Extortion

James California sat in his corner office sipping a whiskey feeling like he'd finally solved all his problems. The junior who had seen his latest kidnapping and his former best friend Hugh we're gone in a freak accident where some gangbanger was shooting in the hall and they both got caught in the crossfire. He picked up his phone and glared at the screen, a single text message from 'Unknown'

Job done.

He set his phone back down on the desk and took another sip of his whiskey before leaning back in his chair and shutting his eyes.

In her apartment the shooting had finally stopped. Sadie and Hugh both stood up slowly, hesitant to make any noise in case the shooter was still outside. Sadie gestured to the phone and grabbed her gun whilst Hugh dialled 911.

"Hi. I'd like to report a shooting". He calmly said into the phone.

Behind him Sadie was quietly looking around her apartment at the damage, photos of her family smashed by the bullets. He cheerleading medals from college, obliterated. Her life was shot up. She watched Hugh as he spoke to 911, she could hear his voice but not his words, it was like she was in a bubble. Then there was a knock on the door.

"Police! Is anyone in there?" shouted a voice from behind the door.

"Come in." Sadie said as she sat on the sofa.

The three officers slowly entered the apartment with their weapons drawn and looked around. Two of them senior but one young, his face showed a picture of horror. The job hadn't exposed him to a scene like this yet.

"Are you both ok?" said one of the officers.

"Yes officer we are" replied Hugh.

They slowly walked around the apartment making sure every room was clear.

"Hey you're the officer that bought me home last night. Officer West?" Sadie questioned.

"Yes Ma'am, that's me." he replied. Turning around shooting his two fellow officers and then Hugh. All three dead in less than six seconds.

"Holy fuck!" screamed Sadie as she scrambled to her gun.

"You're a fucking monster!" Panic was setting in.

Officer West grabbed her gun before she reached it. And quickly unloaded it and discarded the bullet in the chamber. He pointed his gun at her and indicated for her to stand up.

"Don't worry I'm not going to kill you. You're coming with me." He gestured towards the door.

She slowly walked towards the door whilst keeping one eye on him.

"We're going to go downstairs get in my car and make a trip." Pressing the barrel of the gun into her back. Sadie nodded and complied walking downstairs slowly and to the police car. In her head she was imagining every way to get away from him but no idea would work with the gun pointed in her back.

"He got to you and your family didn't he?" She asked.

"No, I'm doing this for the money. I want some extra cash for retirement then me and my wife are off to South-East Asia where we will disappear on a small island in Thailand or Vietnam or somewhere like that." Pushing the gun into her back to order her to move faster.

"So if you want to live I suggest you do as I say." Ordered Officer West.

Sadie complied as she lowered her head to sit in the back of his car. Officer West leant down and put handcuffs on her.

"Is this really necessary?" Growling at him.

"Yes Sadie it is. Now shut up." He barked back.

He walked around to the driver side and got into the car and started driving. They drove for what seemed like hours but it was only forty-three minutes, they finally reached an old apartment building outside the city. He pulled around the back, got out the car and walked around to her side. With a force that took her breath away he dragged her out the car. Her trousers got stuck in the belt and ripped slightly.

"Fucking hell, any need to be that forceful?" Sadie shouted at him.

"Just shut up Sadie."

He dragged her into the building and placed her on a chair in a storage container. Tied her up, gagged her and then shut the door. Leaving her in complete darkness.