The Jericho Files #4.3

The Jericho files #4.3

My hand was gripped to the door of that metal container so hard that my muscles ached. I had only split seconds to act and open this door. If I didn't, I was sure to be torn apart by the multiple guns at my back.

When I opened that door, a barrage of bullets were bound to come my way. Howard had decided to use me as a human shield to ensure that they survived the assault. I think to think fast and find a way to get this door open and remove myself from the path.

My mind raced and then settled on a tried but true solution.

I jiggled the handle of the container, faking like it was stuck. I began to pull in a frantic state, seeming just as eager as they were to get it open. I could hear every single one of them stop breathing, anticipating a trick of some kind.

“It's jammed”, I said with a degree of frustration in my voice. I was fully prepared to play this off like a disappointment if they believed it. “I can't get it open!” I shouted and began to grip the handle tighter, placing both feet on the doorway for more leverage. I kept silently begging them to take the bait.

I looked back at Howard with a “help me” look in my eye. All I needed was for him to believe me and get his goons to help me. Then my plan to open this door and get out of the way quickly could take place.

Howard hesitated just for a second, then made a quick nod of his head. His goons jumped into place right behind me, grabbing me and each other to create a chain of force to pull the “stuck” door open. They began to yank and I faked pulling for a just another second or two.

Then I let my plan open up.

I flicked the one latch on the door that was really keeping it closed. The door swung open with amazing force. The goons had generated quite a pull and therefore the opposite reaction threw us all back. Their grip on me loosened and allowed me to stay clung to the container door, which swung open and out away from the entrance to the container.

“Stop Hi---” was all I heard Howard shout before the scream of automatic turret guns opened fire. I stayed clung to the door and hung on with all my might. The sensors in the security system would soon detect that the “threat” had been eliminated and shut itself off.

Several seconds passed, and it seemed like hours. The whir of the guns finally died down. I let my feet touch the floor and walked around the corner to view the carnage.

5 dead goons, 1 dead ex-business partner. They had been subject to the full force of the security system. It was a messy scene. One that, despite my reputation, made me slightly ill. I was glad to be alive, but the price paid wasn't on my top list of great memories.

I cautiously tiptoed amongst the remains to the container. The separate security measures were certainly working, as I was not being turned into swiss cheese. I had to examine the cargo to make sure nothing had been damaged.

I walked into the container and began to pull back the heavy tarps that covered boxes upon boxes of items that Howard and his thugs had died for. I inspected the Arabic script written on the box to ensure that there was no damage, and no switch had taken place during our invasion. Everything was in perfect order.

I replaced the tarps and walked out of the container, closing and latching the door behind me. I decided to reset the guns later. I had a mess to clean up. I made several phone calls to my cleaners, asking them to dispose of the current mess and to make it quick and quiet. I then made my way back to my main office. I had a lot of rebuilding to do. The security system software would have to be rebuilt from the ground up, as well as make sure all the turrets were restocked and calibrated. My facility had taken a minor hit, but nothing I couldn't learn from.

I would be a fool if I didn't say that it bothered me that Howard was the one to betray me. I learned a long time ago from my dad that trust shouldn't be easily gained, especially in business. When it is gained, you should have a friend and associate for life.

Apparently, Howard didn't have the same father.

Betrayal isn't new to me either. I have had a lot of people try, and succeed, to stab me in the back. This was no different. It always boiled down to one thing

Nothing Personal, Just Business