Author's note: Thanks :-) For your information, we think – hope – that she is past the worst of it. Hopefully she'll be better soon. Of course, we don't know for sure.
My memory of this bit it extremely dodgy – so please forgive any major mistakes. For the life of me I cannot remember the names of Gamble's henchmen (or if they even had any), so I've made them up. I don't have access to a copy of the movie yet, unfortunately. I got a friend who is an expert in everything-planes to help me, so blame any mistakes on her ;-) :-)
Thanks again for the reviews!
Bsktballchik – Thanks :-) Glad you liked it …
Shebang – You'll have to wait to see what happens to Sanchez … she' doesn't get a look in this chapter! But thanks for reviewing
Sarah - :-) She's getting better! Thanks
Aur – I think so … ;-)
Katie – Yup, Jim is one impetuous man sometimes! Thankyou :-)
Cap. Cow – Sorry about the wait! Hope it's worth it …
Animelover52843 – Glad you like it!
Wolfmaid – Thankyou very much :-) Means a lot …
Kat – Hope you like this one … :-)
Ice Dragon3 – I love it when the bad guys win … as for Gamble – I haven't decided ;-) He is pretty cool! Yes, I do really love your name!
Kagii – Gamble's pretty cool … glad you like the story! Thanks :-)
Thunderjam – Thankyou …. Sorry about the wait!
Flame guardian – Yeah, sorry about the technical stuff-ups … I'm still working out how works! Thanks for the encouragement …
John Allerdyce – I'm glad :-) Just wondering, are you an Xmen fan? I love the Xmen …
Faile1 – Thanks a lot! Here's the update …
Lyn – Thanks for reviewing! Here's an update …
JC6 – I'm updating as fast as I can! Glad you like it …
Chapter 5: Race Against TimeStreet stared in a mixture of horror and admiration as the plane landed on the bridge, brakes squealing as it ground to a halt only metres from where he stood by the car with TJ, Gamble, and Alex. He could vaguely hear screaming from inside the plane.
Gamble moved towards the side door even as it was thrown open. He nodded briefly to the man who opened the door.
"Brian – I presume it all went to plan?" the man asked.
"Perfectly," Gamble replied with a smile. "I've even brought along an old – friend for the ride."
Street stared at the man, trying to remember his name. I know I've seen him someone. Could it be … Suddenly he remembered where he had seen the man – of course – when I went out with Chris that night. What had been his name? Sam … ? Sam Johnson? It sounded right, he decided.
Sam stepped down from the doorway with a grin. "You're a sentimental man, Brian," he said with a laugh. "As it happens, we brought two new friends along for the ride. Rick!" he called back into the plane. "Get 'em out!"
There was a moment's silence, before unmistakeable sounds of protest and confusion, and then two people appeared at the door of the plane; a man and a woman, both well-dressed, and both appearing confused and upset. "Go on, get out," growled Rick. "Unless of course, you'd like to come with us …"
Gamble laughed as the couple quickly left the plane. TJ shoved them over towards the edge of the bridge. "I'd suggest," he said quietly, "that you get out of here. Now."
Street heard the couple move away from the plane – the woman sobbing – as TJ led him over to the door. Alex and Sam had already got into the plane, but Gamble waited by the door for Street and TJ.
"Let's go," he said, pushing Street up into the plane.
Hondo slammed his fist into the dashboard in frustration. "What the hell are they playing at?" he growled. "Where are they going?"
"They wouldn't go to an airport …" Deke mused. "TJ would know not to go there – too many cops."
He reached out to turn on the air conditioning, but hit the radio by mistake. "Damn," he muttered, reaching back to turn it off. Suddenly, he froze. "Hondo …"
"And in breaking news, we have unconfirmed reports of a light plane landing on 6th Avenue Bridge …"
Deke looked over at Hondo. "It's them," Hondo growled. "Go! Quick!" He reached for the radio to call for back-up.
Deke slammed his foot on the accelerator …
Jim sat down in the cabin of the plane, trying to ignore the gut feeling he was getting that told him – this is not going to end well for you. TJ and Gamble were still outside the plane; Street could see them talking. TJ appeared to be angry, while Gamble was placating him. Street wished he could hear what they were saying. He tried to edge closer to the door, but Sam noticed, and clamped a hand down on his shoulder by way of warning.
The conversation ended a few seconds later. TJ apparently lost whatever argument he was trying to impress on Brian, as he entered the plane looking angry and disappointed. Gamble, on the other hand, entered with a slight smirk on his face, that grew wider into a grin when he looked at Street.
"Gentlemen," he said with a grin, "let's go."
Hondo stared out the window as they approached the bridge, and there was the plane, sitting at one end of the bridge, and apparently preparing to take off.
"Shit," he exclaimed, "if that plane takes off …"
Without a word, Deke turned the car onto the bridge, and accelerated towards the plane. "It's not going to take off, sir," he yelled, "if you shoot the wheels out NOW!"
Hondo lent out the window, gun in hand …
Rick let out a loud curse as he saw the car coming down the bridge towards them. "Better hold onto something," he yelled over his shoulder, "we've got company."
Street smiled inwardly. There's still a chance … He braced himself for the impact …
"Got it!" Hondo yelled triumphantly. Deke nodded, trying to keep his eyes on the burning plane now careening toward them, and to get the car out of its way. He swerved to one side of the bridge just as the plane – wings on fire – smashed into a girder on the opposite side.
Hondo and Deke jumped out of the car. "Take cover!" Hondo yelled, and they both crouched behind doors of the car.
Hondo watched as the plane door opened and he trained his gun on it.
"Hold your fire!" yelled a voice from inside the plane, "unless of course you want this pretty boy to get it?"
Hondo nodded to Deke to relax his hold a little. They watched – concerned – as a handcuffed and bruised Street appeared in the door way of the plane. Sam Johnson got out immediately after him, and had a rifle held at Street's neck.
Gamble and Alex got out after them. Gamble grinned at Hondo. "Now then, Lieutenant," he growled. "I want a plane … and you'd better make it fast. First move either of you make to shoot one of us and this boy –" he punched Street on his bruised ribs, making him bend double in pain before being dragged upright by Johnson and held "– gets an extra hole in his head – understand?"
"Yeah," Hondo replied, angrily.
"Make the call, then," Gamble said with a smile … an arrogant smile that said clearly 'Gamble 1, Police 0'.
Street had removed himself from the conversation after the brutal blow to his ribs, but now dragged himself back to full awareness. He had to stop this before Gamble got away. He thought desperately, running through several different scenarios … all of which seemed to end up with him lying dead on the ground. Not good, not good, he thought, trying to suppress the panic that threatened to overwhelme him. He gritted his teeth and made a decision. He would not let Gamble get away with Montel. He would stop them – even at the cost of his life.
He steeled himself, and began to put his plan into motion …
Author's note: There you go! I don't update for weeks and then I leave you with a cliffie! I will hopefully update within a few days, as I am now on holidays.
Review please!