Bend But Never Break

by Cheryl Phipps

  With a mere nod of his head, Marco punched Nick across the mouth so hard, his head snapped back on his neck. Blood started to pool in the corner of his mouth and then dribbled down his chin.

  ‘You’ve no idea how I managed to keep one step ahead of you and it’s been so damn easy. It’s been right under your nose for a long time. Trouble is, you’re such a chump, you couldn’t see it.’

  Talia could hear the madness in Randall’s voice and was even more afraid for Nick. This situation was all her fault. Maybe she didn’t know from the start what Randall was doing, but there came a time when she knew what was happening around her wasn’t right. She’d wanted desperately to preserve the illusion of marital harmony that her parents had found for real.

  Just then, an internal alarm sounded. Randall threw Talia carelessly into the chair. She had come close to losing consciousness, and having no energy to sit upright, she slowly slithered to the floor.

  With a few curses, Randall and Marco left the room in a hurry but remembered to slide home a bolt after the door clanged shut.

  ***

  ‘Talia, are you okay?’

  She coughed and gagged several times but nodded her head. Not a good move, as she looked faint again. She took a deep breath, hoisted herself up onto her knees and looked in Nick’s direction questioningly.

  He’d managed to sit up, but his gut hurt like hell, and his face was beginning to stiffen. ‘We need to get out of here. Can you get over to me? That’s right,’ he muttered as she crawled across the concrete floor on her knees.

  Nick turned his back to her so that she could untie the ropes. They were tight and it felt like an eternity until they eventually loosened and finally he was free. He rubbed his hands together fiercely and blanched as the blood returned. Above them, they could hear yelling.

  After a few minutes, Nick got to his feet and tried the door, then the window, with little hope. He wasn’t surprised that they were both locked. He picked up one of the chairs and smashed a leg through the window. They would never be able to get through the bars, but someone might hear the noise and come to check. As if on cue, they heard someone at the door. Picking up the chair again, Nick stood behind the door just as the lock slid back. The door was thrust open and he was about to bring the chair down on the dark head that appeared when Talia rasped, ‘No Nick, don’t - it’s Emma.’

  ‘What the hell are you doing here? And where’s Jack?’ He tossed the chair to one side.

  ‘We can stand here and shoot the breeze if you like, or did you want to get out of here alive?’ She handed him a spare gun she pulled from her waistband.

  Nick knew she was right, but now he had two women to take care of, which did not make him happy. Why did no one ever listen to him? Although to be fair, Emma could handle herself in these situations, and Talia would probably put up a good fight. ‘Okay, which way?’ he said grudgingly.

  ‘Jack’s hoping to clear a path for us about thirty feet back from the beach at a boat shed. If we can get there, we might be able to hide out until it gets a bit darker. Then, if he managed to get the message through, the cavalry should be here to catch the delivery of the drugs.’

  ‘It’s still going ahead after all this?’

  ‘Seems likely.’

  Nick glanced up and down the corridor. Something was strange about that. Why would Randall risk the deal when he knew they were on to him? Right now he didn’t have the time to work that through. Someone could turn up any minute, especially if they’d heard the glass break.

  ‘Go. We’ll follow you.’ He pushed Emma through the door, and after checking the hall was still clear, he pulled Talia behind him. They kept close to the wall and followed it around a curve. Roughly ten feet away, the opening to the outside beckoned them. They moved quickly with Emma in the lead. She peered out into the darkening garden and beckoned them forward. Footsteps echoed in the distance, but they would have to chance it. Turning to the right, she raced to a shed and squeezed between it and the fence. The other two were close on her heels. In hushed tones, they deliberated on their options.

  Nick looked through the window of the shed and saw a small outboard. ‘We can’t stay here. If they’re using this boat for the pickup, they’ll be here soon to collect it.’

  Emma turned to him. ‘Where can we go? As soon as they realise you’ve escaped, they’ll be swarming over the whole property.’

  ‘You two stay here. I’ll see if I can find a safer place or at least find Jack.’

  Emma looked about to argue the point until she glanced at Talia and seemed to change her mind. ‘Go on, then. I’ll look after your friend.’

