By the time they had reached the small slum of a hotel that Christie was
staying at, Brad had not been any more forthcoming. Christie didn't know
why she hadn't thrown him out on the street by now. He wanted advice and
yet could give no information to work with. Maybe she was lonely, maybe she
found it reassuring to have non-threatening company. Whatever the reason,
Brad was settling himself down on the moth-eaten sofa while Christie peeled
off her stained, dirty clothes in her room.
As she took a shower she could hear him fiddling around in the kitchenette: the clink of cups, the hissing of the kettle. All the comforting domestic noises Christie hadn't heard since her employment with Helena Douglas. The thought of the beautiful blonde struck her. Could Helena be the target? It would explain why she hadn't been hired. Having failed once, she wouldn't be hired to try again. Brad and Helena as a couple? No, couldn't be. Could it? He defended her, openly admires her. But to ask for advice from the woman who until recently had been trying to kill her. No. Impossible. But, it would suit Brad's sense of humour.
Christie tried to relax under the pounding of hot water. It felt good to be clean again. But the nagging question of Brad's `friend` wouldn't leave her. He gave no names, no details, nothing. How could she possibly be expected to help? Unless he had some other reason to be here. She cursed as the seed of paranoia took root. How to go from here was the issue now. Don't give too much of yourself away, she cautioned herself. Be on guard.
Back in the main room Brad was fighting a losing battle with the television remote. The numbers on the control didn't appear to correspond to the channels. As Christie returned wearing a loose shirt and a pair of shorts, he turned to her with a frustrated look.
" Do they put the numbers on here for fun? Are we supposed to guess? Or is it a code? "
Christie shrugged and went over to the kitchen, looking for the cup of coffee or tea she presumed he'd made for her.
" I don't mean to be rude my friend, but this is a real dump. I always thought you hired killers were meant to be well paid, " he remarked.
" The street outside starting to sound good to you Brad? " Christie asked warningly, without turning around.
" But I suppose as far as dumps go it has a cosy lived-in feel which I can appreciate, " Brad added rapidly.
She smiled thinly and picked up the cup of liquid sat on the sideboard. It was pale brown in colour and had small white lumps bobbing around on the surface.
" I think the milk is past its sell-by-date, " he noted helpfully.
The liquid was poured down the sink and Christie settled herself down on the floor in front of the television.
" You needn't have dressed up for me, " Brad commented, noting her clothes. " I promise I don't have designs on your body, delightful as I'm sure it is. "
Deep breaths, Christie reminded herself. Years of discipline helped her soothe her rising temper. How strange, she mused, that a comment like that from any other man would have been nothing. Yet from him, it stung.
" They're comfortable, okay? Now Brad, please keep that mouth of yours tightly closed for ten minutes. If that concept causes you problems, I shall take out my knife and give you something else to think about. "
He was suitably subdued. Ignoring him, she set up her laptop and logged into her email account. There was nothing from her client. That unnerved her. She had never had a client go so quiet. Especially on the night when she was due to act. Usually they couldn't keep from demanding details and progress reports. Yet this one was silent. Checking her bank account, she found the money she was expecting had cleared. That was reassuring. But she couldn't shake the shiver of fear that shot through her. Maybe she was becoming paranoid, what with Brad and the hectic events of the night. Caution was a prerequisite for those in her line of work. Paranoia though could be crippling.
" Perhaps ten minutes has not gone by yet, but I shall just hope you keep you knife safely tucked away while I ask if you're cold? "
Rattled by the intrusion into her thoughts, she turned around irritably.
" What? What now? " she snapped.
Brad held his hands up in a surrender gesture.
" You shivered, " he said seriously. " I wondered if you are cold. There is a blanket here. "
Christie shook her head and turned back to the screen. Nothing. All of her instincts told her that she had to move. This no longer felt like a normal job. It could of course mean nothing. Perhaps her client was simply better controlled than the others, trusting in her ability to get the job done. But he'd emailed her before. So why not now? And the information he had given her had been incorrect. Timings out by a few minutes, directions just a little vague enough to be misleading. Nothing major but it set Christie's nerves on edge.
Moving out seemed the best option, but for one thing. She was tired. Really very tired. She couldn't judge anything properly in this state. Hell, she'd even allowed herself to be hijacked by Brad. Not that he meant any harm it seemed but that was simply luck. He could have been anyone. She hadn't checked and because of it she could be dead right now. To operate properly she needed a few hours sleep. Besides Brad could keep watch.
As the last thought passed through her brain, Christie realised just how completely depleted she was. To even think of depending on anyone else for her safety was ridiculous. And a virtual stranger like him! No, she'd have to put up a few safeguards before she could even think of sleeping.
Pleased to have settled on a course of action, Christie unplugged her computer and pushed it out of sight under the couch.
