Part 44 (2/2)

Jack froze.

Jennifer lost her phone in the garage.

As Jack started to turn, the bullet tore into his side. He stumbled against the car. He twisted around and pitched forward. All of the wind was knocked out of him as he landed face first in the dirt.

”Jack,” Marisa screamed.

Jennifer ran up and pistol-whipped Marisa in the side of the head. Her head snapped back, and she fell onto her side on the seat. Jack blinked rapidly as he tried to get his breath, but he felt as though someone had a foot on his throat. He coughed and could taste the blood. He couldn't breathe.

Lunged.

His muscles weren't cooperating as his hand fumbled for his gun. The slightest motion caused pain to sear through him.

Jennifer picked up his pistol and heaved it back toward the house. ”I tried to get you to stop, Jack,” she growled.

Jack lay there helplessly as he struggled to breathe. He could only take in the slightest bit of air before he had to exhale. His vision blurred.

Jennifer squatted down. ”I'm sorry about having to shoot you, Jack. I am. But I'm going to give Marisa over to the Mancinis and get my ten million. This actually is working out better with your stupid interference. Now that you've killed my partners, I get to keep it all.”

Jack tried to speak but couldn't. He just shook his head.

”What? Speak up.” She sneered. ”They won't get me, if that's what you're trying to say. They won't even be looking for me. Once I send Marisa down the ski lift, the Mancinis send the money up at the same time. Nice, huh? Of course, she'll be dead by the time she reaches the bottom. I'll give her just the thing to make sure of that. That's my present to Severino. Right after they get her body, I'll give them a call. I'll warn them you were in on it and give them the number of the room at the Imperial. I'm sure they'll be real nice to Kiku and Alice.”

”b.i.t.c.h.” Jack coughed, and blood sprayed across the ground.

He wheezed in a deeper breath.

”Yeah. But now I'm a rich b.i.t.c.h. Now I'm the one who gets to disappear and start over.”

She stood up.

”If you weren't such a Boy Scout, you might have saved the girl. I'm sure you'd have figured it out. I played Prescott, and he went right along with my idea. Men are so easy. All you have to do is press the right b.u.t.tons. With Walter, it was hate. He couldn't stand that he was going to retire without beating Severino. But you? You're the white knight. The guy at the garage wasn't there to kill me. He was getting instructions from me. But you thought I needed rescuing.”

Jack spat up some blood.

”You're a good guy, Jack. And the good always die young. They should find your body in a couple days.”

Jennifer walked around and got into Prescott's car with Marisa. Jack kept his head down as they drove away.

d.a.m.n it. Do it. Breathe, Jack. You're lunged. Army Emergency Evac cla.s.s. Plug the hole.

He felt through his s.h.i.+rt for the bullet hole. If he had any air in his lungs, he'd be screaming as he pushed some of the fabric from his s.h.i.+rt into the wound. He forced himself to inhale deeply, and the pain felt as though his chest was being torn in two. He coughed, and his mouth filled with blood. He spit it out, but at least he could draw in a little air.

This will probably kill me-plugging the hole this way-but I just need to buy enough time to get to Marisa.

He clawed at the ground and pulled himself to his feet. He could see the Impala through the woods.

Move.

He started to stumble forward and forced his legs to keep going. More blood seeped from his mouth, and he gritted his teeth.

No time. Faster.

He held the wound on his side as he stumbled through the small stretch of woods. Everything was becoming gray. He knew, with a chest wound, the last thing he should do is move, but he forced himself to stagger faster until he finally leaned against the Impala. His b.l.o.o.d.y hands fumbled for the door handle. The big door swung open, and he fought for air.

Breathe. Made it. Breathe.

One hand grabbed the door, and he swayed as his vision blurred. Air wheezed out of his lungs, and he coughed up another mouthful of blood. Jack's head hung down, and he looked at the door panel.

Get it.

He grabbed the panel.

This is going to hurt.

Jack yanked hard, and the panel popped open. The pain felt like a knife in his chest, and he fell forward against the doorframe. He reached down and pulled out Paolo's Magnum.

Two shots left.

He dropped the gun on the seat and sat down. As he dragged his legs in, his right arm seemed to be cooperating more than the left.

No...

Jack stared at the ignition. There were no keys in it.

Jennifer took them after she went to get help.

His hand shook uncontrollably as he reached up and strained to grab the ignition.

Come on, baby.

He tried to jiggle the worn-out dial, but it didn't turn.

Please, girl. Please.

The ignition rotated forward, and the Impala roared to life.

Good girl.

He slammed the Impala into reverse. The car sped backward until he reached the main road, pumped the brakes, and spun the wheel. Jack slumped sideways and spit up more blood.

Groaning, he grabbed the steering wheel tightly and pulled himself to a sitting position. The transmission clicked into drive, and he jammed the gas pedal to the floor. He struggled with his left hand but managed to pull the seat belt across his chest.

She's headed for the ski lift.

Jack tried to mentally recall the map Replacement had pulled up on her laptop when they'd reached the cabin.

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