Ambush

Chapter 85

Just as Alex Martinez extended her hand fully and began to get a clear view of her target, everything went haywire.

She squeezed the trigger just as Juliana bumped her arm. The bullet went high and wide.

Suddenly she realized it wasn’t an accidental bump. The girl had realized what was happening and took action.

What the hell!

Now she had to fight the daughter as well as the father. She couldn’t waste time and give Bennett a chance to close the distance.

Juliana grabbed hold of Alex’s arm and threw an elbow into her face, knocking her back toward the door. Alex saw stars, then felt a trickle of blood seep out of her nose.

Alex’s face throbbed from the blow. Apparently the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. This girl was tough.

Alex moved fast and jerked the girl toward her. Somehow she had managed to retain the pistol in her right hand. That was the only thing that kept Bennett from charging them right then.

Alex had to think quickly. She used her left arm to pull the girl close to her, twisted her right hand, and put the gun to the girl’s head. She wished it was the stiletto, because a small cut and drop of blood would’ve stopped Juliana’s father in his tracks.

Alex started shuffling backward quickly and whispered into Juliana’s ear, “Open the door unless you want your brains all over your father.”

She turned her attention to the advancing detective and didn’t say a word as she shoved the pistol into Juliana’s temple. She wanted the girl to cry to out to make a point. The girl kept quiet, but the message was sent, and Bennett froze in place.

Bennett stared at them. He had already drawn his pistol and was shuffling slightly from side to side, clearly trying to get a better shot.

When he saw that Alex meant business, he backed away slightly and took the gun off target. But it was still in his hand.

Juliana opened the door, and they backed into the darkness of the corridor that led to the stage. Alex moved away from the door quickly. This was not what she had planned, but perhaps she could still salvage it.

Her excitement and nerves had been forgotten during the action. Now she had to think clearly.

She had researched the building, cased the area, and she knew she could flee through this corridor into the business offices and out the exit near the East River.

She was about to give up hope that she’d have a chance to fulfill her contract when the door opened and Michael Bennett stood outlined by the sunlight.