Jacob surveyed the scene—Xavier, Amber and the woman Felicity had decked stood near the base of the bridge; one gunman was at his boss’s four o’clock, a few feet away, while the other two were stationed at wider positions, flanking the foursome.
Xavier cocked his head to the side. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.”
Jacob studied the older McNeil sibling. Her hands were wrapped around her stomach. The top of her dress flared where it should have been one piece. “You all right, Amber?”
“She’s fine.” Xavier stepped forward. “Eyes on me…I’m the one you should be conversing with.” He spied Felicity. “Hello, Ms. McNeil.” He curled an arm around Amber and shook her. “Your sister and I have been getting better acquainted.”
Jacob and Felicity stiffened.
“That’s right. I know.” He paused and smiled. “It’s admirable really. You two must have a strong bond…” he tipped his head, “for Amber here to come all this way to save you.”
“Cut the crap, Bergeron.” Jacob stepped in front of Felicity. “It’s time. Let’s do this.”
The smile faded from Xavier’s face. “I couldn’t agree more.” He brought his hand to his mouth. “Take it.” Three seconds later, he glanced at the device in his hand. “Take the shot…now.”
Jacob held up a walkie-talkie, identical to the one Xavier had, before flinging his arm. The communicator bounced and landed a couple feet away from the man. “Your man can’t hear you.”
… … … … …
Five minutes earlier…
In the woods
One hundred yards away
Jacob stopped.
The man grabbed a walkie-talkie. “This is Butler. I’m in position. I have a clear view of the bridge area—over.”
Xavier: “Good. When I give the order, take this guy out, but don’t hit any of the women. You understand me? I don’t want the women injured.”
“Copy that, sir. I’ll be ready to execute on your order. Butler out.” The man set the device on the ground and peeked through the riflescope.
Jacob pounced on the man’s back, driving the sniper’s eye into the scope. One arm went under the man’s chin and around the Adam’s apple. Aided by two hundred pounds of bodyweight, Jacob pressed his other arm down on the back of the would-be killer’s head. When the struggling man stopped moving, Jacob stayed on his prey for another minute. “You’ll never,” he said in a hushed tone, “murder another innocent soul.”
Having arrived at the meeting place forty-five minutes ago, Jacob had seen Xavier and his entourage cross the bridge. One man, a long duffel bag slung over a shoulder, had walked ahead; he entered the woods and never reappeared. Alarm bells had gone off in Jacob’s head. His mind screamed sniper.
Jacob stood. After a quick scan in all directions, he took the walkie-talkie and headed for the women, waiting for him at the tree line.
… … … … …
Present time…
“In fact,” Jacob unbuttoned his jacket, “he’ll never hear you—or anyone else—ever again.”
Xavier laughed. “Well, this doesn’t happen very often.” He shook a finger at his adversary before holding out the walkie-talkie; the man nearest him took it. “You should be proud, Mr. St. Christopher. No one surprises me. And you’ve managed to do so twice in the same day.”
“Send Amber…and I’ll send Felicity and Elaine.”
Xavier’s laughter grew louder. “We both know how this ends. Neither one of us is going to trade anyone tonight.”
Jacob spoke under his breath to the woman on each side of him. “Fan out…casually.”
“I really don’t want any of the girls to get hit in the crossfire, so why don’t you just make this easy on them?” He beckoned with an arm. “Send them over, and I’ll kill you quickly. You have my word.”
Jacob’s eyes flicked left and right. Noting the rigid posture of the gunmen, he slowly brought his right hand to his belt buckle. The other men made the same movement. “You’ll have to forgive me if I…” he caught sight of Felicity and Elaine in his peripheral vision—the former on his left. They had put several steps between themselves and him. “…don’t exactly take you at your word.”
“I’m a simple businessman, Mr. St. Christopher. My word is my bond.”
Jacob glimpsed Xavier; he had slipped behind Amber. Coward. The man knew the gunfight was about to begin. The HomeSec agent went back to planning his attack, his mind seeing the action unfolding before him. He looked left. You get the first two bullets. His eyes shifted right. You’re next. He stared straight, at the man at Xavier’s four o’clock. Finally, you…big man—
A gunshot pierced the calm night-air.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
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