From the west side of the garage a large pickup truck started and powered forward. Angel ran in front of it, firing both guns. The truck veered left, crashing into the garage wall. The passenger threw his gun out the truck window and slowly got out, hands up.
Angel walked up to the man with both guns aimed at him.
Christie watched, part of her wanting the man dead, part of her not wanting to watch Angel kill an unarmed man.
To her surprise, Angel made the man lie down on his stomach, and then lowered his guns. She walked up to him, still unsure what he was going to do.
“You’re not going to ask him if he has a loved one he wants to return to?” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
“Renata has always told me that a little seed of hope is very important for the souls of those who are about to die.” He looked at her questioningly. “But not everyone has to die, right?”
“Please, I want to live,” begged the man.
Christie was surprised Angel was asking for her opinion, but the question also finally made her soften her view of him. “Not everyone has to die, Angel.”
He pushed his hat back and took zip ties out of a pocket. “Go find your love, Christie.”
She ran.
ZEUS FIGURED HE WAS good as dead. He had burned through spare magazines and shells on all the guns. Empty. Nothing left in the backpack. Scattered gunshots could still be heard from the front of the buildings. What he didn’t know was if any of Lucian’s men still planned to attack him. He drew the bowie knife.
Glancing up, he saw movement by the rear fence gate; it reminded him of Steel’s tunnels, but more primitive. A cover with dirt on it slid to the side and a large man climbed out. Lucian.
“Lucian is heading for the dock,” whispered Zeus.
Rising, he peeked over the Plexiglass box at the buildings. No guards there to gun him down.
He ran down the slight incline to the back fence, trying to keep his steps light. The snake protective gear made his movements stiff.
Lucian had his back to him and bolted onto the dock. Zeus hit him from behind, knocking him down. To his surprise, Lucian rolled forward and came up in a crouch. But he didn’t have a gun in his hand. Lucian held his large knife. Out of ammo too.
Zeus faced off against the man. He noted Lucian’s thick neck—the man would be able to take punches. Still, Zeus had never been scared of any man and he stepped forward. Trained in Aikido and wrestling, he had used his knife enough times to feel competent with it. Lucian was his height, but thicker, and likely stronger. But Zeus figured the guy might be slower.
Lucian extended his knife in his left hand, keeping his eyes on Zeus, as he knelt to untie the boat with his right hand.
Zeus rushed him. Lucian slashed back and forth with his knife at Zeus’ legs, then vertically up at his face, forcing Zeus to jump back. Zeus was surprised at the big man’s speed. The snake pants on his left thigh had a cut, but had protected him. He didn’t feel significant pain.
Lucian finished untying the boat, leaving one loop of the line around the dock post. He stood up. Smiling.
Zeus feinted a thrust, and then slashed at Lucian’s right arm, giving him a small cut. Lucian dropped his knife, grabbed the wrist of Zeus’ knife-arm, and punched his forearm with his other fist. Zeus had never felt a punch like that—sledgehammer—and his hand opened, the bowie knife falling to the dock. He punched Lucian in the face with his free hand.
Lucian took the blow, and hammered Zeus in the chest and ribs. Zeus staggered back. Even with Kevlar, the blows hurt. Lucian stepped forward and kicked him in the gut with a very fast straight kick, sending him flying to his back.
Stepping forward, Lucian raised a boot as if to stomp Zeus’ leg.
Gasping, Zeus pulled his leg back, and kicked out at Lucian’s ankle. Lucian twisted, dodging the kick, but Zeus was able to grab his fallen bowie knife. Lucian jumped on Zeus’ midsection, landing with his knees—two-hundred-fifty pounds that knocked the air out of Zeus. He weakly stabbed the bowie knife at Lucian’s side. Still smiling, Lucian punched Zeus’ inner right elbow, stopping the thrust; Zeus’ right arm dropped limp to the dock with the knife.
Zeus struck at Lucian’s throat with his left hand, but Lucian blocked it, and returned two strikes to Zeus’ lower ribs with a hard knuckle. Below the Kevlar. White hot pain. Almost impossible to breathe now.
