The man at the boat was talking loudly and in a complaining tone, but the words were drowned out as Tanner heard a helicopter pass overhead.
When the rebels became aware of the chopper, they looked up, and that’s when Firman jammed a knife into the chest of the man guarding the boat.
As the man fell backwards atop the wet sand, the gun he was holding fired off thirty rounds on full auto and, unfortunately, for the men on the helicopter, several of the bullets had a devastating effect on the craft’s tail rotor.
For just a moment, Tanner thought the helicopter had been unaffected, as the pilot soared upward in an effort to get out of range, but when the ancient Sikorsky helicopter began spiraling in an ever-tightening circle, Tanner saw that the big bird was coming down.
It landed flat, but hard, in the surf, and the men aboard began stumbling out into the chest deep water and while they were doing that, Firman was getting away in the boat with Sara’s sister.
Tanner took in the scene, weighed his options, and jumped into the ATV to go in pursuit. If Firman stayed close to the shoreline for just a little longer, he would still have an outside chance at saving Jennifer.
With the ATV at full throttle, Tanner sped over the sand and headed for the outcropping of rock just ahead.
***
When Jake pointed out the ATV to Sara, she felt her heart swell with renewed hope.
“That’s Tanner!”
The two of them watched along with the hostages as Tanner kept pace and then passed the boat, as he drove parallel to it along the beach.
When he reached the outcropping of rock, Tanner slowed the machine to lessen the impact, and as the front wheels began ascending the craggy surface, it looked for just an instant as if the vehicle might flip backwards, as it climbed up at better than a 45° angle.
The vehicle reached the top of the outcropping, and after making a left turn, Tanner pushed the vehicle towards its top speed again, and just before it reached the edge that hung out over the waves, Tanner jumped up on the seat and followed the vehicle into the water.
The ATV landed forty feet in front of Firman’s boat, and a skilled seaman could have easily avoided a collision, and while the rebel piloting the boat did avoid colliding with the ATV, he overcompensated by turning too hard to the left, which caused the small boat to flip on its side and dump its passengers into the sea.
***
After hitting the water, Tanner surfaced, took several deep breaths, dived, and swam towards where he’d last seen the boat. The water wasn’t deep, felt warm, and it was clear enough so that when he opened his eyes, he could see.
The tunic was slowing his progress and he used precious moments to remove the garment, while mentally chastising himself for not thinking of it sooner.
Seconds later, he passed two of the rebels; one man was unconscious and floated down towards the bottom, while the second one was headed towards the surface.
Tanner unsheathed the machete and jabbed the man in the back, at the base of the spine. The man went rigid, bubbles drifted from his lips and blood flowed from his wound.
Tanner left him, then, dropped the blade to swim even faster, as a flash of blond hair caught his eye.
It was Jennifer, kicking away frantically, with her hands still bound behind her back. Her face was a study in panic, as the lone breath she had taken before going under was about to run out.
Tanner swam up to her, took her by the shoulders and kissed her.
Wide blue eyes stared back at him in shock, but then she understood, and he passed along to her a portion of the air remaining in his lungs.
When the kiss ended, she nodded, and the two of them moved towards the surface, where Jennifer floated on her back and gulped in the fresh sea air.
Tanner had managed to take only one breath when he saw movement beneath the water. It was Firman and he was moving towards them with a machete gripped in his hand.
Tanner drew the revolver out from behind his back and fired it underwater without aiming, because he had no time to do otherwise.
Firman gave him one of the most peculiar looks he had ever seen, before the machete slipped from his grasp, and a line of red escaped out from a hole atop his head. Then, the rebel leader drifted down towards the bottom to join his men.
After removing the small blade he kept hidden inside his bandage, Tanner used it to cut Jennifer’s hands free, and as they swam towards shore, she asked him a question.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Tanner.”
“Tanner? Sara’s Tanner?”
“Yes... I suppose.”
Jennifer looked confused, but then her face crumbled and she stopped swimming.
“Is my sister... I mean did you, did you hurt her?”
“She’s the reason I’m here. We’ve made peace and she asked me to help save you.”
“Oh, but Jake, Jake Garner, have you seen him?”
A cry came from the shore, and when Jennifer followed the sound, she saw not only Sara and Jake, but also her fellow hostages. While farther down the beach, the mercenaries from the helicopter jogged towards them.
The two sisters came together in the surf and embraced tightly, while making little cooing sounds of joy.
After releasing Sara, Jennifer flew into Jake’s arms and the couple cried and laughed at their reunion.
Sara had been watching them with tears of relief flowing freely down her cheeks, but when she turned to look for Tanner, she saw that he was seated alone on a flat portion at the base of the outcropping.
Sara walked over and settled beside him.
“Thank you, Tanner; my sister is safe because of you.”
“You’re welcome, Blake, and this makes us even, yes?”
“No.”
“No?”
