Part 38 (1/2)

”Give me your gun.”

Jennifer frowned, shook her head, and drew her pistol.

Kiku's gun was already out as she silently moved toward the door. She stopped, reached down, and pulled a five shot .380 from her boot and handed it to Jack.

Jack slid next to the door and waved Replacement back. He held up a fist, opened his hand, turned the k.n.o.b, and peeked out.

Anyone upstairs is going to realize their mistake right away when they see my old apartment is empty. Question is, do they rabbit or look for another apartment?

He could hear someone approach the stairs.

Jennifer moved behind him and leaned forward; she inhaled sharply and reached out for the wall to steady herself. Her hand pressed against the door, and it started to open.

Jack's hand shot out and grabbed the handle, but the door had already moved a few inches. He fought the urge to glare back at her, but instead kept his focus down the hallway.

He didn't have long to look as bullets ripped through the thin walls and into his apartment.

Jack spun around, pushed Jennifer down, and lunged for Replacement.

Kiku had already dove low and flipped over the hallway table for cover.

Jack grabbed Replacement, and she slid behind the counter.

Kiku's eyes followed along the bullet trail in the wall. She fired two shots through the wall before Jack cut her off.

”Cease fire. You could hit one of my neighbors.” Jack held up his hand and listened.

”Snap.” Replacement exhaled from the kitchen.

Jack glanced back and saw her crouched on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet, ready to go.

His ears strained to hear through the ringing in his head, and he heard the old front door of the apartment building crash open into the wall.

”Not you.” He pointed at Replacement and then at Jennifer. ”Watch her. Stay here.”

He flew out the door with Kiku right behind him. Jumping down the steps, he used the railing to cover the first staircase in a leap. His chest tightened when he saw Mrs. Stevens lying face down in the hallway. ”NO.”

He rushed over to her.

Kiku kept moving and ran out the door.

As Jack looked for a wound, Mrs. Stevens's eyes flew open, and she started to scream.

”Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Stevens!” He held her by the upper arms. ”Are you hit?”

Her red hair wobbled back and forth, as she shook her head, and then she burst into tears.

Replacement rushed down the stairs.

”She's not hit. Go get the stuff now,” Jack barked.

”Mrs. Stevens, the police are coming. You're going to be okay. I'm sorry.”

She looked like a plump koi as her mouth opened and closed, gulping for air. Jack helped her to her feet as Kiku ran back in.

”They were long gone. I didn't even see the make of the car.” Kiku panted.

”We have to leave.”

Kiku headed out back.

Jack turned to Mrs. Stevens. ”You need to tell the police you need an ambulance, okay? Everything is fine.”

Her eyes went wide, and she started to gulp air again.

”Not fine but...okay,” Jack added. ”It will be okay. I'll make it up to you.”

”Go.” She nodded as she began to fan herself.

Jack spun around and rushed back to his apartment. Replacement came toward him, zipping a duffle bag closed. Jennifer stood with her weight on one leg.

”I got everything.” Replacement patted the bag.

Jack looked at Jennifer's leg and muttered, ”Sorry. a.s.s in the air.” He tossed her over his shoulder before she could complain. ”Move.”

Jack and Replacement hurried down to the bottom floor. They rushed across the little parking lot and hustled her over to the Impala.

Kiku waved them over as the sound of sirens came closer.

They all piled in, and Jack gunned the Impala as he raced out of the parking lot. He took the first right and pressed the gas pedal down.

Slow down. Drive normally.

Jack tapped the brake and looked down as something hit his foot.

Paolo's Magnum stuck out from under the seat.

”You left his gun in the car?”

”Whose gun?” Jennifer leaned forward.

Jack kicked the gun back under the seat. ”A friend of mine.”

”Why are we leaving the scene of a shooting?” Jennifer's jaw quivered as she glared at Jack.

”So you don't end up dead, stupid.” Replacement s.h.i.+fted in her seat, and Jack slowed down as a cruiser flew past them.

”We can't go to the police right now,” Jack muttered.