Wrapping his hands around Zeus’ neck, Lucian squeezed. Zeus hit the man repeatedly in the side—Lucian was wearing Kevlar too and didn’t react to the strikes. Zeus aimed at his face, but Lucian lifted his shoulders and arms to protect himself from the blows. Running out of steams, Zeus tried to knee Lucian from behind, or twist to roll him off the dock. Too heavy, too strong.
Zeus tightened his neck, and flung punches inside and out at Lucian’s bent elbows. It was like hitting steel posts. And his strength was devastated by a lack of oxygen.
Lucian just glared at Zeus and squeezed, digging his thumbs into the lower part of Zeus’ neck—the most vulnerable. Zeus realized then that he was going to die.
WHEN THEY ENTERED THE house, Steel nodded to the side door; Prizrak took it, while he went down the stairs. He remembered the doorway at the end of the hallway. Running down the stairs, he peeked around the corner, and then ran past the empty cells to the door. He tugged on it. Locked. Maybe a deadbolt arm on the other side. Zeus came over coms; Lucian was already at the dock.
Steel ran back through the hallways, and up the stairs. Shots came from inside the house. No time to check on Prizrak; he decided she wouldn’t need his help anyway.
He ran outside and between the buildings. Gunshots came from the garage, but he didn’t slow down. Just past the buildings, he saw two of Lucian’s men running from the west corner of the garage toward the dock. They saw him too. Flinging himself to the ground on his side, he shot at both men with the two guns. By the time they went down, he was pulling triggers on empty magazines.
Jumping to his feet, he bolted. Two men were struggling on the dock. Lucian atop of Zeus, choking him.
“Lucian!” Steel sprinted all out.
Lucian rose. Steel raced onto the dock. He heard Zeus gasping for air. The big Greek didn’t move.
Running alongside Zeus’ prone body, Steel leapt, hitting Lucian in the chest with both feet. Lucian staggered back, but remained standing.
Steel strode in.
Lucian grinned, arms up, hands open. He threw a quick finger thrust with his left hand, aimed at Steel’s neck.
Steel blocked it with a knife hand, and elbowed Lucian’s right arm. Twisting, he hammered points up Lucian’s midsection—he felt the thick Kevlar—no effect. Lucian brought a knee up into Steel’s thigh, which hurt, and shoved Steel’s shoulder hard to twist him around.
Steel sensed a headlock from behind coming, and dropped to his knee, his back to Lucian. Several times he elbowed the man’s groin—Lucian wore some kind of protection there too. Again no effect. Sliding farther to his side, Steel kicked at the big man’s lower legs. This time he connected.
Lucian stepped back, still standing, still smiling. Steel began to rise, then rolled forward slightly to the side to avoid Lucian’s feet and knees. Rising, he struck him in the lower side, just below the Kevlar, with a stiff five-finger strike. Lucian didn’t react and threw a punch with his left hand. Steel ducked sideways, but still took fifty-percent of the force on the side of his head. Simultaneously, Lucian struck with his right hand at Steel’s throat. Steel expected it, and used both forearms to hit Lucian’s right arm hard, blocking it away. Twisting, he threw consecutive five-finger strikes at the front of Lucian’s neck and his eyes. Lucian’s neck was like iron, but Steel connected with Lucian’s left eye.
Gasping, Lucian backed up, finally losing his smile. Steel didn’t pause, rushing forward with knuckle strikes to hammer the front of Lucian’s neck, his inside shoulders, and nose. Dropping to his knees, Lucian kept his hands feebly up to protect himself. Steel brought a knee up
into Lucian’s chin, and the big man threw himself back on the dock.
Trying to squirm away, Lucian’s voice was hoarse. “Okay! I can tell you where Dima took Therese, and I can tell you who buys my girls.”
“Dima’s dead.” Steel stood over him. He wanted the information, but he never wanted Lucian to come at him or his family again.
Lucian kept pushing himself away from Steel. Steel followed.
Lucian spoke quickly. “Hand me over to the CIA. Prison for life. I’ll give you the information. You get to save the lives of many girls. I get to keep my life. Deal?”
