Samurai Code. Don Easton

picked up the gun. Looner followed Mad Dog’s lead and also pointed his pistol at Snake.

      Snake grinned and said, “Come on guys, after what we’ve been through together?”

      “It’s because of what we’ve been through,” replied Mad Dog. “Besides, I know your rep. Hurry up. When you’re done, shoot the pig, then call your ol’ lady and tell her ya got the guns. Don’t torch the car until after Looner and I leave. Now … hurry the fuck up!”

      Sophie cringed back in the seat as Snake leaned in.

      “Lie on your back with your arms underneath ya!” ordered Snake. “I don’t want ya grabbin’ at no gun!”

      Sophie did as instructed and Snake crawled in on top of her while pointing a gun at her face. She felt his knee force her legs apart and was conscious of the gun beside her temple.

      “Please, don’t,” she pleaded. “I’m a cop. Think about it. You hurt me and you go away for life. Just take my car keys and drive off.”

      “Ya know somethin’,” said Snake, “actually, I’m a nice guy. If it was me, maybe I would. But my friends … well, they ain’t gonna let that happen, so ya may as well enjoy it. Treat it like it’s your last!”

      Sophie heard Looner chuckle at Snake’s comment. In her mind, she thought it odd that she sensed a partial satisfaction by thinking that DNA might be found inside her body. I’m going to be raped and murdered … and I’m thinking about DNA …

      “Give me a hand, will ya Looner?” yelled Snake, while leaning back and tugging on Sophie’s belt. “Grab her fuckin’ pants by the cuffs and help pull ’em off for me!”

      Sophie felt Looner yank her shoes off and toss them in the front seat. Snake leered at her and said, “Now if you’re real co-operative, maybe I’ll decide you’re worth livin’.”

      As he leaned closer she could feel his warm and moist breath on the side of her neck and then her ear.

      Looner leaped back as Snake cried out.

      “You fuckin’ bitch!” screamed Snake.

      “What happened?” asked Looner.

      “She kneed me in the nuts!”

      “Jesus fuck,” said Mad Dog. “Shoot her. Enough is enough.”

      Sophie was dazed, confused, and in shock as Snake pointed the gun at her face. He looked unafraid and calm, as if he had done this many times before. She closed her eyes and felt one of his hands choke her jugular as he held her head still.

      The car echoed to the sound of the explosion and both Mad Dog and Looner watched as Snake backed out of the car. His hands and face were splattered with blood. He looked at Mad Dog, gave a wicked smile and said, “I thought pigs would squeal more than that. Bet she would have if I coulda fucked her before blowin’ her face off!”

      Mad Dog peered in the back seat at Sophie’s body, curious what damage a .44 magnum would do. Now he knew. Her face was drenched in blood.

      “Ya got a rag for me to wipe my hands?” asked Snake nonchalantly. It occurred to Mad Dog that it was the same tone of voice a person might use to ask for a napkin after eating fried chicken.

      “The pieces are wrapped in rags,” Mad Dog reminded him. “I’ll grab ya one of ’em. Better wipe your face, too.”

      Seconds later, the weapons were loaded in the trunk of Snake’s car and Mad Dog listened as Snake called the motel to speak to his girlfriend. “Done deal. Got ’em all. Went as smooth as your silk undies.”

      Mad Dog glanced at Snake and the Ford Focus in his rear-view mirror as he and Looner drove away. Smooth as silk? Snake’s nickname is perfect. Cold-blooded reptile.

      ***

      A short time later, Mad Dog breathed a sigh of relief when Julie answered the door at the motel and gestured to the money she had piled on the bed.

      “You count it?” asked Looner, running past Mad Dog to look at the money.

      “Three times,” she replied.

      “Snake’s ol’ lady?” asked Mad Dog.

      “She’s got their cut and a biker took her away. Hope Snake loves her enough to deliver. Otherwise she’ll be workin’ on her back forever to pay for it.”

      “Who cares,” replied Mad Dog. “Pack up. We’re leavin’ —”

      Mad Dog’s words were lost at the sound of breaking glass as the first of three percussion grenades came through the motel window. The explosions left them all in a momentary state of shock and confusion.

      Seconds later, Mad Dog looked up at the RCMP Emergency Response Team from where he was handcuffed on the floor. “Who’s in charge? I need to talk to someone who works on murders.”

      Looner looked at Mad Dog from across the floor and said, “What the fuck ya sayin’? Get a lawyer! Don’t talk to nobody!”

      Mad Dog smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. We don’t need a fuckin’ lawyer. The three of us will be free by morning. I guarantee it!”

      4

      Sophie stared up at the ceiling of the car as she replayed what had happened. Snake had crawled in on top of her, trying to undo her pants while pinning her arms with his knees as he waved his pistol at her face. I did try to knee him in the nuts … but he was expecting it and turned sideways. Whispers to me to play dead and starts choking me so hard I can’t breathe … before smashing my nose with the butt of the gun. Then screams like I hurt him and pulls the trigger — Doesn’t make sense.

      The car door opened and Sophie could hear Snake talking. She closed her eyes and realized he was talking on his cellphone. He thinks I’m dead! The bullet went through my hair … but the blood from my nose got smeared all over my face by his hand when he pushed himself out … he thinks he shot me in the face and that I’m dead.

      Sophie lay still, trying to control her breathing. Despite the ringing she had in one ear, the sound of her heartbeat seemed to echo loudly inside the car. She heard Snake’s voice as he tilted the driver’s seat forward.

      “Good. Let me know when it’s a done deal,” he said. Sophie heard the call end, but his phone rang immediately.

      She felt a trickle of blood running down the back of her throat and into her lungs. She felt the need to cough. Her body demanded air and she willed herself not to breathe. Focus on something different. I can’t! I have to breathe!

      “Oh, hi, honey,” she heard Snake say. “You just get home? Sorry I can’t talk. Have to keep the line clear so — no, wait, actually I’m glad you did call.”

      Sophie tried to swallow, but let out a small cough instead. Snake quit talking! He heard me! My only chance is to grab him! She sprang to attack. Snake saw it coming and casually let the front seat drop back into place while stepping back. She was trapped. Too late to fumble for the seat release. I’m dead!

      Snake looked at her and held up one finger for her to wait a moment as he spoke into the phone. “I’ve got a police woman with a broken nose … No, not Laura … No, I don’t expect you to look at it. We’re way out in Surrey … Uh, huh. Tell her to sit up and pinch the lower part of her nose for ten minutes. Got it. While she’s doing that, I’ll take her to Surrey Memorial. Listen, I should go. She’s upset. Love ya.”

      What the hell? Sophie thought.

      ***

      Mad Dog was placed in an interview room where he was introduced to Staff Sergeant Randy Otto and Corporal Connie Crane, both members of the Integrated Homicide Investigative team, or I-HIT, as it was more commonly known.

      Mad Dog smiled with satisfaction, quickly waived his right to a lawyer, and gave a detailed statement of his plan to rob an armoured truck. He also said he bought the