Ella & Vlad at the end

#35 - closing in

With those shots so close Filomena checks out the windows. Nothing seen to the west she spots a couple guys to the south running towards her. Looking east she spies a body laying on the sidewalk across the street a few houses away. Who is that? Please don't be Vlad. The small house barren of useful weapons heightens insecurity with present location, Filomena hurries to the rear door figuring the woods and river may be safer.

Hearing the shots then silence Hoss gets on the radio, "Larry! Was that you? Larry are you there?" Waiting for a reply Roy becomes anxious, "anybody there to answer?"

Another voice rings through the radio's speaker, "Damian here boss. We're behind the Spruce street homes searching. We don't see Larry anywhere."

Bob can make out Larry's body lying on the sidewalk and says to Roy, "I think I see Larry laying in front of a place on Spruce."

Both men are able to see the Escalade is now starting onto Spruce Street. Hoss radio's Sig, "Sig did you get any of that?"

Sig replies, "I got it Roy. I can't see anybody yet."

Damian responds, "Sig if you're in the Escalade, we can see you coming. We're not sure where Larry got to. We've spread out searching the back of properties along Spruce."

Wanting to get into the action Jerry gets on the radio, "do you want us to assist Sig?"

Concerned there might be another person out there Hoss tells them, "no Jerry stay put, for now. You guys have a good line of sight on Main Street and the house here. Keep an eye on your six though."

Jerry sighs in disappointment before replying, "okay boss."

Spike followed by Dave and the third man finally reach Hoss. All a bit winded from running the last couple hundred yards, Spike inquires, "you want us, to get down there, Roy?"

Hoss nods, "yeah, but go in behind the co-op to make sure no ones back there that doesn't belong."

"Okay," Spike motions to the other two to follow while jogging on.

Inside the house Vladimir quickly finishes loading both of the clips for the MPK5. Noting there's only enough rounds left to fill one more clip he places the container back into the bag. Vlad sighs sadly realizing his scoped rifle has taken a hit and broken up the stock.

Distinguishing Larry's body Sig brings the SUV to a halt out front. The guys in the back yards hear the Escalade stop and begin to converge on the property. Startled some Vlad sees the black SUV through the main room window.

Scanning left and right Sig is certain their shooter is in the house with the open door.

Standing with the loaded MPK5 Vladimir doesn't give the man a chance to do more than look, spaying several rounds through the window at the SUV. POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP!

TING, TING, TING! The bullets pepper the side of the Escalade taking out two of its' windows in the process. Unable to see a shooter and avoiding glass to the face Sig looks away. Slipping the SUV into reverse Sig stomps on the gas getting out of the line of fire.

Making her move Filomena dashes for the trees of the northern hillside. As Sig brings his truck to a halt he glimpses her slipping into the trees.

Grabbing up the radio Sig reports, "we've got a shooter inside the house. Ah looks like 37 Spruce is the address. I also spotted what looks like a teen boy or small woman dashing for the woods along the hill."

Bob starts scanning the hillside, "there had to be more than one."

Hoss nods and radios the others, "stay on the house. Spike's coming your way. But if you can still hear me Spike, see what you can find in the woods."