Chapter 23
Hitman
0700 hours, 28 April 2001, Billy Hazard's Apartment, Base Housing, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Tony kicked in the door, his 45 drawn and at the ready. Tali followed quickly behind, here M9 drawn as well. Tony used his left hand to signal Tali to check the kitchen while he checked the bedroom. Both rooms were empty. "Anything?" Tali called out once they had determined that Billy was long gone.
"Nothing" Tony spat out in reply as he kicked one of the posts on Billy's bed.
"Where do we look now?" Tali asked as she slipped her sidearm back into her hip holster.
"I don't know, we tear this place apart and hope and pray to God that we can find something that'll lead us to him. He hasn't had time to build up assets of his own, and he sure as hell can't use ours. Which means he's either hitching a ride out of town" Tony said.
"Or he's hole up somewhere with friendlies" Tali said, finishing his sentence "We need to find him and fast"
"And what are the chances of that?" Tali asked.
"Billy has been with us for the last 3 and half years, he's trained to disappear" Tony said grimly. "Not to mention that he's got at least a 2 hour head start on us" he added as Tali walked over to the window. "I mean, come on Top, he's trained to evade an Army" she finished.
"Yeah, but I trained him, taught him everything he knows. I brought him into to the Unit, I'll be the one that takes him out" he said.
"Hey, his T-bird isn't in the lot" she said as she looked down at the building's parking lot. "Y'all don't think he was dumb enough to take it?" she asked, as her accent temporarily slipped into the South Carolinian twang that she had picked up from her father.
"Billy always was a bit arrogant, maybe he thinks he's too good to get caught" Tony surmised.
"I'll can it in and have local Leos put out an APB on the car" she said as she took out her cell phone.
"Right" said Tony as he slipped his 45 into his cross draw holster.
0900 hours, 28 April 2001, Tactical Operation Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
"Any luck?" Bridget asked as Tony and Tali aka T&T entered the T.O.C.
"Nada" Tony replied. "We tore the apartment inside and out, and we ain't found shit" Tony said as he sat down on Bridget's desk. "Any luck on the APB on Lieutenant Hazard's car?" he asked, refusing to use a more personal name.
"Nothing yet" Bridget replied.
"There has to be something we're missing here" Tony said. "Something we've over looked"
"Well, if you we're on the run, where's the 1st place you would go?" Bridget asked.
"My HUB" Tony said, referring to a secret location where he storied his escape supplies. Each member of the Unit has one. Its where they keep weapons, false ids, clean money and passports.
"Ok then, so where is Billy's?" Tali asked.
"I have no idea. The location of everyone's HUB is a secret" Tony said.
"So what's the news on Izzy?" Tony asked.
"Chester called about 30 minutes ago. Izzy has a couple of cracked ribs and a bad concussion. Also, she may have a cracked skull. She's yet to regain consciousness, and the doctor is afraid if she doesn't wake up soon, that she might have brain damage" Bridget said grimly.
"Is she breathing on her own?" Tony asked.
"No, she's on a breathing tube and nasal cane" Bridget said gravely.
"Billy's gotta pay for this" Tali said she was leaning against her desk. Before Tony could respond, Bridget's phone rang.
"Go for Red Cap" she said as she answered. "Copy that, Red Cap out" she said after a minute. "Local LEOs have a 20 on Hitman's car" she said.
0915 hours, 28 April 2001, America Mini-U Storage Facility, Lizard Lick, North Carolina.
The storage facility was practically deserted when Billy pulled up to the storage unit he used for his HUB. He pulled up to locker number 244 and turn off the engine. He stepped out of the car and quickly surveyed his surroundings. Confident that we was not being watched, Billy unlocked and opened the locker. Inside were 2 crates of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), boxes of ammunition, guns, and grenades. Billy began packing up to duffle bags full of equipment. As he packed, the pre-paid burner phone he had bought, rang. "Yeah" he said when he answered. "Ok, thanks for the heads u" he said as he hung up.
35 minutes later-
"You're making it too easy Billy" Tony said as he and Tali observed him from a far. "Too easy" Tony said as he lowered his binoculars.
"You think it is a trap?" Tali asked.
"Normally, I would think it is, but how know Billy possibly know we're on his tail?" Tony said.
"Well, he has to know that we're looking for him" Tali pointed out.
