They had come equipped with shoulder braces — knowing the part of the rolled-up flag they needed would be heavy. They had practiced running in tandem night after night until they could achieve it with an almost sensory perception. Once outside, they would activate a dedicated comms system to help, meaning they would not have to be close to each other.
Cutler checked his watch. “The video loop’s good for another ten minutes.”
Terri crouched down, allowing Cutler to latch the back of the rolled flag to her shoulder before watching him attach the front to his own. The video loop was the least of their problems now.
“This is it,” Cutler said. “We don’t know how they’re getting us away to safety. Just wait for the signal and hoof it to Independence.”
“I still question that. It’s a long way.”
“Risk is worth the pay off,” Cutler said. “Now, let’s go.”
It wasn’t his usual saying, nor his usual caution.
The security guards were hard at work, watching the perimeter of the building. Terri and Cutler pushed through the museum’s innards, corridor by corridor, until they reached their exit point — a service door close to the museum’s rear entrance. The moment they opened this door, alarms would sound. Cutler had offered to find a way to bypass the system, but their employers had said it wouldn’t matter at that point — they had been eager to lay down some kind of alternative escape strategy.
And time had been an issue, they said.
Cutler agreed against his better judgment, convincing Terri that the pay-day would see them comfortable for almost three years. It felt bad, it felt wrong, but Cutler was a thief. Money talked.
When the shooting began, their hearts leapt into their mouths and they almost gave up. Only self-preservation and, from what they could see of the gunfire, they agreed it was being aimed high, kept them going. Terri saw pursuers and urged Cutler on.
Independence offered no way out. The van wasn’t there. Again, they balked. The banner was heavy; their employers had managed to monumentally ruin the entire escape plan.
“Drop the banner,” Cutler said.
“I can’t take the time. They’re too close behind.”
“Then use your gun.”
“No way! I’m not hurting anyone.”
“Don’t aim at them. Aim at the buildings. The shots will be enough.”
Terri felt the tears prick her eyes as she fired high and saw her pursuers dive for cover. This was sheer hell. In just a few seconds everything had changed. Still, they ran. Still, they fired, now gaining some distance. Sirens split the air and now even helicopters flew overhead. Whatever happened, if they were caught, their excuses wouldn’t matter. They’d never see the light of day again.
“Keep going.” Even Cutler sounded desperate through the comms, a sound she’d never heard before.
“A bit further,” she said. “And we’ll lose the banner. Make a dash for it.”
“Well, I—”
More men appeared around a corner up ahead, leveling guns at them. Cutler threw his hands in the air and immediately slowed; Terri did the same. Both of them recognized the man in front.
Their employer.
“You follow us,” he said. “We keep you safe.”
“We didn’t sign up for guns. Shooting,” Cutler breathed. “Nobody mentioned this kind of shit. We’re out. Take your damn prize and go.”
Seven guns leveled at their chests. “We will kill you now, or later,” the main man said. “But you will not speak to me that way again.”
Terri suppressed the fear as it threatened to engulf her entire body. In the next moment she fell to her knees, screaming, as the men opened fire. But they were only firing above their heads now, aiming at those that gave chase.
“Please,” Cutler tried. “Just take the damn banner and go. You have nothing to fear from us.”
Laughter met the comment. “Fear? I fear nothing anymore. The Americans saw to that, long ago. Get them.”
His men leapt forward, grabbing Cutler and Terri under the arms and urging them forward, still with the banner intact over their shoulders. It was painful going, and awkward, but their employers-come-captors gave no quarter, now aiming handguns at their heads.
“You follow orders and you might survive this,” the leader told them. “But every time you question me I will shoot one of your limbs. Is that clear?”
Cutler nodded at the same time as Terri. Suddenly, their lives had changed into a horrific nightmare ride. All the years that had passed between them now came rushing back to her. How could I let this happen?
Life hadn’t turned out as her parents wished and, for the first time ever, she was glad that neither of them had lived to see her like this.
CHAPTER FOUR
Alicia sought cover behind a large SUV as the new men appeared and started firing. Ducking down, she peered around a wide tire and saw the heated debate between the thieves and the shooters. Clearly, something was wrong. At that moment Crouch, Caitlyn and Austin came running up, dropping beside them.
“Authorities can’t help for now,” Crouch panted. “They’re not exactly pinned down back there, but are prioritizing the lives of civilians around the Smithsonian and, obviously, the National Mall. The damn shooters are not relenting. We’re on our own for a bit.”
“They know we’re chasing the banner, right?” Alicia growled.
“Oh, yeah, they know.”
“You sound out of breath. Too much easy living whilst I was gone?”
“Well, I do have a new love in my life — maple bacon sundaes.”
Alicia stared. “What the fuck?”
“They’re nicer than they sound.”
Austin stared between them. “How can you do it? There’s bullets flying left, right and center, and you guys can’t stop chatting.”
Alicia peered around the large wheel again. The thieves were being dragged away now, guns held to their heads. An interesting development. She mentioned it to Crouch as she watched. Slowly then, the shooters backed away, finally disappearing around a corner.
“We ready?”
They broke into a run, traveling the distance to the corner in just a few seconds. A man stood there, checking his rifle as if he’d taken this chance to do so. Alicia walked up to him, grabbed the stock of his gun and smashed the top half into his nose. Blood flowed; the man’s head whipped back and struck the wall behind. He didn’t fall though. Alicia forced the gun again, smashing it across his cheek, and used her right knee, sending it in hard just under his ribcage. Still, he struggled. The final blows were to his temple — three heavy elbow strikes. The man was unconscious before the third.
“Secure him, Austin,” Alicia said. “And catch up.”
She peered carefully down the new street, saw their quarry hightailing it about one hundred meters distant — disregarding all precautions in favor of speed.
“They’re running,” she said. “Must have some kind of timetable to keep. We have to run too!”
Darkness shrouded this street, making pursuit even more dangerous. Alicia led the way, using every ounce of her experience and fully focused on the job. After just two minutes she proved she was right to do so — a shadow rose up from behind a parked car, aiming a shotgun at her. Alicia rolled and leapt up at him, grappling close together. When the others came up she snarled out an order.
“I’ve got this. Keep them in sight. I’ll catch up.”
Knowing her well, they rushed ahead.
Alicia wrestled with her opponent, allowing him a little leeway just to create space. When he fell back to bring the shotgun around again he left himself totally exposed. She dropped to one knee, delivering four solid blows to his stomach, then rose with an uppercut, catching him under the chin. The shotgun, when it fell, ended up in her outstretched hands.