The Executioner

Hundred and Twenty-Nine

Hunter stood still, his aim as steady as it could be. He only needed one chance.

‘You’ve seen what I’ve done,’ the man continued. ‘I’m sure you know I’m not bluffing.’ His voice was as serene as it’d been the first time they’d met. ‘I’ll give you only a second.’ He cocked the gun.

‘OK,’ Hunter called out before cautiously placing his pistol on the floor.

‘Now kick it this way.’

Hunter did as he was told and his gun stopped just a foot away from the chair Garcia was on.

Finally, Dan Tyler, the owner of the house in Malibu and the person who tipped Hunter and Garcia about the photographs on the fireplace, stepped out from behind the pillar and picked Hunter’s pistol up from the floor. ‘Walk towards me, slowly. Any sudden movements, your partner dies first.’

Hunter took baby steps towards Tyler and, as he did, Tyler walked backwards, approaching the metal table. ‘That’s far enough,’ he said as Hunter came side by side with Garcia. ‘Get your handcuffs from your gun holster and throw me the keys. I don’t have to tell you to do it very slowly, do I?’

Hunter followed the instructions.

‘Now cuff your hands behind your back.’

A clicking sound echoed through the room.

‘Turn around and show it to me.’

Hunter obeyed, snapping at them to show they were secure.

‘Now kneel down next to your partner and sit on your heels.’

Hunter’s determined eyes never left Tyler’s face.

‘It’s over, Michael,’ he said evenly. ‘You know you won’t be able to get away with this.’

Tyler looked undisturbed. ‘No one has called me Michael in a very long time.’ He chuckled. ‘I don’t want to get away with anything, detective. I don’t have anything or anyone to get away to. After I’m done, I don’t care what happens to me. My life ended a year ago.’

Hunter remembered the first time they talked. Tyler had told him that his wife had died twelve months ago.

‘Killing these people won’t bring Katherine back.’

‘Kate,’ Tyler shouted. ‘Her name was Kate.’

‘Killing these people won’t bring Kate back.’ Hunter tried again.

Tyler’s eyes flashed fire. ‘You have no idea what I’m doing or what this is all about.’

‘We know more than you think.’

Tyler smiled defiantly. ‘Is that so?’ He placed both guns on the metal table and checked his watch. ‘OK, I still have some time. Entertain me.’