EYE OF THE HYDRA (complete)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

In this very moment all those gathered together wanted the painting without sparing human life. The board was ready and the puppets prepared to make their last moves. I could sit back comfortable and watch as they slaughtered each other since I was unarmed anyway, but I was worried about Anna's life. However, I was always a fan of challenges but for now I still waited.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Ganz and the man in glasses replied with a laugh.

"My name is not important but I'm sure you have heard about me. What matters is that I want the painting. That busybody private detective and you, Herr Ganz, almost ruined my plans but the game is over now!"

"Look... I'm very rich. Maybe we could make a deal..."

"Don't tire yourself! I'm not interested in your money. Drop your weapons instead!"

The antique dealer started grinding his teeth in rage. His bodyguards were forced to obey the command so they threw away their pistols. The weapons landed on the ground but one of them had fallen under the car which I was crouching behind.

"Miss Tanakis!" Glanced the man in glasses at Anna. "Would you bring the painting to me, please?"

He smiled but his face reminded me of a predator, and I noticed that Anna felt uneasy to do what the man asked. She slowly lifted the cylinder and cautiously started walking towards the two men. Meanwhile, I tried to acquire the gun under the vehicle without being noticed. After a short stretching I reached it and the touch of the cool handle provided me courage.

By now the picture was already in the hands of the bespectacled man, while his bearded companion was holding Anna with one hand, aiming at the German with the gun in the other.

"Listen!" Ganz tried to speak himself out of the situation. "I have good relationships with powerful people. They could help you to sell the painting for a splendid price on the black market. Let's discuss it or leave us and go! Either way, you win."

The man in glasses quickly looked at the bearded assassin standing next to him, then both of them glanced back at the antique dealer.

"There is a third option."

"Like what?" Asked Ganz desperately. His bodyguards were staring at the guns almost mesmerized.

"Like this," said the bespectacled man simply, then he pulled the trigger just like his partner.

The hollow sound of music coming from the club was completely suppressed by the banging sounds of the guns, as their muzzle fire flashed several times, while the German and his gorillas plunged to the ground like bloody rag dolls. The man in glasses put away his pistol and wanted to leave with the picture.

"Take care of her, but be fast!" He ordered his companion, who pressed his weapon to Anna's temple.

I jumped out of my cover and shouted at them. The bearded assassin, just like his boss, looked at me stunned.

"Let her go, right now!"

I pointed the gun at them, while my glance met with Anna's eyes, which were shining in relief.

"Mr. Wyatt! What a surprise, though maybe not so much. After all we came here by following you," said the man in glasses. "Don't be a fool! You think you have any chance?"

"I said let her go, now!" I hissed and I was ready to shoot.

The assassin also tightened his fingers on the trigger, his eyes were throwing sparks in anger, as he looked at me. I felt a sweat drop going down on my forehead. The tension was palpable in the air. Anna's life hung in the balance!

The long silence was finally broken by the cruel words of the man in glasses.

"Kill her!"

I didn't wait till the assassin carried out the command but neither did Anna. She tore out her arm from his grasp and pushed him. I pulled the trigger and the bullet crossed the distance between us. The killer's body jerked as the projectile penetrated his chest, on which a slowly spreading red spot appeared like a bizarre flower. He fell with widely opened eyes.

I saw how his boss took out his gun to send me to the afterlife. My gun holding arm swung to prevent this but it wasn't necessary. A blinding light flashed and a reflector highlighted us from one of the boats. I could swear it wasn't there before. It was probably laying on the bottom of the boat hidden from curious eyes.

In a few seconds dozens of policemen surrounded us. They practically invaded the parking lot and the wharf. Some were standing on the deck of the fishing ship, others came from the hill behind the club and some jumped out from the boats. Meanwhile, there was a real crowd at the club, as a few people came out to smoke and they immediately informed their friends about what was happening.

The guy in glasses was surprised and didn't dare to move. Then a man stepped out from behind the wall of the policemen. He was wearing a brown jacket and white shirt, while he was holding a pistol. His strict eyes turned to the figure standing in front of me.

"As you can see, you are surrounded. There is no escape from here. Drop the gun and lie down on the ground! I'm arresting you in the name of the Greek police."

The bespectacled man looked at me and the detective for a long time then his fingers opened and he let go of the weapon. In that moment, three policemen rushed at him. They screwed back his arm and a handcuff clung on his wrist. I felt relieved, while Anna stepped to me and put her arms around my waist.

"I'm sorry for what I did!" she said. I looked into those green eyes and kissed her long and passionately.

"I was afraid you might not arrive here in time, Mr. Venizelos," I turned to the detective after I got some air. He was the one who visited me at the hotel a few hours ago, when I was about to come here.

"We wouldn't let anything happen to you, Mr. Wyatt," he smiled. "But we had to secure the location first. After you told me where the meeting would be, I immediately called my colleagues. We arrived here shortly before you did. Most of us came by the ship of the Coast Guard, which landed us then disappeared not to cause any suspicion. The others came by cars, which are now stranded in an alley. The fact that we could remain unnoticed depended only on pure luck. However, you need to explain a few things!"

"With pleasure!"