James walked out of the house. Sunglasses firmly in place, he had his guns strapped on and waited for his enemy to arrive. He was surprised and relieved to see only two helicopters. It meant they were only expecting him and Wreck and that they were trying to stay under the radar. He shifted his stance as the first chopper landed. A lone figure exited and approached.
"It is not like you to make such a mistake, 'brother'." The last word was spoken like an invective.
James shrugged and signed 'Mistake?'
The other man's eyes narrowed. He studied the tall, silent man before him. "I know you have the foolish sailor. He has what we want. He's not worth it."
Again the shrug. 'Maybe. Feel lucky?'
With a wave of his hand, the other man had six of his men down and searching the house.
"You were saying?"
James stared at him from behind his shades not moving an inch.
"We will find your friend. There is still time to retrieve the code before the drugs wear off. We will have the whole formula then."
'It's gone.'
"Lies, you always lie, 'brother'. I will not listen. I will find him and get the code myself."
Another shrug. James watched as the 'goon squad' came from checking the house.
"We found this, Mr. A." The first guy threw down James' knapsack. It had been rummaged through. "There were only clothes and this." He handed his boss a laptop.
"Good. Your second mistake." He waved the man to search the cars. With a knowing glance, he smirked at the silent man. "Your third mistake."
The other five men finished checking the house and came to report. "All clear, Mr. A. We found traces of a second and third person but nothing substantial."
"Spread out. Search the grounds. Find them. I want the sailor…NOW."
With various "Yes, sirs!" the men scrambled into a rough search pattern.
James stared impassively at his foe, his 'blood brother'. He watched the men search Sue's car and then Manning's. He glanced at his watch. Just a few more minutes….
The other man was also watching. Watching his archrival. What was he planning? What had he missed? It was too simple…or was it? Something was missing.
One of the men shouted from the field. He waved a small object and started back toward his boss.
Taking the laptop to the still helicopter for safekeeping, the other man walked to meet his agent.
James saw the contrails before everyone else heard the jets scream by overhead. He pressed a remote switch and all hll broke loose.
'Surprise.'
One after another there were explosions. First Bobby's car, then Sue's and then the laptop. The helicopter pilot was thrown clear but was a bit worse for wear. Out in the field, the tall Aussie chased down and subdued the thug closest to him. A flying tackle and two rights to the jaw did it. He turned to see Hector shoulder throw one man into another before landing a roundhouse kick to the third man's head. They grinned at each other and took off after the last man.
James took off at the first explosion. His foe was out at the edge of the field. He saw the man who had been checking the cars come at him from the side and ducked as he flew over. Skidding to a stop, he delivered a swift kick to the knee and a jab to the sternum, effectively knocking the wind out of him. Resuming the chase, he was slowly gaining on his nemesis when the other chopper swung overhead. It came low enough for the running man to hop onto the skid. James drew his gun and took aim at the tail rotor.
Bamm.
He wasn't close enough to get a good shot and it dinged the hull. In the distance he heard more choppers coming in but holstered his gun. The cavalry had arrived.
Bobby and Hector came up sweating and grinning like madmen. The tall Aussie was holding a small object.
"The bloke had my ID. I got it back." He bent over to catch his breath. "Who are these guys?"
"The worst kind of barnacle scum," replied Hector. He was feeling pretty good. Nothing like a fight to get the ol' blood pumping.
James walked over. 'Get Levi. House. Now.'
"Aye, aye, Sn—James." He gave a mock salute and ran to get the golden Retiever.
Bobby turned to look at the silent man. "You blew up my car."
'Sorry. Couldn't help. They find you.'
"Yeah, but what'll I tell my insurance company… Say, where's Sue?"
James took off toward the house in a quick jog. Bobby followed. They entered the house but James stopped to lock the door. He motioned for the agent to close the open window and lock it as well. The Aussie shrugged but did it.
"Where's Sue?"
'Hiding.'
"Where? How'd they not find her?"
He led Bobby to the living room and gestured for him to look around.
"She's in here?"
A nod.
Looking around and shaking his head, Bobby made the 'I give up' sign.
James pointed to a little cabinet door and signed 'She's in here.'