#51: CARELESS COMPANION.

Hearing a twig snapping behind him, Drake ducked as a bullet whizzed over his head. Without even turning around, he raised the auto-revolver and fired twice. There was a yell of pain and the sound of a body falling into the bushes.

“Anyone else I should know about?” asked Drake.

“There are just two of us,” she replied innocently.

“If you say so. Now, please stand up slowly and put your hands on your head.”

Drake took her rifle and marched her over to the bushes where the accomplice was curled up in agony.

“Your mistake was trying to use a long-range weapon at close quarters. I suggest you choose your next move very carefully,” Drake told him. “These are rubber bullets, but I think you’ll find that they do substantially greater damage at this distance and I NEVER miss.”

The accomplice said nothing, but glared up at him.

“I’m assuming your talkative friend is also with S.K.U.L.L.S.?”

The Scandinavian nodded.

“Well,” said Drake, “You’ve been a rather slippery customer, ma’am, but I think this time will be markedly difficult. This time you WILL be going to the proper authorities.

“Yes, it looks quite bad for me,” she said. “But have you taken into account the five kilograms of C4 attached to the rear wall of your residence, right next to the gas tank?”

This gave Drake pause. Five kilos of plastic explosive was more than enough to completely obliterate the mansion and –even worse- Nickelby along with it…