Delton could feel the sweat dripping from his brow as he frantically shredded the documents from his office. Their could be no tie between himself and the police or the smugglers, he planned to be out of there as soon as possible. Two more minutes and all the evidence would be gone and he'd be on his way to the airport and then to Spain. He regretted the way things had gone, He'd admired Tony's spirit and his character, he still did, but he knew too much and he could send Delton to jail for a very long time and given the connections he had and the things he knew he'd never last a day before someone took him out. "Penny." He called out to his secretary.
"Yes sir."
"Can you get my car ready. I'll be leaving in two minutes."
"Yes sir." Penny wondered why her boss was acting so strangely. She was worried about him so she grabbed some files and made an excuse to see what was going on. When she opened the door and saw of the files spread out across the table, the pile of shredded paper on the floor she gasped. "Oh my god. Sir. What's going on?"
"Get out! Get out!" He yelled.
"I'm sorry." She apologised as she ran out of the office, causing a scene which led others to realise what was happening. As the group outside started to watch Delton sat oblivious as he continued to shred everything in site. He placed the papers into his trash bin and set them on fire.
"Mr Delton." The secretary screamed as the fire alarms went off. Water streaming down from the sprinklers above people left him behind as they filled outside to safety.
"Mr Delton please." Penny pleaded trying to get her boss to go with her.
"Get out of here now Penny. Before It's too late."
"I'm sorry sir." She apologised as she left him behind. Delton placed more paper onto the fire, the flames charring the carpet underneath. He grabbed his briefcase and his jacket and headed out of the building, his clothes dripping wet. Outside a crowd gathered on the curb, watching as the fire department showed up and made their way inside. Delton slipped past them and into his waiting car, shaking himself off before he stepped inside. The driver repositioned his mirror, taken aback by the mans unusual dishevelled appearance and drove off.
"Where are we heading to?" Jack asked, not familiar with the layout of where Delton's office was.
"He'll be in his office. Downtown." Tony told him, checking his gun as they past the outskirts of the main shopping district.
"What are we doing once we're there?" Chase asked, keeping an eye out from the back seat.
"You too keep guard while I take him out." Tony informed them.
"Are you sure your up for this? I could…" Jack asked, referring to the gunshot wound that was still seeping.
"I appreciate the offer Jack but this is something I have to do."
"There'll be witnesses." Chase reminded them.
"Not if we escort him out of the building first." Tony instructed them
"He'll be ready for that."
"I know." Tony knew as well as they did that the chances of them getting out of this alive were slim. But if it meant saving Michelle's life it was worth it.
As they pulled up just outside the building they noticed all of the fire engines and personal outside. "Wait here." Tony said, noticing Delton's secretary at the edge of the crowd.
"Tony wait." Jack didn't want him going alone.
"There's no time to argue Jack." Tony said walking away. Penny had a look at complete shock on her face, whatever had happened it was enough to stop her from noticing the blood on his shirt or his dishevelled appearance. "Penny?"
"Mr Almeida." She greeted him, putting a napkin to her face.
"Is Delton here?"
"He's gone mad." She cried.
"Did he do this?"
"He destroyed all his files."
"Penny this is important. Where is he?"
"He left, five minutes ago. Something about the airport." Tony didn't wait around long enough to say thankyou. He jumped back into the jeep.
"Drive." Tony said in a hurry, "He's heading for the airport." Jack sped through the streets as fast as he could, Delton wasn't going to get away this time.
Delton's car arrived at the airport and was greeted by two of his personal bodyguards. He clutched his briefcase tightly and stepped outside.
"Is the plane ready?"
"Lift off in six minutes." The first guard told him.
"Good." Delton looked around, there was no sign of anyone, but he couldn't be certain.
"Sir."
"It's nothing." Get it together he told himself. First rule of business, don't let your men see your falling apart. The engines roaring to life Delton stepped inside the plane and took a seat, buckling himself in tightly. His first guard beside him as his second waited outside.
"Pilot. How long?" He asked, staring at the cabin, the curtain drawn obscuring his view of the cockpit.
"Two minutes."
"We need to leave. Now." He couldn't wait any longer.
"Yes sir." The plane's engines sped up as they tried to gather momentum. The hatch closed behind him and he relaxed. As the plane levelled off he undid his seatbelt and looked around.
"What the hell?" The shot came from nowhere, it's perpetrator well hidden behind the rear seat, it hit the guard point blank in the chest killing the guard beside him instantly. Chase approached from the rear as Tony came out from the co pilots seat. "That was for Michelle" He said, pointing to the guard who had attacked her and threatened her life. "And this." He said, aiming his gun at Delton's head. "This is so you can never harm her again."
"Look it wasn't personal you just saw too much there was nothing I could do. It was never meant to go down like this, you have to believe me."
"Hmm." He scoffed, "You know that doesn't give me much comfort."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?"
"For everything."
"Say it."
"For trying to kill you. It was an oversight on my part. What can I do to make you change your mind?"
"Hmm." Chase scoffed, "I don't like your chances."
"Please."
"That's what my wife said when they put a gun to her head, when she pleaded for her life, and the life of our child."
"You have to believe me. I had nothing to do with that."
"What about Los Angeles? I suppose you had nothing to do with that either."
"No. You have to believe me."
"But you know who did."
"I have a number, that's all. When I heard about it I told him to hold back."
"So I could free the hostages."
"Yes."
"And then I was expendable?"
"No."
"No?"
"Yes."
"Which is it? Yes or no?"
"Please." Delton quivered. Vengeance was unpredictable, there was no knowing how this would end.
"So we're back to that are we."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I want to know who tried to kill my wife."
"I don't know his name I swear. But I can call him."
"Chase." Tony gestured for Chase to give Delton the phone. Delton took it and hesitated.
"They'll kill me if they know I'm compromised."
"I'll kill you if you don't make this call. DIAL!" Tony yelled his gun hovered in front of his head, almost touching Delton's temple. Delton's fingers trembled as he dialled the number.
"What do you want me to tell him?"
"Tell him I'm dead, that the threats over. Tell them to leave Michelle alone."
"I don't have that kind of power."
"That's a shame." Tony took the safety off and aimed.
"NO! Wait. Danny. I can tell you where Danny is."
"Where is he?"
"His in a warehouse in downtown LA. On the corner of Tenth and Mayar."
"Is he unharmed?"
"Last time I spoke with them. Yes."
"Goog. That helps a little."
"Now what?"
"Dial." Delton knew he was out of options, he dialled the last number and put the phone to his ear. "This is Delton. Yes. It's over Almeida is dead. No I don't believe she poses a threat… Understood." The call ended.
"Is she safe?"
"I've done all I can."
"That's not good enough."
"There's nothing else I can do." He pleaded again.
"I know." Tony aimed the gun at his head and stared him in the eyes. "You threatened my wife you son of a bitch. I'd like nothing more right now than to rip your throat out." Tony tried to pull the trigger, but couldn't. The frustration on his face, killing a man in the heat of the battle is one thing, but cold blooded murder. He tried again, but couldn't do it.
"Tony?" Chase worried about the hesitation, what was he thinking?
"Damn it." Tony cold cocked him, leaving him dazed. "We'll deal with him later.
"Are you going to leave him alive?"
"I'm not sure?" Tony replied honestly.
"Look Tony. I'm sorry." Chase sympathised with his dilemma. As the men discussed their options Delton grabbed the dead guards gun and took aim, but before he could fire a single shot Delton and Tony emptied their clips into him, it was over. Delton was dead.