The Grecian Manifesto by Ernest Dempsey Page A

to the
second, missing the man’s neck with the first shot, but landing the next two in
the throat and shoulder. The initial two targets had been easy due to the fact
that they were distracted. The third, however, dove out of the way as soon as
Sean’s third bullet had been fired.
    He yelled something in another language, telling Sean that
there was at least one other guy in the hallway. Sean noticed a barrel poking
around the right side of the doorframe. He fired another shot, causing the man
on the right to pull back. A moment later, the barrel began to creep its way
back into sight. Sean sent another round at his target, sending it harmlessly
into the interior wall the room. This time the man on the left retorted, using
his partner on the right as a diversion. It was clever, and Sean wished he’d
considered the attackers might try something like that.
    His only move was a quick dive to the side of the bed
nearest the window, narrowly missing a barrage of bullets ripping into the
floor and drywall.
    One of the men said something in Greek. Sean wasn’t
entirely sure of the translation, but from his vague recollection, he thought
it meant they were coming in the room.
    There were a few seconds of silence that caused Sean’s
anxiety to heighten. He lay on his back with his head against the wall, gun
firmly clutched in both hands, ready if the intruders came around the bed or
over it.
    His finger remained loose on the trigger, a habit he’d
developed through the years. Sean considered it more of a safety precaution
than anything else. Too many people were willing to shoot first and apologize
later. He’d always preferred to just not have to deal with it. His motto was to
always make sure the target was the enemy, and he’d gotten extremely quick at
it.
    Three loud pops blasted from the entryway followed by the
sound of a body hitting the floor, then a second. There was another precipitous
moment of silence before Sean heard a familiar voice.
    “All clear at the door,” Tommy said in a firm voice.
    Sean slid around and peeked by the edge of the bed. The
two assailants were on the floor, one piled on the other. A thin line of smoke
seeped out of Tommy’s weapon.
    “You can come out now, Sean.” His barb was accompanied by
a snide grin.
    “Nice job, buddy. You’re really getting the hang of this
sort of thing.”
    Tommy stared down at the two corpses. “That’s not
necessarily a good thing. Means I’m finding myself in sticky situations way too
often.”
    “Would you two mind if we left now?” Yarbrough interjected
from just inside the bathroom. Blood was soaking through his jacket, mingling
with the water from the sprinklers.
    “Good call. I just hope our ride is back,” Sean said with
a hint of uncertainty.
    He and Tommy helped Agent Yarbrough to his feet. Sean
grabbed a washcloth from the sink and pressed it hard into the agent’s wound.
“Keep this pressed against it,” he said.
    “Yeah, I know the drill,” Yarbrough nodded.
    Sean passed him a sly grin, and then moved back over to
the door. He checked his magazine, confirming there were only a few rounds
left. That small supply plus the one extra clip he had in his belt wouldn’t
last long if they had to shoot their way out of the building.
    Outside, sirens began sounding as fire trucks and police
arrived in response to the alarm. Sean knew the chaos in front of the building
would be the perfect cover for their getaway. The sniper would likely not have
a clear shot, but they’d need to move fast.
    He stepped into the hall and checked down both sides of
the corridor, making sure the coast was clear. “It’s good,” he said to Tommy.
“Head to the elevators. I’ll stay in front. Keep Yarbrough between us.”
    “Gotcha.” Tommy confirmed.
    Sean darted down the hallway, sloshing his way through the
wet mess. When he reached the elevator doors, he mashed the button hard, but
got no signal that it was heading their way. Then he remembered; the