“Damn,” Manny growled half an hour later as he assessed his wounds. He looked at Keegan, who was kneeling beside Cerdic’s fallen body, his dagger pressed to the Scriostóir’s chest just above his heart. Keegan was blood-covered, much of it his own, but was still more than able to shove the dagger into Cerdic’s heart and say the ritual words that would give him final death.
When he had finished he accepted Manny’s hand to help him stand again. “You were quite correct, that man had an amazing bag of tricks up his sleeve.” He smiled slightly. “I’ll have to remember some of them for the future.”
“As will I. Now, shall we vacate the premises and go home?” He took a step towards the door, staggered, regained his footing, and swore loudly. “That was my good leg,” he muttered.
“Well you’ve got another one; three if I help you. And it may take the both of us working together to stay upright at the moment.” He wrapped his arm around Manny’s waist, chuckling. “Did you do those three-legged races when you were a kid?”
“Umm humm. Hated them.” Manny’s arm encircled Keegan’s waist in return. With his free hand, he took his cell from his pocket. “Damn, this actually survived,” he said once he opened it.
“Calling the guys to let them know we survived?” Keegan asked as they made their way to the door.
“No, I thought I’d order pizza.”
“Cerdic was right; you do have a smart mouth.”
“One of my better traits.” Manny punched in the phone number and seconds later Hamlin answered. “Yes, we’re bloody but unbowed,” he said moments later. “More than I can say for Cerdic.” There was a brief pause then, “No, no, I mean he’s dead. He didn’t escape, trust me. We’ll tell you all about when we get back.”
Closing his phone, he started to put it back in his pocket when it shrilled. “Damn,” he grumbled as he answered it, saying, “We’re on our way, honest.” His face lit up, causing Keegan to cock an eyebrow while opening the warehouse door.
Two minutes later, as they hobbled to the car, Manny hung up. “Jakie’s alright. Some janitor found him trussed up like a Christmas turkey in a supply closet.”
“Thank God. I hate to say it, but I’d forgotten all about him.”
“Honestly,” Manny admitted with a rueful smile, "so did I, but we’d have remembered, probably before we got back to the loft. Oh, and he’s on his way there now.”
“Sort of figured, since you gave him the address,” Keegan told him as he opened the car door. “Don’t worry about bleeding on the upholstery, it’s used to it.”
“Not like I’ve got a choice in the matter,” Manny replied as he eased into the passenger seat. When Keegan made it around to the driver’s seat, Manny said, “Home, James,” earning him a lifted finger as Keegan started the car and headed out of the lot.
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