" It has released you from its thrall then? " Brad asked.
She looked at him to see him looking back at her expectantly.
" The computer, " he explained. " It seemed to be hypnotising you. "
Ignoring him, Christie stood and went over to the small electric lamp that illuminated the room. She used the corner of her skirt and removed the hot bulb.
" Christie, my friend, I cannot see in the dark. I will fall over things, " Brad complained.
" I suggest you stay on the couch then and don't go wandering around. "
In a practised motion, Christie closed her fist around the bulb. It shattered into the thick cotton of her shirt. Carefully, she began to sprinkle the pieces across the floor.
" I don't think you'll get your deposit back from the manager of this place if you go around breaking all the light bulbs, " he advised her sensibly.
" I'm not breaking all of them Brad. Just this one so I'll hear if anyone moves about in here, " she answered with as much patience as she could summon up.
He was silent for a moment. She could just about see him by the light of the streetlights outside. He was sat cross-legged on the sofa, apparently watching her. The silence didn't last for long.
" But what if I need the toilet in the night? "
Taking a deep breath Christie reminded herself that she had not been hired to kill him and so she would get no money if she did and would simply have the mess of a dead body to clean up.
" Do you need the toilet Brad? "
Silence again.
" Well no, but I might. Or what if there is a fire? "
" Then you'll get cut feet. End of discussion. "
She went into her bedroom and pulled the door to. The bed mattress was hard and lumpy. The blankets were thin and scratchy. But it was a bed and she had a few hours. Laying down she allowed herself to succumb to sleep.
It was a feeling of pleasant surprise that awoke Brad. The crunch of glass had indeed woken him up. Christie had been correct, even though he had doubted that such a miniscule amount of glass would make a significant amount of noise. Next he registered the fact that there was someone right beside him. The dark shape leaning over him was not Christie, as Brad had immediately hoped, but someone who didn't have even half the right kind of curves.
Deciding that whoever it was probably shouldn't be there, Brad gave a sudden kick aimed directly at the kneecap. He was rewarded with a satisfying curse and thud as the person toppled to the floor. Unfortunately there were more people in the room than just his victim. At least two other shapes. One of which was already halfway through Christie's door.
Determined to keep them from her, Brad threw himself at the one who was evidently intent on Christie. He collided with the solid figure and the impact sent them hurtling through the doorway. Christie happened to be in their path and the combined force of an enraged Brad and a muscle-bound attacker sent her flying to the floor. She whimpered as her head hit the metal bed frame, the pain causing her to loosen her grip on the gun that she was holding. The other men had been chasing after Brad and their colleague and instantly lunged for the gun. Still mildly concussed, Christie scrabbled with them frantically. She desperately clawed for it but eventually lost.
The winner jabbed the gun to Brad's head as he continued to wrestle with the other men. He froze instantly.
" Stand up, very slowly, " a voice commanded him.
What light there was came from the window in the other room. Brad could make out only vague forms. Plus, he could hear Christie's heavy breathing. He had heard the smack as her head had connected with the metal. It sounded as though it hurt. That was what he had wanted to avoid.
Too late though. Now his only option was to cooperate and get her out of the room and harm's way as quickly as he could. Preferably with no additional injuries added to her concussion.
He stood carefully and allowed himself to be moved back into the relative light of the other room. Christie was forced in behind him, her arms being pinned behind her back by one of the other men. She staggered forward and Brad wondered if her head was bleeding. A cool wave of panic rushed through him. This hadn't been what he wanted. He hadn't planned for this. She wasn't meant to get hurt. But she had and it was his fault.
He turned to face the man with the gun who was studying Brad carefully.
" And what do we do with you? " the man asked rhetorically.
" I think we know that. We don't know how but we know what, don't we? But her, you don't need her. Let her go. I give up. You won. I won't fight. Just let her go. " The words rushed out. Brad tried to speak reasonably and persuasively, but his usual charm wouldn't come. It was dimmed by his fear, fear for her safety, her life.
The man was quiet, still looking at Brad.
" But, " he said finally. " We don't want you. "
" But. but I thought..? I thought you were here for me, " Brad said haltingly.
" No, we're here for her, " the man answered, gesturing towards Christie with the gun.
Brad followed his gaze. He saw Christie looking at him, eyes wide and luminous. She understood now. There had been no `friend`. It was him. The contract was out on him. Of course she wouldn't have been hired. But why hadn't he told her? With a great deal of effort, she turned her attention back to the situation in hand.
" Who sent you? Who are you working for? " she asked, coolly professional.
" Your current client, " the man answered quietly.
Christie smiled, the pieces falling into place in her mind.