“I owe you one; you went above and beyond, even for you.”
Tanner pointed towards one of the mercenaries from the downed chopper.
“That man has a satellite phone and he said that transportation and medical help is on the way.”
Sara stood and began walking towards her sister, but then turned around and went back to Tanner.
“There’s one more thing,”
“Yes?”
Sara removed the phony wedding ring from her finger and handed it to him.
“I’m leaving you.”
Tanner smiled.
“I knew we’d never last.”
“At least we didn’t kill each other.”
“Not for lack of trying,” Tanner said.
Sara nodded, touched him gently on the cheek, and walked away.
CHAPTER 40 - Goodbye
Sara, Jennifer, and Jake, had taken Conrad Burke up on his offer to fly home on his jet, since the plane would be landing at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, which was just a short drive from the estate owned by Sara’s father.
That meant that Tanner would be flying home alone, and so Sara joined him outside the jet to say a final farewell.
“My sister told me about that kiss you gave her.”
“It was strictly in an effort to save her, although, I will admit that I enjoyed it.”
Sara grinned, and before the silence could become uncomfortable, she asked a question.
“So, what’s next for you?”
“I’ll see if Joe needs my help with the Russians, and after that... I’m not sure, and you?”
Sara slowly shook her head.
“I have no idea. I’ve burned my bridges with the FBI, New York City holds too many memories and, other than my time with Johnny, it feels like the last year of my life has been a waste.”
“You’ll think of something, Blake; you’re too tough to be down for long.”
They stared at each other. Neither one knowing what to say, because a simple goodbye felt somehow inadequate,
Sara stepped towards him with her hands leaving her sides, and for a moment, Tanner thought that she might hug him, but after stopping in mid stride, she extended
her right hand, and Tanner reached out and shook it.
“Goodbye, Sara Blake. It’s been... interesting.”
Sara smiled, gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it, and then turned and walked over to Burke’s jet.
Twenty minutes later, Tanner was in the air and headed back to New York City.
CHAPTER 41 - The hottest club in town
It was just after dark and inside the Cabaret Strip Club, Sophia, Laurel, Merle and Earl all laughed along with several of Joe’s street soldiers, as they watched Sammy Giacconi pantomime his version of a stripper, as he clung upside down to a pole on stage.
The act was even funnier because Sammy had loosened his long dark hair, and he flung it about in sync with the music that was playing.
When he was finished, he left the stage to applause and laughter, as well as the arms of Sophia Verona.
Sophia had hugged Sammy on an impulse, but quickly released him and stepped back.
Sammy smiled.
“I don’t think the patrons are allowed to touch the dancers, but I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“And who would we be telling?” Sophia said.
Sammy’s smile left his lips.
“I think his name is Tanner.”
Sophia sighed.
“Yeah, that’s his name.”
“Has he even called you in all the time he’s been gone?”
“No.”
“I would treat you better than that.”
“Tanner is... different.”
“So I hear, but I want you to know something. I’m not afraid of him.”
“That’s because you don’t know him, but he’d have no reason to hurt you anyway.”
Sammy waggled his eyebrows.
“Maybe we should give him one.”
Sophia laughed and pointed towards the bar, where Laurel sat drinking coffee.
“I’m going to talk to Laurel. Why don’t you work on your act while I’m gone.”
Sammy gestured at the lone one-dollar bill that Merle had tossed on stage as a gag.
“I think I’m retiring; the tips are terrible.”
***
Outside the club, and across the narrow street in back, Vance lay on his stomach with a sniper rifle at the ready.
He was settled on the roof of a red brick building that was an unused warehouse, and his position gave him a clear view of the club’s rear exit, which was located in the alley, along with a view of the small windows set high in the walls of the bathrooms.
After raising up a pair of binoculars, he saw that Fedor had also gotten into position on a roof overlooking the club’s front entrance, and he too was armed with a high-powered rifle with a scope.
Vance smiled.
It was time.
He made a call, and when it was answered, he said only one word.
“Go!”
***
Laurel was grinning, as Sophia took a seat beside her.
“You’re weakening.”
Sophia took a swig from her beer.
“Tanner better get back here soon or I’m going to declare him legally dead and move on.”
“You really like Sammy, don’t you?”
“Too much, and he’s so damn young.”
“Speaking as a doctor, it’s a proven fact that men are most virile at his age.”
“Stop it.”
“They also have amazing stamina and recuperative abilities.”
“I don’t like you anymore,” Sophia said, and then both she and Laurel laughed.
***
Joe was seated behind the desk in the office when the shooting began. By the time he stood, his gun was in his hand and he went racing down the hallway.
“Laurel?”
“I’m okay, Joe,” Laurel said and Joe was pleased to see that two of his soldiers had moved in front of her to guard her.
One of the other men went to the front door and called out.
“Victor? Sal?”
There was no answer, and then the man jumped backwards while looking at the base of the door.
