Double Cross

The smoke rising like steam clean from the assailable patchhole, gave a curtain to a dark figure spiffed up in dumb, long cloak floating at the covering .His front line sc ared away the crowding street cats lurking and prowling in the dark lane dustbins. The square up of the dustbin lid echoed through the street like a symbol in an orchestra. Cars seldom passed this area of town, notorious for crime. His destination, a trivial entrance bordered by neon lights which echoed through discfall back the mist. As he neared the door a sensitive spy hole slid open. The while spoke his words, muffled through his nigrify scarf. After several seconds the doors locks slid open and the door followed. The glowing mist sucked into the open door. A man predominate approached the light, built as wide as he was tall. Final checks were do on the man and he was allowed to enter.The radio was on. The time read pull to tenner. A man confessing his hard life working in an agency for a bos s he hates to the number one radio broadcast in the area. These one-to-one chats with the air host keep the lonely wad entertained at night. Detective Ventura sullen it off and sighed. He sit peering into the dark alley w mangleher our mysterious role had disappeared consequences before. The car door opened. A small man with mousy brown hair round plump cheeks entered the car. His appearance mimicked his attitude. It was his first day. An uneasy silence surrounded the car, rain started to fall slowly and steadily onto the windscreen. It got heavier with time and the silence grew. The repetitive motion of the wipers swishing back and forth was causing Malcolm to sweat. Ventura noticed Malcolms agitated motion. He decided he had to break the ice.So howd u feel first day extinct on the job. Its a sine of a lot different from the culture aint it? Ventura express breaking the silence.Oh yea, Its unfeignedly exciting for mewhat you think our next come to is sir? stuttered Malco lm. healthful son we gotta sit tight for a while. We dont want go bustin in there when we aint got no leads he said proudly smelling wise and experienced. Their conversation was interrupted by a catalyst chap.The agency was small that had many doors. He offered to take his coat, but he ref apply sternly. A look of suspicion was exchanged between the dickens unlikely gentlemen, when the moment was torn by a voice so strong and belatedly that it demanded respect.Who the hell is it Mike? Are you gonna show um through or do I have to get off my death sleep together to regard him. This voice came from a small silver haired man with definite Italian roots. His skin slightly faded from tan to grey. The man lay upon his bed propped up by a mountain of pillows. How a voice of such(prenominal) power and strength could come from this man was hard to believe. As he entered the room the old man glanced across. Mike announced,Mr Leony, the man you requested is here with a proposition for you. His stern voice was irritatingAh great I have been expecting you. I feel that your skills may be of some use. out front I slide by you any details I want you to dish out me a few questions. Firstly whats your name?My name..Andreas hesitating slightly. Mr Leony looks him up and down, then smiles, Good can I call you Andy?Id prefer if we utilise no names during any of our meetings. He removed his long black coat. The thud as it hit the ground raised eyebrows.Mike I thought you checked him?I did boss, he was clean..at least I think he wasThats another thing you need to improve protective covering well-nigh here said Andreas, as he pulled from his coat a revolver. Eyes widen. The room is silenced. A shot fired. Mike hit the floor.What are you doing? Stop I beg of you theres no need for this. Who sent you? pleaded Antonio Leony. Andreas was considering whether or not to tell Mr Leony who sent him. He looked at his watch. It read quintet minutes to ten.Ventura bounced from his seat. The coffee flew onto the windscreen. They both(prenominal) looked at each other and concurrently opened their doors. Time stood still at six minutes to ten as both officers rushed to the neon glare. They both backed up against the wall, guns at the ready. The gel from Malcolms hair was running into his look. He became agitated again,Sir what shall.Shhhh Ventura interrupted. They both stood silent waiting for a sound inside or movement. Something to give them an insight.Andreas spoke.Im very sorry old man he said reluctantly.At least do me the honour of knowing which back stabbing illegitimate child set me up? Who was it? he said bravely.What vertical is it going to do you?but I suppose its not going to make much(prenominal) difference whether or not I tell you. Ok it was privy Maverick.What that Bastard he was raging like a bull.I incur it hard to end such a man but, you win some, you lose some. He spoke respectfully, the gun fired.The second gunshot went off knifelik e Venturas ears. They had to make a move they burst in. The warm air hit them. They came to the door. It opened with a slight creak. Ventura made sure the surroundings were resolve and checked the body for life signs. there were none. The curtains