  The way she said it made Talia cringe but Nick clearly had no issues, as he’d already left.

  ‘So you have a thing for my husband?’ Emma whispered.

  Talia was surprised. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Oh, come on. Anyone can see there’s something going on between you two.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. We only met a short time ago.’

  ‘I’ve read your file. It was a few months ago, which is more than enough time for Nick. I should know. We were living together after a week and then married two months later. He’s as sexy as hell, I admit, but once you get him, it’s a whole other story. He lives for his job, you know. It’s not the money. He loves the drama, and he can’t give up on any case he starts. He has to get the bad guy every time, which is why he wants Randall so bad.’

  ‘It must have been hard working in the same business. Is that why you broke up?’

  ‘Let’s just say we spent too much time at work and leave it at that, okay?’

  ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’

  ‘Sure you did. It’s okay, though. He’s a free agent, and I guess it’s none of my business anymore.’ She sighed.

  ‘Except that you still love him?’

  Emma snorted, about to deny it again, but then suddenly she smiled. ‘Sometimes I really hate the bastard, but yes, I do still love him. I’m not sure he ever loved me.’

  ‘So you have someone else now?’

  ‘As it happens, I do. Now that is none of your business. Nick doesn’t know, and I’d prefer it doesn’t come out while we’re in the process of being shot at, if you don’t mind.’

  Talia wasn’t sure why Emma was so reluctant to tell Nick she had a boyfriend. Maybe he was the one with the problem over the breakup. She nearly screamed when he reappeared. In the gathering darkness, he looked quite ghostly as he rounded the shed.

  ‘Right. Here’s the situation. I can’t find Jack so we’re going to have to move closer to the beach. I know the drop-off will be there and that it’s going to be soon. If we’re lucky, they’ll be too engrossed in that to be worried about us.’ He took Talia’s hand again and this time Emma followed them.

  Talia felt safer being between the two of them. Still, her heart was pounding, and she was out of breath by the time they made the corner of the property. They could make out Marco’s voice above the surf. Apparently, the launch with the goods had been spotted. Nick was right. It would be happening soon.

  Behind them, the sound of the shed door opening meant that the boat would indeed be used to meet the sellers. The deal would no doubt be happening on the beach, as Nick had predicted. A small tractor went down the path, pulling the boat, and another four guards followed it. The huge security gates opened outwards onto the beach and the group passed through it.

  Just as the gates began to close, another man ran past, yelling at them to stop. Marco pointed his gun at the man, who skidded to a halt. Breathlessly, he managed to blurt out, ‘They’re gone, Marco. Those two that you locked up - they got out.’

  ‘How the hell ...? Never mind!’ He called the other three back and barked out his orders. ‘You know what’s about to happen, so you find them and you find them now. There’s about half an hour before that boat gets close enough. I don’t want any problems. Got it?’

  They backed off and ran back to the house. Marco looked around and a
s his gaze fell onto the bushes that hid them. Talia held her breath. Thankfully, he turned away and walked out of the gate, which clicked emphatically closed behind him.

  They could hear the motor start on the boat and then the sound of it moving off. Two of the guards came back down the path with torches. The three fugitives flattened themselves on the ground while the beams crossed several times over their heads and moved on to the shed.

  ‘We have to get out of here,’ Emma whispered. ‘It’s just a matter of time before they find us. I’ll try to get around the front of the house and see if we can get out that way.’

  ‘No, Emma, it’s too dangerous. You stay with Talia and I’ll go.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’re pulling that ‘she’s only a woman’ stuff. After all this time, you know I’m just as good a cop as you.’

  ‘Of course you’re a good cop but now isn’t the time to be arguing about it.’

  ‘Let’s face it. In all the time we’ve worked together, there’s never been a good time. I’m going whether you like it or not, so you damn well stay here with your girlfriend and let me do my job.’

  Before he could answer, she was gone.

  ‘Is she that good?’ Talia asked.

  Nick peered at her through the gloom. ‘She’s one of the best. I wish she was somewhere else right now, but I’d have her on my team any day.’

