epped back on the accelerator. The car raced past the spot where the first shot was fired, hitting the second agent in the face, instantly killing him. Once back on the freeway, Joel picked up his mobile phone and rang his boss."We've got a leak." Joel spat out quickly, "We got shot at. The other agents are dead, but the kid's still alive. I've got to get him somewhere fast.""OK, OK. Where are you taking him?" the boss asked."I don't want to say. Your phone could be bugged. Ring me back from a pay-phone." And Joel promptly hung up.The car turned slowly off the freeway again and made its way quietly down a suburban street. Joel parked outside an old weather board house and carried Adam around the back. He forced open an old wooden door and carried Adam down the stairs to the basement. His mobile rang."Joel. That you?" It was the boss."Yep. I've got the kid and I'm at my parent's house.""What! It's not safe!" The boss said angrily. He trusted Joel, but Adam was a very important witness."Don't worry. I'm in the basement. They don't even know I'm here." Joel was calm now and had time to think."OK, but keep it that way." The boss said reluctantly. "We need the kid. No witness, no trial, you know the story.... Look, Joel. Get some sleep and I'll come down tomorrow in person."Sunlight shone through the vents along the east wall as Joel woke to answer the door. He was still dressed, but had been sleeping and was not fully alert. He opened the door and yawned. Before he had even closed his mouth, the assassin shot the silenced pistol, putting a neat hole through Joel's head. The assassin then stepped over the body and made his way to Adam, who was sleeping on the couch. He pulled a piece of nylon rope from his pocket and completed his mission. He then left the basement room as quietly as he had arrived. No witness, no trial....
