Here is a little teaser chapter...'cause I've heard the phrase 'Treat them mean...keep 'em keen'.

A huge gold star to Antigone11 for being the only one to work out what Ryan was doing with the 'list' in the last chapter. Clever sausage you!

The Accidental Hero

Chapter 10.

The sun had risen in the sky above, the waves lapped at the shoreline. The two men went unnoticed under the pier.

Ryan stood in front of Cody and waited for his response. He saw a mix of expressions cross the older mans face. He held his breath, he needed to do this.

"Let me get this straight…what you're saying is YOU want a cut of the profits?" Cody choked out a laugh.

Ryan clenched and unclenched his hands.

"It was said yesterday that it's only a matter of time before this scam is up. I'm not sticking around to find out if they put my name in the frame. I just want enough to get away…. start over again as you've fucked things up for me around here."

Cody stared intently at him. Ryan stared back.

"You've got balls I'll give you that…and why should I even consider giving a piss ant like you anything."

Ryan squared his shoulders.

"Because I've been screwed over my whole life and I'm not about to be again…you made me part of this and I want my cut. I'm willing to get more involved…I know of a perfect house and the owners are away tonight, I know how to get in and I know that they've a lot of cash around…I want in, no more just casing the joints."

Cody frowned as if he was summing Ryan up, and then gave him a grin. He held out his hand for Ryan to shake.

"This might just work out for the best."

Ryan reached his hand out. He suppressed a shudder; he had the feeling that he had just made a pact with the devil.

"There's something we need to do first."

Cody led him back to his car.

"Get in."

Sandy made his way up the drive, the day was warm already and it looked like the surf was perfect this morning. As he loaded his surfboard on top of the car he noticed that the mailbox flag was up. It was too early for a delivery, his interest piqued he unlocked the box and peered inside. He pulled out a wallet, set of keys and a letter. His heart started beating fast as he noted Ryan's neat script on the envelope…'Sandy', just one word and he felt panic rising…

All thoughts of surfing forgotten as he sat on the front step and opened the letter.

Ryan tried to keep his cool as Cody drove, he didn't have a clue where they were going and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. The way Cody was smirking was making him feel very nervous. They pulled up outside a rundown apartment complex and got out. Ryan followed him up the cracked linoleum lined stairs and stood outside the door as Cody banged on it with the side of his fist.

The door opened a crack and Pete peered out from behind the security chain.

"What the hell is he doing' here?"

"Stop being a pussy and open the door." Cody barked.

The door shut briefly and Ryan heard the rattle of a chain being drawn back.

Pete opened the door again and Cody pushed his was inside.

Pete eyed Ryan with suspicion but kept quiet. His tall, lanky frame was encased in a tee and pair of boxers.

Cody gazed around the squalid room in distaste, at the empty beer cans and greasy pizza boxes.

"Shit Pete…you live like a pig in a sty."

Pete sat down on one of the chairs in the room.

"I wasn't expecting company Cody…why you here?"

Cody strode around the apartment as he talked. Ryan stood unsure of what was happening here, he looked over at the door to check that he had a free run if needed.

" Well Pete… the thing is I've been thinking a lot the past few days…we've known each other for a while now …"

Ryan watched as Cody picked up a cushion as if he was inspecting it, he picked several, imaginary pieces of lint off and brushed it with his hand.

"…You've been a good friend to me but quite frankly you've become a bit of a liability."

"What…" Pete started to look pissed.

" You see… you can't just keep it in your pants can you…I don't give a shit what you do on your own time but when we're on a job you don't listen to me anymore. You don't show me respect."

Ryan saw Cody reach around to the waistband at the back of his pants…he stepped back as he saw what was happening as if it was in slow motion. He didn't even have time to shout a warning.

The gun came up as Cody stepped forward and brought the cushion up close in front of Pete. It was like a bazaar, choreographed ballet, Pete started to rise out of the chair…as Cody pulled the trigger, there was a loud bang like a car backfiring.

Ryan found himself with his back against the wall staring at the chair in front of him.

Cody turned to Ryan and dropped the cushion on the floor, it's centre singed and ragged.

Ryan felt himself gag as he looked at where Pete's head used to be.

Cody cocked his head to one side and raised his eyebrow at Ryan.

"You still want to be my partner?"

Cody opened the door and left the apartment.

Ryan bent double as his stomach violently expelled its contents.

Sandy was shaking as he got to the end of the Ryan's hand written letter detailing everything that happened the night of the burglery and after.

' Enclosed in the sandwich bag is a list of houses, on it are the fingerprints of Officers Parker and O'Farrell and Pete and Cody. This will prove that I'm telling the truth. It incriminates everyone including myself.

Sandy, please believe me when I say that I did the wrong thing for the right reasons. Things just escalated… I wanted so many times to tell you what was going on but I didn't know what to do or who to trust. What if this runs deeper and Parker and O'Farrell aren't the only cops involved…I couldn't take that risk with Kirsten's life or yours and Seth's but things are so fucked up now…I've got to do something and I know that there is no get out clause for me now.

This has got to stop…people are getting hurt and I can't take it anymore. So it's in your hands now. You'll know what to do…there must be someone you know, someone who you can trust. I've done all I can.

Sorry just doesn't cut it…I've become everything I despise…. I didn't want this and I wish now that things had ended differently on the beach.

Thanks for everything you tried to do for me Sandy.

Ryan'

Sandy got up and slowly walked to his study, he got his phone book out and flicked through for a number. As he dialled he felt numb.

The phone answered.

"Roger…. I need to see you immediately."

Sandy didn't even stop to change out of his surfing clothes. He got in the car and sped off. His only thought was how to stop Ryan before he entered on the course of destruction he'd set himself on.

TBC

I'm evil I know.

Thanks for all the reviews...ya know they keep me happy and make me smile.