MANO

CHAPTER 20

Hakim had nowhere left to go.
He was finished and he knew it, but fanatical as he was, he wasn't going down without a fight. He eyed Mano grimly, determined to take down the cop responsible for destroying his mission.
But there were things he didn't know about Mano. He didn't know that the cop was also ex-military who had done tours of the Gulf and who had seen real combat up close and personal. He didn't know that Mano had been taught by some of the best men in the business, and that his combat skills were second to none. He didn't know that Mano had probably killed as many men as he had, but for a different cause. Like many men before him, Hakim made the mistake of underestimating his opponent.
He moved forward brandishing his scimitar, a pulwar picked up from an Afghan trader in Jeddah, and a weapon he had used with deadly effect before. It was a curved sword, deadly in the right hands. Hakim looked like a formidable opponent with the weapon in his hands. He laughed when he saw the bit of stick Mano lifted up. The cop was his for the taking. No question.
Hakim swung the scimitar, a feint designed to test Mano. He was surprised there was no fear in Mano's saturnine face, only a grim determination to the rugged jawline to see the fight through. He was used to his victims showing more fear.
It was Hakim's first inkling that things might not go his way. His teeth showed in a feral grin, confidence reasserting itself. No man had ever bested him whilst he held a scimitar.
"Allahu Akbar," he grunted, the familiar Arabic term bursting from his thick lips as he again swung the scimitar in a further test of Mano's defences.
Mano ducked and dodged the curve of the wicked looked scimitar yielded by the Arabic, breathing easy in a controlled manner as though he was on a yoga meditation exercise. He was light on his feet like a boxer in the ring, as he weaved and ducked and dodged the sharp edge of the blade. He circled the ISIS man looking for an opening to strike back. He'd take the man alive if he could, but it depended on how the fight panned out. He was supremely confident of the outcome despite having no weapon with which to fight back.
No obvious weapon, but he did have a bit of stick and that might be enough to carry the day. He knew about the body's pressure points and as he ducked beneath the swinging scimitar, he used one end of the stick to hit Hakim just under the bridge of the nose.
Raw agony hit Hakim and he drew back in pain. A wary look appeared in his dark eyes. He moved forward again. Time was against him and he was aware that other cops would be closing in on his position. He was determined not to be taken alive and to find himself paraded in front of an infidel's court. He would rather die.

He swung the scimitar. A feint. Mano realised it was a feint and moved to counter

the threat, but his foot suddenly slipped and he lost hisb alance. The sword hit the side of his head, leaving himd azed and wide open for a killing strike.

Hakim smiled in anticipation. He had gained the upper hand. His arm swept around, ready to deliver a killing strike and to gut the dazed cop in front of him. There was a rush of feet. It was like a locomotive.

Hakim half-turned to meet the new threat, but he was too late.

The locomotive turned into the unstoppable Nui, who swept Hakim off his feet, the scimitar flying out of his hand. Nui lifted Hakim like he was a baby, throwing him aloft with an ease that was astounding. He lifted the man high and then brought him down over his bent left knee and there was a sickening crack as Hakim's spine cracked with the pressure.

Hakim stiffened likea fish caught on a line. He went rigid. The shock conspired to hasten his demise. He went still.

Nui reached for Mano, knowing Hakim was dead.

"You okay, boss?"

Mano was still dazed. He was looking around, searching for Hakim. "What? Where's...". His eyes fell on the still form of Hakim. He looked up at Nui.

"He's finished, Mano," Nui said. "He's dead."

Mano nodded. There was nothing more to be said.

* * *

Mano forced himself back onto his feet. He looked at

Nui. "What's the story?"

"Situation is contained, Mano. Explosive had been defused, and all terrorists accounted for."

"Accounted?"

"Only one taken alive. The rest are dead."

Mano looked down at the still form of Hakim and shook his head. "They nearly succeeded," he said, softly.

"Nearly didn't make it," Nui commented drily. "They failed."

Mano gave a tired grin and slapped Nui on the shoulder. "Let's get out of here, shall we?" Two HPD officers moved in and Nui told them to take care of Hakim's body. Pono came running up. "We found April."

"Is she okay?" Mano asked.

"Few cuts and bruises, but she'll live."

"Where is she now?"

"She's overseeing things with the bomb squad people. Refused to go to the hospital until she's sure thate verything is safe. You might try talking some sense into her."

"'l'll see to it," Nui announced and he stalked off.

"Well, Pono," Mano jerked his thumb towardsa Hakim. "Justice for your friends."

"Won't bring them back." Bitter tones.

"Never does," Mano asserted. "But it's the best we can do."

* * *

He broke a cardinal rule that night.

Spent, having made love to Suzy he leaned back on the pillow and stared pensively at theceiling. She seemed to guess his mood, her senses heightened by their recent lovemaking. "You want to talk, don't you?"

"I do," he confirmed.

"What about?"

"The job."

Surprise appeared in her dark eyes. "Thought you never wanted to talk about that aspect of your job?"

"It was this case," he remarked. "We stopped terrorists today. They could have destroyed life here on the islands for years to come."

"How come?"

"A dirty bomb."

"Nuclear?"

"Not nuclear, but something nearly as bad. A radiological bomb. It would have devastated the entire island Oahu and beyond for decades to come."

She shook her head at the folly of men. "One would have thought...after 9/11?"

"That they'd did enough damage," he said, finishing the thought for her.

"Yes."

"Terrorists," he complained. "They're never happy.

They always want more. More headlines, more bloodshed, more death. Vultures!"

She reached for him. She whispered into his ear.

"We've also got the Manos' of the world."

Coming soon: Chief Mano. Mano is also available in Spanish and Italian.
Coming soon: Mano's War. Mano's Brief. Mano's Ground. Mano's State.