The Memorial Day Murders

Chapter 9 : The shadows strike

Stepping out to the busy streets once again I breathed a sigh as I recalled the warning. Who was the one targeting the Afghan war veterans? I thought to myself. The skies grew dark according to the time now. Lights have illuminated the United States Capitol, the building facing this street from a far distance. I checked my watch, noting the time the lights illuminating the White House. My father's face lit up in my mind. I didn't want to burden both the President and the Secret Service about this, and the option to tell Bruce is also out of the window.

"You look tired but have something on your mind at the same time." Dom pointed out when he walked up beside me.

"Because I am Dom." I said. "With the killer at large-"

"Which we have no idea on who is it." he said. "I guess that you're right in not telling him about it." he was clearly referring to my father. "Maybe our past is haunting us."

"We have pasts that haunt us Dominic." I told him. A black SUV pulled up in front of us and someone got out. Timothy approached us, dressed in his usual Secret Service attire but I did not told him where I would be.

"Ma'am." he said politely. "Secretary Hayes."

"Timothy, I told you before, I wanted time off and you agreed." I said, trying to not let anger wash over me.

"Yes I know Madam Vice President, it's-" then a sedan not far from our direction exploded, triggering a possible chain reaction as some similar looking sedans exploded simultaneously between gaps of thirty seconds, the explosions shattering the glass of the shops nearby. Timothy pushed me to the ground and threw himself over me, using his body to shield me from the impact. "Madam stay down!" he barked after the explosion, taking out his automatic firearm. As Brock searched for the likely suspect Dom got to his senses while the occupants inside the restaurant hurried out, seemingly unharmed. "Everybody down!" he shouted at them. Then a silver Toyota Hilux barreled through the flaming cars, blown up but sent skittering in directions that blocked the main road.

"Get in the SUV!" I shouted. We jumped in and Timothy got into the driver's seat before gunmen stationed at the back of the Hilux could jump out or open fire. "Go! Go! Go!" Switching gears Timothy sent the vehicle into reverse and rammed a flaming car out of the way. Performing a J-turn he drove as fast as he can but the Hilux continued to pursue us, the gunmen firing relentlessly at our vehicle. The bulletproof glass made in vibranium shielded us from the hail of bullets but we don't know how much we can hold on.

"I need help Secretary Heyes!" he shouted, throwing the defense secretary his radio.

"We're in trouble!" he managed to shout before the Toyota rammed into the SUV's rear, sending the vehicle into a violent spin as the passengers at the back crashed into each other. The radio was thrown off during the spin, landing on the carpet as the car hit hard against the metal fence of Lafayette Park, stopping to a halt. The Toyota, confident that they have wiped us out after noticing the damage done they promptly disappeared, backing up and driving down on an opposite road. Although the windows are bulletproof the steel body of the SUV can still be wrecked despite being the finest grade. The car hood has been opened thanks to the impact and smoke billowed out. Despite the violent spin and crash we are still alive. "You guys okay?" he asked. We survived but are still struggling to shake off the constant buzzing in our ears.

"Yeah, yeah we're okay." Jason said, supporting me with his shoulders. "Isa? You okay?"

"I'm fine. Feel dizzy." I said, my visions a bit blurry. Jefferson kicked open the door on his side and pulled Olivia out.

"Hang on, okay?" Jason said. He also kicked the door open and helped me out. The airbags at the front burst open when the collision happened, cushioning the blow for the passenger and driver respectively. Timothy shook his head as Jason pulled the door open. He tumbled out, not letting go his automatic firearm. Mustering the needed strength Dominic kicked the door open and got himself free.

"Gerry! Gerry you okay?" he asked. Gerald was sitting between me and Olivia at the time and managed to get out after Olivia.

"I'm fine Dom, don't worry!" he shouted at him while leaning against the fence. Timothy stayed by my side as I coughed again and again because of the trauma. The violent crash should have alerted the local authorities, especially the Secret Service. As far as I can remember there is a unit stationed near Lafayette Park but I didn't see anyone. Lucky that the President is safe, onboard Marine One to travel to Nebraska. A Porsche screeched to a halt near us and two occupants got out, rushing to our aid with a first-aid kit.

"Everybody okay?" I recognized the voice of Luke Fox. Timothy instinctively blocked them from getting close to me, his automatic weapon by his side. Two Range Rovers swerved to a halt and someone jumped out from the first car, firing two tranquilizer darts at the young men but not the seven of us. They went down after the two rapid firings, a whisper thanks to the attached silencer.

"Mr. Churchill?" Timothy said in shock as my uncle pocketed the gun.

"Are you all okay?" he asked.

"The Vice President's okay. We're all okay." he reported.

"Good, because from now on you guys have to disappear temporarily." he said, all business.

"What about those two sir?" Dominic braved the question. He glanced at the unconscious bodies and sighed. "If we don't take them would they-"

"We obviously can't leave them." he replied. "Gather your belongings and we're going to Reagan National."

Reagan National Airport (An hour later)

The two Range Rovers stopped at an empty airfield where a Gulfstream G650 is waiting, its steps already lowered. We ditched our service uniforms at home and packed clothes that are more towards stealth and reconnaissance. "I've never flied in a Gulfstream before." Olivia said. "You know the guy?"

"He's... my uncle." I replied as we boarded the plane.

"What? You have a Brit as your uncle?" she asked in shock. "What's the last name again?"

"Churchill." I replied. We entered the aircraft's cabin and placed our bags on the luggage compartment.

"The Churchill?" she asked.

"Britain's famous wartime leader yes." I replied. Gerry and Jason brought the tranquilized men onboard and the aircraft took off, soaring in the starry night skies.