"I know, I know" Tony said as he debated what to do in his head. "Ah, fuck it, full steam ahead" he said as he threw his binoculars in his pack and tossed the pack in the backseat of his Mustang.
"You want me to establish overwatch?" Tali asked as she grip her R700 sniper rifle.
"No, I want you on my six, for now anyway" Tony said.
Pistols in hand, Tony and Tali approached the locker. Billy's car was still in front, but the locker was closed. "I'll get the door, you cover my six, got it" Tony said to Tali.
"Got it" said Tali, who had her back to his. Tony fired one from his 45, to shoot off the lock. He grabbed the destroyed lock and threw it on the ground. Tali turned round and put her hand on Tony's shoulder. "Ready" Tali said as Tony reached down to grab the handle. He gripped the handle and threw open the door. As he did, he heard a ping and saw a small ring fly across the room.
"Grenade!" he yelled as he spun around and pushed Tali away. "Move" he yelled as he threw Tali to the ground behind some crates. He dove on top of her, covering her completely with his own body. The grenade when off, sending the locker full of ammunition sky high. The blast was so intense, the flames also engulf Billy's Thunderbird, which was parked next to the locker. The flames picked up the car, raising it several feet off the ground before it exploded. Once the flames withdrew back into the locker, Tony finally raised his head up. Once he was sure that the flames were back at a safe distance, he rolled himself off of Tali. "You ok?" Tony asked as he tried to slow his breathing.
"Yeah, you?" she asked as she coughed a few times, trying to get the soot out of her mouth.
"Yeah, just fine" Tony said as he leaned up against the crate. A rifle shot rang out, the bullet passing right over Tali's head. "Sniper!" Tony yelled as Tony grabbed Tali by the wrist and dragged her behind the other side of the crate. Tony drew his 45 and Tali drew her M9 and they both returned fire. Another rifle shot rang out, again, flying over Tali's head. T&T continued to return fire, but to no avail. The problem was, they couldn't see what they were shooting at.
"Give up yet Colonel?" Billy called out during a short ceasefire.
"Not anytime this Century shithead" Tony yelled back as he loaded a fresh clip into his 45. "Hey Tals" Tony whispered over to Tali.
"Yeah T" she whispered back.
"You up for a little running?" Tony asked.
"Running?" Tali asked.
"Yeah, dodging the lights in all, it's pretty important" Tony joked, trying to see if Tali would pick up on the movie reference.
"Von Ryan's Express, MGM, 1965" Tali said.
"Good Girl" Tony said as he held out his fist for a fist bump, to which Tali happily complied. "Now, you ready for a little running?" he asked again.
"What do ya got in mind Top?" she asked.
"I lay down a little cover fire, and you make a mad dash for the fence" Tony said.
"Then what?" she asked.
"Get 'Ziva' out of the trunk of the Mustang" Tony ordered as he tossed Tali the keys to his Mustang.
"Got it" Tali said as she holstered her M9 and got ready to run.
"GO!" Tony yelled as he spun around and opened fire. Tali took off into a full out sprint. Tony emptied the clip and ducked down to reload. He watched as Tali turned to corner. Well, at least she's safe Tony thought as he popped in a new clip. Now all Tony had to do was wait. Wait and pray that Billy didn't kill him before Tali got back.
Tali hoped over the fence and sprinted up to the Mustang. She quickly fished the keys out of her pocket and used them to unlock the trunk. She reached down and used a different key to unlock and slide back the secure panel that hid the weapons that Tony hid in his trunk. She grabbed "Ziva", Tony's modified BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). Then she grabbed the ammo belt that held the modified clips and slung it across her shoulder. She grabbed "Ziva", slammed the trunk shut and took off running back towards Tony.
Bullets continued to crack over Tony's head as Billy continued to fire at Tony. "Give it up Colonel, I got you dead to rights" Billy called out.
"Not in this lifetime Hitman" Tony called out.
Billy took careful aim as he chambered the next round in his K-98k Karabiner. He moved his finger to the trigger, when a spray of bullets shot over his head. "Fuck" he yelled as he dropped his rifle and took off running. Tali fired 2 more bursts at Billy, but both missed. Billy jumped down off the building, did a tuck and roll, and took off running.