" I wasn't contacted because I wasn't expected to get out alive. I was meant to get the target and then fall foul of either the internal security guards or the police, who someone helpfully tipped off. Only I was too good, wasn't I? " she verified, a note of pride slipping into her voice, despite the circumstances.
The man nodded. " That's right. But not so good that we didn't catch you. Now, where's your computer? "
" It's too late for that. I was suspicious when there was no contact from the client. I've already forward his emails and all the details to someone else. Someone else knows what your client did. Killing me might stop me from talking, but there are others who know now, " Christie lied smoothly.
" Then we'll just have to find and kill them too, " the man answered grimly. " And that's why we need your laptop. Now you can tell us where it is and in return we'll deal with you nice and quick. Make us look for it though and it will last a lot longer. "
" Tear the place apart, " Christie invited. " It's rented anyway. "
At the man's command, the others began to rifle through cupboards and drawers. Christie racked her brains as she thought of a way to get over to the sofa. It wouldn't be long before they turned their attention there. Still, she had bought them both a little time. She turned to look at Brad, who so far had contrived to get in the way of the search at every given opportunity. Once again the men were forced to shove him aside before they could continue.
" Oh I'm sorry, I just keep getting under your feet. Let me get out of your way, " Brad volunteered, sitting himself down on the sofa. The streetlight streamed through the window directly behind him, obscuring his face and turning his hair a pale shade of orange. Christie tried to catch his eye, trying to indicate that the laptop was right beneath him. However, he was intent on watching the search.
She felt the pain buzz on in her head. She was still tired. And there was a gun pointing at her. It wasn't a new experience but it irritated her that it was actually her own gun she was facing. Racking her brains she couldn't see a way through this. Brad evened the odds a little but it was his fault that the gun was in their possession. Still, she reasoned, they would have brought their own guns anyway. What annoyed her though was that they hadn't even needed to draw them. Her gun had virtually been handed to them. Sloppy was the only word to describe it. It was the only way to describe her entire performance this evening.
Still, if she could just get her arms free then she could fight her way out. Surely Brad would be able to understand that as a plan. She readied her legs to relax, to throw the man holding her off balance. A quick kick to the hand pointing the gun and they should be on equal footing again.
It was a plan. A risky one. One that required perfect timing. If the man was going to shoot, she wanted it to hit the man holding her. Which meant she was going to have to work fast to throw the man forward. Forcing herself not to tense, not to do anything that could give away her plan, Christie began to count down from three in her head.
" Oh here it is, " Brad commented helpfully, holding the laptop out.
Christie's heart exploded in her chest. She promised herself that if by some miracle she got out of this alive, the very first thing she was going to do was murder Brad in the most painful way she could think of. And she prided herself on knowing some good, painful ways to die.
The man with the gun reached out for it. In a lightning move, Brad pulled the laptop back and held it out of the window. The man froze, his eyes fixed on the computer.
" Computers aren't part of my field of expertise, " Brad said pleasantly. " Tell me, would a twenty-foot drop be very damaging for this computer? "
" I think it might make it very difficult for these gentlemen to track down anyone I've sent any emails to, " Christie agreed, revising her promise to herself to include a kiss on the lips for Brad for this stunt, before she brutally killed him.
Brad settled himself comfortably, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, all the while holding the laptop out over the deserted street.
" This doesn't concern you, " the man said reasonably. " Give us the laptop and you can leave here with your life. "
Brad was quiet for a moment, before nodding.
" Sounds good, " he agreed. " What about her? You kill her once I leave? "
" Unfortunately, that part is non-negotiable. She's got to die, " the man stated, shrugging.
" Risks of the job Brad. I accepted it when I started out. Just go, I can take care of myself. "
Brad laughed briefly. " Yes, I can see that. No, Christie my friend, I think you need my help here. "
" But that's just it Brad. I'm not your friend! You don't know anything about me! I've got through things a lot worse than this, and all without your help would you believe? "
There was silence in the room as he digested what Christie had said. Sensing he was wavering, Christie added softly, " Don't try and be a hero. I'm okay. I'm not some damsel in distress. I can manage by myself. "
" I know you feel you ought to be noble, but this isn't a noble line of work that she and I are in. There's nothing you can do here, " the man added.
" No, you don't seem to understand, " Brad said, leaning forward. " I'm not being a gentleman here. I'm being very selfish. Look, as soon as you have this laptop, she dies, doesn't she? " Brad checked.
" Yes, " the man said.
" No, " Christie countered firmly.
" I am going to believe him for the moment. He does have the gun right now Christie, " Brad explained in a sensible tone. " You see, as open-minded as I may be, my tastes do not run to necrophilia. I would prefer to keep the woman I love alive. I will keep my arm out here, if that is all the same to you. "
" No, that's not all the same to me! I need that laptop! " the man insisted, moving forward menacingly.
