The Redacted Man by Gareth Lewis

Author:Gareth Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: speculative action science fiction urban fantasy, pulp crime thriller, secret society sects hidden world history, secret war mystery political intrigue suspense, zombies ghosts technologized magic artifacts, corporate policing mundane wonder, police procedural detective taskforce
Publisher: Gareth Lewis

Chapter 20

Jimmy was sure Weaver didn’t trust him. Either that or he was big on information sequestration. He’d told Jimmy to drive them back to the site of their previous residence, but nothing beyond that.

Whether the two heavies with them knew anything more was doubtful, though they probably knew the contents of the heavy bags they’d dumped in the trunk. Jimmy could make a decent guess, but that wasn’t the same as knowing. Or being told.

Another two cars had left with them, separating as they approached their destination.

Weaver had Jimmy pull in over a block down the road. Within sight of the entrance, but far enough away not to draw suspicion. If there were anyone about to be suspicious.

As soon as they were parked, Weaver and the heavies departed, with their bags. Not a word.

Then he was waiting most of the day, over seven hours. Every hour or so, Weaver would call on the cell phone he’d left, to check if Jimmy had seen anything they’d missed. And probably to check he was still there, and, if not alive, at least conscious.

There was hardly anything to report, until the vans arrived as evening set in. Vans he’d seen recently. Too far away to confirm the license plates, and they’d come in from another direction.

Was this what they were waiting for? Was there to be a gunfight, with him lacking in the gun department? Hardly the ideal position.

The phone rang. Weaver.

‘Start the engine. Get ready to provide exfil as soon as I text you.’ He hung up without another word.

Exfil? He’d seen too many movies, and Jimmy was certain he’d never been military.

Still, he had little choice. Other than driving away and leaving them to it, which he considered. And might have done, had he anywhere to go.

He started the engine, and awaited a signal.

While not the signal, there was at least some activity soon enough. A figure ran out from the side of the road alongside the nearest van and chucked something heavy under it.

The explosion was more flames than force, and the back of the van was engulfed.

That was just nasty. Although it was probably what the Euclidean goons had in mind for any hollowed they got hold of. But still, there was no need to be vindictive if you had to kill someone. There were more efficient ways. More of an explosive force could have finished some inside off, and daze the others to make them easier targets. The incendiary was intended to send a message. Not one Jimmy was sure he wanted to be associated with, but he hadn’t been consulted.

Figures emerged from the back of the other van, swarming out, some firing at the enemy they could see, others assuming defensive positions against further attack.

The defensive posture did them little good against whatever was chucked at them. Some kind of concussive charge, to judge by the effect. They didn’t all fall, but were stunned enough that they didn’t start firing until the attackers charging them had covered half the distance.

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