As I turn the first corner, I see that Patel didn’t head for the car or for cover like I told her to. I’m afraid she was too woundedto get there and thought she could hide around the corner. She should have chosen somewhere else to hide.
This is why Lucas always told me to never worry about others. If they’re foolish enough to walk into the line of fire, then they deserve what happens to them.
It’s a good thing I don’t always listen to Lucas.
Colby laughs while he holds Patel against him, gun to her head. “You just can’t win, can you?” he asks me, as though he’s not the one over there bleeding to death. Like what exactly has he won in all of this?
He’s not yet done with his monologue and threats since he continues. “Her death is going to be on your hands. And then I’m going to find your husband and I’m going to kill him. And then your sweet little son. You have let them make you weak.”
“Colby… you really brought the wrong gun, didn’t you?” I ask.
He hesitates and I can see the slight shift in his body.
“You have one round left in that gun. If you use it on her… what exactly are you going to use on me?”
“You think I’m that fucking stupid? You think I don’t know how to reload my fucking gun?” His hand turns crushing on her throat, squeezing it hard while she struggles but can’t get away. He wants me to know he can kill her without ever pulling that trigger, but I know he won’t. Not yet. But I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way to Patel.
“I guess we’re going to find out,” I say as I lift my gun. I know he could shoot her in the head, but he knows he’s dead if he does. He won’t make that mistake. He won’t fuck up like that because he cares about himself too much.
Colby tries to draw faster than me, but it’s not going to happen. Even when his gun is already lifted, he’s not fast enough. Though his head is merely inches higher than hers, I know my shot won’t miss.
I feel like there’s a split second where he looks surprised before he drops to the ground. Patel stays standing for a few moments before she falls to her knees, coughing and clutching at her throat. “Fuck. Fuck…”
“Are you alright?”
She manages to nod.
“You were supposed to run.”
“I tried. I couldn’t. So I thought I could hide. I’m so pissed at myself. I wanted to be able to help you but I couldn’t. Instead, I tried to hide and it got me nowhere.” She closes her eyes and grits her teeth, struggling to get out the words. “He would have shot me in the head if given the chance.”
“I know you think I took a risk, but I always count shots. I knew he only had one round left, and I knew he wasn’t going to use it on you,” I say as I pick up the gun with a gloved hand and show her the proof.
Honestly… I’m not quite sure she cares that I killed him instead of allowing her to arrest him. Maybe looking Death in the eyes changed her opinion on how by the book one should play.
I use my foot to roll Colby so I can reach down and check for a pulse.
“She alright?” Jackson asks as he comes jogging up.
“Yeah, have you called for an ambulance?”
“I have just now.”
“Cassel wipe the security cameras?” I ask.
“He’s on it,” Jackson says.
I turn toward Patel. “I don’t know what?—”
“You weren’t here,” she says.
I hesitate, relief washing through me. “Thank you.”
“You’re positive he’s dead?”
“More than,” I say.
“Go. Get out of here before the police arrive,” she orders. “And… thank you.”