" My arm is weakening! " Brad warned.
The man backed off again. There seemed to be a standoff.
" Oh for heaven's sake, you lunatic fool, either drop the thing or hand it over! I don't want to hang around like this all night! " Christie cursed, losing patience.
" You are very keen to die, " Brad noted.
" Anything to get me out of here! " she spat back.
He sighed and shook his head disappointedly.
" Try to do a lady a favour, " he grumbled quietly.
" Right, " the man with the gun said, deciding to try and take charge again. " Lets try this. Hand over the laptop or we kill her. "
He pressed the gun up to Christie's pale forehead and turned to see how Brad would react.
" Good going Brad, " Christie congratulated him sarcastically. " Got any other bright ideas of ridiculous stunts to get my life in any more danger? Would you please just give these men my laptop and get out of here before you actually do get me killed? "
" Hmm, it did not work out quite how I hoped, " Brad admitted. " I didn't really plan past holding the computer out of the window. "
The man smacked Christie hard across the face with the gun.
" Did that help you think? " the man questioned.
She lifted her head back up. There was a nasty looking welt on her cheek and a line of blood trickled from a split lip. Her eyes burnt as she glared at the man. Even though she was securely held, the man felt uneasy under the weight of her furious gaze.
" That was uncalled for, " Brad remarked, a hard undertone to his voice. " Here, have your laptop. "
Using all of the strength of his arm, Brad threw the laptop like a Frisbee. It connected with the man's chin, knocking him right back. As soon as Christie realised what Brad was doing she threw herself forward, bringing the man holding her flying over her head. She followed it up with a hard kick to the neck, knocking him unconscious. As she was bending down, Brad leapt over her to the man with the gun. He banged the man's head swiftly against the floor a few times, until the man stopped struggling. The last of the attackers was pulling out his gun as Christie grabbed his wrist and jerked it backwards, hearing the satisfying click as the bone broke. The gun fell to the floor. Ignoring it, Christie elbowed the man viciously in the neck.
Assured that all three men were safely unconscious, Christie reached down for the gun. Brad touched her hand lightly.
" Christie, can we maybe not kill them? I am just a little squeamish about it. "
She fixed him with a steely gaze and raised an eyebrow.
" I wasn't going to kill them. I just wanted my gun back. "
" Of course, yes, " Brad apologised. " I mean, we're getting away so there is no need to. "
" And besides, " Christie added as she patted the men down expertly, " what would we do with the bodies? "
" Well yes, that too, " he agreed uncertainly.
She fished out a wallet. No ID. Just a few notes of money, which she pocketed.
" So, " she said, standing up to face Brad. " There was no friend. You're the one someone's trying to kill. "
Brad squirmed a little under her scrutiny.
" I make friends easily it seems, " he joked weakly.
" And you were going to give yourself up to save me, " she said emotionlessly.
" But they did not want me. I am still recovering from the insult. "
She stepped closer and looked him squarely in the eye. He tried to find a shred of emotion in her strange, bright eyes. But they were empty. He could only see himself reflected.
" Listen to me, you came for advice, well this is it. You do not ever, under any circumstances, give yourself up. Make whoever it is work for the kill and earn their money. Do you hear me? "
" I do not have much experience of people trying to kill me. You would need someone like Kasumi for that. Generally people like me and don't want to kill me, you know. People other than you that is. "
Christie turned away from him. She moved to look out of the window, scanning the street for any signs that their attackers had a back-up team.
" Oh yes, about that. "
" Must we talk about that? " Brad asked plaintively. " It is really very embarrassing and I have already been rejected once this evening. "
" It's okay Brad, I know you didn't mean it. I just wanted to tell you not to pull a stunt like that again. "
He frowned, watching her look out. She was still in her shirt and shorts, plus a pair of pink, fluffy bed socks that he found strangely endearing.
He moved to stand behind her and gently turned her around to face him. She didn't resist but looked past him.
" No Christie, I did mean it. I meant it very much. I have loved you since I first saw you beating Bayman senseless, " he grinned. " I did try to catch your attention at the time. I even tried to organise it so we would fight each other in the tournament. I thought for sure if you were fighting me you would pay me some attention, even if it were just to look for weak spots. But you were preoccupied. I believe you were busy trying to kill Helena Douglas at the time. "
He released her and stepped back. " And it's just as well I didn't make a fool of myself by throwing myself at you. It's fine because I understand now. I'd just get in your way. People in your line of work don't have lovers. "
" No, " Christie agreed flatly. " We don't. "
Brad smiled and shrugged.
" That's okay. I don't want to be a nuisance to you. But when I heard someone was trying to kill me, I couldn't resist coming to see you. I had a connection with you that was professional and so I couldn't be a nuisance. Well, not a romantic one anyway. "
Christie was quiet for a long time before moving towards her room.
