Chris quickly located the rope that tied Scott’s wrists and started to slide the knife back and forth as rapidly as he could. He felt the rope as it started to break. It wasn’t an easy job with his hands tied, and in the dark. But, after a few minutes, he managed to cut through and free Scott.
“Guid job mate,” Scott said, as he took the knife from Chris. He returned the favor, freeing his long-time, friend, Chris and finally Alexei.
“We need tae take them by surprise when they come back doon. Hopefully it will only be one of them.” Scott said.
“What’s the plan?” Chris asked.
“They think we’ve still got our hands tied, so they’ll have tae help us drink. We’ll move one of the mattresses over tae the other side of the room. Either yer or Alexei can sit over there. When they give yer water, I’ll take them oot.”
“Are yer going tae use yer knife?”
“Maybe, I’ll see how it pans oot, just trust me. But, we do have tae hope that only one of them comes doon. And, we have tae take him oot quietly. If they know we’ve done something, they could hurt Kyle.”
“If he’s even up there, yer mean!” Chris said.
“Aye, yer reet. We dinnae know fer sure, but we cannae take the risk.”
“Okay Scott. I’ll follow yer lead.”
“I think it’s best if yer go over tae the other side of the room Chris. When they give yer water, I’ll take my chance.”
“You two are going to get us all killed,” Alexei whispered, nervously.
“Just stay calm Alexei. I said I’d get yer oot of this and I will. Just keep yer arms behind yer back when they come back. Dinnae let them know that yer free.”
“I think I’d rather just let them call my Father. He will pay them.”
“And what makes yer think they’d let yer go, even if yer Dad pays. These are nae guid, stand-up people that were dealing with, yer know!”
Alexei didn’t reply. Chris got up and slid one of the mattresses over to the other side of the room. It was only about six feet away, but it would be enough room for Scott to do his thing. He sat down on the mattress, leaving Scott and Alexei on the other one.
The three continued to talk quietly for a while, even though they couldn’t see each other. As they discussed their plans, they continued to reassure Alexei on how they were going to approach the situation. After about twenty minutes, the floorboards above them creaked, as if someone was walking around.
“This could be it. Try tae move back tae the wall and keep yer arms behind yer back. Dinnae let them see we’re nae tied up anymore. Also, try tae keep the ropes behind yer or sit on them, dinnae let them see anything.”
“Okay mate. It would be easier if we could actually see anything,” Chris replied.
“Och, I know. If one of them does come doon. I just hope they go over tae yer first, Chris.”
“Aye, I hope so too.”
“Stay close tae me Alexei, huddle up. That way we can make sure we’re sitting on all of the rope. It’s nae going tae be guid when they turn the light on if there’s any rope showing.”
“I think it’s all covered, but I still don’t like this,” he answered, sounding extremely nervous.
“Just trust me, Alexei.”
“I did trust you, Scott. That is what got me into this mess in the first place.”
The young man’s words stung Scott, he knew he was right and he felt bad that he initially suspected him. He now realized that Alexei was completely innocent. Scott knew right now, he couldn’t dwell on that. He needed to get them all out of here first, then he could make his apologies and deal with what had happened.
“Yer reet Alexei, it is my fault. But I will get yer oot of this. Yer need tae trust me reet now. Unfortunately, yer dinnae have much choice. Would yer rather stay here locked up with these guys? ”
He again, didn’t answer. The floorboards above them continued to creak as at least one person walked around directly over the top of them.
A couple of minutes later, they heard the sound of the door’s bolt sliding open, someone was coming. The door creaked as it opened and some light filtered in. Scott could make out a figure, but he couldn’t tell who it was. The man pulled the cord and the room lit up. It wasn’t all that bright. But, it seemed bright to the three who’d been locked in total darkness.
