Rebels and Thieves

by Russell Williams

  Chapter 62

  Sitting against the wall, with his hands cuffed in front of him, Malone slowly regained consciousness. Light spiked through his eyes. Damn, that hurts. Fighting a splitting headache, he tried to concentrate. He rubbed a knot on the back of his head, about the size of a walnut, and felt dried blood on the side of his face. Raven was sitting next to him, handcuffed, too.

  “My head is killing me,” Malone said. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.”

  “Kemp hit you hard,” Raven said, her face serious. “The blow knocked you out.”

  Malone sucked in a painful breath. “I feel lightheaded.”

  “You probably have a concussion. No one can take a blow like that and be all right.”

  “How long was I out for?”

  “At least fifteen to twenty minutes.”

  Malone’s head started to clear a bit. Unless he came up with a plan, he knew Kemp was going to kill them. “Do you have any ideas?”

  “No, they took everything. Our guns, radios, cell phones.”

  Kemp came back into his office, a gun in his hand, a smug look on his face. He stooped to his knees, glared at Malone, and backhanded him across the face several times. Malone felt pain radiating behind his eyes, and he tasted blood in his mouth. Kemp go to his feet, tucked the Beretta nine millimeter into the back of his dress pants, and dropped down in his leather chair. Staring at the three twenty-two-inch LCD computer monitors on his desk, he leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and laughed.

  “I’m going to keep you guys alive for just a little while longer.”

  “There’s no way out of this mess,” Malone said. “You should turn yourself in.”

  Disbelief showed on Kemp’s face. “How do you figure?”

  “You can’t get out of the building. We have the place surrounded.”

  “It looks like grand central station down there.”

  Malone was stumped. He couldn’t figure out why Kemp looked at ease. “Look, we’ve been here for a long time. It must have aroused everyone’s suspicion.”

  “Who cares?”

  “Eventually, they’re going to storm the building.”

  Kemp’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”

  Malone felt a jolt of terror. He hoped Kemp hadn’t anticipated capturing them and had a contingency plan in place to escape. “You can’t get away with this.”

  “Oh, yes, I can. I’ve wired the building with C4. Enough to blow it to kingdom come.”

  Malone was horrified. “You’re bluffing.”

  “The digital clock is ticking. We don’t have long. Fifteen minutes tops.”

  Kemp picked up the remote controller and turned up the volume on the fifty-two-inch flat-screen television at the back of his office. One of the business journalists was reporting that Lurodron, a popular arthritis medication, had been laced with sixty-five milligrams of cyanide. So far, eleven people had been found dead from the following states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Facing numerous class action lawsuits and rash of bad publicity, Airtight Laboratories, the drug’s manufacturer, has initiated a nationwide product recall. The company’s stock had plummeted nearly thirty percent, and analysts believed it was going much lower. Kemp shot to his feet, grabbed his stomach, and had a good laugh.

  “I just hit another home run,” Kemp said. “In fact, I just hit it out of the ballpark.”

  “You’re one sick, twisted person,” Malone said.

  Kemp shook his head. “I’m a brilliant capitalist, Sergeant. That’s all. I’m one of a kind.”

  “Someone should lock you up and throw away the key.”

  “I’m minimizing the risks and maximizing the profits.”

  Malone wanted to wring Kemp’s neck. He had to find a way to stop him from killing more people. “You’re a scumbag, Kemp. Fraud, kidnapping, murder …”

  “I’ve executed a brilliant plan, Sergeant. And no one is smart enough to stop me.”

  “All the money in the world can’t save you. You’re not going to be alive to spend it.”

  “You’re a piece of work, Sergeant.”

  Malone cocked his head. He had to figure out what Kemp had planned. “If you blow up the building, you’re going to die, too.”

  “You’re the dumbest detective I’ve ever met, do you know that?”

  The same foot soldier for the Russian Mafia stuck his head back into the office. He was a barrel-chested man with broad shoulders, a relatively narrow waist, and a V-shaped torso. His dark hair was cut short and parted on the side. Below his right eye was a scar, about three inches long. He looked at his watch, nodded his head, and jerked his thumb toward the hallway.

  “I’ll be back in a flash.” Kemp grinned at them and then left the room.

  “Kemp’s making a fortune in the stock market,” Malone said. “He’s shorting stocks.”

  “Forget about that,” Raven said. “There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

  Malone felt a furious surge of anger. He had to do something to stop him, even if it meant losing his life in the process. “Oh, yes there is. We just haven’t thought of it yet.”

  “All right, Sergeant. I’ve got an idea. I want you to do everything I tell you to.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Raven’s voice was tense. “When comes back into the room, knock him to the ground.”

  “That won’t be a problem.”

  “I’ll wrestle the gun out of his hand, and we’ll get out of here together.”

  Malone had a sudden flash of insight. He’d just figured out a way to kill two birds with one stone. “That’s a great plan. But I’ve got to get even with him first.”

