When Evil Prevails

Section 29

Writer - Gabriel Shaytan

FX is a Rysher production in conjunction with Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc as well as Hallmark Entertainment.

Don’t own ‘em, aren’t bein’ paid.
   

        Tony spoke to Vanduran while Mira went over the clues that Angie and Rollie had been feeding them, they knew it was one of the buildings somewhere near.  It was going to be hard to find them… but now they had a chance… they just needed help… and quietly.

         ' Captain we need some backup.  If we let them know we are here… they'll drop out of sight again' Tony explained.
         ' Ok, they'll be rolling as soon as possible… try to pin down exactly where they are being held'
         ' Right Captain' he finished, turning back to Mira.
 

         ' Somehow we need to find the right house, and we can't just go walking along, they'll spot us… did Angie have a bag with her?' Mira asked, she'd been driving.
         ' Yeah… maybe she dropped it right?'
         ' Maybe so… I think we should try and find out' Mira indicated ' Hand me the earpiece'

 
         Angie looked through the small cupboard hoping to find something she could use, anything that could come in handy.  She looked around as suddenly Mira's voice whispered in her head.
         ' Angie… are you there?' she asked.
         ' Yeah… I can't really talk loudly here so listen up when I answer'
         ' Ok… did you have your bag with you at the house?'
         ' Yeah, but I don't know if the guy picked it up or not… why aren't you tracking this signal instead?'
         ' Your signal disappeared… so we're doing things the hard way'
         ' Great… I think the house was about three or four down from the alley'
         ' Well that helps… anything else?'
         ' Not right now… I'm acting for all I'm worth that I don't know Rollie… I don't know why he wants it that way… I guess so it doesn't look like I found him somehow.  Steven's here with another guy… I think he works on the subway… look I've got to go now… they're waiting'
         ' Ok'
         ' Keep quiet until I talk… I don't want them finding out about this'
         ' Understood… Angie… good luck'
         ' Thanks… I think we'll need it'
 

         Rollie saw the look she gave and smiled slightly… it seemed some good news had arrived, but at the same time he still had an act to keep up.  ' You ok?  You seem a bit more steady'

         It was a warning and she knew at once she'd walked out much too easily.  ' Yeah… I think' she said, starting to take a step and then stumbling, Rollie catching her ' I was going to say that I think I'm feeling better… then again maybe not'
         ' That's ok… it'll take a while to get your balance back… believe me, I've been knocked out once too many times'
         ' Doesn't show'
         ' Thanks' he finished, starting to help her back down the corridor.
 

         Mira looked at the change Tony had undergone, now dressed in some of the old clothes Rollie had in the van, he was about to play the part of a homeless wanderer… she hoped he could pull it off.

         Moving down the alley, Tony wondered how Tyler could stand wearing so much, the clothes were thick and he was already becoming hot.  Putting his mind back to the task at hand he began moving slowly down the row of houses, nudging trash as though looking for anything of value hidden within.
         Hitting the third house, spotted something out of place, a bright slash of colour at the corner of the building.  Moving across more hurriedly now that something of value seemed in the offing.
         ' Yes… I've got it' he whispered, lifting the bag up off the floor and glancing around like he had something he shouldn't.
         ' Make sure you know which building, we won't get more than one shot at this' Mira answered.
 

         The squad assembled, battering ram ready and assault troops checked over their weapons.  Tony and Mira had their kevlar vests on and everything was set… it had to be done in a hurry.
 
 

         Rollie looked across the small room at Angie, then moved to where she sat ' So Christina… how are you feeling?'
         ' Better… you know I think something good is going to happen soon' she said, then adding in a whisper ' one minute and they make the assault I've got the microphone on still'
 

         Rollie nodded and moved across to the door, sliding one of his small tools into the lock before letting Angie move in and take over.  He watched as she worked, head cocked to one side listening as the tool scaped across the tumblers inside.

         He heard the click and she smiled as she stepped back.  Lifting the can of glue he pulled the door open.

        The door opened as he stepped towards it, his gun springing into his hand.  ' Ok, everyone out' Clem ordered ' Move straight down the hallway and stop'
        Rollie glanced at Steven and dropped the can before moving to help Angie who shook off his arm ' I'm ok… I can manage now I think'

        Understanding that making it on her own would stop them from leaving her he stepped away, but still close enough to do something if the worst happened… he wished he knew how Clem had found out… or maybe it was just luck.

