"Jesse, Anson's on the move."
"Damn it!"
"We're tailing them and they're heading for the docks."
"Got it, we'll be ready."
Click.
The sound of a gun being cocked grabs the attention of each occupant inside the Escalade, especially the driver.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Anson spits out, Marie grins wickedly in response as she wipes her right finger along the gun she now holds in her left hand.
"This isn't the time for games woman, we're in a moving car!" Anson growls forcefully. Mark studies his calculating aunt; she's perfectly in control finally, not deranged at all.
"Aunt Marie." Mark begins cautiously to get her attention.
"Shut up both of you." Marie fluidly turns to Mark as her left hand presses the gun firmly to Anson's thigh.
The occupants share a collective gasp, Morgan buries her face into Sister Elizabeth's side and the nun softly begins to pray. Anson thigh spasms in reflex and the Escalade swerves, Marie tuts loudly with her tongue.
"My my darling, you're jumpy." Marie coos, turning her gaze onto her husband. "Maybe it's you who needs to be medicated daily." Marie's tone is bitter and scathing, with her left thumb she flicks the safety off before Anson can retort.
"Keep the damn car straight!" Marie spits out and Anson nods, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
"Good. Now you two have been quite busy, stupid to think I would be none the wiser. Explain to me your plans for these ladies."
Anson shares a look with Mark using the rear mirror.
"I can just as easily shoot you Mark Cassius, don't doubt me." Marie interrupts bluntly. Mark's eyes lock onto his aunt's as he straightens up.
"Of course." Mark states smoothly. "I'm afraid your husband is the brains of this operation."
"Of course he is, you're just the blind follower." Marie mocks coldly and flicks the safety back on. "The truth Anson, I'm not in the mood for your games."
"I told you, they're my client's daughter and nanny." Anson answers annoyed; Marie scowls and flicks the safety of the gun off once more; she enjoys his jump reflex.
"Fine! They're my bargaining chips, business went sour." Anson explodes harshly, Marie nods flicking the safety back on.
"Well, the father is here to collect. We're being followed idiot." Anson's eyes once more widen in shock and he glances searchingly in his mirrors at the cars behind them.
"The green one, 2 cars down." Marie informs him.
"Shit." Anson and Mark both swear in unison.
Anson didn't have time to shut the engine off; he just jumps out of the jeep, running onto the dock toward his boat, not taking a second to look back.
"Anson!" Michael shout rang out on the dock.
Mark's grip tightens around the elderly nun and subconsciously lessens his grip on Morgan. At the sound of the shout she curiously glances back and screams.
The moment she screams time slows for all of the adults on the docks.
"Fi fi!" Morgan yanks her hand back with all her strength and shoots off toward Fiona in a sprint.
Moving on autopilot Fiona quickly pockets her gun behind her in her waistband as she ran towards her little girl.
Michael watches Anson in slow motion raise his gun and shot stupidly.
"Fiona!" Michael shouts at the same time he shoots at Anson's feet in warning.
Fiona doesn't hear Michael's shout but she hears both guns and sinks to her knees arms outstretched, the minute her fingers touches Morgan she pulls her down, ducks and roll.
Bullets wildly bounce atop the docks. Everyone's shouting at once and no one can understand the other. Above all other sounds Fiona can hear the blood rushing through her ears; her heart beating erratically fast and hurting her chest.
She takes a shaky breath to center herself; Morgan is shaking like a leaf – terrified. Fiona tightens her grip and opens her eyes; focusing on the wood of the docks.
Everyone is at a standstill and inhales together deeply, each party staring into the eyes of the other.
"Fiona" Michael calls out, breaking his gaze with Anson for a second to look at her.
"We're fine." Fiona voice is muffled before she pulls herself to her knees her back towards Anson, facing Michael, Morgan in her arms.
Clap clap.
Two hands coming together breaking the silence and drawing the attention to the petite woman between Anson, Mark and Sister Elizabeth.
"Now that I've gotten your attention, let's do a few introductions. I'm most terribly disadvantaged." Marie looks each person in the eyes for a few seconds before locking gaze with Michael.
The team takes a closer look at the mature woman, not too many years younger than Maddie. She reminds them of Fiona actually; barely 5ft in her long sundress and confidently wielding her gun.
They can perceive by the way both Anson and Mark are gazing at her and even Sister Elizabeth that she wasn't to be underestimated – no, she's clearly dangerous.
"Marie Cortez; wife to this uncouth bastard." Marie speaks up, lazily gesturing to her husband with her gun; smirking at the keen gazes locked onto her gun.
"I'm assuming you're the boss sonny, so you start." Marie points the gun to Michael, whom switches his gaze to meet hers; trying to read her intentions.
"Michael Weston. We're here to collect my daughter." Michael responds firmly, for the briefest of moments he allows himself to revel in the warm bliss that accompanies his confession – his daughter.
"So this is your client, dear?" Marie switches her gaze to her husband. Without waiting for his answer she turns to Fiona. "She's the mother, isn't she?"
"Yes." Michael answers tightening his grip on his gun, Fiona for her part doesn't so much as flinch in reaction.
"And hired guns?" Marie asks with a grin as she swings her arm in a wide arc to gesture to his team; she knows she's unnerving them.
"Family; now it seems you're up to speed." Sam interrupts hotly.
"Not quite. And you are?" Continuing with her game Marie points her gun to him.
"Sam Axe. We're not here to play games lady. We just want the little girl and her nanny."
"Honey, I think it's your turn now. You never did fully explain this sticky situation, now we have guns pointed at us." Marie goads her husband, her tone airy. "What about you Mark?"
She's playing with them and enjoying herself immensely. Marie is a wild card they didn't plan for, watching her interactions they can tell she's volatile.
"Marie." Anson huffs and reaches to rein in his wife, spinning Marie smacks Anson's hand with the flat of her gun effortlessly as if she would a fly.
"I want to know your reason for kidnapping these people, Anson."
Seeing her enemies occupied Fiona extends from her crouch, straightening to stand up. Without even batting an eye, Marie aims her gun and fires 2 rounds narrowly missing Fiona's feet.
Michael's halfway to Fiona when he hears the gun go off behind him, feeling the bullet whizz by and watches it hit its target. But through it all he doesn't stop moving, he registers 3 screams: Fiona's, Morgan's and Marie's.
He looks up only after he ensures both mother and daughter aren't hurt and spots a furious Marie holding her bleeding shoulder.
"You've forgotten your place." Mark bites, spitting out his words, glaring deathly at Jesse.
Livid, Mark fluidly pushes Sister Elizabeth to her knees and cocks his gun, laying it to her head.
Anson grins and pulls a detonator switch out of his pocket and holds it up for all to see, freezing everyone.
Yet everyone's confused to where exactly the bomb is.
Morgan is still actively crying and shaking in Fiona's arms. "You're okay." Fiona breathes into Morgan's ear in an attempt to calm the girl. Her hands move to check over the girl to confirm her words. They still as she feels a bulge in the bulky vest.
"Michael." Fiona breathes as she rips the vest open, they both gasp once they spot the attached bomb.
"Surprise." Anson and Mark call out in unison.