if he manages to get away?"
I could almost see Sloane's evil smile when he answered. "He won't Sark. He wants this as much as I do. Be assured, things are going exactly as I planned. In fact," he gestured toward the door which was opening once more, "I believe that's our illustrious friend now."