Steel stopped near his feet. He decided to kill him. “We have Dima’s flash drive, so I don’t need your information.”
“Dima’s list is international. I know the Florida local buyers, sellers, routes, planes, contacts, money laundering, everything,” gasped Lucian. “You’ll save tons of girls.”
Steel wavered, conflicted. As much as Lucian deserved to die, in the end he couldn’t reject the offer. “The CIA are going to want you for killing their officers. They can decide how valuable your information is.”
Lucian gasped, “Wonderful.”
“On your stomach, hands on your head, ankles crossed,” snapped Steel.
Lucian complied.
Zeus stood beside Steel, rubbing his neck. He rested a limp hand on Steel’s shoulder. “Thank you, sir,” he said hoarsely.
Steel clapped the big Greek’s arm. “I’ve missed hearing that, Zeus.”
Footsteps on the dock.
Steel turned. Christie was running toward him, slowing as she strode into his arms.
They held each other tightly, and Christie whispered, “Doesn’t wedding planning seem easy now?”
He chuckled. “I missed you.”
“Me too.”
CHAPTER 43
They tied Lucian’s wrists behind his back and hobbled his ankles. With Christie’s SIG they walked him to the front of the house, where he joined a half-dozen of his wounded men on his belly. They tied them all together in a raft so they couldn’t move, and everyone gathered in front of the vehicles.
Clay drove up in the black van, jumping out to hug Christie, then Steel—who was glad to see him—and Zeus. Matt and Val sat inside the Mini Cooper with Therese.
Clay tipped his hat to Angel. “It was a great plan, Angel. Thank you for helping my sister and Steel.” He took off his hat and wiped sweat off his brow. “You can’t make up for what you did to my family, but I don’t harbor anything against you anymore.”
Angel nodded. “That means a lot to me, Clay.”
Christie shoved her hands in her pockets. “I can put the past behind me too, Angel. You have. And without you, we’re not standing here.”
Angel looked pleased. “Thank you, Christie.”
“I didn’t see how we could get out of this mess.” Steel held out his hand, and Angel took it. “I owe you, Angel. I mean it. You ever need help, let me know.”
“It was good for me to be on the other side of things.” Angel glanced at the Mini Cooper. “And good to help those who need it. I understand now why you do what you do, Jack.” He lifted a hand. “Just so you all know, my sister Renata was part of this, in her own way. She wanted to help too.”
“Then tell her we’re in her debt too,” said Christie.
“We all are, sir.” Zeus nodded to Angel.
Prizrak stuck out her hand. “Glad to meet you formally, Mr. Steel, and Christie. I’m Prizrak.”
Steel took her hand, eyeing her curiously. “I didn’t know what to think when I first saw you.”
“I felt the same about you. Val’s father and I go back a long way, and Val is like a daughter to me.” She released his hand. “I hear you have a lovely daughter too.”
“I do.”
“Hmm.” She winked at him.
“You put on a quite a show.” Angel didn’t sound accusing. “You didn’t follow the plan and you took a great risk.”
“I couldn’t keep Val away. You know. Strong-willed. And I didn’t want to argue with you, Angel.” Prizrak smiled. “I knew Christie could see Val’s hands.”
Christie smiled. “Val gave me a thumbs-up behind her back from the ground.”
Prizrak turned to Angel. “And what kept you from shooting me?”
“I remembered your first drunken charade.” Angel stuck a thumb in his belt. “And I didn’t believe you could betray your obvious love for Val.” He shrugged. “I was ready in case your show was real.”
Prizrak chuckled. “Val and I used to practice situations like this for security and fun. She’s a very good actor.” She waved to the Mini Cooper. “If no one objects, I’m going to drive Matt and Val to Langley, with the flash drive. Therese’s aunt’s house is on the way. I like road trips, and I think they might need a good ear.” She hesitated. “Actually, Langley might have a file on me. I’ll drop Matt and Val off across the street, but I’ll make sure they make it in.”
Steel studied her, and then Christie, who didn’t raise any objections.
Angel said, “I trust her, Jack.”
Christie nodded to Prizrak. “I’ll call Emilia, and let her know you’ll be arriving tomorrow. No names.”
