Monday, July 23, 2012

The Thief and the White Knight - 11


Tito stood with his back pressed against the entry door to the attorney's suite while Pia worked on the safe in one of the large offices to his right. He smiled slightly as he heard a string of curses in vitriolic Italian. Then he glanced at his watch, debating whether to tell her that there was less than five minutes left before the security guard was due to check this floor. The fact that they had relocked the door once they were inside would probably mean that the guard would just test its handle and move on, but Pia hadn't been willing to count on that happening.

"Ottenuto voi, figlio di una cagna," Pia exclaimed sotto voce a moment later, swinging the door to the safe open.

Tito came over, taking the thick folder that she handed him. Curious, he opened it, wondering what Civil War documents looked like in their original form. "We've been set-up," he growled angrily seconds later. She looked up at him in surprise, and then quickly stood up, grabbing the folder out of his hands.

"Wait until I get my hands on that—that bastardo."

"I do not like my parentage maligned," a steely voice commented from the doorway.

Tito swung around to find himself facing two men, both holding guns. The taller, dark-haired man held out his free hand. "I'll take that if you don't mind, Ms. Lupo." The other man, one of the security guards from his uniform, used his gun to indicate that Tito should move away just enough to separate him from Pia.

With great reluctance, Pia held out the folder.

"Thank you, Ms. Lupo. Now if you would also move to one side there is something else in that safe that I want back." Demarco waited for her to step aside before kneeling, reaching into the safe. A second later he was holding a heavy canvas bag which he opened. With a smile of success, he stood again.

Tito watched, his eyes flicking from one man to the other, estimating his chances of taking on one of them without getting shot in the process. Pia took the decision out of his hands when she brought the heel of her boot down on Demarco's instep. It would have been a good move if she's stepped out of his reach immediately afterwards. She didn't though and the man, calling her several less than flattering names despite, or because of being in pain, grabbed her arm tightly, dragging her to him.

Angrily, Tito sprang forward, only to find himself falling forward when the guard kicked the back of his knee. Seconds later, the guard pulled him to his feet, pressing his gun to Tito's temple.

"Feisty pair, to bad you have to eliminate them," Demarco said to the guard. "Caught in the act, what a pity."

There was a slight noise from one side of the room as a door opened. Two men stepped into sight, each carrying guns. "It's you who are caught in the act," one of them said. "Now I suggest you and your accomplice drop your weapons. I have no qualms about shooting either of you. If the man and woman get hurt in the process, so be it."

Before Demarco could say anything in response, two more police officers appeared through the other door to the office, also carrying drawn guns. The guard hesitated only a fraction of a second before lowering his hand, dropping his weapon. Tito moved away quickly.

Demarco was less willing to cede defeat. Keeping Pia pressed to his body he backed away, the barrel of his gun resting just under her chin. "I really don't believe you'd shoot her to get to me," he said savagely. "Now, if one of you would hand her friend that bag and the file we'll be leaving."

The officers all glanced at their superior. He growled angrily as he pointed to one of them. "Do it." The officer picked up the items, handing them to Tito who took them reluctantly.

"Move away from the door now," Demarco ordered. The two officers complied and Demarco stepped next to Tito, still holding Pia, telling her to cease her wriggling. "It's been fun," Demarco said with a malicious laugh before telling Tito it was time to get out of there.

* * * *

Kerry stood, his back pressed to the wall beside the office door, his pistol held in a two-handed grip against his shoulder. He knew from what he'd overheard of the conversation that he'd have one chance and one chance only if he wanted to keep Demarco from killing Pia.

He held his breath. A slender, dark-haired man stepped into view, hesitated, and then moved forward. Then came Demarco, holding Pia tightly.

Without a second thought, Kerry aimed his gun and fired. The bullet tore through Demarco's head, spattering blood and brain matter as it exited.

Pia yelped in shock when her captor's body fell, taking her with it. Tito spun around, casting a shocked look at the scene in front of him before pulling Pia free. Seconds later three of the policemen surrounded them.

"Are you alright, Ms. Lupo" the one in charge asked solicitously.

Pia shuddered as she finally comprehended what had happened. "I—I think so," she murmured. As she looked up at the man, she saw Kerry still standing next to the wall. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Kerry winced at the anger in her voice. "I'm working with the local police," he said before the man could reply.

"Tu madre cazzo, figlio di una cagna." Pia turned away, using Tito's shoulder to help her get to her feet. Then she looked at the cop, totally ignoring Kerry. "Get me out of here. I don't care if you arrest me; just get me away from that—that bastardo."

"Pia, calm down," Tito said, putting an arm around her waist.

"Calm down? Calm down!" she almost shouted in reply.

Kerry glanced at his superior who nodded towards the office. Gratefully, Kerry slipped through the door, crossing quickly to the window where he stood, staring out into the dark night.

He was still standing there much later when the police finally finished up. Pia and Tito had been taken to the station house to make statements, having been assured that they were not going to be arrested.

"Kerry, it's time to go," the man he'd been working with said quietly.

Kerry turned to look at him, sighing deeply. "Yeah, I know. I'll stop by the station in the morning to write up my report and then head home."

"Give her time to process it all. Then, hell, come back and talk to her."

"That wouldn't do any good. This kind of betrayal isn't something she'll forgive. Besides, she probably never saw me as more than a possible friend in the first place. No, I'll just fold up my tent and vanish into the sunset. It's best that way." He headed to the door. "I'll see you in the morning."

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