Another entrance was situated at the rear, the door still intact but ajar and hanging off the rusty hinges.
There was nowhere to hide inside the building, and Prosper didn’t want to hang around the dangerous contents, so he ran between the barrels to the back door. He pushed it open, the wood creaking and the hinges squealing.
The next building stood about twenty feet away and ran horizontally; forming the top of a T with the building Prosper had exited. The roof had collapsed, visible through the doorway as a crumbled mess, crossbeams protruding from the slate tiles like the ribs of some long extinct prehistoric beast.
He knew Williams would reach the buildings any second.
Another building stood to the right. It looked smaller than the others, about twenty feet square, but the roof was virtually intact. Prosper ran towards it. The door was still in place and he tugged it open and ran inside. A gutted desk sat against the back wall, the drawers lying on the floor, surrounded by a mulch of paper from old files.
Light entered through the missing tiles and three small windows, but the room had a depressing air, the corners filled with skulking shadows. There was only one entrance.
Aside from the desk there was a broken wooden chair. On top of the desk stood a couple of dusty cups. A monthly calendar was nailed to the wall behind the desk. The pages were crinkled and faded, but Prosper could see that it read August 1976.
He pushed the door shut, then crouched down next to a window beside it and peered out. He shivered, a mixture of fear and cold.
Wolfe moved behind him, and Prosper turned to see his friend pick up a wooden leg from the chair. He slapped it against his palm to test its weight, then satisfied; he came across and crouched beside Prosper.
He closed his mouth, cocked his head, listening for the sound of Williams’ approach but couldn’t hear anything. Prosper rose up enough to peer out and a hand shot through the gap and grabbed him by the hair.
Prosper reared back, teeth clenched, hair feeling as though it was going to be torn out from the roots. Williams glared in at him, his expression pinched, eyes dark unfathomable pits. He had the gun in his other hand and started to raise it,
Without thinking, Prosper lunged forwards and dived at Williams, forcing him to release his grip on his hair as he fell back. Prosper landed on top of him and used his weight to pin the hand with the gun to the ground.
Williams twisted his body, making Prosper lose his balance, then he levered himself into a position that allowed him to roll Prosper off.
Prosper fell forwards, releasing his hold on the gun arm so that he could stop his head smashing into the ground and allowing Williams to buck him off like a rodeo bull.
Prosper scrambled to his feet and turned to see Williams raising the gun to shoot. His blood froze in his veins, rooting him to the spot. He prepared himself to feel the pain of the bullet when Wolfe appeared behind Williams and slammed the chair leg into his head with a loud crack.
Williams dropped to the ground in a heap and Prosper ran forwards and retrieved his gun.
“Thanks,” Prosper said. “I thought I was a goner then.”
Wolfe crouched down and checked Williams’ condition. “He’s alive, but you’re not out of the woods. There were at least two more of them and even if you do get away, they want to pin this on you remember, so now what?”
It didn’t escape Prosper that Wolfe emphasised the word you. But he guessed that was only right. After all, he had dragged his friend into this against his will so it was only right he was kept out of the shit –
A bullet whizzed past his ear and struck the wall behind him like an angry wasp.
CHAPTER 57
Heart thumping, Prosper shouted, “Duck,” and dropped to the ground. He didn’t know where the shot came from and feared he could still be in the gunman’s sights. He scrambled across the mud on all fours and headed towards the next building. Once he reached the door he got to his feet and barged inside to discover he was in the room with the toxic waste. Wolfe followed him in.
He checked the gun he had liberated from Williams. There were four bullets in the clip.
A bullet whined through one of the windows and took a chip out of the stonework, making them both duck.
“You make enemies easier than you make friends; must be your winning personality.”
“Just keep your head down.” Prosper ran across to the nearest window and planted himself at the side. He took a deep breath then he leaned around the edge and peered out to see if he could see anyone. A puff of dust erupted beside his face as another bullet struck home. Just before Prosper dropped down into a crouch, he spied Brundle using the corner of a building for cover.