" Get your things Brad, we can't stay here. "
She left the room without another word. He sighed and looked after her for a few moments. Then he sat down and began to try and pick the shards of glass out of his feet.
As she took a shower she could hear him fiddling around in the kitchenette: the clink of cups, the hissing of the kettle. All the comforting domestic noises Christie hadn't heard since her employment with Helena Douglas. The thought of the beautiful blonde struck her. Could Helena be the target? It would explain why she hadn't been hired. Having failed once, she wouldn't be hired to try again. Brad and Helena as a couple? No, couldn't be. Could it? He defended her, openly admires her. But to ask for advice from the woman who until recently had been trying to kill her. No. Impossible. But, it would suit Brad's sense of humour.
Christie tried to relax under the pounding of hot water. It felt good to be clean again. But the nagging question of Brad's `friend` wouldn't leave her. He gave no names, no details, nothing. How could she possibly be expected to help? Unless he had some other reason to be here. She cursed as the seed of paranoia took root. How to go from here was the issue now. Don't give too much of yourself away, she cautioned herself. Be on guard.
Back in the main room Brad was fighting a losing battle with the television remote. The numbers on the control didn't appear to correspond to the channels. As Christie returned wearing a loose shirt and a pair of shorts, he turned to her with a frustrated look.
" Do they put the numbers on here for fun? Are we supposed to guess? Or is it a code? "
Christie shrugged and went over to the kitchen, looking for the cup of coffee or tea she presumed he'd made for her.
" I don't mean to be rude my friend, but this is a real dump. I always thought you hired killers were meant to be well paid, " he remarked.
" The street outside starting to sound good to you Brad? " Christie asked warningly, without turning around.
" But I suppose as far as dumps go it has a cosy lived-in feel which I can appreciate, " Brad added rapidly.
She smiled thinly and picked up the cup of liquid sat on the sideboard. It was pale brown in colour and had small white lumps bobbing around on the surface.
" I think the milk is past its sell-by-date, " he noted helpfully.
The liquid was poured down the sink and Christie settled herself down on the floor in front of the television.
" You needn't have dressed up for me, " Brad commented, noting her clothes. " I promise I don't have designs on your body, delightful as I'm sure it is. "
Deep breaths, Christie reminded herself. Years of discipline helped her soothe her rising temper. How strange, she mused, that a comment like that from any other man would have been nothing. Yet from him, it stung.
" They're comfortable, okay? Now Brad, please keep that mouth of yours tightly closed for ten minutes. If that concept causes you problems, I shall take out my knife and give you something else to think about. "
He was suitably subdued. Ignoring him, she set up her laptop and logged into her email account. There was nothing from her client. That unnerved her. She had never had a client go so quiet. Especially on the night when she was due to act. Usually they couldn't keep from demanding details and progress reports. Yet this one was silent. Checking her bank account, she found the money she was expecting had cleared. That was reassuring. But she couldn't shake the shiver of fear that shot through her. Maybe she was becoming paranoid, what with Brad and the hectic events of the night. Caution was a prerequisite for those in her line of work. Paranoia though could be crippling.
" Perhaps ten minutes has not gone by yet, but I shall just hope you keep you knife safely tucked away while I ask if you're cold? "
Rattled by the intrusion into her thoughts, she turned around irritably.
" What? What now? " she snapped.
Brad held his hands up in a surrender gesture.
" You shivered, " he said seriously. " I wondered if you are cold. There is a blanket here. "
Christie shook her head and turned back to the screen. Nothing. All of her instincts told her that she had to move. This no longer felt like a normal job. It could of course mean nothing. Perhaps her client was simply better controlled than the others, trusting in her ability to get the job done. But he'd emailed her before. So why not now? And the information he had given her had been incorrect. Timings out by a few minutes, directions just a little vague enough to be misleading. Nothing major but it set Christie's nerves on edge.
Moving out seemed the best option, but for one thing. She was tired. Really very tired. She couldn't judge anything properly in this state. Hell, she'd even allowed herself to be hijacked by Brad. Not that he meant any harm it seemed but that was simply luck. He could have been anyone. She hadn't checked and because of it she could be dead right now. To operate properly she needed a few hours sleep. Besides Brad could keep watch.
As the last thought passed through her brain, Christie realised just how completely depleted she was. To even think of depending on anyone else for her safety was ridiculous. And a virtual stranger like him! No, she'd have to put up a few safeguards before she could even think of sleeping.
Pleased to have settled on a course of action, Christie unplugged her computer and pushed it out of sight under the couch.
" It has released you from its thrall then? " Brad asked.
She looked at him to see him looking back at her expectantly.
