Page 5 of Hidden Depths

“No…I was gonna say…you can’t stop Jimmy from having his fun. You said you’re a man of your word. You gave your word that Jimmy could have me.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I fully intend to let him finish you off once I’m done, but he needs to be regulated. You can’t let him get overexcited; otherwise, he malfunctions. Isn’t that right, Jimmy?” Jimmy grunted. “See?”

“Okay fine. We can try it your way. But my answer will be the same. Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“I’m feeling generous all of the sudden. I don’t know if it’s the abuse I’ve endured or what, but I’m willing to give you and your electrician this one chance to surrender.” Tom would be enjoying himself more if he wasn’t about to pass out.

“Surrender?” Harrison said. “I think we might have broken him, Jimmy. What do you think? Should we surrender?”

Jimmy’s laugh was a sucking guffaw.

“Jimmy,” Tom said, “you don’t have to go along with everything this poor sap says. If you’re not careful, he’ll pull you down with him when he goes.” Tom heard a clang and smiled. “If you drop your weapons now, I’ll go easy on you.”

Harrison laughed.

“No?” Tom said. “That’s cool. This way is more fun for me anyway.”

This would take every last ounce of his stamina, and then some, but he wouldn’t miss out on his chance to end this.

His hands wrapped around the chain at his wrists, and, before he could discern if he had the strength or not, he lifted his legs, kicking Jimmy in the chest.

Harrison jumped back out of the way and cocked his head to the side with a malevolent grin. “I didn’t think you had it in you.” He looked at Jimmy, who had flown back against the wall and sagged there, unmoving. “Maybe Jimmy was going too easy on you.” He held out the knife. “I won’t make the same mistake. I’m gonna cut holes in you until you tell me what I want to know. Or you’ll die while I try.”

He thrust the knife forward. And even though Tom twisted out of the way, the blade still sliced into his side.

Harrison retracted, then prepared for another thrust when the door flew open and a group in SWAT gear flooded the room.

Tom swung out as far as he could while Harrison was distracted and, this time, connected, sending his foe toppling backward.

And that was it for him. He had nothing left. His body hung limply as the SWAT team apprehended his torturers.

One of the men in black hurried to Tom once the building was cleared. He pulled off his helmet and looked his friend up and down before speaking. “You’re an idiot.”

“Yeah. I know. But can you do me a favor, Barlow?” He jerked his head to indicate his teammate should move closer.

“What is it?”

“Can you scratch my left shoulder blade? It’s been giving me grief this whole time.”

“Taken out by an itchy shoulder. And here I was thinking you were invincible.”

“Everyone has weaknesses. Even Superman.” Tom’s head lolled from one side to the other.

Barlow scowled at him. “Guys, I need some support over here.”

He took Tom’s weight while they worked to release his hands from the chains. “You’re lucky you’re alive. I hope you know that,” he said as Tom’s body collapsed against him.

Tom tried to balance on his legs, but they weren’t cooperating. “That’s annoying.”

“You need us to carry you out?”

“I didn’t know you were in such a hurry. Just give me a sec. Maybe if you guys hadn’t taken so long to get here—”

“Don’t you dare. If you don’t walk again, that is on you.”

“Aw, come on, don’t be so soft.”

---