Dempsey ran all the length of the knight's room and arrived in a dining room. His wife, Watson and another man, who had to belong to the surveillance team, were fighting against Coltrane and Bill Thorn.
In the furthest corner of the dining room, the security guard was wrestling with the little brother. They were punching each other repeatedly. Harry was nearby, protected behind an oak dresser, apparently looking for a way to finish Thorn. She looked up as James watched her and a relieved smile crept over her face. James gave her a small nod 'he was fine.'
A new deflagration brought them back to reality. Hidden behind a column, Coltrane had just shot towards the black man and missed him only by inches. Watson crouched lower behind the upturned table he was using as a shield before rising again and aiming at the column. James took advantage of the cover to run and find shelter behind the same table.
Noticing him, Coltrane sneered behind his column. "I'm glad you could make it Dempsey! I was afraid you might miss the highlight of the day."
"Well I'm here and I ain't gonna miss you Coltrane." James called back. "Or maybe should I call you Banning?"
"You!" he whispered furiously and he shot wildly at the table again. The shot went right through the wood. The hole smoked slightly between Dempsey's and Watson's shoulders.
A little mad laugh came from the column. "You killed my father Dempsey but now I will finally avenge him." His voice was calm now. "Tell me, where are your children?"
James looked wildly at Watson. "Don't worry." He simply said. Well this was easier said than done. Dempsey looked at his gun. Only one bullet left. He had to get Coltrane. He took a deep breath and stood up, aiming at the column but Coltrane was already ready to shoot and before he could pull the trigger, Dempsey had to dive back under the table. Coltrane's bullet hissed over his head.
'Damn it' it was harder than he would have thought. He glanced left, Watson was checking his gun. His magazine was empty. Looking further James saw the security guy lying on the floor. Dead or unconscious he couldn't say. Bill Thorn was now battling against Harry. She was holding his arm with both her hands trying to make him release a candelabra. The man's face was screwed up with effort as he tried to knock her down.
For a second, Dempsey couldn't take his eyes off the scene but then a new gunshot sounded. He turned his head to Watson. Wide-eyed, the man was taking a rattling breath, obviously experiencing great pain. Watson put a trembling hand on his stomach. His shirt was already stained with blood. Looking wildly around him, Dempsey took off his jacket, balled it and pressed it against Watson's stomach, then he put the man's hand on it. "Hold on mate!"
Watson nodded. "Don't worry for me, I've been worse." He tried to smile but came up with nothing more than a grimace.
Incensed, Dempsey stood up, ready to shoot the bastard but he heard Harry gasped. Horrified he saw Bill Thorn trying to strangle her. His hands were pressuring her throat and he could see him gloating at the dying woman. As he watched, Harry was gasping for air and she barely had any force left to try and loosen the man's grip. Changing his aim in a split second, James pointed his gun at Bill Thorn and fired. This time he didn't miss his target and hit him squarely in the chest. The man released his hold on Harry and stumbled backwards, his eyes blank. Harry fell on her knees, a hand on her sore throat, taking deep breaths. James joined her in two big strides and was reassured to see a weak smile on her face. Bill Thorn finally lost his balance and crashed into the dresser, going through the glass holder and sending all the china in the air. As the man and the china hit the floor there was a deafening clatter followed by a high pierced scream.
James raised his head instantly, he had recognised his daughter. She must have been scared by the sounds of the battle. But he wasn't the only one to notice the shriek. Smirking, Coltrane dashed in the corridor following the direction of the sound.
Dempsey jumped on his feet, throwing his now useless revolver aside. He darted through the broken china, ran around the table and jumped over a fallen chair. He got into the corridor and glimpsed Coltrane at the other side of the passage. Coltrane waved happily and opened the door, his gun at the ready.
James started running at double speed but no sooner had the door closed behind Coltrane, than a terrible gunshot reverberated inside the house. Then a second one echoed just as loudly.
"Nooooooo!" Dempsey froze inside, but he never stopped running. He pushed the door opened, knowing perfectly well that he wasn't ready for what was waiting for him inside. His mind was in a haze of blur. This couldn't be, this couldn't be.