Matt & Mariko - A Serialized Novel - 4.25

CHAPTER 6B

Parked in front of Villa Diana again, Matt held the shiny metal box in the palm of his hand. It didn't bear any indication of what was inside – if anything. There were four metal buttons on the back. He tried pushing them a few times to see if a combination would open it, but they didn't even beep and the box stayed closed.

      He looked out the windshield for a few moments while beachgoers were heading home after their time on the sand or the bike path. Matt patted his pocket to make sure the tear gas pen was still there, got out of the car and walked up to CJ's place.

     CJ's door was open about six inches and Matt walked in. But he didn't see the guys in suits. Instead, two blond teen-agers in shorts and basketball shoes were sitting next to CJ, who looked worried. Two skateboards were propped up against the wall and another one was placed on the floor.  Each skateboard was elaborately decorated. One was painted with a surfing skeleton riding a towering wave. Another showed a beautiful naked woman riding a huge motorcyle. The third displayed a dagger, dripping with blood.

     "What's up?" Matt asked CJ, trying to get a read on the situation. Not even CJ would be stupid enough to screw around dealing coke or pills to some skateboard kids while those guys with the shoulder holsters and piles of cash were around.

     "Not much," CJ said. His tone revealed nothing.

     Then Matt sensed movement in the kitchen. A redheaded teen surfer closed the refrigerator door and turned to walk toward him. He was holding a rolled up slice of ham in his fingers and taking a bite.

      "Du-uude," Red said to Matt. "You got it?"

      "Got what?"

      "The little box, dude. You know, the little box."

      "I don't know about a box. I'm buying some coke. Boss is having a party tonight in the hills. Sent me to score."

     Matt turned to CJ.

     "What's this all about?"

     Red lifted a corner of his blue Hawaiian print shirt to pull a tiny pistol from his waistband. Still chewing the ham, he shot CJ in the head, splattering blood on the window. Then he turned to Matt.

     "Got any more questions, dude?"

     "Whoa-ho," one of the kids said, looking at CJ.

     "So, what?" Red asked Matt. But then Red's cell phone rang.

     "Better get that," Matt said. "I think it's your mom."

     Matt leaped across the living room and down a short hall to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him. But Red or one of the other kids had already started shooting, blowing small holes in the door.

     In the bathroom were the two guys in suits. One was in the shower, collapsed on himself, and one was kneeling on the floor with his head stuck in the toilet, like he'd been throwing up. Only he hadn't been throwing up. There was blood everyone. They'd both been shot dead.

     The skateboarders were trying to get in, pounding and kicking at the door. Matt had the tear gas pen, but they had at least one gun and there were three of them.

     So he grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his fist and smashed the louvres on the bathroom window. Then he pulled himself out and jumped down to the alley behind Villa Diana. He fell on the concrete, but picked himself up and ran toward the street. The sound of gunfire from the bathroom window continued behind him, fading as he went.