Page 154 of The Session

He heard a thwip, followed by the crack of a rifle, and fiberglass fragments ricocheted off the passenger seat to his right.

He decided to let fate handle it and ducked back down as another bullet hissed through the air above his head.

The boat let out a strained whine as the fiberglass hull scraped against the dock’s rubber lining. As long as they kept moving forward, Mark could live with any sound. He was so focused on the gunman by the office that he almost missed the footsteps and the shadow of the second gunman sprinting down the dock.

Not slowing, the man raised his rifle overhead, took an enormous leap, and landed on the aft deck.

Before Mark could think, he was already rushing the man. He shoved the shooter over the rail before he could raise his weapon.

Mark had forgotten about the dive platform at the back of the boat and heard a grunt as the man slammed into it before rolling into the water.

He ran to the wheel and cranked it right so the boat would steam out of the harbor.

More gunfire followed, but none of the bullets hit the boat.

He waited until it stopped, then lifted his head for a quick look.

The harbor was already in the distance, too far for rifle fire to reach them.

“I think we’re clear!” Mark shouted over the engines.

“The Canadians?” Tru asked.

“They weren’t Bahamian police, I can tell you that.”

“Why?” moaned Max, joining them. “Why? He already has me on the run!”

“Because we know it’s him,” Mark said. “It was one thing if the red notice came through. But because you ran like this, he knows you figured it out. Not good for him.”

Lightman looked left and shouted, “Damn it, now what?”

Channel Marker

Mark glanced over and saw the flashing blue lights of a law enforcement watercraft.

“It’s probably the Bahamian police. We could tell them about what just happened,” Tru offered.

“Maybe it’s time we cut our losses,” Lightman said. “I think I’d rather deal with the Bahamians than a bunch of Russian mercs.”

“Take the wheel,” Mark ordered Tru.

He opened a compartment, pulled out the night-vision goggles, and tried to get a better view of their pursuers. He could see three people in the pursuit craft.

“I think that’s the Royal Bahamas Defence Force,” Mark said.

“Maybe it’s time we stop running,” Lightman suggested.

Tru reached for the throttle to slow down.

“What percentage of the defense force is white?” Mark asked.

“Almost none,” Lightman replied.

“Then we’re fucked. Those are three white guys,” Mark said. “Tru, we need to go faster.”

“That’s a fast intercept boat. We’re not going to be able to outrun it for long,” Lightman warned.

Tru yanked the wheel to the left. Mark and Max were caught off balance.