In the Shadow of Falcon's Wings by Sean Ellis

Author:Sean Ellis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adrenaline Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Hurley’s hands shot through the bars of his cage to seize the taut rope, just as the last hemp fiber parted under the assault of Krieger’s claw blades. There was a lurch as the tension holding the box abruptly vanished but it stopped, bare inches from the poisoned tips of the spikes below. Hurley’s fists were clenched tight around the rope, his grip the only thing holding him back from a painful demise.

Krieger was inscrutable behind his mask, but made no further effort to dispatch Hurricane. “That should keep you busy for a while,” he remarked sardonically. “Wouldn’t want you entertaining notions of escape.”

“If you’re going to kill us,” Hurley rasped through clenched teeth, “just do it. Get it over with.”

“I thought I told you. I am a businessman; you are worth more to me alive.” Krieger turned abruptly and stalked away, leaving only a handful of pirates to guard the caged men and the native captives; the rest of the gang moved off to their respective duty stations and commenced getting the armada ready to depart. As the first gleams of dawn illuminated the sky, the pirate vessels commenced moving further up the tributary.

After recovering from the shock of the nearly getting skewered, Hurricane pulled in the slack, drawing down enough of the rope to knot it around one of the bars. Once the cage was secure, he turned to Hobbs. “Just like old times, eh?”

“Yes,” the clergyman observed sourly. “I’d forgotten how much fun we had. So how did you get dragged into all this?”

Hurley briefly recounted the attack on the White House and the demands of its hooded mastermind. “Do you think it could have been Krieger? That this was all part of an elaborate plot to bring the three of us together so he could take his revenge?”

Hobbs stroked his bloodied chin thoughtfully. “Krieger’s known where to find me for years. He could have taken me any time.”

“What? You knew Krieger was alive and didn’t do anything about it?” Despite the bonds they shared, both brotherhood-in-arms and currently prison bonds, Hurley could not stem the flood of anger that arose from learning of the omission.

“Yes, well it seems I am being punished for that sin.” Hobbs sighed heavily. “I didn’t come here looking to relive the glory days, Hurricane. But I was keeping an eye on Krieger. He’s never done anything like this; it’s not his style.”

Hurricane took a deep breath, letting his wrath boil away. “Seems exactly like his style, Padre.”

Hobbs shook his head. “Krieger’s insane, but he’s not stupid. An attack like this will bring unwanted attention. He’s had a good thing going here — a protection racket that the Belgians turn a blind eye to. Now they’ll be forced to do something about him.”

“Ha. They won’t get a chance. I’ll see to that.”

“We’ll see to it,” amended Hobbs, and gave a reassuring nod.

Hurricane grinned. “Just like old times.”

“Now, it occurs to me that the timing of this little coincidence is impeccable.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that I

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