The Finish (The Eliminator Series Book 12), Mike Ryan [summer reading list .txt] 📗

“First off, I’m not doing it all hoochie-goochie with anyone, and second, I believe it’s coochie. Not goochie.”

“You sure about that?”

“Pretty sure.”

“I dunno. I might have to look that one up.”

“You do that.”

“Anyways, what’d I call about?”

“I don’t know,” Jacobs said. “But I’ve got a few hours until you remember.”

“Very funny. Oh yeah, the big news. I just got word from one of my contacts, man, that a big meeting is going down as we speak. Like, right this very minute.”

“Big meeting between who?”

“Mallette, man, who else?”

“Should I run down the list?”

“No, not really. But I hear Mallette’s got this big shindig happening right now. I figured I’d let you know in case you wanted to crash the party or something.”

“Where’s it at?”

“Some warehouse or something. I sent you a text before I called with the address. Don’t you check your phone?”

“I told you, I was busy.”

“Doing what? You getting in the saddle again?”

“That is not your business.”

“I’m proud of you, man. Proud of you.”

“OK, forget about that. Are you sure of this thing?”

“What? The meeting? Yes, I’m sure! Got it on good authority, man. I’m almost a hundred percent sure this thing is happening. So if you wanna drop in unannounced, you ain’t got a lot of time to waste.”

“All right. I’ll call Nate and see if he can meet me there. Thanks.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

Jacobs immediately started getting ready. Tiffany came up behind him and put her arms around him.

“What is it?”

“I have to go,” Jacobs said, turning around. “Mallette might be having a meeting right now.”

Tiffany took a deep breath. “Be careful.”

“You know I will.”

They kissed for a few seconds before Jacobs was finally able to tear himself away from her. He looked over at Gunner, who was lying on the floor.

“You ready to go to work?”

Gunner barked and instantly stood up. As Jacobs got ready, he called Thrower to see if he could meet him.

“Eddie just called, said he got word that Mallette’s having a meeting right now.”

“Just tell me where and I’ll meet you there,” Thrower replied.

“I’ll forward it to you. Meet there in twenty?”

“Sounds good. I’ll be there.”

Jacobs finished getting ready, putting on his gear, getting his weapons ready, then gave Tiffany another kiss before he scurried out the door. As Tiffany watched him leave, she couldn’t be sure which was the more overpowering feeling. The hope that she felt, dreaming that this might be the end of one of Jacobs’ rivals, or that feeling of dread, worried about what her boyfriend might be walking into… and whether he’d be coming back.

She’d gotten better about not worrying so much, even if it was just outwardly. But there was always a piece of her that worried that whenever Jacobs walked out the door, it’d be the last she saw of him. Once he was out of sight, Tiffany went over to the TV and put something on, hoping that she’d find something to take her mind off of what she knew was happening.

Once Jacobs got to the warehouse, he started scouting around, since Thrower hadn’t gotten there yet. He walked around the perimeter of the property completely and was on his way back to the car when Gunner picked up on something. They stood there for a second, Jacobs waiting for a clue from his dog about how to proceed.

Gunner stuck his nose in the air, then stared into the darkness for a moment, then started running toward the direction of whatever he’d spotted. Jacobs ran after him, though he was already pretty sure what they were going to find. When Jacobs finally caught up with his dog again, he saw him being petted by Thrower. Jacobs could tell by the slight whining sound that whoever Gunner could tell was there was likely friendly. If it was the opposite, Gunner usually let out a growl of some kind.

“Sorry I’m late,” Thrower said. “I think I hit every red light on the way over here.”

“No problem. I already went around the place. I don’t see anything or anyone.”

“No guards? Not even at the gates?”

Jacobs shook his head. “Not that I can tell.”

“Strange. If this was a big meeting with Mallette, you’d think he’d have guards posted.”

“I know. Unless we’re too late already.”

“Or he’s keeping them hidden so as not to draw attention to them.”

“Could be,” Jacobs said.

“Taking a closer look?”

“You know it.”

“Find a good spot to enter?”

Jacobs shrugged. “Same as usual, I guess. Cut a hole in the middle and go from there.”

They went to the middle of the fence where there were some bushes to disguise their presence, and they used their cutters to snip a small hole in the fence. Jacobs went through first, followed by Gunner, then Thrower. They remained there for a minute or two, spinning their heads in every direction in order to find someone who might be walking around, or a guard positioned in a tough-to-find spot. They weren’t having any luck, though.

“This is eerie,” Thrower said. “It’s way too quiet.”

Jacobs didn’t disagree. From their vantage point, they had a clear line of sight to the front gate. But something was off about it. It looked like it was open. He tapped Thrower on the arm.

“Something about that not seem right?” Jacobs asked.

Thrower reached into the pocket of his vest and took out a pair of mini-binoculars. “Yeah, it does. Looks like the damn thing’s broken. It’s not even closed right. Looks like they got chains wrapped around it to keep it closed.” Thrower continued looking through the binoculars, though now he was focused on the main building as well as around it, along with the rooftop. “This place looks deserted.”

“Perfect place to have a meeting, though, isn’t it?”

“I guess. But I can’t believe a guy like Mallette wouldn’t have guards posted.”

“Maybe he’s got them posted inside?” Jacobs said.

“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having guards, though? If they see something, that means they’re already on top of you. And