Part 43 (2/2)

”They're coming,” she panted. ”But-” She gulped air.

”What?” Jack asked.

”He sent me a text message and it was strange. I think he's losing it. I've known Walter for years and I'm worried he's at the end of his rope. If his plan is falling apart, he may try to get revenge against Severino by killing her.”

Jack started to stand up, and Kiku and Replacement put a hand on each shoulder. ”I have to do something.”

Jennifer shuffled forward. ”Jack's right. We need to go now. Surprise him. If he hears the police coming, she's dead.”

Jack looked at the cabin and the layout for a second before he pointed to the right. ”Kiku, go east. Jennifer, go west. I'm going through the front door.”

”We don't need a dead hero, Jack.” Jennifer shook her head.

”I'm planning on drawing their fire. I'll kick the door, and then get out of the way. That's your signal. Once you open up, I'll pop back out, and I'll drop anyone left.”

They nodded, and Kiku sprinted wide to the right. She had the most ground to cover, and she disappeared quickly into the woods. Jennifer moved low and fast, and Jack turned to Replacement.

”Stay here. Wait for Morrison.”

She nodded.

She has no intention of doing what I say.

Jack moved to the edge of the forest.

Woodpile. Car. Cabin.

He quickly ascertained the best route to the house. Jack covered the short span to the woodpile and crouched low. He looked for Kiku but saw nothing. Jennifer had headed a bit wide, but she moved fast.

Maybe there's a window on that side.

Jack dashed to the rear wheel of Prescott's sedan and did his best to crouch down behind the tire. He leaned his shoulder against the cold metal of the car, looked back, and almost cursed aloud. Replacement's head popped out from the edge of the woods.

d.a.m.n it. d.a.m.n it. I should have shot her in the leg.

He waved her back and made a cutting motion over his throat.

Move, Jack.

Jack covered the fifteen feet to the cabin in the blink of an eye, but it felt like forever. His muscles groaned in protest as he went from full speed to full stop and silently reached the side of the cabin.

Kiku was still nowhere to be seen, and Jennifer was out of sight now, too.

They should be in place in a minute.

Jack pressed his back against the wood next to the door and shut his eyes for one brief second.

Please, G.o.d.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Replacement had moved up to the woodpile and was about to sprint to the car, following his route.

Her small frame was an a.s.set as she got low, and she was a blur as she covered the distance.

Jack held up his hand and she nodded.

He listened. Men were yelling inside, and their voices blended together.

Minimum: four. Max: six.

Jack knew he was supposed to bust the door open, take cover, and let Kiku and Jennifer open fire. That would give all of them the best survivability rate. Kiku was faster than Jennifer, so she'd open up first. That meant she'd draw their fire. The chances of her surviving were slim.

No way. It's not her day to die.

Jack knew what he'd do before he even started for the cabin. He had run most of the scenarios over in his head already. Every way he crunched the numbers, odds were he died.

Jack smirked.

But odds are they die, too.

He stepped back, and kicked the door.

”FREEZE.”

Everything slowed. He could see three men and Prescott in the living room. They all turned to look at him, and he saw the guns in their hands.

He also saw their hands start to rise.

Two rounds apiece.

Jack zippered Prescott first. One in the gut and one center ma.s.s.

The spiky-haired Asian was the one with the submachine gun. Jack put one in his chest and one in his head. Kiku's pistol grip was small for his hand, but it shot straight.

The third guy got a shot off that hit the doorframe next to Jack's head before Kiku opened up.

She fired three-round bursts, and all looked to hit their mark. Prescott took three in the back.

The fourth guy could have killed Jack if he'd followed through with his choice of aiming at Jack, but he started to turn toward Kiku, and bullets from three sides cut him down.

Prescott fell to his knees and looked at Jack with a mixture of hate and pleading Jack had seen too many times.

He knows he's dead. He hates my guts, but he's still thinking he may have a chance to live. Now he's begging.

Another body from Jennifer's side fell into view.

Four guys and Prescott.

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