“Gas! Gasoline,”
A moment went by before a whooshing sound was heard and the gas ignited and began to spread flames.
Joe grabbed Laurel’s hand.
“Everybody head to the back door in the office. Mike, you take point, and Sophia, are you armed?”
“Damn right,” Sophia said, and her hand left her purse holding a gun.
The new office door was designed to close automatically and was constructed using ballistic glass that was mirrored on the hallway side. However, Joe and the others didn’t have to see through it to know that the office was on fire, as heat was emanating from beyond the door and they could hear the crackle of flames, as smoke leaked out around the seams of the doorframe.
One of Joe’s men spoke up, as he ran back towards the bar.
“We can leave through the blacked-out windows up front.”
The man was carrying a sawed-off shotgun, and he fired it low at the glass set at the left of the doors. The glass shattered and a gust of wind sent flames licking in at the club’s interior.
The man with the shotgun had his sleeve catch fire, but one of the other men quickly smothered the flames with his suit coat.
“We’re trapped!” Merle said.
Joe swiveled his head around, while desperately trying to think of a way out, and wondered if for once in his life, Merle was right.
CHAPTER 42 - Hello and goodbye
Outside the club, the four young men who had killed the guards and started the fire drove off with their part in the slaughter completed, and Vance stood and stared down at the club.
The building was surrounded by flames that were high enough to lick at the bathroom windowpanes, and Vance felt certain that his plan had been successful and that no one would escape.
He took out his phone and called Fedor.
“Is there a chance of anyone making it out of the front?”
Fedor laughed.
“Not a chance and the smoke will probably kill them before the flames do.”
“You’re absolutely certain that no one will make it out that way?”
“Da, the fire is too intense. Anyone inside that building is dead.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Vance dropped the phone and raised up the rifle, sighted through the night vision scope at a spot in the center of Fedor’s forehead, and fired. On the other side of the club, Fedor collapsed atop the roof he was standing on, and Vance laughed to celebrate the ending of a second obstacle.
Once he was certain that Pullo was dead, Vance planned to return to Michael Krupin and execute the young leader of the Russian mob, and then take his place. He was through with being Robert Vance the lackey, and soon, it would be Rurik Varanov’s time to lead.
***
The smoke inside the club was thickening and everyone ducked down to suck in the diminishing usable air.
Merle and Earl were huddled around their sister, Laurel, as if their bodies could protect her from the growing flames, and the mood among those present was moving swiftly towards panic.
When Sammy snapped his fingers, everyone but Joe jumped at the sound, but they all wondered about the smile spreading across Sammy’s face.
“There’s a tunnel! Uncle Joe, there’s a tunnel. Granddad showed it to me years ago when he used to own the building and it was a funeral home.”
“A tunnel?” Joe said, but then his eyes lit up as well. “Right, this place used to be a speakeasy back in the 1920s, but Sammy, where is it?”
Sammy ran towards the rear of the building while bent over to avoid the smoke, and went down the hallway that ran alongside the kitchen.
“This way!”
There was a supply closet positioned between the bathrooms, and when Sammy opened it, it was found to be filled with toilet paper, hand towels, and cleaning supplies. The items were stacked upon a gray metal shelf, while two snow shovels, a spade for digging, and a bro
om were hanging from hooks on the right wall.
“There are steps under the floor.”
Sammy tossed out everything he could grab, and cursed when he saw that the shelving was bolted to the rear wall.
He tugged at it and the metal only creaked.
One of Joe’s bodyguards moved beside Sammy.
“We got this kid, Bosco, give me a hand.”
Sammy stepped out and one of the other big men squeezed into the small space beside his friend, and they ripped the shelving away from the wall with ease.
Once they had stepped back outside with the rack of shelves, Sammy got down on his knees in the doorway, reached in, and pulled up a piece of stained and dirty carpet to reveal a wooden door set in the floorboards, with a recessed brass ring as a handle.
The club was filling with acrid black smoke, and when Sammy pulled up on the door and released the musty air from below, it smelled sweet compared to the air above it.
“Where does it go?” Laurel asked, and Sammy answered her.
“It goes under the street and up inside that old warehouse over there, but listen, it’s just wide enough to walk single file and the other side is covered over with a hardwood floor, we’ll have to break through.”
Joe grabbed the metal spade from off its hook and handed it to the largest of his men.
“Big Ralphie, once we get over there use this on the wood, and everybody turn on your phones, we’ll use them as flashlights.”
Big Ralphie went down the narrow stone steps first and then Joe took Laurel by the hand and helped her to step down, next went Sophia, and then Joe, followed by the rest of them.
Earl was the last man in the tunnel and he reached up and brought the door down in an effort to keep out the smoke, which had grown so thick that only three feet of space separated it from the floor.
The tunnel was surprisingly deep, about a hundred feet long, smelled of dirt, and was littered with debris from its crumbling brick walls and ceiling,
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