" The computer, " he explained. " It seemed to be hypnotising you. "
Ignoring him, Christie stood and went over to the small electric lamp that illuminated the room. She used the corner of her skirt and removed the hot bulb.
" Christie, my friend, I cannot see in the dark. I will fall over things, " Brad complained.
" I suggest you stay on the couch then and don't go wandering around. "
In a practised motion, Christie closed her fist around the bulb. It shattered into the thick cotton of her shirt. Carefully, she began to sprinkle the pieces across the floor.
" I don't think you'll get your deposit back from the manager of this place if you go around breaking all the light bulbs, " he advised her sensibly.
" I'm not breaking all of them Brad. Just this one so I'll hear if anyone moves about in here, " she answered with as much patience as she could summon up.
He was silent for a moment. She could just about see him by the light of the streetlights outside. He was sat cross-legged on the sofa, apparently watching her. The silence didn't last for long.
" But what if I need the toilet in the night? "
Taking a deep breath Christie reminded herself that she had not been hired to kill him and so she would get no money if she did and would simply have the mess of a dead body to clean up.
" Do you need the toilet Brad? "
Silence again.
" Well no, but I might. Or what if there is a fire? "
" Then you'll get cut feet. End of discussion. "
She went into her bedroom and pulled the door to. The bed mattress was hard and lumpy. The blankets were thin and scratchy. But it was a bed and she had a few hours. Laying down she allowed herself to succumb to sleep.
It was a feeling of pleasant surprise that awoke Brad. The crunch of glass had indeed woken him up. Christie had been correct, even though he had doubted that such a miniscule amount of glass would make a significant amount of noise. Next he registered the fact that there was someone right beside him. The dark shape leaning over him was not Christie, as Brad had immediately hoped, but someone who didn't have even half the right kind of curves.
Deciding that whoever it was probably shouldn't be there, Brad gave a sudden kick aimed directly at the kneecap. He was rewarded with a satisfying curse and thud as the person toppled to the floor. Unfortunately there were more people in the room than just his victim. At least two other shapes. One of which was already halfway through Christie's door.
Determined to keep them from her, Brad threw himself at the one who was evidently intent on Christie. He collided with the solid figure and the impact sent them hurtling through the doorway. Christie happened to be in their path and the combined force of an enraged Brad and a muscle-bound attacker sent her flying to the floor. She whimpered as her head hit the metal bed frame, the pain causing her to loosen her grip on the gun that she was holding. The other men had been chasing after Brad and their colleague and instantly lunged for the gun. Still mildly concussed, Christie scrabbled with them frantically. She desperately clawed for it but eventually lost.
The winner jabbed the gun to Brad's head as he continued to wrestle with the other men. He froze instantly.
" Stand up, very slowly, " a voice commanded him.
What light there was came from the window in the other room. Brad could make out only vague forms. Plus, he could hear Christie's heavy breathing. He had heard the smack as her head had connected with the metal. It sounded as though it hurt. That was what he had wanted to avoid.
Too late though. Now his only option was to cooperate and get her out of the room and harm's way as quickly as he could. Preferably with no additional injuries added to her concussion.
He stood carefully and allowed himself to be moved back into the relative light of the other room. Christie was forced in behind him, her arms being pinned behind her back by one of the other men. She staggered forward and Brad wondered if her head was bleeding. A cool wave of panic rushed through him. This hadn't been what he wanted. He hadn't planned for this. She wasn't meant to get hurt. But she had and it was his fault.
He turned to face the man with the gun who was studying Brad carefully.
" And what do we do with you? " the man asked rhetorically.
" I think we know that. We don't know how but we know what, don't we? But her, you don't need her. Let her go. I give up. You won. I won't fight. Just let her go. " The words rushed out. Brad tried to speak reasonably and persuasively, but his usual charm wouldn't come. It was dimmed by his fear, fear for her safety, her life.
The man was quiet, still looking at Brad.
" But, " he said finally. " We don't want you. "
" But. but I thought..? I thought you were here for me, " Brad said haltingly.
" No, we're here for her, " the man answered, gesturing towards Christie with the gun.
Brad followed his gaze. He saw Christie looking at him, eyes wide and luminous. She understood now. There had been no `friend`. It was him. The contract was out on him. Of course she wouldn't have been hired. But why hadn't he told her? With a great deal of effort, she turned her attention back to the situation in hand.
" Who sent you? Who are you working for? " she asked, coolly professional.
" Your current client, " the man answered quietly.
Christie smiled, the pieces falling into place in her mind.
" I wasn't contacted because I wasn't expected to get out alive. I was meant to get the target and then fall foul of either the internal security guards or the police, who someone helpfully tipped off. Only I was too good, wasn't I? " she verified, a note of pride slipping into her voice, despite the circumstances.
