Pat Cromwell

Urban Wars3

Amsterdamn

Unedited Excerpt

“Is Henry okay?”  A third voice rang out.  Henry diverted his eyes from his would-be assassin and eyed the man hurrying towards them.  He recognized the deep baritone voice of Te Alejandro. 

Shit, shit, shit, he thought.  The man had arrived on the scene and Henry was not aware of his entry.  His focus had been on the woman that knelt before him.  This was bad.  Real bad.  Henry winced when his punisher attempted to help him sit up.

“That’s the arm you shot me in, damn it!” Henry grimaced from the pain.

“Yes, I know.” She replied with a newfound zest.

“Max?”  Henry spoke to Te Alejandro and decided it best to ignore the girl.

“Is fine,” Te Alejandro quickly responded.  “Angelique and Jon have him and as we speak they are making their way through the tunnels and soon will be en-route to Kansas.  The boy is fine and safe in his family’s care.  TSR will be here in a matter of minutes.  Everything went as planned.  The Prophesy has begun…it is now your time Henry…The Beginning.”

“Provided I survive this woman’s vicious and unmitigated attack, I will not let anyone down.  I was born to this.”  Henry winced in pain and felt Alejandro tense.

“I’ve a feeling you’ll survive.  In one year’s time, your family will join you.  Max will need your guidance.”

“After the performance tonight, do you think Angie and Jon will turn him over?”

“With the right persuasion anything is possible.  We’ll cross that bridge when necessary.  For now you have an escape to make. Help me get him to the car.”  Te Alejandro spoke to the woman.

“Do you think he will make it?”  Her voice sounded too chipper for Henry.

“Hoping I won’t?” He was losing far too much blood and he wondered if he had used the last of his nine lives.

“Most flesh wounds bleed like crazy.  You were always the little bastard who fainted at the sight of blood.  Chicken Shit Henry we used to call you.”  Her breath fanned his face and the smell of peppermints wafted to his nose.  Memories of years gone by were awakened in him. 

Ah…hell no, please no, no, no.

Etta James Chavez. 

His fingers tightened uncontrollably on his weapon, and despite the fact his arm felt like a lead pipe he mustered all the energy he had left and tried to raise it. 
Te Alejandro stopped his progress.

“I can’t let you harm my daughter, my friend.”

“She had no problem harming me. The law says—“

“This night we are re-writing the law.  Now, let’s get you to the car and send you on your way.”

“I’m bleeding here!  I’m fucking dying here.”

“You have an insignificant wound because you did not follow directive,” Te Alejandro corrected him.  “I trust in the future there will be absolutely no deviation from the plan and that Etta James will not be forced to reel you back in.”

“What the hell are you saying?”

“Henry, keep up.”  Etta began, “By now surely you have figured out that there is no little old lady in Kansas.  I am the lady from Kansas.  I am your Seer, your Keeper…by God’s will -- not by choice.  I will accompany you to Amsterdam and be by your side twenty-four and seven.  Together we will lay the foundation for the end of the Urban Wars.  Do you remember my pledge to you as a little girl running behind your heels?  At last, mi amour Henrico, At Last.”

“Fuck!”  Henry passed out