3. HIGH RISE TERROR

Back at EOD headquarters, Nick reported his findings and Lola's assassination. The whole EOD crew were now puzzled with so many questions. Who's this General? What's his deal with the Russians and the Triads? And what does Lola know about him?

"That sniper was good." Nick said. "He must have worn a vest."

"It's like he just faded into the night. A real pro." The Chief added.

"I'm sure it was this 'General' ... or somebody working for him." Nick puts in his guess.

"Yeah, but why kill Lola?" Rosie asked.

"To slience her." Nick answered. "He hired Lola to hit those deposit boxes. She could ID him. He's the key to all this alright."

"Yeah, but who is he?" the Chief was getting a little impatient, despite her 20 years of experience with the police. She had never dealt with a case like this before.

"He could be with the Triad, but it doesn't jive. Let's backtrack. What exactly do we know about Cyprus Holdings?"

"There's every indication Cyprus is used by the Russian mob to funnel money." Masterson added in what he knew about. "But it's an offshore trust. It will take eons to track down the real owners."

"Yep, it's real scarce." Rosie said. "But they do own a jet-leasing company at the Santa Monica Airport."

"How about I check it out?" Nick offered to track down the lead.

"Be careful, Nick." The Chief warned.

Nick then went to pick up his car, and drove to Santa Monica Airport.

--

At the airport, Nick arrived at Hangar 6, only to see a truck drive away. Nick didn't pay much attention to the truck until he saw what's left inside the hangar. The hangar was filled with crates, but what really caught the attention was the dead bodies that laid down there. They were Russians, the same type of people back at the spa. The real attention was a man that was hanged.

"Wow! The vodka must have run out or something ... " Nick said. Then, he turned towards the hanged man. It's the same person he saw in the spa talking to Big Chong. The only difference is that he's clothed, and he's dead. Obviously the General must have ordered his men to kill Rocky and his Russian crew.

"The General strikes again ..." There was nothing more Nick could learn from here, but as he turned to get his car, there it was again! The same truck that pulled out of the Russian hangar when Nick got there. The back of the van was open and inside were two heavily armed men wearing balaclavas. Obviously they must know something about the killings.

"Hey! Leaving the scene of the crime?" Nick quickly got back in his car, and chased the assassins. The assassins, seeing that they were pursued, opened fire at Nick and his car. Nick realised it, and quickly yelled back, "Who do you think you're shooting at?" That comment drew more fire at him. Nick quickly pulled out 1 of his guns, aimed and shot 1 of the two assassins right in the head. Then, he turned and shot his accomplice in the chest this time. The 2 assassins were dead, but there's another problem: the truck is picking up speed. The driver was speeding off towards the Santa Monica Freeway! Nick quickly picked up speed and followed the driver. Both drivers exchanged gunfire, but it was Nick who triumphed, and the truck was stopped right in the middle of the freeway, all 4 tires flattened. Nick quickly got out of his car to chase the fleeing driver, and quickly shot him down. Then, he turned to the truck to have a look at the assassins.

As he did that, the phone rang. It was Rosie, with some terrible news.

"Nick, where the hell are you?" Rosie asked.

"Rosie," Nick quickly replied. "The General's men just hit the Russian hangar.-- it's body bag central. They're Asians, but it ain't the Triad."

"Nick! There's a hostage situation at First Equity downtown. A bunch of militants took the entire building!" Rosie answered.

"It's gotta be the same crew! I bet it's the General!"

"Just get your ass over here, NOW!"

"SHIT!" Nick hung up, and quickly got back in his car. He had no time to lose, and quickly drove back downtown. Nick turned on the radio, and found out that Rosie was indeed telling the truth.

" ... the news. A bunch of militants stormed the Bank Tower, and held everybody inside hostage. The militants struck early this afternoon, and swiftly took the entire building. The leader has issued a demand for a huge sum of money, or they will kill everybody inside the Tower. The LAPD had been unsuccessful in negotiating with the hostage takers, and the police have been unable to enter the building. Drivers are advised to stay out of the area. The militants are highly trained and dangerous. We pray for the safety of the hostages inside, and hope they can come out alive."

By the time that report was over, Nick had arrived at the location. The whole junction was blockaded to traffic. A bunch of police cruisers and an ambulance were the only vehicles inside the blockade. Nick got out of his car, and flashed his badge to the guards. He was allowed entry, and quickly hurried to find Rosie or anybody he knew for intel.