Tony and Tali quickly followed. Tali tossed the BAR and ammo as they chased after Billy. Billy reached a chain link fence and quickly tried to hope it. When he came down on the other side, in the parking lot of a car dealership, he landed awkwardly and sprained his ankle in the process. He yelled out in pain as he hobbled as quickly as he could towards the main building. Tali and Tony hopped the fence as well and chased after him. Billy drew his Glock-17 pistol and fired off several shots. Screams rose up from the crowded parking lot. Billy hobbled inside the building. Tali and Tony tried to followed, but they had to push their way through the hundreds of onrushing civilians. "Move, damn it, move!" Tony yelled as he tried to push his way through. Billy, now inside, hobbled and limped his way up the large spiral staircase and locked himself inside an office on the upper level of the building. Billy fired 3 shots, hitting the back window of a parked car outside. "Next one's going into something soft" Billy threatened.
"Damn" said Tony as he took out his cell phone. He hit the one on his speed dial and waited. Meanwhile, Billy used 2 rulers and some string to make a splint for his sprained ankle.
"Go for Red Cap" Bridget answered.
"It's Movie Buff, you better get Ex-Caliber down here, post ricki-tick" Tony said.
40 minutes later- 1050 hours
Colonel Edward James Barrett pulled up to the car dealership in his red 1998 Ford Explorer. By now, the parking lot was filled with local police and a SWAT team was The North Carolina State Police. He stepped out of the SUV, and walked towards the building. Inside, he found Tony and Tali both waiting for him. "Gimme' a sit rep" Barrett ordered.
"Hitman has barricaded himself along with 2 hostages in an upstairs office. He's armed, we think with only a sidearm, but we don't know for sure" Tony said.
"Time is not our friend Tony, we can't keep these cameras in the dark for long. Too many witnesses saw him come through here, his cover ain't gonna hold, we need to close this down. I want him alive, what are the chances of ending this thing peacefully?" Barrett asked both of them.
"I'm going to be honest Colonel, not likely. He's off his rocker, and it's only a matter of time before he kills somebody" Tali said.
"I would have to agree" Tony added.
"I'm sensing a but here" Barrett said.
"But, Billy's a friend, even if he has gone off the deep end" Tony said.
"Ok fine, Movie Buff, you can try and talk him out, but if he moves against those hostages, you have a green light to terminate and put him down. Clear?" Barrett ordered.
"Crystal clear, Colonel. Billy knows what'll happen to him if he takes another shot, I can talk him down. But if I can't, those guys down there, they don't notch em" Tony replied. With that, Barrett walked away. "Freedom, establish Overwatch, I wants eyes on that room" Tony ordered.
"Got it, just give me a few minutes to grab my rifle and kit" she said as she ran off. She ran out of the building and back towards the car, which was still parked outside the storage locker complex. She ran back down the road till she reached the car. She grabbed her R700 sniper rifle and her kit out of the backseat and ran off to the main building of the storage facility, the roof of which offered a perfect line of sight into the office where Billy was held up. Tali got to the roof and quickly setup her rifle. She laid down of her stomach, using her pack to support the rifle. Then, in order to break up her outline, she pulled a gray mesh sheet over herself. "Movie Buff, this is Freedom. Overwatch establish" Tali said into her earwig radio as she peered through the rifle scope.
"Copy that Freedom, what do ya see?" Tony asked.
"It's not good Top" she said. "Billy's wired the door with explosives" she said grimly.
"Copy that, just so we're clear, if necessary, can you kill switch the target?" Tony asked in reply.
"If necessary" Tali said unhappily.
"Copy that" Tony replied. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his short hair. "Ok, all call signs, this is Movie, I'm going to attempt to open dialogue with the target" he said into his radio as he began to move up the spiral staircase. As he slowly ascended the staircase, he drew his Colt 45 from his cross-draw holster, keeping the pistol at his side. Tony stopped a few feet from the door. "Hey Hitman, it's Movie Buff" Tony called out. "I just want to talk" Tony assured him.
"It's not what you think Tony. I would have come in, eventually. I just wanted some time to think! Is that so crazy, that I wanted time to think?" he yelled.
"You're gonna get a lot of it" Tony yelled back.
"Stay back Tony" Billy yelled as he fired a round through the small, square glass window at the top of the door.
"Ok, ok, I'm back" Tony yelled as he back away from the door. He backed away a few feet when his cell phone rang. "Go for Movie Buff" he answered.