The man nodded. " That's right. But not so good that we didn't catch you. Now, where's your computer? "
" It's too late for that. I was suspicious when there was no contact from the client. I've already forward his emails and all the details to someone else. Someone else knows what your client did. Killing me might stop me from talking, but there are others who know now, " Christie lied smoothly.
" Then we'll just have to find and kill them too, " the man answered grimly. " And that's why we need your laptop. Now you can tell us where it is and in return we'll deal with you nice and quick. Make us look for it though and it will last a lot longer. "
" Tear the place apart, " Christie invited. " It's rented anyway. "
At the man's command, the others began to rifle through cupboards and drawers. Christie racked her brains as she thought of a way to get over to the sofa. It wouldn't be long before they turned their attention there. Still, she had bought them both a little time. She turned to look at Brad, who so far had contrived to get in the way of the search at every given opportunity. Once again the men were forced to shove him aside before they could continue.
" Oh I'm sorry, I just keep getting under your feet. Let me get out of your way, " Brad volunteered, sitting himself down on the sofa. The streetlight streamed through the window directly behind him, obscuring his face and turning his hair a pale shade of orange. Christie tried to catch his eye, trying to indicate that the laptop was right beneath him. However, he was intent on watching the search.
She felt the pain buzz on in her head. She was still tired. And there was a gun pointing at her. It wasn't a new experience but it irritated her that it was actually her own gun she was facing. Racking her brains she couldn't see a way through this. Brad evened the odds a little but it was his fault that the gun was in their possession. Still, she reasoned, they would have brought their own guns anyway. What annoyed her though was that they hadn't even needed to draw them. Her gun had virtually been handed to them. Sloppy was the only word to describe it. It was the only way to describe her entire performance this evening.
Still, if she could just get her arms free then she could fight her way out. Surely Brad would be able to understand that as a plan. She readied her legs to relax, to throw the man holding her off balance. A quick kick to the hand pointing the gun and they should be on equal footing again.
It was a plan. A risky one. One that required perfect timing. If the man was going to shoot, she wanted it to hit the man holding her. Which meant she was going to have to work fast to throw the man forward. Forcing herself not to tense, not to do anything that could give away her plan, Christie began to count down from three in her head.
" Oh here it is, " Brad commented helpfully, holding the laptop out.
Christie's heart exploded in her chest. She promised herself that if by some miracle she got out of this alive, the very first thing she was going to do was murder Brad in the most painful way she could think of. And she prided herself on knowing some good, painful ways to die.
The man with the gun reached out for it. In a lightning move, Brad pulled the laptop back and held it out of the window. The man froze, his eyes fixed on the computer.
" Computers aren't part of my field of expertise, " Brad said pleasantly. " Tell me, would a twenty-foot drop be very damaging for this computer? "
" I think it might make it very difficult for these gentlemen to track down anyone I've sent any emails to, " Christie agreed, revising her promise to herself to include a kiss on the lips for Brad for this stunt, before she brutally killed him.
Brad settled himself comfortably, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, all the while holding the laptop out over the deserted street.
" This doesn't concern you, " the man said reasonably. " Give us the laptop and you can leave here with your life. "
Brad was quiet for a moment, before nodding.
" Sounds good, " he agreed. " What about her? You kill her once I leave? "
" Unfortunately, that part is non-negotiable. She's got to die, " the man stated, shrugging.
" Risks of the job Brad. I accepted it when I started out. Just go, I can take care of myself. "
Brad laughed briefly. " Yes, I can see that. No, Christie my friend, I think you need my help here. "
" But that's just it Brad. I'm not your friend! You don't know anything about me! I've got through things a lot worse than this, and all without your help would you believe? "
There was silence in the room as he digested what Christie had said. Sensing he was wavering, Christie added softly, " Don't try and be a hero. I'm okay. I'm not some damsel in distress. I can manage by myself. "
" I know you feel you ought to be noble, but this isn't a noble line of work that she and I are in. There's nothing you can do here, " the man added.
" No, you don't seem to understand, " Brad said, leaning forward. " I'm not being a gentleman here. I'm being very selfish. Look, as soon as you have this laptop, she dies, doesn't she? " Brad checked.
" Yes, " the man said.
" No, " Christie countered firmly.
" I am going to believe him for the moment. He does have the gun right now Christie, " Brad explained in a sensible tone. " You see, as open-minded as I may be, my tastes do not run to necrophilia. I would prefer to keep the woman I love alive. I will keep my arm out here, if that is all the same to you. "
" No, that's not all the same to me! I need that laptop! " the man insisted, moving forward menacingly.
" My arm is weakening! " Brad warned.
The man backed off again. There seemed to be a standoff.
" Oh for heaven's sake, you lunatic fool, either drop the thing or hand it over! I don't want to hang around like this all night! " Christie cursed, losing patience.