  Raven’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”

  Malone stared at the three twenty-two-inch LCD computer screens on Kemp’s desk. With his hands cuffed in front of him, he got to his feet and studied Kemp’s portfolio. He noticed that he was making a fortune from shorting Razor Edge Laboratories and Airtight Laboratories. Malone closed Kemp’s open positions in them and purchased a massive amount of stock in the same corporations. Fueled by market hype, corruption, and speculation, Malone dumped tens of millions of dollars into several penny stocks that he knew were overdue for a massive correction. Realizing he’d dealt Kemp a devastating blow to his portfolio, he logged out of the brokerage account, turned off the computer, and unplugged it from the wall. He sat back down next to Raven and hoped he could get one over on Kemp.

  Chapter 63

  Malone knew his plan didn’t have a high probability of succeeding. Even so, he had to try to outsmart Kemp. Everything would depend on how well the next few minutes played out. Realizing he had to stop Kemp from suspected he’d tampered with his computer, Malone had to play his cards just right. In a situation like this, there was no room for error.

  “I made changes to Kemp’s trades in the stock market,” Malone said.

  “He’s just going to come back in here and undo everything you’ve done to his account.”

  Malone new it was a distinct possibility. “That’s a chance we’ve got to take.”

  “We’ve got to get out of here, Sergeant. Or no one is going to be alive to care about it.”

  “Take it easy, will you? We’re not going to die here.”

  “Do you know something I don’t?”

  Malone’s stomach twisted. He knew Kemp got off on watching people squirm. “Kemp’s not done toying with us, not by a long shot. He hasn’t made us suffer enough.”

  Kemp came back into the room, all the while grinning at them. Malone was determined to not let him find out that he’d tampered with his brokerage account. He got to his feet, leaned forward, and charged full speed ahead. Malone rammed his head into Kemp’s stomach. They both tumbled over the desk, knocking the computer tower and three monitors onto the marble floor. Kemp scrambled to his feet, considerably faster than Malone, and kicked him in the groin. Malone grunted through clenched teeth. Kemp spun ar
ound and backhanded Raven across the face. She fell back against the wall, where she stood still.

  “Knock it off,” Kemp said, pointing the gun at them. “Or I’ll blow you both away.”

  “Take it easy,” Malone said, getting back to his feet.

  “Shut up.” Kemp noticed the computer plug had been ripped from the wall. “Now, look what you’ve done. You’ve screwed up my damn computer.”

  “It happened during the struggle. That’s not a big deal.”

  “The hell it isn’t, Sergeant. Now, I can’t watch my portfolio skyrocket in value.”

  Malone took a deep, nervous breath. He put on his best poker face. “So, plug your computer back in and boot it up. That’s all.”

  Kemp gave him a disgusted look. “There’s not enough time for that.”

  “You’ll just have to find another way to get your jollies, won’t you?”

  “You can bet on that, Sergeant.” Kemp looked at his watch. The same cocky look passed over his face, the one that insinuated that he was better, smarter, and superior to everyone else. “I ought to blow your heads off right now.”

  Malone knew he was playing with their emotions. “Go ahead. Get it over with.”

  “No, I’m not going to that, Sergeant. That would be too damn easy.”

  “So, you have something else in mind for us, huh?”

  “I’m going to make you suffer, right up until you take your last breath.”

  Malone swallowed hard. He couldn’t think of a plan to turn the tables. “Tell me what you are planning—”

  “Shut up.” Kemp motioned toward the door with the gun. “It’s time to go.”

  Like clockwork, the foot soldier for the Russian Mafia stuck his head back into the office. He stood still, brandishing a revolver, and motioned for everyone to follow him. Malone and Raven walked behind him, followed by Kemp at their heels, who kept the pistol pointed at them. They headed up a flight of stairs, onto the flat roof, and stopped in front of a helicopter. Sitting behind a black console, the pilot was dressed in a green flight suit with a white helmet. He flipped a few switches, and, with a high-pitched whining sound, the rotary blades started turning.

  “Forget it,” Malone said. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Get in,” Kemp said, shoving the gun in his back.

  “Everyone in the building is innocent, Kemp. They don’t deserve to die like this.”

  Kemp’s voice was charged with excitement. “It’s my get out of jail free card.”

  Malone’s heart dropped in his chest. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t come up with a way to stop this. “You’re not going to get away with it. Everyone’s going to come after you.”

  “No, they’re not, Sergeant. Not when there are so many body parts to sort through.”

  “I’m going to kill you for this.”

  “Stop arguing with me. Or I’ll blow your head off. Then I’ll blow her head off, too.”

  Forced to comply with Kemp’s wishes, Malone and Raven climbed into the helicopter. The foot soldier for the Russian Mafia and Kemp slid into the seats behind them with their guns pointed at the back of their heads. The helicopter banked to the side, lifting off the tall building, and flew into the clear blue sky. Not a moment later, there was a loud explosion, followed by the sound of glass, steel, and giant red flames bursting into the air. The roof was obliterated, along with the two top floors. Malone knew countless people were dead and many more were seriously injured from the tremendous blast.