“Room service,” the man laughed, as he slowly walked down the stairs carrying one large plastic water bottle. It was the man who pretended to be Kyle, back in the office. He was about six feet tall and was quite stocky. He’d taken off his jacket and was now just wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Scott could see a holstered handgun. He also noticed that the man didn’t shut the door behind him. He would need to be very quiet when and if he tackled him. There didn’t seem to be anyone else coming down. ‘That was a positive,’ Scott thought. As the man reached the bottom of the stairs, he held up the water bottle.
“Who’s first?” he said, still smiling. He was enjoying this. However, he didn’t seem to notice that one of the mattresses was moved. If he did, he hadn’t said anything.
“I’m thirsty,” said Chris, looking up at him.
“Good, then you can wait,” he replied mockingly, as he moved towards Scott and Alexei.
Scott could feel Alexei’s body shake and his heart pound faster. The man bent down in front of Alexei and pushed the water bottle towards his face.
“Drink boy,” he said, as Alexei moved his head slightly forward, so he could drink from the bottle.”
After a few seconds he pulled the bottle away, and deliberately splashed Alexei’s face with water. He laughed again and moved the bottle to Scott’s mouth. Scott took a couple of sips, and pulled back. The man laughed and continued to pour the water over Scott’s face into his mouth. He slapped Scott’s face twice, as he continued to pour the water on him, which now was running down his chest.
“A big tough man who wears a skirt,” he said, and laughed again as he got up, shaking his head. Scott didn’t react, he just stayed still. The man turned around and moved towards Chris.
“So you’re thirsty, eh?” Chris nodded, as he approached the other mattress.
Scott held the small knife behind him. He quietly opened the main blade and looked up the stairs to make sure nobody was there. There was no-one, and there weren’t any shadows either.
As the man bent down and moved the water bottle towards Chris, Scott stood up. He moved quickly and silently across the room. From behind, he wrapped his left hand over the man’s mouth so he couldn’t cry out, and simultaneously plunged the knife into his throat with his right hand, and cut across the man’s windpipe. With his vocal chords severed, he would be unable to cry out, so, he released the man’s mouth. Scott used both of his arms to put him in a vicious, choke-hold and slowly lowered him onto the mattress as the life drained out of him. It was over in less than thirty seconds.
There was blood everywhere, all over the mattress and Chris. Scott’s arms were red too. Alexei was frantic. Chris moved over to try and calm him down, while Scott looked for the dead man’s weapons. He picked up his handgun. He easily recognized it as a 9mm Glock 17, with a full clip of real bullets. He also had carried a bigger knife which Scott took and tucked in to his belt.
“Stay here with him Chris. There is only one gun. I’m going tae go finish this.”
He didn’t really want to leave them down there. But, he didn’t know how many people were upstairs. It was better if he went alone, since they had only one gun.
Scott climbed the stairs quickly, but quietly. It was important to act fast. The other Russian’s would soon wonder where their comrade was, and would come looking for him.
At the moment, Scott held the element of surprise, and he needed to use it. As he walked through the open door, he carefully looked around the corner, gun drawn. The hallway was well-lit, he heard faint noises on his right, so that was the way he moved. As he crept down the carpeted hallway, there was another doorway. He discreetly looked around the do
or that was partially opened into the room. It was a kitchen. Although the light was on, there didn’t appear to be anyone in there.
Scott moved off the carpet onto the vinyl kitchen floor. It was more difficult to keep his footsteps quiet but still he moved stealthily. There was another partially open door on the other side of the kitchen. Scott could see light moving inside and that’s where the noise was coming from. ‘There was a TV on,’ he thought. He moved closer, as adrenalin raced through his body, he remained calm. Again, he cautiously looked around the door. The bearded guy was sitting on a couch, the TV was on but he appeared not to watching it. He was doing something on his laptop. There was still no sign of Kyle anywhere. Scott ascertained there was at least one more mobster somewhere in the house.