" You are very keen to die, " Brad noted.
" Anything to get me out of here! " she spat back.
He sighed and shook his head disappointedly.
" Try to do a lady a favour, " he grumbled quietly.
" Right, " the man with the gun said, deciding to try and take charge again. " Lets try this. Hand over the laptop or we kill her. "
He pressed the gun up to Christie's pale forehead and turned to see how Brad would react.
" Good going Brad, " Christie congratulated him sarcastically. " Got any other bright ideas of ridiculous stunts to get my life in any more danger? Would you please just give these men my laptop and get out of here before you actually do get me killed? "
" Hmm, it did not work out quite how I hoped, " Brad admitted. " I didn't really plan past holding the computer out of the window. "
The man smacked Christie hard across the face with the gun.
" Did that help you think? " the man questioned.
She lifted her head back up. There was a nasty looking welt on her cheek and a line of blood trickled from a split lip. Her eyes burnt as she glared at the man. Even though she was securely held, the man felt uneasy under the weight of her furious gaze.
" That was uncalled for, " Brad remarked, a hard undertone to his voice. " Here, have your laptop. "
Using all of the strength of his arm, Brad threw the laptop like a Frisbee. It connected with the man's chin, knocking him right back. As soon as Christie realised what Brad was doing she threw herself forward, bringing the man holding her flying over her head. She followed it up with a hard kick to the neck, knocking him unconscious. As she was bending down, Brad leapt over her to the man with the gun. He banged the man's head swiftly against the floor a few times, until the man stopped struggling. The last of the attackers was pulling out his gun as Christie grabbed his wrist and jerked it backwards, hearing the satisfying click as the bone broke. The gun fell to the floor. Ignoring it, Christie elbowed the man viciously in the neck.
Assured that all three men were safely unconscious, Christie reached down for the gun. Brad touched her hand lightly.
" Christie, can we maybe not kill them? I am just a little squeamish about it. "
She fixed him with a steely gaze and raised an eyebrow.
" I wasn't going to kill them. I just wanted my gun back. "
" Of course, yes, " Brad apologised. " I mean, we're getting away so there is no need to. "
" And besides, " Christie added as she patted the men down expertly, " what would we do with the bodies? "
" Well yes, that too, " he agreed uncertainly.
She fished out a wallet. No ID. Just a few notes of money, which she pocketed.
" So, " she said, standing up to face Brad. " There was no friend. You're the one someone's trying to kill. "
Brad squirmed a little under her scrutiny.
" I make friends easily it seems, " he joked weakly.
" And you were going to give yourself up to save me, " she said emotionlessly.
" But they did not want me. I am still recovering from the insult. "
She stepped closer and looked him squarely in the eye. He tried to find a shred of emotion in her strange, bright eyes. But they were empty. He could only see himself reflected.
" Listen to me, you came for advice, well this is it. You do not ever, under any circumstances, give yourself up. Make whoever it is work for the kill and earn their money. Do you hear me? "
" I do not have much experience of people trying to kill me. You would need someone like Kasumi for that. Generally people like me and don't want to kill me, you know. People other than you that is. "
Christie turned away from him. She moved to look out of the window, scanning the street for any signs that their attackers had a back-up team.
" Oh yes, about that. "
" Must we talk about that? " Brad asked plaintively. " It is really very embarrassing and I have already been rejected once this evening. "
" It's okay Brad, I know you didn't mean it. I just wanted to tell you not to pull a stunt like that again. "
He frowned, watching her look out. She was still in her shirt and shorts, plus a pair of pink, fluffy bed socks that he found strangely endearing.
He moved to stand behind her and gently turned her around to face him. She didn't resist but looked past him.
" No Christie, I did mean it. I meant it very much. I have loved you since I first saw you beating Bayman senseless, " he grinned. " I did try to catch your attention at the time. I even tried to organise it so we would fight each other in the tournament. I thought for sure if you were fighting me you would pay me some attention, even if it were just to look for weak spots. But you were preoccupied. I believe you were busy trying to kill Helena Douglas at the time. "
He released her and stepped back. " And it's just as well I didn't make a fool of myself by throwing myself at you. It's fine because I understand now. I'd just get in your way. People in your line of work don't have lovers. "
" No, " Christie agreed flatly. " We don't. "
Brad smiled and shrugged.
" That's okay. I don't want to be a nuisance to you. But when I heard someone was trying to kill me, I couldn't resist coming to see you. I had a connection with you that was professional and so I couldn't be a nuisance. Well, not a romantic one anyway. "
Christie was quiet for a long time before moving towards her room.
" Get your things Brad, we can't stay here. "
She left the room without another word. He sighed and looked after her for a few moments. Then he sat down and began to try and pick the shards of glass out of his feet.