With a Bang (Jack McClane Story)

Chapter 5

From my place behind Jack and John, I looked around at the, once, extravagant room. It still had the potential to be beautiful in a traditional and somewhat outdated way but the atmosphere was the same. I've been in many rooms just like this one and it's not a scene I wish to go back to. High society balls filled the snobby, stuck up, socialites of the upper east side Manhattan were not my thing.

Yuri walked further forward, calling out his daughter's name, Irina, quietly. After a couple more times, a pretty brunette appeared from behind a far wall. When she saw her father she ran to him and hugged him and I almost found the moment somewhat sickening. Not because it was too mushy but because the whole thing seemed almost fake.

"Oh, that's tender." John said.

Jack side glanced at him, "Really? I wouldn't know."

We watched for a couple more moments as Yuri and his daughter spoke quietly to each in Russian. I couldn't help but squint as I watched them. Their conversation didn't seem like the proper father/daughter reunion I pictured; although that could be my own experiences skewing my judgment.

"You need a hug Jack?" John asked and I turned to see him looking at Jack.

I turned to Jack to see him slowly turn his head to look at his father, "We're not really a hugging family."

John nodded, "That's right." And looked back to the scene before us.

"My family wasn't really a hugging family either." I said from my place in between them with a shrug, "It's more of a shaking hands, pat on the back, and looks of disdain kind of family."

They both turned to look at me but I kept my focus on the Komarov family before me. She must have asked something about us because the father and daughter both looked over to us.

"The young male is CIA and the older one is his father. The girl, well, she's...She's helping them. They're Americans." Yuri finally settled on. What else was he to say? It was true, somewhat.

They went back to whispering to each other and John shook his head, "There's something no good about this."

"Just shut up, alright." Jack demanded in a whisper.

"I'm telling you Jack. This smells bad." John tried to reinforce.

"I'm getting the feeling too." I whispered, stepping a little closer to Jack.

"Well if you're feeling it too, then it must be true." Jack rolled his eyes in disregard, "Just stop okay? The both of you. This might be a foreign concept John, you know, where you love to run in, making shit up, but like any professional, I have a plan. So let's just stick to it okay?"

"Just move your plan along." John said, gripping his gun just a little tighter.

"Alright Yuri, come on, let's grab the key and get out of here." Jack called out to him.

"Yes. It will just take a moment." Yuri said and walked over to the window, Jack following.

John and I stayed put. I wanted to stick to Jack like glue but I had to hold my own ground at some point. I needed to show that I wasn't a scared little girl even though on the inside I was terrified of what could happen. I did feel slightly better seeing Jack sending glances my way, most likely to see if I was still alive. John still had his suspicions and decided to get some more information.

"How are you doing?" He asked Irina from where he stood.

"Uh, fine." Irina replied. She looked spaced out and scared as she watched her father try and get the key from the inside venting system that was underneath the window.