Two shots sounded, clanging off the metal in front of me. A large figure moved in my peripheral vision ahead of me. I took a quick couple shots at the guy, satisfied with the shout of pain as a bullet tore through his arm.
Then sudden movement to my left made me turn instinctively as Cathal stepped out from cover, moving quicker than I expected such a big man to be able to. I was still faster, gun aimed before he had time to set sights on me.
I shot him in the left knee and right shoulder. He screamed in pain and anger, his gun dropping to the floor from his now useless hand. I ran over to him in a low crouch, kicking the gun away and quickly tying his arms and legs. I searched him for weapons, taking a large knife he had in his pants and putting it in the pocket of my trench coat.
He cursed at me, writhing as he struggled against the plastic cable ties at his wrists and feet. Blood began to seep onto the dirty floor. He was out of the fight but alive. I figured he’d be useful if he decided to talk later when I’d got Conall.
“Cathal! Cathal, did you get him?” I heard the slow pad of heavy boots crossing the building, heading my way.
“Look out, idiot! He’s shot me!” Cathal’s warning came too late. I was already leaning out from behind the cabinet Cathal had used to approach me. Head and shoulders showed above the desk. I raised my gun and shot him, then froze in silence as I waited to see if there were any more.
The only sound was the whimpering of Cathal behind me.
I walked furtively forward, gun held in a low grip, ready to shoot at anything that moved.
“Ok man, I give up! I’m gonna put my gun down! My hands are on my head, don’t shoot me alright?” A voice echoed loudly around the building. I guessed it was the guy I’d just shot in the arm.
“Come out, slowly. Any sudden moves and you’re dead!” I shouted loudly, turning to face where the voice had come from.
A figure slowly emerged, hands flat on his head as he stepped awkwardly into the dim light illuminating him from
above. Fear and awe showed in his eyes as he looked at me.
“Don’t shoot me, please. I got kids, man. Two boys.” He kneeled down slowly, then dropped to his face, hands still on his head.
“It’s just me left and the old guy left. Ain’t no point me dying for nothin’, you’re too good,” he said, voice muffled.
That’s right. I can see you’ve done this before. Not the first time you’ve been arrested. Well, that’s one more scumbag off the streets. And another witness to use against Conall.
I approached the guy as he lay there still as he’d promised. I quickly tied him up and searched him for weapons, not finding any. I then searched the building. What the guy had said was true. No one left. Except…
I walked over to the hatch.
“Listen to me, old timer! Game’s up. Come out of the hatch with your hands on your head! Try anything stupid and you won't even have time for your scummy life to flash before your eyes! Get up here now, slow and steady!” I shouted, voice loud and clear as I waited for the guy to do what I said or make a grave mistake. My gun was trained on the hatch as it opened slowly.
“Ok. I’m coming out. I’m not armed. Don’t shoot me alright? I ain’t a bad guy, I’m just the cook. Don’t know nothing about guns,” he said, as his head appeared slowly. Boots thudded as he walked up the stairs, hands raised.
“As far as I’m concerned you’re one of the bad guys. You’ll be going downtown with these other two morons. Get on your face, like your friend there. Slow and steady, old man.”
He sank to his knees and dropped heavily to the floor, grunting as his face slapped the tiles.
I tied him up and checked him to make sure he wasn’t lying about guns.
Nothing, just a pack of smokes. Good.
I walked over to the hatch and peered in. My eyes widened at what I saw.
The equipment filled the small basement, jars, burners, chemicals and tubes connected in a mind-boggling setup. By far the biggest I’d seen.
I walked slowly down into the basement, taking in a deep breath as I studied the room’s contents. There was no one else down here. Just a shit load of drugs and equipment.
Time to call this in.
I jogged back up to the ground floor and checked to ensure all three bindings on the perps were secure. Cathal had passed out, and the other two were motionless.
Satisfied, I ran back to my car, eyes sweeping for movement. I didn’t see anything.
I grabbed my cell, and my breath caught in my throat.