        Hurrying the others through the hallway, Clem pushed the door shut and then pressed another button on the wall, revealing a slipway to the alley behind the building block they were in.
        ' Move it' John ordered, shoving them forwards… these people weren't going to be the death of him… if they were he'd at least take Tyler with him.

        The front door burst in as the door slipped shut behind them.
 

        Clem led the way, eventually emerging back into the cold of the city streets… Rollie shivered.  Horton followed them out while John hung back… he could slide away inside if this had somehow been predicted.  A noise from the corridor behind sent him spinning, crouching in the darkness as light flooded the alleyway beyond, moving he slipped into a slight alcove in the wall, waiting... light began to show on the floor and he cursed silently.

        ' Lay down your weapons… you are surrounded' Vanduran's voice called out, amplified by the loudspeaker.

        Clem looked around and shook his head, knowing things had finally come undone.  The gun waited in his holster, he could draw and shoot, probably take three or four down… it wasn't worth it… besides he knew enough to give the cops information.

        His gun was removed and he saw Rollie and the woman escorted to one side, where Tyler wrapped his arms around her tightly… he was a crafty one… they must have made up the whole story of not knowing each other… very very smart.

        What he noticed most of all was John's absence, the police were leading him, now handcuffed, hands in front of him, towards a police car.  About to remark on it, he noticed a reflection of the doorway in the next buildings mirrored window.  He saw John emerging, his gun already out and targeting in Tyler's direction, along the same angle as he was, with Tyler between them.

        Turning in a swift motion he slammed his hands into the policeman's stomach, flicking the catch off his holster and freeing the weapon with remarkable speed.  The hammer pulled back smoothly he raised the gun and pulled the trigger… it had taken him a second to complete the movement.
 

        Rollie saw movement in the corner of his eye and grabbed at Angela, pulling her to the floor despite her outraged tone.  She stopped struggling at the sound of the gunshot.

        Rollie looked across to see Clem hit from all sides by police.  The man called out ' Behind you' in his direction and Rollie turned to look past him, seeing John's body crumpled on the floor, gun fallen from his limp hand.  Just then Mira and Tony stepped out from the hidden exit.
 

        Cops piled on top of him and he saw Tyler climb to his feet, helping the young woman he'd pulled down.  Clem smiled as Tyler crossed, kicking the gun away and checking John's pulse… he needn't have bothered, it was a sure kill at that range.

        Rollie looked down at Angela who stood by his side, hand entwined with his own, and then looked across to where Clem stood, several officers standing around him.  Rollie started moving, crossing to where the man stood waiting ' Thanks… it might have been an act but you helped… and then this.  I'll explain it all… '
        ' In the time I had you hostage… I got to like you Tyler… a hell of a lot more than him in any case' Clem answered with a grin ' Make sure you finish that movie… I hope I get to see it'
 

        Mira looked on as Clem was hauled away, Rollie was ok, Angie as well, though the cut was annoying her no end.
        ' Rollie… next time I'm staying out of it… I mean… this bandage is horrible'
        ' Sorry, it was the worst I could do at short notice… I was hoping they might let you go if I could convince them you were in a bad way.  Come on, paramedics will take a look at it'
        ' You know… they might have decided to kill me instead Rol… ever think of that?'
        ' You know I'm an optimist… besides, we already have plans for the weekend remember?'

        Angela smiled, shaking her head… and let Rollie drag her to a medic who replaced the bandage with a much neater job and told her to take it easy for a few days… the cut wasn't as bad as even Rollie had thought and it would mend without any scarring.

        Rollie walked across to where Tony and Mira stood ' Thanks for everything guys… hey… where's Steven?'
        ' In an armoured car heading for his private suite' Mira answered with a grin… ' you'll have to make do with your van'
        ' Good… come on Ange I'm taking you home'
        ' I guess it's back to protection duty' Mira sighed.
        ' Not today detective… we're not going anywhere… ghost us back to the loft and take off' Rollie answered, already heading for the van.