He knew she was a far better shot than him, and he wouldn’t stand a chance in a straight fire fight.
“We need a distraction,” Wolfe said.
Prosper looked across at his friend and saw the barrels behind him. Signs on the sides of some indicated their explosive contents and an idea formed. It was going to be risky, but it was all he had.
“Well I have the perfect one.”
Wolfe frowned. “What?”
“We’re going to blow this place sky high.”
Wolfe glanced warily at the barrels. “I hate to put a flaw in your plan, but how are we going to do that when we’re stuck inside here?”
“We run. We run very fast.”
“As plans go, that’s the worst I’ve ever heard.”
“Oh I don’t know. How about trying to frame a serial killer for a murder we committed? That was a pretty bad fuckin’ decision, don’t you think?”
Wolfe skewed his mouth and shrugged.
“Right, Brundle is over by that building.” He pointed to where he had seen her. “I couldn’t see anyone else with her, so I’m hoping she’s alone.”
He crawled across the ground to a barrel near the middle of the room. Rust coated the top and there was a big red label with a fire emblem and stencilled on the side, were the words, Highly Flammable.
Prosper pried off the band that secured the lid and opened it up to see a dark liquid with swirls of rainbow colour across the surface. A pungent, sweet aroma filled his nostrils, making him feel slightly giddy.
“I need a light.”
Wolfe threw across a lighter. Prosper found a scrap of paper on the ground, screwed it up then lit it and threw it into the container. Almost instantly the liquid caught fire, yellow and orange flames dancing from the surface. The heat struck Prosper like a punch. “Okay, give me a hand to push it over.”
Wolfe joined him and they both put their shoulders against the barrel and pushed. Heat already emanated from the metal and Prosper could feel it burning his shoulder as he strained to push. Slowly the barrel started to move and the burning liquid sloshed out of the top and splattered the ground.
“On the count of three, give it all you’ve got,” Prosper said. “One, two, three.” He pushed with all his strength, teeth gritted. The barrel passed the point of no return and crashed to the ground, the burning liquid splashing in all directions. Some of the other containers were leaking and the flames spread to them and ignited the substances that had trickled down the sides. Paint on some of the barrels started to bubble. Prosper didn’t know how long it would take, but when the contents of the sealed barrels reached a certain temperature, the pressure would grow too great and they would explode. That would probably cause a chain reaction and the exploding barrel would ignite the others. He didn’t want to be inside the room when that happened.
Heat washed over him as the flames danced. He felt a sense of déjà vu as the last time he had any involvement with fire, he ended up burning down acres of woodland in an attempt to flush out a serial killer. Now he was trying to use fire as a diversion to allow them to escape.
Black smoke started to fill the room. It drifted across the ceiling and slowly started to descend like an evil fog. Long tendrils snaked out of the windows.
Wolfe coughed and wafted his top. “It’
s getting hot.”
Sweat beaded on Prosper’s forehead. If he timed this wrong they were either going to be cooked alive, die from asphyxiation or get shot. None of the options appealed to him. “When I give the word, run as fast as you can back towards the quarry.”
He looked at the barrels. The ones untouched by the flames were sweating as much as he was. Something was going to give any second. “Go!” he screamed as he started to run.
Prosper headed towards the farthest door and crashed through it. Losing his footing, he tumbled across the mud, slipping and sliding as he swung his arms, just managing to stay upright. He vaulted over some abandoned machinery. Heard what sounded like gunfire at his rear, he glanced back, saw a figure giving chase.
Then the world exploded in a flash and a bang. Prosper was punched forwards, launched off his feet and carried through the air. Bright light filled his eyes, blinding him, the explosive roar all he could hear.
Pain burst from every pore of Prosper’s being. He hit the ground arms first in an ungainly dive and then his stomach struck the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Stones rained down around him and he covered his head with his hands, grunting as a rock hit his leg.