  ‘You still love her, then?’ she asked softly.

  ‘I care very much about her. I hurt her badly and for some reason, it seems like I’m still doing it.’

  Talia gently touched his arm. ‘I think she understands, and she still cares about you, too.’

  ‘Really?’ he said sceptically. ‘I could have sworn she hated me with a passion.’

  ‘Whatever the two of you share, it’s certainly not hate. Trust me, I know about that.’ Her voice was full of conviction.

  ‘You’re right. Randall has more hate in his blood than any felon I’ve ever met.’

  Just then, the sound of something breaking rent the air, followed by a groan.

  ‘Got you, you bitch. Get in there.’ That was definitely Marco’s voice.

  Nick pulled Talia close and murmured, ‘Stay very low and quiet. I have to make sure she’s okay. You’ll be all right here for a while.’

  ***

  Talia looked worried at being left alone but nodded bravely. He bent and kissed her forehead, then crept back past the shed and along the side of the house. A portion of trellis had been broken and it hung in the tangled wisteria. It looked as though Emma had been caught trying to climb it.

  Pushing through the gap, Nick found himself in a swimming pool area. The pool itself had a fence around it, and on the outside of this were stairs going to a patio area. Pulling himself onto the top of the fence, he leapt on to some railings and swung up onto the tiled patio. From here he could see back down the section to where Talia was still hiding, if she’d listened to him. Several large windows looked out to this area, and he would be spotted immediately if he didn’t move. He tried a few doors and found one open.

  Hearing footsteps, he only had time to find a closet in which to hide when a connecting door was thrust open. Through the slit in the door, he watched as Emma was thrown into the room. She hit the floor and Nick was relieved when she immediately rolled to her feet, clasping her bloodied left arm. There had been no shot, but judging by the lethal looking knife that Marco wielded, Emma had been stabbed. Her face was pale but her eyes glittered with anger. Another man entered, and the two of them positioned themselves on each side of the door.

  Randall followed, and circling her, he moved to sit behind an imposing desk. ‘So, my darling Sarah, you helped them escape. I would like to know why, but first I’d like to hear why you weren’t on the ferry. Would you like to explain that for us, Dave?’ There was a quiet menace to his voice. He swung his chair towards the goon.

  Dave looked surprised at the question, and taking a hesitant step towards the desk, stammered his reply. ‘I don’t know, boss. I got her a ticket and took her to the ferry.’

  ‘What I’d like to know is, did you actually see her get on the boat?’

  ‘I…I thought she did, boss. I saw the ferry dock and watched as she walked down to it. Sorry, boss, I should have made sure.’ He was shaking now and hung his head.

  ‘You’re sorry, are you? Well, that’s fine then. We now have God knows how many cops on the property and a shipment about to arrive. Still, you’re sorry so we should be okay. Right?’

  ‘Yes, boss. I mean no, boss.’

  ‘I think, Marco, that Dave has helped our situation quite enough, don’t you?’ Randall raised his eyebrow in a well-understood gesture.

  Without uttering a word, Marco turned and shot Dave in the forehead. Blood splattered across the tiled floor and as his body fell backwards, a large red smear followed him down the wall.

  Randall turned back to Emma, who, having witnessed the cold-blooded murder, was looking a little less sure of herself. ‘Now, my little Mata Hari, what are you going to tell me?’ Although his voice was steady, his eyes held pure evil. He nodded at Marco, who, in a couple of strides, stood over her.

  She tried to ignore his presence and looked pleadingly at Randall. ‘There’s nothing to tell. I came back here to get my things. Dave wouldn’t get my bag or clothes and I needed them.’

  ‘You, my sweet, are a liar. If that were the case, you wouldn’t have been coming from the direction you were when Marco bumped into you. You’ve been a good employee up until now but this is your last chance. Why did you come back here?’

  ‘Marco, I’m telling the truth. I swear - ’

  She got no further as Marco leaned down and, pushing her good arm aside, put a finger in the knife wound. Emma screamed and looked ready to pass out.