Then, another man appeared. It was the one who’d met them in the parking lot. He said something in Russian and then started to walk towards the kitchen. Scott raised his gun and moved into the doorway. The man looked shocked and reached for his gun, but it was too late. Scott fired three times in quick succession, and dropped his target to the floor before he turned the gun towards the seated man. The bearded man was also taken by surprise, and had reacted slowly, his hand was on his holster but he had not managed to get his gun out.
“Where’s Kyle?” Scott demanded, as he walked up to his seated former captor, keeping the gun pointing squarely between the man’s eyes.
“I tell you nothing,” he said bluntly. His persona had changed drastically. No longer was he laughing and mocking Scott. Now, he was looking at him with fear in his eyes.
“Let’s go look aroond tae see if we can find him then,” Scott said, putting his hand around the man’s collar and lifting him up off the couch – all the time keeping the gun pointing at his head. Scott searched him and removed his holstered gun, it was another Glock.
“Do you know who I am? You lay a finger on me and you die. My comrades are here,” he said, trying to sound confident, but Scott knew he was bluffing.
“Nae, I dinnae know who yer are because when I asked yer earlier, yer told me it was nae important. And the only comrades yer have in this house are dead ones. If there was anyone else here they’d have heard the gunshots and would have been here tae help yer by now.”
There was no reply. Scott stood behind him and held the gun firmly against the back of his head.
“Hands up and walk, back through the kitchen tae the basement.”
Again, there was no reply. Scott pushed him back towards where his friends were. When they reached the door he called down to Chris for him to come up. After a few seconds, he appeared with Alexei.”
“I heard the shots. How many of them were there?” Chris asked.
“Just one other, apart from this bastard.”
“Any sign of Kyle?”
“Nae, I have nae really checked the house yet though. This one’s nae talking, but we’ll find him if he’s here,” Scott said, handing the second Glock to Chris.
They searched the house for about ten minutes. They eventually came across a locked door.
“Open it,” Scott said, looking at his captive.
“Nyet.”
“He said no,” Alexei proclaimed.
“Och. I did nae need yer tae translate that lad. Chris, keep yer gun on him.” Scott said, as he took a step back then unleashed a powerful front kick, landing the sole of his boot on the door. It flew open, revealing a dark room. Scott turned on the light, there was a bed near the far wall and there was someone on it. He was tied up, had a hood over his head and was struggling on the bed. It had to be Kyle, Scott thought.
“Alexei go and untie him. Let him know he’s safe.”
“Okay,” he replied, going over to the bed.
He pulled off the hood and revealed a scared looking young man, whose mouth was gagged.
“It’s him! It’s Kyle,” Alexei shouted happily, as he continued to free his friend.
“Alexei, what’s happening?” Kyle said shakily, he looked weak and confused.
“We’re taking you home.”
“Really? Who is that?” he said, looking at Scott.
“He’s on our side. He’s a friend of your Dad’s.”
Kyle was understandably worried and still very scared. When he saw the Russian man who had held him captive he panicked and backed away from Scott.
“Dinnae worry aboot him Kyle, he will nae harm yer anymore,” Scott reassured him.
As the men left the room and entered the narrow hallway, Alexei briefly moved in between Chris and the Russian. The Russian realized he was in trouble and desperately took his chance. He grabbed Alexei from behind, clasping his arm around the young man’s neck. Scott and Chris immediately raised their guns and pointed them at him. Kyle was safely behind the Scottish duo.
“Drop your weapons now or I break his neck,” he demanded.
“Yer nae going tae hurt him. Let him go or I’ll shoot yer.”
“I have comrades on the way here. Be careful my friend.”
“I’ll count tae five. If yer have nae released him, I shoot,” Scott stated.
“I’ll crush his little neck.”
“One…..two…….three.”
“You’re not going to shoot,” he said, as he backed down the hallway away from Scott.
Scott strode towards him and saw his chance. For a split second, the mobster’s head moved far enough away from Alexei’s for Scott to open fire. The single-shot echoed loudly in the narrow hallway and the man fell backwards to the floor.
