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Five missed calls from Lucas. Shit.
It started ringing again. Lucas was calling me, desperate to get hold of me. A tight coldness entered my stomach, and I feared for the worst.
“Lucas, talk to me!” I said after swiping at the phone.
“Jack, fuck. Glad you answered. I’m hurt, man. Real bad.” Coughing sounded on the other end of the line as Lucas spoke, his voice cracking with pain.
“Conall! Conall O’Rourke came here, man. Beat me up. I can’t move, Maria's holding the phone…” He coughed again.
“He came in, took me by surprise. I wasn’t quick enough, Jack. He threatened to kill my wife and kids if I didn’t tell him where Eden was. I’m sorry Jack. So sorry…” His voice trailed off and I heard sobbing coming from Lucas and his wife.
“Lucas! Listen to me, don’t apologise. You done great, alright. You did everything you could. If it weren’t for you, he’d be at her house now, smashing in the door. Tell me where she is, and then get Maria to call you an ambulance!” I said quickly. I memorised the location he gave me, visualising the long straight road out of town that would take me to Eden. It was about ten minutes from where I was.
Lucas told me through gritted teeth and waves of pain that Conall had just left a little while ago. He had a headstart on me. I shouted for Maria and told her to call an ambulance for Lucas. I promised I’d get a cop to them in as soon as possible.
I called my Lieutenant, and he answered in a second.
“Jack, what’s ha…”
“Sir, I’ve busted the lab. Didn’t have a choice, they were packing up. Conall must have panicked. I need you to come here with backup and arrest the guys I’ve tied up. One is hurt bad, you better call an ambulance for him or he’s gonna bleed out.”
I gave him the location of the lab and told him about Lucas. He cursed, and said he’d get a cop over to look after them immediately.
“Sir, I’ve gotta go. Conall’s on his way to Eden now. He beat the location out of Lucas and threatened Maria and the kids. I gotta go.”
“Ok Jack. Go!” he said and hung up the phone.
I sped off, heading towards the motel Lucas had given me directions to.
Time for a showdown with Conall. I just hope I get there in time.
I cursed at myself, having not saved Eden’s number into my cell yet. I flicked through recent calls, trying to find the number she’d called me on. Then my phone rang. It was Eden. Conall was there already.
I put my foot hard on the gas, jaw clenched with concentration as I drove wildly for the motel.
TWENTY
Eden
Conall strode into the room, looking bored, a half smile on his face as he studied the faded surroundings.
“Come on, Eden. You can do better than this dump. If you had decided to come crawling back to me, you’d be living it up in a five-star hotel.” He shook his head.
“Oh, your cop friend ain't looking too good. Leaking all over the place. Don’t think he’s gonna make it. In fact, he’s dead already. Sorry about that. He shot first though, honest!” He laughed cruelly, and one of the unscathed goons behind him chuckled in approval.
“Ain’t as if he can say otherwise now, is it boys?” He sat on the bed, elbows on his knees.
“Shark. Check if there’s anything to drink, would ya?” He frowned at his wounded comrade.
“And Sunny, what the fuck, man? You look like shit.” He turned to face the fourth guy.
“Delroy. Go and patch him up. Keep an eye out for our friend. The one Eden loves so much. We’re gonna have it out, me and him. Thinks he can steal my girl, take me down? Well, we’ll see about that, won’t we! I’m king of this fucking jungle!” His voice rose with anger and he swung his arm wildly, smashing the bedside lamp with a spade-like hand.
The guy Conall had called Shark pushed past me, shoving me out the way. I stumbled into the wall, my mind racing.
Shit. He’s pissed and out of control. Hope he doesn’t hurt me before Jack gets here. But when he does get here, Conall, you’re going down.
Shark grabbed three beers from the six pack, and I was surprised when he handed me one. He winked at me. I shuddered at the cold gaze from his black, soulless eyes.
