Jake’s mind raced. The urge to kill the man standing in front of him was overwhelming. Jake’s MP5 was in his shoulder and the muzzle pointed directly at the centre of the man’s head. He knew that with a small flick of his index finger it would all be over. What was he waiting for? Jake couldn’t take his eyes off the silver coloured Colt 38 pressed hard against the side of Vicky’s head. He had a problem but he also knew that every problem has a solution.
‘I’ve been hearing a great deal about you Mister Jake Silverman.
‘How do you know my name?’
‘This little lady here told me all about you.’ he said as he licked the side of Vicky’s head.
‘And yours is?’ Jake said stalling for time. Jake tried to find the answer to his problem
‘Demarco Salis. Ex Rhodesian military forces.’
‘Never heard of you.’
‘I’m the man who’s going to kill you.’
‘I’m shaking in my slippers.’ Jake gripped the MP5 tighter. He knew he somehow had to keep the conversation going.
‘You’ll be dead soon enough.’ said Demarco.
‘Don’t you think you’ve killed enough people in your life?’
‘There’s always room for another small one and I think you fit the bill perfectly.
‘History will show you to be just another bad apple.’
‘You don’t know the half of it Jake.’
‘Is that right.’
‘I’ve fought and killed half way across Europe. I’ve been up against the best there is. From the Mafia to the Taliban. I’ve exchanged fire with Special Forces the world over. There is no-one out there to compete with me.’
‘Doesn’t matter how good you think you are there’s always someone better just round the corner.’
Jake knew even if he managed to take Demarco’s head clean off his shoulders there would always be the possibility of a dead man’s tremble. Even with the brain dead and full of bullets the central nervous system could still be active. Demarco could still pull the trigger and Vicky’s life would be over.
‘You think you’re the man for the job Mister Silverman?’ Demarco said as he threw a reciprocating flick of the colt at Jake. Immediately he had signed his own death warrant. Jake saw it and now knew exactly what he had to do.
‘You’re nothing more than a bully. I’ll bet when you were young the street kids stole your chocolate.’
‘No-body ever took chocolate from me, ever.’ Jake saw anger rise in Demarco and pressed on.
‘Didn’t you have any friends? I’ll bet your parents locked you in your room when they went on holiday.’ Jake had to get Demarco angry enough to want to kill him. That way for a split second Vicky wouldn’t be in the line of fire. It would then be a case of the quickest reaction wins. Jake knew injury or even death to himself was highly likely but that was a chance he knew he had to take.
‘You’re beginning to piss me off Silverman.
‘Take a good long look at my face Demarco because it’s the last face you’re ever going to see. You’re a dead man talking and I’m sending you straight to hell.’
Demarco shuffled his feet slightly as he prepared to make his move. Jake saw it and knew the situation was about to explode.
‘I’m going to kill you Silverman and piss on your dead corpse.’
‘There’s only one of us getting out of here alive and it certainly isn’t you.’ Jake never took his eyes from Demarco. He stared at his massive frame and knew within the next 5 seconds he would make his move. The anger was all over his face and Jake watched for the slightest movement of Demarco’s right hand. Demarco Salis was indeed a practiced killer and showed no emotion in his eyes as he moved. Jake Silverman was ready. The Colt flicked out at lightning speed. Jake dropped his centre of gravity by four inches and felt the butt of his weapon force itself back into his shoulder three times. Four loud cracks were heard inside the small room. Vicky closed her eyes and let out a scream that was almost as loud as the shots. The three warheads slammed into the centre of Demarco’s face, all three almost passing through the same entry wound. His head exploded as his life expired and he lost his grip on Vicky.
‘Arrgh,’ she screamed hysterically, and was only prevented from following Demarco onto the floor by Jake’s arms as he grabbed her. She collapsed completely into his arms and pushed her face deep into his chest.
‘It’s over, babe… It’s over… It’s done now… It’s finished,’ Jake said over and over as he held her tightly to him. He felt her shake with fear and pulled her even closer. He could smell her hair and took a large breath as he slowly closed his eyes.
Demarco Salis lay dead.
Suddenly the overpowering sense of relief gripped him deep inside. It was a feeling he had never experienced before and never wanted to feel again. Without saying a word they remained locked together for what seemed an eternity. Minutes seamed to pass slowly and then even more came and went. Gradually, Vicky stopped shaking and lifted her head from his chest. She looked deep into his eyes. Neither of them spoke… they didn’t have to. He pulled her head back onto his chest and embraced her even harder…
Finally, they turned to leave and, as they neared the broken door, Jake looked over Vicky’s shoulder. Without a sound he mouthed the word…‘Two.’