1115 hours, 28 April 2001, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"Movie Buff, this is Red Cap. I'm about to inform Ex-Caliber, but I want you to know 1st. the local media has picked up on the story. They know about Billy" she said grimly.
"Copy that" Tony replied as he hung up. Tony approached the door once again, stopping and sliding down against the wall to the right of the door. "What would you like to do Lieutenant?" Tony called out.
"This is the part where the hostile asks for a helicopter" Billy joked. For a brief second a smile appeared on Tony's face. But the smile quickly disappeared.
"We'll lets skip ahead then. Tell me how it was all a misunderstanding" Tony replied.
"Well" Billy said.
"Start changing the facts, open the door" Tony said cutting him off.
"All I wanted to be was an Operator" Billy said.
"You were Billy, one hell of an operator. But I see your legs finally got away from you"
"Yeah, yeah" Billy repeated as he rubbed his sore ankle.
"How's the ankle?" Tony asked.
"Hurt, but I heal fast" Billy shot back.
"Why don't you let me get a look at it" Tony offered.
"You could, give me 15 minutes" Billy said. "15 minutes alone, to think" he added. "And then all this will be over" he said ominously.
"Can't do it Lieutenant" Tony replied.
"It's the best way, it's safer" Billy countered. "You come for me, I will shoot these hostages" Billy threatened. "You saw those boxes in my locker right?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, right before they blew up in my face" Tony shot back.
"Well, it was a little light when it blew" Billy informed him. "I'm showing your sniper. Who is it? Tali? Yeah it's Tali, she was always the one bitch who would follow you to hell and back" Billy said as he held out the M67 Frag Grenade so Tali could see it. "I'm showing Tali the frag" Billy yelled.
"Confirming, 1 M67" Tali said over the radio to Tony as she looked through her scope. "I'm 3 corners blind and red, no shot, I repeat, no shot" she added.
"Not to mention the ones I have on the door. You read me?" Billy called out.
"Yeah, I read you" Tony replied.
"You try to come through that door Tony, you can call it the 4th of July" Billy said ominously. Tony slowly backed away from the door, and moved back to the staircase where Colonel Barrett was waiting for him.
"Clocks run out Tony" Barrett told him. "Any means necessary that avoids civilian casualties" he ordered.
"Alright" said Tony after he took in a deep breath and let it out. He walked over to the railing and looked down at the SWAT Team leader. "Lieutenant, bring em up" Tony instructed him. The SWAT Lieutenant signaled his men to follow him up the stairs. The SWAT Team took up positions outside the door. "Freedom, don't shoot unless he shoots first" Tony instructed her. "Repeat, you do not have a shot unless Hitman shoots first" he repeated.
"Roger" Tali replied as she looked down her scope.
"Breech in 60" Tony instructed the SWAT Leader. The Leader nodded in response. "Billy! Let's get you out of there" Tony said. "Just stand up, walk to the door, and open it" Tony instructed.
"Sure Tony, I walk to the door and open it, then Tali bags me" Billy shot back.
"No, I'll call her off" Tony assured him.
"That's nice of you to say anyway" Billy replied as he hobbled around the room. Outside the room, the SWAT Team prepped a breech charge explosive. "I just wanted to earn your respect" Billy confessed.
"You had it" Tony told him.
"I let you down" Billy replied as he slid down against the wall. "I'm sorry" he added. "Can you forgive me?" he asked.
"Ask me in the car" Tony replied.
"I can't go to prison" Billy yelled out.
"A Solider takes responsibility for his actions! Respect that" Tony yelled as the SWAT Team continued to prep.
"You do what you gotta do Movie Buff" Billy yelled as he cocked the hammer on his Glock-17. "It was a pleasure having served with you" he added. Without saying another word, Tony moved into position behind cover with the SWAT Team. The Team Leader handed him the detonator and his clicked it without a moment's hesitation. The breech charge blew, knocking the door off its hinges. Car alarms outside began to blare as Tali looked for a shot in the now smoke filled room. "No grenade blast" Tony realized as he drew his 45 and rushed towards the room with the SWAT Team right behind him. He entered the room and found Billy on his knees, his gun to his head.
"Damn it!" Billy yelled as he threw down the gun. "I can even do that" Billy confessed sadly at his inability to commit suicide. Tony moved forward and slammed Billy face first into the ground, before placing him in handcuffs. Once Billy was safely restrained, Tony picked him up and looked directly in the eyes of the man he considered a brother. With a violent jerk, Tony tossed Billy into the waiting arms of the SWAT Team, who led him out of the room. As they marched Billy down the stairs, Billy got one final look at his CO, Colonel Barrett, who remained silent.
