Chapter 8:

Inside, Becker stood proudly gloating. He could hear the commotion now going on outside but it didn't matter. With a split second and a twitch of the finger his mission to kill Jake would be complete. His old life gone, Becker didn't really care what happened next. He'd survive it, just like he had all of the other hard times. Jake opened his eyes and tried to catch his breath.

"What are you insane?" The shot splinted the concrete in front of his feet. Small pieces of cement had lodged in his shins the force of the impact was so strong.

"Imagine what that's going to do to the bones in your skull. That poor cop friend of yours is going to have a hard time identifying the body." He chuckled, "That's if they ever find you of course. It is a big ocean after all."

"If you think killing me is going to end this then you are even crazier than I thought." Jake tried to stay strong but he wasn't a fool.

"What are you thinking?" Carlos's second in command came in gun ready.

"Just having a little fun is all." He smiled.

"Well quit it. The boss will be here soon and we don't need any undue attention."

"A little late for that I would say." Crowed Boyd as he snuck up behind and placed a gun to the mans ear. Taking a moment to do a quick shoulder check, he could see that Mal, Jimmy Wolf and Squires were still in their concealed positions. Becker had no idea how many were there waiting to take him down.

"Now who is this?" Becker wondered.

"Jake you ok buddy?" Boyd asked, not taking his eyes off of Becker.

"Never been better." He smiled, spitting the blood from his mouth. It was the first time in days he'd been able to allow himself to have a little hope.

"This si your rescue team? A little insulting don't you think?"

"Oh no." Rose tried to call Mal's phone, but as it rang, she heard his ringtone coming from the glove box. "Damn it." Unarmed, un trained she struggled with what she should do as Carlos's motor car and several of his men on motorbikes and heavily armed rode up to the warehouse. If she left her position, she could be putting them all at risk. She didn't have the know how or the skills to sneak in and tell them in person. She just had to hope that Boyd and his men had their eyes open and had counted on this scenario happening. She'd give anything right now to know what was going on in there. As it was she could barely make out where Leslie was hiding. Thank god she was safe.

"You're not getting out of this one Becker." Boyd pointed his gun to enhance his point further.

"Boy am I glad to see you buddy." Jake wriggled in his straps to try and free himself while Becker was distracted.

"Me too." Boyd step forward and indicated for Becker to step back, which he did, but without taking his aim off of Jake.

"I've got nothing to lose here friend. You may shoot me, but not before I get a round off and shoot old Jake here."

"I'm afraid I can't let that happen."

"Whose going to stop me? Just you?"

"Squires!" Boyd yelled, just moments before he appeared in the doorway gun raised and pointed at Becker.

"Shag this." Leslie had come up with a million scenarios as to why the gunfire had gone off and why Boyd and his men hadn't showed themselves yet. None of them good. She tried to calm her nerves, tried to take a deep breath and tell herself everything was all right, but the moment she saw the black jeep approaching it was a futile battle. She recognised the passenger straight away, Carlos Romero. He got out of his car casually, no sign he had been tipped off to what was going down, but if they didn't make their escape soon they would be blocked in. She watched him walk his parade past his men to the front entrance, then just as he stepped inside, she took aim and shot out the front tires. The car leaned slightly to the left. With another shot, she took out the petrol cap, fuel now pouring out over the road below. His men had started to gather around, checking out the damage while raising their firearms at the unknown assailant. With one last shot Leslie sent sparks flying and the fuel on the ground ignited, lighting a path to the jeep and throwing it ten feet into the air before it came crashing down onto the bikes parked nearby. Three of his men were taken out instantly, another two were unconscious and the remaining four men covered their boss like their life depended on it. She watched Carlos and his men disappear inside the warehouse. There was no time to loose. Dropping her rifle, she picked up the two hand guns she had stored and made her way down towards the warehouse. If she couldn't warn them in time, she could at least help even the odds.