The Aftermath

60

Tom hits the dip into the driveway, bottoming out the Mustang and hard scrapping the undercarriage. It sounds like a full collision, and then the Mustang is flying up and out, the suspension forcing the tires to the ground, keeping traction and control as Tom drifts the car to a right angle of the front door. He spins the wheel straight again and floors the pedal in first gear, straight at the glass and frame wall of the lobby.

The Mustang goes through the glass and frame like it is not there, and then through the lobby back wall made of drywall over a thin steel frame. He remembers that the warehouse is right behind the lobby office. There is nothing to stop the Mustang from plowing all the way into the empty storage area.

As soon as the Mustang is through the walls, Tom cranks the wheel to the right and hits the breaks. The wheels scream on the smooth concrete which might as well be ice at the moment. Tom feels the car sliding, and unbuckles his seat belt. As soon as the car is nearly stopped Tom throws open the door while taking in the scene through the windshield.

Jim is there. Tom spots him with little effort since he is in a pool of light, created by hazard yellow spot lights set up around him. He is reaching for something on the table and Tom prays it is a gun.

Tom tumbles out of the driver's seat when the Mustang comes to a complete stop drawing his 9mm from his clip holster and then comes to his knees, the engine of the mustang is between him and Jim Stewart. Tom sights across the hood and fires. The first bullet misses Jim, the second takes him in the shoulder and the third in the chest.

Stewart is punched backwards away from whatever he was attempting to reach. Tom is scanning wildly for Bobby. He doesn't see him, but he knows he is here somewhere, and most likely armed. Crouching low he runs to one of the support pillars between the front of the Mustang and where Stewart hit the ground.

Then he runs crouched over to where Stewart is laying. Stewart has a gun in his right hand, but the right arm is useless from the 9mm slug hitting the ball-joint.

Angie is there, tied to the table. She is looking at him, but her eyes are unfocused and clouded. Stewart smiles at him as Tom kicks the gun out of his right hand, while scanning for Bobby -- no Bobby. He looks down at Stewart. "Where is Bobby?"

"You girl is dead. She'll die from the drugs I gave her. She's dead."

"The fuck she is!"

Sirens are pouring in through the hole that the Mustang made through the wall, and then police officers are pouring in. "Freeze! Hands where I can see them!"

Tom drops his gun and shows his hands. "She needs a hospital! Now!"

"On the floor!"

Tom gets on the floor, cursing until he hears the sound of a gurney being wheeled into the warehouse though the door. He lays on the concrete beside Stewart and cries.