  Nick couldn’t watch anymore. He dived out of the closet and shot Marco in the kneecap, swivelled in the same movement, and in a matter of seconds, shot again, this time at Randall. The latter had moved too fast and was now hidden behind the desk. Nick turned back in time to see Marco, who had fallen onto his good knee, pain evident in his face but also determination, raise his gun towards Emma.

  Nick had no choice but to shoot him again. This time, he wasn’t so careful. The bullet ripped through the man’s chest. Fortunately, he fell onto Emma, which protected her from the bullet Randall fired over the top of the desk. Nick dived and shot at the same time and the gun fell from Randall’s hand. Blood seeped through his shirt; his arm drooped at a strange angle. He leaned over the desk in an attempt to retrieve the weapon with his good hand.

  ‘You’d better leave it there, Randall, or the next one will be the last.’ Nick got to his feet and moved around the desk. He picked up the gun and tucked it into his pants. ‘Take off your belt and drop it on the desk.’

  Randall struggled, using his left hand to undo the buckle, but eventually, he managed it and threw it down.

  ‘Sit down.’ As soon as he’d unwillingly complied, Nick holstered his own weapon and, using the belt, proceeded to tie Randall’s hands behind the chair. By the time he had finished, the criminal was sweating and cursing under his breath. His elbow looked as though it had been shattered and it must have hurt like hell, but Nick couldn’t have cared less. Randall was long overdue for a taste of his own medicine.

  Through gritted teeth, Randall managed his next words. ‘You had better finish this now because you, my friend, are a dead man. When the money doesn’t appear, those guys will come looking for you, and you won’t have a clue when or where it will happen. Trust me, you don’t want to be on their bad side.’

  ‘Trust you. That’s a laugh. I think I should meet these partners of yours and see how business is going.’ Nick ripped of a piece of his shirt and jammed it in Randall’s mouth, using tape off the desk to bind it.

  ‘Nick! When you’ve finished chatting with him, could you help me over here?’ Emma implored him through gritted teeth.

  She was still stuck beneath Marco and wa
s fighting to push him off with her good arm. Nick hauled him to one side. He ripped another piece from the bottom of the goon’s shirt, tied it around her wound and then helped her to her feet. ‘How’s the arm feeling? Looks like you’ve lost a bit of blood.’

  ‘Peachy. Just a scratch, really,’ she joked.

  ‘Can you find the access panel to the front and back gates?’

  ‘No problem. I know where it is, but what are you going to do?’

  ‘I need to reach Talia and make contact with Jack. If you could manage to open the gates and then get back here, will you be okay to watch this guy for me?’

  ‘Oh, please don’t get all soppy on me. Just go, would you?’

  ‘All right, but please be careful, Emma. There are still a few of these guys around somewhere, and if those shots don’t bring them, I’d be damn surprised.’

  ‘Understood. Now go.’

  CHAPTER TEN

  As Emma moved to the front of the house, Nick made his way to the back. This was the way he’d been brought in when he’d been captured, so it wasn’t too hard to find the right doors and passages. The room in which he and Talia had been held was in sight, the door ajar. He needed more ammo but remembered the room had been bare, so he moved on. Another door began to open on his right and he could hear voices, so he slid into the room opposite and stood behind the open door.

  ‘I don’t understand, Tony. The boss isn’t answering.’

  ‘Don’t panic. I said I’d go and take a look. Make sure you lock this door and keep an eye on that radar. The boat’s not too far away now and the boss will want to be here to welcome the visitors.’

  The man moved quickly up the passage and as soon as he rounded the corner, Nick ran to the rapidly closing door.

  ‘That was quick.’ As the man began to turn, he caught sight of Nick. ‘Who the hell..?’

  Nick’s answer was a chop to the neck, which sent the man toppling to the floor. He quickly shut the door and locked it. Looking around, he let out a low whistle. Security cameras flicked between half a dozen settings, and added to this were a variety of dials and switches. How these idiots were not aware of the situation unfolding, he had no idea but sent a quick prayer of thanks, anyway. A screen, which was obviously the previously mentioned radar, blipped every few seconds, but apart from that there was complete silence. The room must be soundproof, which would explain why no one had arrived after the shooting.