“I appreciate that, love.” Prizrak gave a disinterested wave to the duffel bag of money that Lucian had given her. “Maybe someone could let the poor snakes out of the bag.” She smiled. “That’s why Lucian wanted me to open it so badly. My guess is water moccasins.”
“We’ll have Zeus do it.” Steel turned to him and smiled. “You seem to have a knack with the critters.”
“Hey, me and the reptiles are bros now.” Zeus smiled.
Prizrak walked to the Mini Cooper and got in. The other doors opened, and Therese, Val, and Matt got out. Val helped Matt hobble over, and he shook their hands and thanked all of them.
“I can never repay you, Steel.” Matt shook his head. “I’m the luckiest analyst alive.”
“I’ll miss all of you.” Val gave each of them a hug, stopping last before Steel. She smiled broadly as she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, daddy.”
Steel chuckled, and watched her help Matt hobble away again.
Therese stood shyly, facing everyone. “Thank you.” She seemed to gather her courage, and turned to Steel, hugging him. “I will never forget you, Jack.”
“Put this behind you, Therese, and live your life,” he said gently.
She nodded and left.
Steel felt his limbs sagging. Wiped out. He lifted a limp hand. “Give Prizrak a head start, Christie, and then tell Emilia to send the CIA here. Tell her we have the man who killed their officers, and a few prisoners.”
He raised an eyebrow at Christie. “And I might need some more antivenin.”
“You were bit by a poisonous snake?” Christie put her hand on his arm.
“Something like that.”
PART 8
OP: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CHAPTER 44
One week later, Steel met Prizrak in a small restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. He felt strong again. Good. Solid. Prizrak was dressed as usual; trench coat, fedora, slacks, expensive running shoes, a scarf and blouse, and sitting in a booth. Pink lips and nails.
He slid in opposite her, and they ordered something to drink; she got a flavored water, he some tea.
“I have some questions for you.” He studied her.
Placing an elbow on the table, she rested her chin in her palm. “Of course! I love job interviews.”
“One easy question first. The drunken charade at the hand-off—are you an alcoholic?”
She chuckled. “I rarely drink anymore, but I never was much for alcohol of any kind.”
“Why did you help us? You could have stayed out of it.” He watched her sharp features. Maybe a hint of sadness.
“Val and Matt were in love, and I’ve seen too much pain in my life.” She smiled. “And I like your motivations. Val talked about you. She has good instincts about people.”
“
Why did you kill Dima?”
She sipped water. “He tried to kill Anton. He would have killed Val and Matt. I didn’t want him hunting any of us in the future. Isn’t that enough?”
“Why are you interested in this assignment?” He leaned back. “It might be difficult.”
“My parents died when I was very young and I grew up in a foster home. I have no family. It would be nice to be part of one.” She took off her hat and flicked her blond hair back. “And I get to do what I do best.” She turned her water glass around in her hands on the table. “I want a commitment of five years, with a month of probation of course.”
Surprised, he studied her. “Why five years?”
She leaned back, her face a little pink. “I get attached.”
He liked her answer. “I talked to Angel about your past. Who did you kill in Europe?”
Her voice was emphatic. “Never children. Never innocent women.” Her voice calmed. “Mostly very bad men doing very bad things. I was hired by different parties, one being MI6.”
“Anyone with a vendetta against you?”
Prizrak shook her head. “None that are alive.”
Steel couldn’t find any other objections. “I was extremely impressed with everything I saw about you, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
She sat back, smiling. “Wonderful, love. When do I start?”
THE NEXT DAY STEEL had five things to do, and they were all important to him.
First he met Zeus in the barn exercise room on the mat. “I want you to show me exactly what happened in your fight with Lucian.” Zeus did, and Steel said, “One thing to keep in mind, Zeus. Speed usually wins fights, along with multiple options for offense and defense at your disposal. Size and strength are secondary. And no fighting situation will ever be perfect.”
“I have to admit, Lucian kind of shocked me.” Zeus waved a hand, looking eager. “What do you recommend, sir?”
Steel Trap: A Jack Steel Action Mystery Thriller, Book 4 Page 27