After a second, he realised that the ground was rumbling underneath him and he rolled over, lifted his head and looked back.
A large black mushroom cloud filled the sky, billowing hundreds of feet into the air. The building had virtually disintegrated and a large crater lay in the centre. The remains of barrels lay scattered all around. Some were burning, others leaking their noxious contents into the ground.
Prosper staggered to his feet. He looked down, saw his jeans were on fire and patted at the flames to put them out.
Movement caught his eye behind some bushes. For a moment he thought it was Brundle and his heart missed a beat before Wolfe stood up, wiping himself down.
Prosper staggered across. “Glad to see you made it.”
“Only just. That was some explosion.”
“Tell me about it. I think it’s perforated my eardrums.” Prosper shook his head and rubbed his ears to try to alleviate the ringing.
He looked around at the devastation. The dark mushroom cloud gave the setting an apocalyptic feel.
“Do you think they survived?” Wolfe stared back at the building.
Prosper was about to shrug when he noticed a severed arm in the undergrowth. He stared at it for a moment, watching smoke rise off it.
Noticing where Prosper was looking, Wolfe said, “Well I guess whoever that was won’t be bothering us now.”
Prosper clenched his jaw. There was more blood on his hands. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” He turned and jogged back towards the quarry.
Before he took five steps, he heard a bullet whine off a rock to his left. Heart thumping, he dived to the ground, knocking his chin in the process and biting his tongue. Wolfe crashed down beside him.
“Guess we’re not out of the woods yet,” Wolfe said.
Prosper withdrew Williams’ gun. It surprised him how natural it felt in his hand, like an extension of his arm.
Blood ran down his throat and his tongue throbbed from the bite mark. Sparse foliage surrounded them; some of it alight after being doused in burning liquid from the explosion. Prosper knew the flora wouldn’t protect them from gunfire and it did little to hide them from sight.
“We’re going to have to run again,” Wolfe said.
Prosper shook his head. “I’m getting sick of running.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“That we make a stand.”
Wolfe skewed his lips. “You’re tripping. We’re sitting ducks out here and you’re the only one who’s armed.”
“Armed and dangerous.”
Wolfe’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “Man, you’re getting a thrill out of all this shit aren’t you?”
Prosper tensed his finger on the trigger. He knew he had four bullets, four chances. The only trouble was that he didn’t know where the shots had originated. As soon as he made a move the gunman would open fire.
“You’re going to have to draw the fire so I can get a shot,” Prosper said.
“Like hell I will. Give me the gun and you draw the fire.”
“Do you know how to use it?”
Wolfe hesitated, then shook his head.
“So like I said, you need to draw the fire. If you don’t, we’re both dead.”
“Rather than just one of us you mean.”
“Look, we’re wasting time. The gunman could be creeping up on us while we lie here arguing.”
Wolfe grimaced. “If that bastard shoots me ...”
“Trust me; I’ve got your back.”
“You’d better have.” Wolfe nodded, then stood and started running.
Prosper propped himself up and peered around. Flames and smoke billowed from the remains of the building, but through the smoke he saw movement, saw Brundle as she broke cover and ran after Wolfe, taking a circuitous route that would head him off.
Prosper knew she was too far away for him to shoot her, so he waited for her to reach a point between himself and the edge of the quarry. Then with Wolfe’s life in his hands, Prosper launched himself forwards and sprinted towards Brundle. Blood speckled her face from various cuts and her clothes were ripped and torn as a result of the blast. As Prosper was coming at her from an angle at her rear, she didn’t see him. He caught sight of Wolfe in his peripheral vision, running for all he was worth. Brundle stopped, raised her gun, steadying it in both hands as she targeted Wolfe.
Prosper knew it was now or never. He raised his own weapon and fired as he ran. His shots went wide, but it was enough to distract Brundle. She turned and looked at Prosper, then started to bring her gun around to fire.
