Chapter 54

A New Beginning:

The thundering thunder of gunshots rang across the courtyard, and the pungent scent of cordite stung Arnold's nostrils. He clutched Alice against him, ready for the inevitable shower of bullets that would rip through their bodies and end their lives. But the onslaught never arrived. Bewildered, Arnold opened his eyes to see the mercenary firing line swaying in bewilderment. Their raised weapons' barrels were aimed skyward, sending columns of smoke harmlessly into the night air. Alice awoke in his arms, her eyes wide with the same bewildered apprehension as they gradually untangled themselves from their protective hold. The remaining henchmen in the courtyard were in chaos, their attitudes ranging from combat-ready to completely disoriented. A low, rumbling cadence of rotor blades reached Arnold's ears, quickly increasing in loudness. A big black helicopter banked over the estate, its running lights strobing crimson against the clouds of bitter smoke that remained in t