“Five.”
The shot hit him right between the eyes. Alexei sank to his knees and started to cry. Kyle was extremely distressed too.
“What happened tae four?” Chris asked.
Scott shrugged his shoulders and went to help Alexei up.
“Come on, we have tae get oot of here. It may be true that there are others on the way.”
Scott took Alexei’s arm and led him back into the main living room. Chris helped Kyle, he was very weak and needed some assistance. The dead body of other man lay on the floor which unnerved the younger men. So, Chris moved his body into the kitchen and closed the door.”
“Sit doon on the couch fer a minute yer two. We need tae try and find some things afore we leave.”
Kyle and Alexei sat down, they were both still in shock and weren’t saying or doing anything, apart from following instructions. Chris quickly found his laptop. The Russians must have gotten frustrated with it, as he had it well protected with passwords and codes. It was programmed, after five minutes of not being used, it would have shut down. It was smashed in to many pieces. Chris picked up the mother-board and put it in his pocket; he knew it could possibly be salvaged. Also, the cell phone had been smashed too. The Russians laptop computer remained open on the couch. Chris started to look at it, while Scott picked up the bearded man’s cell phone, which lay next to the computer.
“There’s nae signal on this phone. Damn we need tae phone yer Mom and Dad tae let them know what’s happening,” Scott said, looking at Kyle.
He didn’t reply. He just sat there with his head in his hands. Chris turned to Scott.
“Hey, they still have their account open where yer transferred the money.”
“Can yer transfer it back?” Scott asked.
“Aye, I think so. Give me a couple of minutes.”
“Och we cannae stay here long. Do what yer can. I’m going tae check aroond tae see if I can find the keys tae that van.”
Scott left the room and checked the bodies of the men. He thought one of them must have the keys on them. He quickly found them on the man who had been moved into the kitchen, as he returned into the living room.
“It’s done,” Chris said, smiling.
“Yer got the money back?”
“Aye, it looks like they just set up this account fer this transaction. They did nae have it protected at all. It looks like they moved one million tae another account. So, I cannae get that. But, I’ve returned nine million.”
“Scott, there’s a lot of information on here. Alexei, can yer translate some of this?” Chris said, as he moved and sat next to Alexei.
“Just be quick,” Scott said, and then turned to Kyle.
“Did yer have personal effects on yer when they took yer?”
“Just my wallet and phone, some cash and a credit card, oh and my driver’s license.”
“I dinnae see yer wallet aroond anywhere. I think yer’ll just have tae accept that it’s gone and cancel yer card when yer get haem. And I cannae see a phone either.”
“I don’t care about those things. They don’t matter. I just want to go home.”
“I know yer do, come on yer two, let’s get going. Yer can take the laptop and look at it in the van.”
As Chris and Alexei got up from the couch, Scott tried the phone again. There was still no signal.
“Damn, nae signal still.”
“Aye, the internet signal keeps going in and oot too,” Chris said.
Scott knew they needed to make a call to California, but he couldn’t risk taking the cell phone with them. It looked like a modern phone and more than likely could be tracked. So, he left it on the couch.
“My phone is in the safe at the hotel,” Alexei said.
“Aye mine too. We’re going tae have tae go there anyway. We cannae get oot of Russia withoot our passports.”
They all moved towards the door. It was time to leave.
Chapter 20
Scott ventured out first, he checked the perimeter to ensure there was no-one around. It was still very dark outside, and had gotten a little cold. As they walked outside towards the van they noticed they seemed to be at an isolated farm-house. There was a large barn next to the house and nothing else anywhere in sight. It was hard to see since it was dark, but it appeared to have trees and fields that surrounded the house. But, no lights could be seen in any direction. He surmised there was no one anywhere in the vicinity.
KILTED DESIRE 2 - Russian Roulette Page 17