1312 hours, 28 April 2001, Unit Locker room, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Fortunately, Izzy had woken up shortly after Tony and Tali had left to chase down Billy. Much like her father, Izzy had no fondness for hospitals and left as quickly as she could escape. Luckily for her, she had escaped the beating she took with only a concussion, a couple of cracked ribs, and severe bruising. She was in the locker room changing her shirt when Tony and Chester walked in. "I would have used the women's locker room" she tried to explain.
"But it hasn't been built yet" Chester said calmly as he walked past her towards the bar. Tony motioned for Izzy to sit down at the table.
"Just so you know, the local LEOs have Billy in custody until he can be transferred to ours" Tony informed her.
"I still can't believe Billy of all people did this to me" she said.
"Leonard told me that you have trouble remembering the incident" Tony said, referring to Dr. Major Leonard O'Doull, the doctor that had treated Izzy.
"Yeah, it's all one big blur" she confessed.
"So anyway, Billy's being debriefed as we speak. If he's smart, he'll plead guilty" Tony said.
"From what I've been told, he is guilty" Izzy said with tears in her eyes. Chester walked over with 3 beers. 2 of them were Budweisers, for himself and Tony. The third bottle, he place in front of Izzy, was an O'Doul's, a non- alcoholic beer.
McMurphy's was surprisingly not busy when Billy and Izzy arrived. They both pulled up barstools at the bar, and Billy ordered. "Gimme a Coors" he said. When Izzy raised her hand to order, Billy grabbed it and put it down on the bar. "And the lovely young lady to my left will have an O'Doulls" said Billy, ordering her a non-alcoholic beer. Izzy shot Billy a look. "Chill out Iz, you're 19" he said with a smile.
"Which means what? That you can make my decisions for me?" Izzy asked.
"No, it means that you are too young to drink" Billy said. Their mini-argument ended when the bartender delivered their drinks.
"Billy surprised up all" said Chester as he opened his beer and leaned back in his chair.
"What a waste" said Izzy, tears still filling her eyes.
"Yes" Tony concurred simply. "So I hear you want back on duty" Tony said to Izzy, trying to change the subject.
"I keep my commitment Lieutenant Colonel" she replied.
"Yeah well you do that" Tony said. "Floss after meals, vote the straight ticket, and I'm sure you'll go to heaven" he told her as he held up his beer. Izzy nodded in reply. "At least it's over" Tony concluded.
1400 hours, 28 April 2001, 1 mile north of Lizard Lick, North Carolina.
Billy was being transported by the local sheriff back to Fort Bragg, where he would be turned over to the Military Police to face a Court Martial. The 1st part of the ride back was silent until Billy, who was now dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, finally broke it. "Mind if I smoke?" he asked the Sheriff, who was in the passenger seat, and the deputy, who was driving.
"Yeah, if you can find cigarettes, go ahead and smoke em" The Sheriff replied sarcastically. "Can you believe this guy? Can he smoke?" The sheriff joked to his deputy. In the back seat, Billy leaned over and came back up with a cigarette and a zippo lighter, which he used to light it. Once it was lit, he snapped the lighter shut, causing the Sheriff to turn around to look at him. "Where the hell did you get those?" he asked in a pissed off voice.
"Hey, I asked" Billy counter with a smile as he took a puff.
"Pull over" the Sheriff instructed his deputy. The deputy pulled over and both men got out. "All right what else ya got on ya?" he asked as the deputy yanked Billy out of the car. The Sheriff yanked the cigarette out of Billy's mouth and slammed him up against the police cruiser. "Who are you?" the Sheriff asked. Both the Sheriff and his deputy bent over to frisk Billy's legs.
"I'm the Hitman" Billy said as he kneed the Sheriff in the face. He then quickly head butted the deputy. Both men were out cold, but Billy kicked the Sheriff in the gut one more time, just for good measure. Billy quickly grabbed the deputy's keys, and used them to unlock his handcuffs. He then grabbed both men's guns, ammo, and radios and tossed them into the car. He then smashed both men's cell phones so that they could call for help once they woke up. With that, Billy jumped into the car, started it up and sped off.
A/N- please review