Page 139 of 5+Us Makes Seven

in response.

“I ain’t going out front! You go! Who put you in charge, anyway?” the guy shouted, head looking back into the building.

A voice sounded from the other side of the metal wall behind my head. I could just about make out the words.

“Conall put me in charge, mon! Now get out dere before I fuck you up!”

The guy swore in response, foul language spilling out in a torrent. I heard him turn to head my way.

I took a breath and popped out from cover, raising my gun as I turned to steady myself.

Surprise, you ugly scumbag.

I shot him in the chest as I raised my gun and once in the centre of his forehead. He dropped to the floor, eyes wide in surprise.

I didn’t give myself time to think, acting on instinct. I ran to the open door as voices started shouting from within the building. I guessed there were four more of Conall’s men inside, at least.

I risked a peep through the door, seeing figures heading for cover around old, grey metal industrial equipment. A large, solid looking unit sat a few feet away from the wall to my left, and I couldn’t see anyone near if. It was about four or five feet from the doorway, I guessed.

Perfect cover. Here goes nothin’.

I threw myself powerfully into the doorway, dropping into a forward roll, my shoulder thumping heavily against the solid metal as I rose to crouch against it. A few loud gunshots pinged against the metal wall behind me, but I was too quick for them to get a decent shot.

Movement over to my right caught my eye, a head peering out from behind a large cylindrical shaped piece of equipment, chrome shining dully in the gloom.

I popped up from cover and shot the guy through the temple. He fell against the wall, twitching violently as he dropped to the floor with a thud.

Screams of anger and alarm sounded from across the building. I heard the clang of what sounded like a hatch opening. I peered around the side of cover to see the older guy who had arrived a while back popping his head up from a basement hatch.

“What the fuck is going on? I’m trying to work down here, you mor…”

“Police are here, mon! Hide! I’ll call you when it be safe!” I heard Cathal’s voice from over to my left, but I couldn’t see him.

“That’s right. The police are here! Now listen up, ‘cause I’m only gonna say this once!” I shouted loudly, eyes alert for any sign of movement.

“I’m taking you down, one way or another! Make this easy for yourselves, drop the guns and walk out slowly with your hands on your head! Do it now!” My voice echoed slightly from the building. It was met with silence.

“I’m a yardie, motherfucker! Ain’t no way I surrender to no police!” Cathal’s angry retort sounded loud, closer than before, off to my left.

Two shots sounded, clanging off the metal in front of me. A large figure moved in my peripheral vision ahead of me. I took a quick couple shots at the guy, satisfied with the shout of pain as a bullet tore through his arm.

Then sudden movement to my left made me turn instinctively as Cathal stepped out from cover, moving quicker than I expected such a big man to be able to. I was still faster, gun aimed before he had time to set sights on me.

I shot him in the left knee and right shoulder. He screamed in pain and anger, his gun dropping to the floor from his now useless hand. I ran over to him in a low crouch, kicking the gun away and quickly tying his arms and legs. I searched him for weapons, taking a large knife he had in his pants and putting it in the pocket of my trench coat.

He cursed at me, writhing as he struggled against the plastic cable ties at his wrists and feet. Blood began to seep onto the dirty floor. He was out of the fight but alive. I figured he’d be useful if he decided to talk later when I’d got Conall.

“Cathal! Cathal, did you get him?” I heard the slow pad of heavy boots crossing the building, heading my way.

“Look out, idiot! He’s shot me!” Cathal’s warning came too late. I was already leaning out from behind the cabinet Cathal had used to approach me. Head and shoulders showed above the desk. I raised my gun and shot him, then froze in silence as I waited to see if there were any more.

The only sound was the whimpering of Cathal behind me.

I walked furtively forward, gun held in a low grip, ready to shoot at anything that moved.

“Ok man, I give up! I’m gonna put my gun down! My hands are on my head, don’t shoot me alright?” A voice echoed loudly around the building. I guessed it was the guy I’d just shot in the arm.

“Come out, slowly. Any sudden moves and you’re dead!” I shouted loudly, turning to face where the voice had come from.