  Chapter 64

  Malone and Raven stood in a large grassy field, accompanied by a group of foot soldiers from the Russian Mafia. Several of them had AK-47s slung over their shoulders. Unarmed and handcuffed, Malone knew the odds weren’t in their favor. Two foot soldiers stood behind them, each one pointing a 9mm at the back of their heads. Unless a miracle happened, Malone knew they would be executed within a matter of minutes. Basov and Kemp stood in front of them, right next to a helicopter and several getaway vehicles.

  “No one followed us here,” Kemp said. “They’re too busy picking up the body parts.”

  Malone felt a chill of terror. “You’re one sick, son of bitch.”

  “No, I’m not, Sergeant.” Kemp grinned. “I’m a brilliant businessman, that’s all.”

  “Remember, I’m going to make you pay for what you’ve done.”

  “No, you’re not, Sergeant. You’re too stupid to catch me.”

  Malone was happy he’d played him for a fool. Based on his knowledge of the stock market, he knew the tide was turning. “I told you that I’d find a way to kill you, didn’t I?”

  “You’re handcuffed, Sergeant. Plus there’s a gun pointed at the back of your head.”

  “I’ve got you in checkmate.”

  Kemp’s face lit up. “You’re the dumbest person I’ve ever met. Do you know that?”

  “Check your brokerage account. You’ll see I’m right. You’ve got big problems.”

  Basov nodded at the two foot soldiers, who were standing right behind Malone and Raven. They lowered their guns, obviously waiting for their boss to give them additional orders. Malone knew he was going to die, but he wanted to seal Kemp’s fate, too. He had to show Basov that Kemp had been irresponsible with his money.

  “You have my attention, Sergeant.” Basov said. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Kemp said. “He’s nothing but a babbling idiot.”

  Malone looked forward to seeing Kemp eat those words. When he found out he’d been outsmarted, Kemp wouldn’t be able to get himself out of hot water.

  “Shut up,” Basov said. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

  Kemp shook his head. “This is a bunch of bullshit. He doesn’t have squat on me.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that, not you. So, don’t open your mouth again.”

  Malone cracked a smile. “You’re not going to like it, Basov. Not one damn bit.”

  “Spill your guts, or I’ll order one of my men to kill you.”

  Malone felt a sense of excitement. He looked forward to getting even with Kemp. “Back at Black Capital Investments, Kemp left us alone in his office.”

  Basov gave him a grim look. “What’s your point?”

  “I accessed Kemp’s computer, changed his trades, and lost him a ton of money.”

  Basov looked at one of his foot soldiers, obviously determined to get to the bottom of things. The soldier unzipped a black leather case and removed a Dell laptop computer. He booted it up and handed it to his boss. Using a wireless data card, Basov logged onto the Internet and into the brokerage account. He stood there, his eyes narrowed, gripping the sides of the computer. Gritting his teeth, he threw the computer onto the ground. Using his heel, he stomped on it several times, smashing the screen and keyboard to pieces.

  Basov glared at Kemp. “You lost a big portion of the cash.”

  “That’s impossible.” Kemp’s voice went up in alarm. “There has to be some mistake.”

  “You bought stock in those drug companies, instead of shorting them.”

  Malone was relieved his plan had worked. Based on his knowledge of economics, he had beaten Kemp at his own game. He looked forward to seeing him get what he deserved.

  Kemp’s face turned pale. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Some of your penny stocks corrected, losing over seventy percent of their value.”

  “This is his doing, not mine.” Kemp pointed at Malone. “Make him pay for it.”

  “Look at everything my family has done for you, Kemp. And this is how you repay us?”

  Malone knew Kemp couldn’t recover from this blunder. No matter what he said, Kemp wasn’t going to be able to make things right. Losing Basov’s money was taboo, something that was punishable by death.

  Kemp sounded desperate. “I’ll make all the money back, I promise.”

  “No, you won’t. You knew what the rules were. I spelled them out for you.”


  “We’ll get past this.” Kemp raised his hands. “It’s a setback, that’s all.”

  Basov grabbed Kemp’s gun and gave it to one of his foot soldiers for safe keeping. With his eyes narrowed, he drew a Walther 9 millimeter from a holster on his left hip and held it to Kemp’s head. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Basov lowered the gun and slipped it back into the holster. For a moment, he just stood there, as if he was deep in thought. Basov walked over to Malone, unlocked his handcuffs, and jerked his thumb toward Kemp. In so many words, he’d conveyed that he didn’t care what he did to Kemp, just as long as he got what he deserved.

  “Oh, so this is how it’s going to be,” Kemp said. “That’s fine with me.”

  Malone approached Kemp. “You loved cheating people out of their money, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, I did, Sergeant. A sucker is born every minute.”

  “You got off on the cyanide deaths, didn’t you?”

  “I was having the time of my life, until you screwed everything up.”

  Malone clenched his fists. His complete lack of regard for everything he’d done sickened him to the core. “You killed Officer Brown, didn’t you?”

  “That brought me a great deal of satisfaction, only because I knew he was your friend.”

  “You loved screwing my wife, didn’t you?”

  Kemp winked at him. “She’s such a little tramp. But I had the time of my life with her.”

  Malone felt a spike of hot anger surge through him. Blinded by rage, he couldn’t think clearly. “I told you that I’d find a way to get even with you, didn’t I?”