flailed in the wind. Our mysterious character had disappeared. Venture heard the fire escape ladder slide. His eyes met Malcolms and they synchronically edge toward the window. Unveiling the curtain they watched as the dark figure entered a black saloon car and drove away leaving the spray from the tight road in its wake. He had escaped.Ventura and Malcolm got back to the station. Their captain shouted to them. They went to his office. The room was small with thin walls. Ventura had often been battered verbally by the captain. There was a name plate, which read Captain John Maverick. Expecting a good telling off, the two officers eyes were firmly fixed on the ground.Ah hell guys, what happened out there?Look more to the point we got an anonymous anticipate call tipping us off about our mystery man that I have had you boys tail for the last 2 weeks the captain spoke coolly which came as a shock to the officers, Ventura spoke anxiouslyWhat did it say sir?Well it gave us a meeting point and a time. Its six tomorrow morning at Swallow Lake. You feeling up to it Ventura?Hell yeah sir Ventura pounced.And take the rookie with you. This is good experience for him. Captain said smiling.A bird flew by. Its frozen frame glided across the lake. It dipped slowly out of sight. A moment later it burst into view fluttering its wings. It soared into the monger and began to circle the lake like a vulture would its prey.As Ventura followed the bird he noticed the sky it was red. He remembered the old saying his grandfather usedRed sky at night Shepherds delight, Red sky in the morning Shepherds warning, he whispered. The moment was broken by a black saloon pulling up. A man dressed in black got of out the car and slammed the doo r. More birds burst into the sky and began to circle. Ventura dictum a tall black man approach the pier. He distributeed for his binoculars. require It cant be. His eyes widened as he confirmed his fears.Who is it sir? Who is it? Malcolm inquired. A knock came at the car window. both(prenominal) heads swivelled. A tall man held a gun pointed at Malcolm.Get out the car, and no funny stuff. I got a loaded gun here he said having the upper hand. They were taken to a lodge. Inside their fears were confirmed. Their captain had set them up.Hi guys.well what can I say, Ventura if you had just messed up like you did every other time you would be sitting here right now. You got to close damn it he said as if to give them some sort of consolation. The Captain called to the man,Andreas have you hive away the money? he said anxiouslyYes but Im afraid I cant let you have it. You see Im a solo man I work for me and me only he said smugly. Meanwhile Ventura had slipped his penknife from his p ocket and was in the raw away at the ropes which bound him and Malcolm to the chair,What the hell you talking bout? We had a deal. If you go back. Ill kill you he said furiously, before he could reach for his gun Andreas shot him in the chest. The captain fell to the ground. Andreas turned to the two men tied to the chairs back to back.Sorry fellas, honestly I was real impressed with you two being able to track me down. That aint an easy job, but you have got to dieAndreas poured petrol in a circle some the men and doused the walls and floor. The room spun faster, and faster, and faster, but Ventura kept his cool. Time was running out, Andreas lighten his cigar,Its been a pleasure gentleman. He went to drop his match. Ventura rose, Andreas flinched and stumbles back. Ventura reached for his second gun in his sock. Andreas pulls back his coat and grasped his gun. Ventura fired. Andreas fired. Time stopped. The exchange of fire made Malcolm give out. Both men lay motionless on the floor. Ventura lay still as ice. Blood mixed in with the petrol and ran down the cracks in the floor. Malcolm came around and saw the two men equivocation on the floor beside him. He calls to Ventura,Sir, come on get up. Sir? he shouted. Ventura laydead? Malcolms guardianship was turned to a rising Andreas. The man rose, grasping his side where he had been shot. He leant against the door frame, his back to Malcolm. Andreas turned and reaching for his gun aims it at Malcolm. Malcolm closes his eyes and prays to god. Three gun shots are fired, but Malcolm felt nothing. When he finally opens his eyes hes back in the same room with Andreas lying dead on the floor in front of him.He hears the faint cough of Ventura and turned quickly to find him nursing a shot wound to his stomach and still pointing a smoking gun in Andreass direction. Ventura got back to his feet and ventured over to his Captain. he looked down at a man for whom he now felt nothing but sorrow for him. The captains ey es, as if mesmerised, gazed at the roof. They drifted on to Venturas eyes. Ventura drops and holds the captain by his back. The captain spoke with a groan.Ah, hell. Things just didnt turn out well. Im sorry Ventura. This wasnt anything personal. He coughed and he died. Ventura eyes glazed like ice. The moment was broken by the sound of a dozen police cars racing to the scene. The birds broke from their circle and descended. The sky was turned from red to blue by the rising sun.