A Number, Not a Name

It Ends with Us

The driver let out a nervous chuckle, "And why would I do that?"

"Because..." Jason took a step forward, "that jacket looks really expensive, and I'd hate to mess it up."

Samvel's face went ashen. He swallowed nervously and reluctantly slid over into the passenger seat. Jason climbed in beside Samvel, all the while keeping his hand firmly on a gun. Tasha ducked into the driver's seat and turned the key in the ignition. The roar of the truck cut through the silence. She shifted the gear from "park" to "drive" and slammed her foot against the gas pedal sending the truck flying forward through a tunnel in front. For several minutes the vehicle made its way through the darkened shaft before emerging through its exit onto a logging mountain road in the middle of the forest. Pine trees and conifers surrounded them from all around. The scents of the forest greenery still reminded Jason of the Christmas season. Though the mood at that moment was anything but cheery.

The box truck swerved and veered through the forest. The majority of the time Tasha drove straight but occasionally turned left or right depending on Samvel's directions.

The truck reached the base of the wooded mountainside revealing a sprawling grassy plain surrounded by towering woods on all sides. A few moments later a large metal fence came into view. Samvel entered a code into a security keypad and the metal gate rolled back, allowing the vehicle to continue speeding along towards the tarmac.

Several hundred feet away Dalmar's private jet was lined up on the runway. Tasha pressed down the brake. The truck came to a screeching halt.

"Well, you've been very helpful," Jason said as he tucked Wilhelm's gun into the pocket of his leather blazer, while Tasha threw the Mini uzi beside her onto the backseats.

Samvel looked at Jason uneasily, "Whatever I can do to help."

"Oh, one more thing," Jason said, as though remembering a forgotten detail. "Sorry for the headache."

Samvel gave him a confused look. Jason struck him twice in the head. Samvel fell back against his seat, unconscious.

From the comfort of his private jet compartment, Dalmar unleashed a tirade at his personal driver. The room was small yet luxurious, with white wool carpet and wood gloss paneling along its only solid wall. A black tufted leather bed with complimentary nightstands was in the center of the room. An Italian leather Barcelona chair adorned a corner of the room with a matching side table.

"Where are my men and the agents?!!!" He tugged angrily at his watch strap. Twin red lines traced circles around her wrist where the strap had been digging deep grooves in his skin. "I've been sitting here for a darn half hour! The authorities could show up at any time!!! Arghhh!!!!" he tossed his champagne flute against the wall. Glass shards flew across the carpet.

"I'm sure they'll be here soon sir" Avak responded to his boss.

Dalmar glowered at him. He wasn't in the mood for pleasant assurances. "Tell Adrine we're taking off in two minutes with or without the others!!"

"Of course sir" Avak opened the compartment door. Through the window, he spotted a white box truck parked some feet away. "Sir, I believe Tarek and the others have just arrived. The box truck just pulled up" he gestured to the vehicle outside the window.

"See that they quickly board the plane and get me another glass of champagne while you're at it" he snapped his fingers.

"Certainly." Avak swiftly exited the room and bounded down the airstair to Tasha and Jason.

"It's about time you showed up," Avak chided. "The boss has been going off for the last twenty min-" he trailed off as Jason's face came into view."Wait, you're not Tarek or..."