Revenge (David Shelley #1) - James Patterson Page 0,89
he took out the blond guy on the run, his SIG bucking but controlled in his grip as he pumped two shots into the guy’s chest, an instructor-perfect double tap.
The guy staggered, swaying. Beyond him, Sergei and Dmitry both dived for cover behind the Transit, Sergei snatching off a shot that went wide, Dmitry screaming something at him in Russian.
The blond guy’s body was still dropping as Shelley passed it. By the fire escape door, the two heavies had finished bundling Lucy into the back of the van, drawn their guns and joined the fight, firing recklessly, seemingly ignoring whatever Dmitry was shrieking at them.
Crack. Thump. Night split by gunfire.
Shelley dropped to one knee. Death was just a blink away but he felt a strange calm, that same mastery of his fear he’d felt at Millharbor kicking in afresh. He squeezed off a shot that took out one of the kidnappers, who dropped with crimson spraying from his throat. Shelley twisted his torso and found the second kidnapper in his sights. This guy had leveled a pistol fitted with a suppressor and was pointing it at him but Shelley stayed calm, found time in the moment, and his aim was true. Another double tap and the Chechen fell.
And then Sergei did what Shelley had feared might happen since the beginning of the firefight. He emerged from the rear of the Transit holding Lucy, who was slumped in his arms, her head swaying gently from side to side as though she were gradually recovering consciousness.
Next Dmitry stepped around from the other side of the van, the third point of the triangle, positioned about halfway between Shelley and Sergei. No doubt Dmitry thought he’d gained the upper hand, but Shelley had two things in his favor. One, he knew the Chechen wanted him alive. Two, Bennett had yet to make his play.
Shelley’s gun was aimed at Sergei, and at this range he knew he could take him out and save Lucy. Not a case of if. Just a case of when.
But then Shelley felt the barrel of a gun at the back of his head.
“Game’s up, I’m afraid, Shelley,” said Bennett.
CHAPTER 75
“DROP YOUR WEAPON,” said Bennett.
Shelley’s gun was still trained on Sergei, who held Lucy, slumped, her knees bent. “I’m not going to do that,” he replied evenly.
“I’ll put a hole in your head if you don’t.”
“Will you indeed? Did you hear that, Dmitry? The ten-million-quid bullet.”
“Be careful, please, Mr. Bennett,” warned Dmitry.
“Tell you what, we’ll put a bullet in Lucy instead,” Bennett called across. “Sergei, could you do the honors, please?”
Shelley kept his cool. “Do that and the next person to die is you, Sergei. No, I’m sorry, lads, but from where I am it looks like your only option is to put a bullet in me and kiss goodbye to the ten mil. You ready to do that?”
“Dmitry?” asked Bennett.
“Wait,” said Dmitry.
“Dmitry,” urged Bennett, “shots have been fired. The cops will be here soon.”
“You’re ready to do it, are you, Bennett?” said Shelley. “You’d put a round in me, just like that.”
“It’s nothing personal, Shelley. Never was.”
“Oh yeah? And you behind it all along, were you, being not-personal all this time?”
“Not quite,” said Bennett. “Not quite ‘all along.’ I’m afraid I can’t claim credit for the original idea. Would you believe that honor goes to—”
“Johnson?” said Shelley.
“Exactly,” replied Bennett. “He had the right idea.”
“And Gurney?”
“Yup. Cooked up a little plan with Gurney and then cooked him out of it. They both had the right idea. Just needed a little finesse, that was all.”
“Finesse you were able to provide.”
“Cooked up with my good friends here, yes. I look forward to enjoying preferred fundraiser status with the most powerful criminal organization in the world. I intend to have a good time with it, Shelley. I’m only sorry that you can’t join me.” He addressed Dmitry and Sergei: “Now, gentlemen, it really won’t be long before the police arrive. Might I suggest we speed things up just a tad?”
“Then how will I get my money, Mr. Bennett?” said Dmitry. There was a note in his voice that Shelley found intriguing. Did he imagine it, or was Dmitry suspicious of Bennett?
“Oh, very simple,” Bennett responded. “I have Mrs. Drake in the car. Which means that we have no use for Shelley at all. Nor his wife. Put a bullet in her now, Sergei. I’ll do the same over here. Guy Drake will pay up for the return of Susie, and nobody will miss a