Page 161 of Everything That Kills Me
“Scout around. See what I can find.” The less detail Zeph knew the better.
He told Zeph where to stop, and even before Zeph had pulled away, Jack was running.
Thomas would be out there somewhere with his rifle. The guy after them had likely found himself a spot which gave him a good view of the front of the house. He’d want to hit both of them one after the other so when Jack arrived was the prime moment. It was more important that Thomas had found a good position than it was for him to come across the killer. If the guy had any skill, he’d be well hidden. But Thomas was very good at spotting unusual things. He’d be looking for a sudden movement, the flash of metal, birds being disturbed. Jack was a better shot at a distance but Thomas had needed to get in place before Jack arrived.
Once he’d retrieved the gun and been inside the house, he’d go into the village and get the car.
Jack broke into the back of the house without being shot, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t in someone’s crosshairs. Therewas no bark from Django so Jack assumed Thomas had put him elsewhere. The gun was soon in Jack’s possession but a handgun was only useful if he was relatively close to his target. He was relying on Thomas to shoot before the other guy did.
He checked his phone and saw a message from Thomas.I know his location. He’s scoping front door. Too tricky to be sure of my shot atm. I’m in position. Get Zeph to park outside, but stay low in car. Vest in downstairs cloakroom. Wear it. And one of my hats. Silent now.
Jack didn’t want Zeph anywhere near the house, or in the car. His plan had been to go to the village and drive back on his own, but he wasn’t the primary target and if Thomas didn’t open the door of the house, this wouldn’t work. If Zeph stayed in the car, and kept low, he should be okay.Should? Oh God.He called him.
“Hi,” Zeph said in a quiet voice.
“I’m not saying 7850 but nor do I want you to call the police. How do you fancy acting as bait?”
“Is a shark after me?”
“Unfortunately, you’re in the water with me and Thomas. We think the attack will come once the car arrives and the door of the house opens. I’m in the house. I’m going to make myself look as much like Thomas as I can. Park so the driver’s door is next to the house. Push the door open, then reach over as if you’re retrieving something from the passenger seat but stay down below the window with your phone in your hand. Have that filled backpack between you and the passenger door. Cover your head. Come now. I… I love you.”
“Fucking hell! Don’t you dare get shot so you can say that to my face.”
Jack ended the call.
It wouldn’t be long now. Jack wore Thomas’s hat and top of the range body armour but nothing was guaranteed bulletproof. If he’d been firing, he’d have aimed for the torso first, a double-tap before firing at the head. He was entirely dependent upon Thomas ending this before it started.
Zeph pulled onto the drive and did exactly as Jack had told him. Jack wasn’t watching the car. He caught a glimmer in the trees a hundred metres away and dived to the ground. A ragged hole appeared in the door of the house followed by the crack of shots being taken. Jack stayed down.
“Zeph, don’t move.” Jack rolled over and sat up, sheltering behind the open car door, his gun in his hand.
The lack of further shots could mean anything. Thomas might have dispatched the sniper or vice versa and the killer was coming for them. Staying absolutely still was the best thing to do.
When he saw Thomas coming towards him, he exhaled and pushed to his feet.
“Okay?” Jack asked.
“He’s dead. Are you and Zeph all right?”
Jack turned to the car. “It’s clear, Zeph.”
Zeph slithered backwards out of the open car door and Jack gasped when he saw he’d been hit.
“Fuck!” He started to pat at Zeph and was pushed away.
“It’s tomato puree, not blood.” Zeph wiped his face and licked his fingers. “Definitely not blood.”
“A bullet hit the car?” Jack looked past him to the destroyed backpack.
“Well, I didn’t deliberately tip it all over myself.”
Thomas walked around the vehicle, then came back to them. “That first shot went through the backpack and the car, then hit the door of the house.”
Jack was pissed off but Thomas looked more upset than he thought he’d ever seen him.
“I’m sorry,” Thomas said quietly. “I had no line of sight until he’d fired. He did what I hadn’t anticipated, and moved position.”
“Is he definitely dead?” Zeph asked. “Because I want a shower and I don’t want to find him creeping up on me.”
