Chapter 44
Posters advertising the latest movie releases lined the outside walls of the cinema multiplex. Two teenagers stood at the ticket booth trying to decide what they wanted to see while an older couple stood behind them patiently waiting. Several groups of people milled about in the parking lot and on the sidewalk – some coming, some going, others waiting for friends.
With a bang, the exit doors opened releasing a crowd of people who separate into groups as entered the parking lot. Following one group of five overzealous women, two men walked at a slightly slower pace but kept the women within earshot, listening with amusement to their conversation.
"That was great!" Danni admitted, as she linked her arms through Mrs. Kersting and Amber's arms as they walked. "The Phantom was such a wonderful composer that it's such a shame that society puts such a stereotype on looks," she shook her head in disappointment.
"Wasn't it beautiful how he secretly mentored her so his protégé got her big break when 'diva' Carlotta stormed off?" Amber stated dreamily, until Liz slapped her playfully on the arm. "What?" she blinked at her fellow agent.
"You're such a romantic," Liz teased, rolling her eyes sarcastically at the younger woman. "But what can you expect from someone who writes poetry in her spare time," she giggled as Amber lightheartedly pushed her away.
"Who knew Minnie Driver could sing that well?" Mrs. Kersting inquired, laughing at the others. Considering why they were here, she was really enjoying her time with the other women.
"Who knew she could sing at all?" Craig muttered from slightly behind the line of women. He cringed when he earned a glare from Danni as the women continued walking.
"But how could the Phantom get so jealous when Raoul started showing interest in Christine?" Annie wondered as she walked beside Mrs. Kersting. "It wasn't as if they had a relationship."
"Well, they did until she dropped him like a 'hot potato' as soon as 'money bags' theater patron showed up," Michael spoke up from behind them, causing all five women to turn around in surprise.
"What?" Michael asked, throwing his hands up in surrender as the women stared at him in shock. His eyes moved back and forth between the five women, wondering what he'd said to get them to stop. "What? I watched the movie too."
Michael was growing quite uncomfortable with all the attention he'd earned, particularly from a certain blonde. Her eyes were so intense as she watched him carefully. Come on, man, he cautioned himself. You've stared down drug dealers and terrorists! Why does this woman turn you to mush?
"Would you like to elaborate on that statement, Mr. Lane?" Liz teased, raising her eyebrows at the brunette agent. Michael glared at her, a slight smirk crossing his face. Sometimes it was hard to remember she was his team leader, especially when she taunted him like a sister.
"What did you think of the movie, Michael?" Amber asked curiously.
"I can't believe I actually sat there and watched a guy sulking around musty passages and dank corridors while bullying the cast and crew of a production house," Michael admitted, seeing Craig nodding in agreement out of the corner of his eye.
"Typical men," Mrs. Kersting rolled her eyes laughing.
The groups' laughter quickly faded when they heard tires squealing in the parking lot. Turning, they saw a dark sedan speeding in their direction, engine roaring. As if in slow motion, the dark windows slid down and the barrel of a gun popped through the opening.
"Gun!" Liz shouted, the first one seeing the weapon. She and Amber dropped to the ground waving for the others to get down as bullets pinged off the bricks behind them.
Closest to Mrs. Kersting, Michael grabbed the woman pulling her down with him as he called to Annie to get down. Seeing Craig tug Danni to the ground out of the corner of his eye, he covered Mrs. Kersting protectively with his body as the bullets ricocheted around them.
It felt like a lifetime later when the shooting finally stopped. However, it was actually only seconds as the car screeched around the far corner leaving chaos in its wake.
Michael pushed up in time to see Liz and Amber sprinting for their SUV. Knowing they were chasing the shooters, he wanted to follow but knew someone needed to stay behind with the others.
"Are you okay?" Michael asked, looking down at Mrs. Kersting who pushed her hair out of her face nodding. Helping her to her feet, he turned seeing Danni and Craig getting to their feet. "You two okay?" he questioned.
"Yeah," Craig breathed, his arm still around Danni as she stood unsteadily.
"Annie, are you okay?" Danni called, shakily peering around Michael to where she last saw her friend.
Not hearing her respond, Michael turned around, his eyes widening when he saw her still form lying on the ground. His heart stopped as he forced himself forward. She can't be! he cried silently as he dropped to his knees beside her.