Rebels & Lies

  ***

  The unmistakable sound of Daisy barking startled Paxton and Krys in the basement. Who could that be? Had the USR finally gotten a beat on them? Paxton dropped his bag and moved towards Young’s desk. Young pulled out a shotgun then he started to load shells into the chamber.

  “Joe?” Paxton said.

  “You get out of here,” Young said. He loaded the last shell and pumped the handle. “Go now. I’ll take care of that gringo upstairs.”

  “We’re not leaving you here.” Krys said.

  “I appreciate that, mami. I will fuck…I mean, thank you later.”

  “You are such a…”

  “No time for this,” Paxton barked. “Leave the bags; we’ve got to move fast. Joe?”

  “What?”

  “Good luck.”

  Young held the shotgun up to his chest. “I don’t need it.”

  The sound of the footsteps from above inched their way to the stairs. Daisy’s barking grew louder with each step. The intruder was getting close. Paxton led Krys to the double wooden doors which led up to the alleyway at the side of the building. There was no way of knowing whether or not there would be an ambush awaiting them. It was a chance they had to take…the only chance they had at escape was through those doors. Paxton gripped his Glock with both hands then drove his shoulder into the doors and they flew open. The old veteran popped his head out with his gun at the ready. No sign of the feared ambush.

  Paxton kept his gun trained in front of him while he awaited Krys. Once she reached the top, she retrieved her P99 from the holster underneath her jacket. The two moved forward, their guns drawn, and their pace urgent. When they reached the end of the building, they flattened themselves against the side. Paxton moved his head over the side with caution. There were no sirens; no signs of the USR. What was going on?

  With a hand signal, he motioned for Krys to move. She drew her P99 once more and moved towards the van. Once she made it safely, Paxton made a run for it. He flung the driver’s side door open, ignited the engine, then floored the van forward.

  “Make sure nobody follows us.” Paxton ordered.

  Krys stared at the rear view mirror. “Already on it.”