Anti-Hero | Tim Bradford

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Bargaining

"I know you'll never let me go, but you can have me transferred to a minimum security facility, somewhere cushy and warm. Florida maybe."

"And why would I do that instead of letting you rot in a secure holding unit until the kingdom comes?"

Rosalind smiled, all teeth and no emotions. "Because if you don't, I have a series of attacks planned out. Each one is designed to hurt someone you love. I may be a killer, but even we have friends. And mine are particularly dangerous. One word from me and your loved ones will find themselves in very unfortunate situations."

"And if I say no?"

"Well, let's just say you'll find yourself at a lot more funerals."

Morgan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Dyer's threats. "If I give you what you want, what's stopping you from carrying on this reign of terror?"

"I'll disappear forever, it'll be like I never existed." Dyer leaned forward, her shackles sounding out as she moved, "But don't overplay your hand here, we both know what happens when you do that."

Morgan stood, moving for the door, "I'll consider it,"

"24 hours, then the deal is off."

The door slammed loudly, and Morgan left the room, leaving Dyer alone. The woman smiled again, but this time the joy radiated off her face.

—----

Tim kicked off his boots as soon as he walked in the door. He could hear Kojo pacing in the kitchen, no doubt waiting for his dinner. The rest of the house was eerily silent. The quiet was nothing new to Tim; he had come home to a silent house for years, but he had finally gotten used to the noise of his small family once again. This silence was unnatural, it wasn't right.

He moved his hand down to his duffel bag, retrieving his pistol and taking the safety off. Letting his training guide him, he manoeuvred his way through his home, looking for any other sign that something may be amiss. He managed to do a full lap of the house before he felt his phone buzz from his pocket.

Quickly, he unlocked it to show the unread text message from Morgan. SOS, DON'T PANIC.

Before he could call Morgan to find out what was going on, his phone buzzed twice more as more messages were delivered.

WE'RE ALL IN DANGER. I'LL EXPLAIN LATER

STAY SAFE, M

Silently, he stashed his phone back into his pocket, before moving to suit the blinds and lock the doors. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen tonight, so he kept his gun close as he went to feed Kojo.

—-

The car was near silent as it parked in the empty space across from the Bradford home. The dark paint and tinted windows allowed the vehicle to blend into the darkness. Inside the car sat two men, staring calmly into the house, waiting to see any sign of movement.

Their view was obstructed by curtains, and the light bleeding out from behind the thick material reassured them that someone was in fact home.

"Any updates?" The driver said, briefly turning her gaze away from the home to her partner.

The passenger shook his head and said, "Not yet. It will come."

"It better. I'm itching to kill something."

"If it's that bad, I saw a raccoon half a block away." He tried to joke, but his humour was ill-received.

"I'll kill you first," she huffed, turning back to look at the house again. "It'll be far more satisfying."

—--

Despite the adrenaline and fear coursing through her, Angela remained visibly calm as she parked her car in the Bradford's driveway. Moving at an intentionally average pace, she retrieved the spare key she had from her jeans pockets, and let herself into the dark home.

Almost immediately she was met with a gun pointed at her forehead. Quickly, she backed up, trying to remove herself from the line of fire. She let out a breath when she realised it was Tim behind the firearm.

"Hey, hey, hey," she said, as Tim lowered his gun in realisation.

"What are you doing here, Lopez?"

"Get your go bag, we need to leave. Now." She said, moving her way further into the home, gathering Kojo things on the way. Hearing Tim's footsteps follow her, she turned to face him again. "What are you waiting for?"

Tim deadpanned "An explanation would be nice,"

"Got a text from Morg, the house is being surveilled. We need to go now, before they decide that just watching the place is too boring. Now go, we leave in two."

And with that, Angela made her way into the longue to pick up some bits Morgan had requested.

True to her word, Angela waited for Tim by the front door two minutes later. Silently, they made their way from the house on to Angela's car. It was just as Tim had shut Kojo in the back did the first bullet fire at them.