Mirror, Mirror on the Wall ✓

32 | Showdown

Sanchez was doing his best to conceal his face and expressions from the rest of them. Many of them had seen Sanchez before and he could not risk recognition. But Chris and Conway had to keep away only Helmer Nix's attention. Nobody else knew them, although Sanchez did not think that made it any easier.  

For the short period of time which they were in the car, Sanchez was thinking about just one thing. I wanted to do this. I've wanted this all my life. I have the opportunity now, I can't mess up. They didn't talk for the majority of the time in the car, lest their voices gave them away. Nix himself didn't speak, and the driver said nothing more than a few words here and there. Gruff noises and snorts sufficed for replies. 

They ultimately reached the destination: a desolate, unhappy location. A large but unkempt building gave them a melancholy welcome. Sanchez hoped Clark and Curreri had planted the bomb by now. Of course, they had. You care about playing your part well, Lee. 

They entered the old warehouse, Chris striding ahead in the front of Nix while Sanchez and Conway followed hot at his heels. No sooner than they had stepped inside, Sanchez became overcome with a stale miasma he assumed was a staple in all drug rings. Trying to stifle a sound as the contents of his belly rose to his throat, he looked beside him. Conway looked uncomfortable as well. But they had to bear it all.

Victoria soon appeared, dark hair messily tied up, followed by her own set of self-appointed bodyguards. Although she did not notice him, he did. Instantly, he felt something burn inside him, his insides set afire with maddening fury, making him all the more hell-bent to finish her. He stifled it too. For now.

Victoria said, 'Glad you could make it today, Mr Nix. Today was the best day for the job. Andino is flying home tomorrow.'

Sanchez was perplexed for a second. Andino? Her husband? When did he get involved? Oh well, he is the real boss here, he concluded. Of course, such an important deal could not be made by Victoria alone, not without the supervisor. He realized the man beside her, standing equally tall as Sanchez, was Andino Ricci. Sanchez could not help but notice his features; that explained why Victoria could have possibly fallen for an Italian gangster. He looked strong and gentle at the same time, his countenance a superb combination of sharpness and fullness. His eyes reflected warmth whereas his stern set mouth depicted a sense of superiority. He was topped off with curly brown hair which seemed to be dishevelled by some kind of frustrated activity. All in all, how much as he hated Victoria, Sanchez could not resist a feeling of rivalry with him. But now wasn't the time.

They were led to the upper storey and were shown into a barely-furnished room. A table with four chairs had been set up for the meeting with bottles of water in the centre. This was probably going to take some time. 

Andino and Victoria settled on two chairs on one side of the table while Nix sat down on the other. Each set of bodyguards stood close behind on either side. The discussion started. But Sanchez was not paying attention to what they said—his full attention was on his target. Moreover, he did not get half of what they spoke. There wasn't any use listening. 

They had to stand for almost half an hour. The meeting was about to finish. Sanchez thought, haven't they planted the freaking bomb? He was tensed.

Just then, a sound was heard from below. 'There's fire!' Everyone in the room turned their attention towards the door. So it's an incendiary, Sanchez thought. Andino started to get up but Victoria pulled him back. 'We gotta finish this,' she said, calm as ever but not without as a hint of worry. Andino sat back hesitantly. She told one of the men, whom Sanchez recognized as José, 'Go and check what's happening.' As he opened the door, dark, smokey fumes rushed into the room. 

José went out and returned in less than a minute. They had wrapped up by that time. There was terror in José's eyes, and anticipation. 'Bad news,' he said, 'Almost the whole lower storey is on fire. Everyone is panicking and nobody knows how it started. And we can't leave by the front door, the fire has blocked it.' There were shouts and other signs of chaos coming from downstairs. Hell, Sanchez could even see some flames. He was scared, but determination overtook fear. He looked at his target. The flames that reflected off her gray eyes signified the panic attack she was now having. It was time.

'Our stocks will be destroyed!' she panicked. She was stuffing every drug packet in the room that she could lay her hands on inside a briefcase. Andino shouted, 'It's not the time for the drugs. We have to save our lives! Come.' 

Nix said, 'Why did I even come here? Dammit.' Sanchez whispered to Conway with all the discretion he could achieve amidst the chaos, 'Get Nix out of here and but help me get rid of Victoria's two bodyguards first.' Conway told this to Chris and they were making their way out in a minute. Nobody noted the conversation in all the mayhem. Sanchez stayed back. But there was no need to get rid of the bodyguards. They were not loyal dogs to their masters. They were the first to get out, leaving Andino and Victoria on their own.

Andino cursed loudly to vent out his anger. He was waiting outside. 'Woman! Come on out!' 

'Just a second! Yeah, I'm done.'

Now the fiery red flames threatened to engulf them. Sanchez felt sweat on every part of his body. Victoria started walking out with long strides. Sanchez blocked her way and zeroed in his gun on Victoria.

'What the hell do you think you're doing?' she spat.

Andino cursed again, 'Get out of the way!' But he dared not touch him, should any harm befall Victoria.

Sanchez ignored the jibe. He took off his shades and dropped them on the floor. 

'So we meet again,' Victoria said abhorrently on recognition.

'Yeah. It's pure business, nothing personal, as you said. I've got to do my duty.'

Her eyes screamed loathing, 'You better get out of my way. Or you wouldn't get out of here alive.'

'My team is down there. They are about fifty. And you guys, I assume, are maybe fifteen or twenty. Do the math.' They heard someone from downstairs shout among the commotion, 'Cops! Hurry up!' Sanchez smiled. He added, 'So I think it's you who isn't going to make it out alive.'

Andino said, 'Hey, you, asshole. Who do you think you are, huh? Leave her alone.' As he spoke, he took out his own handgun and levelled it at Sanchez. It was Victoria's turn to smile. 'Make a move and this goes off. Quietly put down your pistol and I'll let you live.' 

Sanchez spoke in Victoria's direction, 'So you got a knight in shining armor, eh?' Nobody replied. Sanchez looked side to side. So that was the way it was. Alright.

I got to do this if I want to finish this at all. As it is, I have nothing to live for now. No family, no friend, at least I can die a martyr. He felt almost funny thinking like that. Whenever did he become such a patriotic servant of the country?

Trying to sound like a movie hero, he said, 'See you in hell, Satan.' Before Victoria could comprehend what he had said, his finger was curled around the trigger. Victoria's eyes bulged out in surprise. He pulled the trigger. Andino fired too. But he heard something else. A flash of pain tore through Sanchez's body, paralyzing him. As both he and Victoria went down, he realized it wasn't two, but three gunshots he had heard. Everything became a blur, his eyes closed, and then Sanchez saw nothing.