Gangsters
Part twenty one
Just
after dinner that evening Ralphus came rushing in.
"There's
a young boy at the door. He says one of the warehouses is on fire!" he
exclaimed. All the men jumped to their feet.
"Get
the others." Ordered Diamond as they ran out of the room. It felt empty
after they had gone. Maria poured more coffee.
"I
hope no one gets burnt." she remarked to Gianni who'd stayed behind.
About
fifteen minutes later a thunderous knocking on the door interrupted their
peaceful conversation. Gianni went to answer it, the women crowding behind them.
A distraught girl stood at the door, out of breath. Lissa recognised her as one
of the maids at her father's house.
"The
fire...an ambush," she gasped out, "There's no fire." The family
gaped at her in horror as the news sank in. A car roared down the drive. Gianni
swung round and did a quick head count. Linzi was missing.
"Shit."
Swore Gianni for the first time in his life.
Linzi
drove towards the warehouses like a maniac, still running on instinct. She
parked around the corner and made her way cautiously towards the sound of
gunfire releasing the safety catch on the gun she'd taken from the car. She
peeked round the corner. She could see Scott and Chris. Her eyes continued
searching. As she caught sight of Billy behind some crates a gun blazed and he
was spun round falling to the floor.
"NO!"
she screamed running towards him. As she knelt beside him a hand grabbed her and
pulled her down to the ground.
"What
the hell are you doing?" shouted Billy angrily.
"You
fell and...and I just ran to you." She said suddenly realising that she'd
just ran into the middle of a fierce gun battle.
"You
pick a fine time to show your true feelings." He grumbled, wincing as he
moved his body to cover and protect hers.
"I
also came to tell you that the fire is actually an ambush." She defended
herself. Billy grinned down at her.
"We'd
worked that one out thanks." He laughed. Chris appeared beside them.
"Are
you alright...What are you doing here?" he yelled noticed Linzi half hidden
by Billy's body.
"I've
brought an extra gun." She offered hopefully. Chris glared at her
unpacified.
"You've
got your hands full with her." He told Billy.
"I
don't mind." He whispered bending his head to kiss her. Despite the
situation Linzi felt inexplicably happy until she noticed the grey pallor of
Billy's face and the slight sheen of perspiration on his brow.
"Are
you alright?" she asked urgently.
"I'll
be fine." He replied unsuccessfully trying to mask the pain in his eyes.
"Chris
lend me your handkerchief." She ordered. Chris passed her his hankie and
she pressed it against Billy's side trying to stop the blood from the bullet
wound. Suddenly the gunfire stopped and they heard the wail of a siren. Men
slunk away as a police car and an ambulance screeched round the corner. Chris
stayed with Linzi, as a now unconscious Billy was loaded into the ambulance. She
could hear Scott telling the police that they'd been out for a quiet walk when
Billy had been shot.
"Did
you see anyone?" asked the policeman resignedly already knowing the answer.