Chapter 41

 

Cassie called in gunfire in progress, officer on the scene requesting backup. The mall was on the outskirts of the city, so support would be at least five minutes, probably ten. She should retreat to a safe distance and wait. That would be the smart move, and suggested by protocol.

She still questioned her wisdom in coming here. Just because Singularity had called and told her Bancroft would be here. It was obviously a trap, but she still wasn’t certain for whom. The gunfire suggested she was bait to ambush Bancroft.

There was movement inside the construction site, men running towards the noise, just visible in the shadows. They probably hadn’t been there to ambush her specifically, but had expected someone.

No side in this would be open to police involvement, though. Best to play it safe.

Someone still stood just inside the entrance, less visible than those moving. The dying light of day coming from behind the mall made it hard to make out detail inside the unlit structure. It made it hard to tell if he was armed.

She tensed, holding her Glock ready.

No, his hands were on the bench. As her eyes grew accustomed to the lighting, she recognised Bancroft.

She should retreat to somewhere safe. No one else in the department knew what was going on here. Most wouldn’t believe it, anyway, and might be right not to. And how many would avoid something that had little chance of a prosecution?

Her feet wouldn’t retreat. Fine. She let them, and her anger, take her in.

She took aim at Jimmy as she approached, but glanced about for signs of anyone else. There was nothing obvious, but the location was too well-suited to an ambush to let her relax. She slowed near the entrance, sticking close to the wall.

‘You want to step away from there and show me you’re unarmed?’ she called.

‘Not unless I’m convinced you won’t shoot,’ said Bancroft. He held his position, hands on whatever covered the bench.

‘I’m undecided,’ she said.

‘You should go. Or at least retreat and wait for backup,’ he said. ‘I have no intention of harming you, but I can’t speak for everyone here.’

‘That’s chivalrous of you, but I’ll take my chances. Unless you want to join me outside.’

He was considering it, probably weighing his options. He could argue he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had little she could charge him with, yet again. It was irritating.

She had been reacting too much. Acting on impulse. She needed to be smart. Take him out of here, so at least she knew where she could find the Ghost Gun.

He didn’t move as she advanced.

‘You should go,’ he said again.

‘Freeze,’ someone shouted from the side, and she spotted a gun pointed her way.

There was no cover, unless she ran back the way she’d come. It was too far, certainly by the time she’d hesitated to think it through. She stood still, Glock still aimed at Bancroft.

‘What the hell are you doing?’ asked Bancroft. ‘You were supposed to go with the others.’

‘Watching your back,’ the punk said. His voice lost its confidence, but still had a worrying edge of bluster. A hothead. Not good. ‘She’s a cop.’

‘I know that. But she has nothing to arrest me for.’

‘Tell him to lower his weapon,’ said Cassie. ‘If he fires, I could do the same by reflex.’

‘I ain’t giving up,’ said the idiot.

‘Don’t shoot,’ said Bancroft, then turned to her. ‘He’s just an overeager bodyguard. He can lower his weapon, surrender it, and you can take us somewhere safe until the trouble nearby, which we have nothing to do with, is over. Then we’ll accept the slap on the wrist that’s all you know we’ll get for not having done anything you can prove.’

He was speaking mainly for the idiot’s benefit, but it didn’t seem to have much impact.

‘You can’t trust them,’ said the idiot. He circled around his cover and approached her. The closer he got, the less chance she had to avoid being shot.

‘Toby, stop,’ said Bancroft, growing irate. ‘This is nothing the lawyers can’t talk out.’

‘I ain’t trusting her while she’s armed,’ said Toby. ‘Gimme your piece.’ He was around seven feet away. Too close to rely on him missing, and too far away to make a move.

‘Okay,’ she said, slowly shifting her Glock to take it by forefinger and thumb, and holding it out towards him.

‘Don’t,’ called Bancroft. He circled the bench towards them.

Toby didn’t listen, advancing with his gun pointing at her while reaching for hers. As he closed the last foot towards her, she dropped the Glock. It fell, taking his gaze with it. This close, his angle of aim was easier to avoid.

Cassie used the moment’s distraction to step aside as she reached out. She grabbed his gun. Brought her free elbow around to slam into his nose as his gaze snapped back to her. She hit him squarely. Dazed him enough to pull his gun free. He flailed at her, and she slammed the butt of the gun into his head, dropping him.

Bancroft was almost on her, gun drawn. She took Toby’s gun in a proper grip and spun.

She registered he was aiming wide after she’d fired at his shoulder. Well, that was tough on him.

He fell.

It took a moment to realise there was no blood.

She stared at the gun in her hand with mounting dread. The Ghost Gun.

No. Bancroft should have had it. Unless he was trying to pass on the curse. If so, job done, though probably not in the manner he intended.

She crouched beside him, checking for a pulse, just in case. No luck. He was dead. And soon he’d haunt her, if the nonsense was actually true.

Gunfire still sounded nearby, but there was nobody in sight.

She checked the punk was still out, and bound his hands behind his back.

Bancroft’s cause of death would match the others, and she could tie it to this Gun. That would tell those who knew what it was that it was now linked to her. She’d be a target.

She could put a bullet in Bancroft, and adjust the story accordingly.

No. She wouldn’t lie. Omitting difficult truths was one thing. Tampering with a crime scene was wrong. She wouldn’t be alone for long, anyway. Sirens were already audible in the distance.

She grabbed her Glock and retreated to the entrance, ready for anyone running from the gunfight. She left the Ghost Gun on the ground, for collection by the crime scene guys later - though she wouldn’t escape it’s curse so easily.