Page 313 of 7+Us Makes Nine

Perfect cover. Here goes nothin’.

I threw myself powerfully into the doorway, dropping into a forward roll, my shoulder thumping heavily against the solid metal as I rose to crouch against it. A few loud gunshots pinged against the metal wall behind me, but I was too quick for them to get a decent shot.

Movement over to my right caught my eye, a head peering out from behind a large cylindrical shaped piece of equipment, chrome shining dully in the gloom.

I popped up from cover and shot the guy through the temple. He fell against the wall, twitching violently as he dropped to the floor with a thud.

Screams of anger and alarm sounded from across the building. I heard the clang of what sounded like a hatch opening. I peered around the side of cover to see the older guy who had arrived a while back popping his head up from a basement hatch.

“What the fuck is going on? I’m trying to work down here, you mor…”

“Police are here, mon! Hide! I’ll call you when it be safe!” I heard Cathal’s voice from over to my left, but I couldn’t see him.

“That’s right. The police are here! Now listen up, ‘cause I’m only gonna say this once!” I shouted loudly, eyes alert for any sign of movement.

“I’m taking you down, one way or another! Make this easy for yourselves, drop the guns and walk out slowly with your hands on your head! Do it now!” My voice echoed slightly from the building. It was met with silence.

“I’m a yardie, motherfucker! Ain’t no way I surrender to no police!” Cathal’s angry retort sounded loud, closer than before, off to my left.

Two shots sounded, clanging off the metal in front of me. A large figure moved in my peripheral vision ahead of me. I took a quick couple shots at the guy, satisfied with the shout of pain as a bullet tore through his arm.

Then sudden movement to my left made me turn instinctively as Cathal stepped out from cover, moving quicker than I expected such a big man to be able to. I was still faster, gun aimed before he had time to set sights on me.

I shot him in the left knee and right shoulder. He screamed in pain and anger, his gun dropping to the floor from his now useless hand. I ran over to him in a low crouch, kicking the gun away and quickly tying his arms and legs. I searched him for weapons, taking a large knife he had in his pants and putting it in the pocket of my trench coat.

He cursed at me, writhing as he struggled against the plastic cable ties at his wrists and feet. Blood began to seep onto the dirty floor. He was out of the fight but alive. I figured he’d be useful if he decided to talk later when I’d got Conall.

“Cathal! Cathal, did you get him?” I heard the slow pad of heavy boots crossing the building, heading my way.

“Look out, idiot! He’s shot me!” Cathal’s warning came too late. I was already leaning out from behind the cabinet Cathal had used to approach me. Head and shoulders showed above the desk. I raised my gun and shot him, then froze in silence as I waited to see if there were any more.

The only sound was the whimpering of Cathal behind me.

I walked furtively forward, gun held in a low grip, ready to shoot at anything that moved.

“Ok man, I give up! I’m gonna put my gun down! My hands are on my head, don’t shoot me alright?” A voice echoed loudly around the building. I guessed it was the guy I’d just shot in the arm.

“Come out, slowly. Any sudden moves and you’re dead!” I shouted loudly, turning to face where the voice had come from.

A figure slowly emerged, hands flat on his head as he stepped awkwardly into the dim light illuminating him from above. Fear and awe showed in his eyes as he looked at me.

“Don’t shoot me, please. I got kids, man. Two boys.” He kneeled down slowly, then dropped to his face, hands still on his head.

“It’s just me left and the old guy left. Ain’t no point me dying for nothin’, you’re too good,” he said, voice muffled.

That’s right. I can see you’ve done this before. Not the first time you’ve been arrested. Well, that’s one more scumbag off the streets. And another witness to use against Conall.

I approached the guy as he lay there still as he’d promised. I quickly tied him up and searched him for weapons, not finding any. I then searched the building. What the guy had said was true. No one left. Except…

I walked over to the hatch.

“Listen to me, old timer! Game’s up. Come out of the hatch with your hands on your head! Try anything stupid and you won't even have time for your scummy life to flash before your eyes! Get up here now, slow and steady!” I shouted, voice loud and clear as I waited for the guy to do what I said or make a grave mistake. My gun was trained on the hatch as it opened slowly.

“Ok. I’m coming out. I’m not armed. Don’t shoot me alright? I ain’t a bad guy, I’m just the cook. Don’t know nothing a

bout guns,” he said, as his head appeared slowly. Boots thudded as he walked up the stairs, hands raised.

“As far as I’m concerned you’re one of the bad guys. You’ll be going downtown with these other two morons. Get on your face, like your friend there. Slow and steady, old man.”

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