Prosper increased his speed, then when he was about eight feet away he launched himself through the air, feet first. For a moment, he seemed to float. He could see Brundle starting to take aim, the barrel of the gun a dark eyeball. Next second his feet struck her chest, knocking her back. She flailed in the air, her gun arm swinging wildly as she pulled the trigger.
Prosper crashed to the ground and watched as Brundle sailed over the edge of the quarry, disappearing out of sight. Seconds later he heard a splash and he dragged himself to the edge and looked down to see her surface from beneath the water. She looked up at Prosper, grimacing with what could have been pain or anger. Prosper didn’t wait around to see any more. He hobbled to his feet and headed after Wolfe who was standing further ahead, panting heavily.
“Is she dead?” Wolfe wheezed when Prosper reached him.
“Unfortunately, not.”
“This is never going to end is it? We know too much.”
He knew Wolfe was right, and that unless they had some leverage, Lester would try to pin this whole debacle firmly on his shoulders, using what he supposedly knew about Prosper’s history and his involvement with the murder of Mack – the Hatchet Man – Taylor to try to make him into a monster responsible for even more deaths. Of course, to get away with this, they would need Prosper killed so that he couldn’t refute their claims. Plausible deniability.
Prosper remembered Klement’s words: You were lost, but now you’re found. You were that tabula rasa – that blank slate. But now that emptiness has been filled. You’ve been taught.
If that was right, then there must be something he could do, something he had learned that would keep him safe. That’s when Prosper realised that once Lester knew he had escaped; he would undoubtedly go after Natasha and Leon to use as bait. He took his phone out. Despite having gotten it wet, he was pleased to see that it still worked.
Natasha answered on the fourth ring. “Hi, where are you?”
“Nat, I want you to get Leon and get away from the house,” Prosper said, his words stilted as he fought to catch his breath. “Don’t ask questions. Just do it. Don’t stop for anyone.”
“What’s going o—”
“I haven’t got time to explain, but
you need to get somewhere safe. Please, just go.” He was about to disconnect the call, then added, “I love you.”
He put the phone back in his pocket, saw Wolfe staring at him. “They’ll track you down you know,” Wolfe said.
“Then I need to find a way to stop them.”
CHAPTER 58
Prosper’s pulse pounded as he entered the building. The security guard stared at him and spoke into a walkie-talkie before withdrawing his gun.
“I need to see Lester,” Prosper said.
The guard eyed him warily. “Lester wants to see you too.”
“Then lead the way.”
The guard approached Prosper and patted him down, relieving him of the weapon he had secured from Williams. Then he prompted him with the gun, pointing in the direction of the lift. Prosper did as he was asked. Once the lift stopped, he proceeded to Lester’s office. The secretary sat at the desk outside pursed her lips and reached for the button on her desk to call through.
“He’s expecting me.” Prosper walked past and entered Lester’s office without knocking. The guard followed him in.
Lester sat behind his desk, hands steepled beneath his chin. “Prosper Snow. This is a surprise. Brundle informed me that you escaped, but I didn’t think you’d be foolish enough to hand yourself in.” He looked at the guard. “You can go now.”
The guard nodded and then left the room.
“Let’s cut the bullshit,” Prosper said. “Regardless of what you think, I’m not going to let you pin all of this on me.”
Lester smiled. “I don’t think you’re in any position to make demands.” He reached down below the desk and Prosper’s heart stopped when he thought Lester was going to withdraw a gun. He took a breath when instead he pulled out a large folder and dropped it onto the desk. “This is your dossier. It contains enough evidence to reopen the investigation into Mack Taylor’s death and the events surrounding the Oracle case. With a little work I can make it seem you were responsible for all of it, that you were the killer. And then it won’t take much to pin the recent murders on you. All people want is a perpetrator. Give them a few facts and they’ll fill in the rest themselves.”
Prosper Snow Series Page 52
