Free Codename: Night Witch by Cary Caffrey Page A

away."
    "Hell, Jaffer," Bins said, and his grin widened, "we can always take your rig."
    "Don't fuck with me, Bins," Jaffer said, stabbing a finger into his chest. "You know who this cargo's for? You really want trouble with the Consortium?"
    "Don't try to scare me, Jaffer," Bins said, shoving him right back. "Your pals in the Consortium have more to worry about than one lost cargo rig. Have you been north lately? The war's not going well. Between the Independents, the pharma-cartels and the CTF, I think the Consortium has its hands full."
    With a smug grin plastered on his face, Bins half-turned to his men behind him. "Prep the rig, boys. We're taking the whole load. We'll head west."
    "West?" Jaffer said in disbelief. "You think you're going to sell this to the Cabal?"
    "At least the marquis pays. Unlike your lady friend in the Consortium. Once again, Jaffer, you picked the wrong side." Again, Bins called over his shoulder, though he didn't take his eyes off Jaffer. "Hey! Guys! Come on! Let's shake a leg! I want to get this on the road before sunset."
    Bins turned around, perhaps to see what was taking his men so long, but Jaffer grabbed him by the collar and spun him back around.
    "You're not taking my damn truck, Bins."
    Bins took one look at Jaffer's fist clutching his coat, then thrust the twin barrels of his shotgun into the base of Jaffer's nose.
    Jaffer released his grip and stepped back. "I warned you, Bins. You can still walk away."
    "Brave words, Jaffer. But who's going to stop me? You? Anyone? No, didn't think so."
    "The Consortium—"
    "The Consortium is a long way from here. Look around you, Jaffer. You're on your lonesome. Ain't no one gonna save you. Ain't that right, boys? Boys? Hey, fuckwits, I'm talking to you."
    When no answer came, Bins—now thoroughly annoyed—turned back toward the front of the truck, then gaped. Two of the jackers were laid out on the ground, their feet and arms splayed out at odd angles.
    Both men heard the startled cry and the panicked scuffling of feet on gravel. This was followed by the distinctive smacking sounds of fists hitting flesh, over and over.
    The third and last of the highwaymen came stumbling into view from behind Jaffer's rig. Wobbling drunkenly on two very unsteady knees, he teetered for a moment, held up only by the stiff wind, before falling over backwards to land flat on his back.
    Jaffer and Bins stood gaping—more so, as the jacker was promptly dragged off by his heels only to disappear behind the rig.
    "What the…?" Bins said. "Don't you fucking move, Jaffer. I swear I'll…"
    Bins pushed past him and ran back toward the front of the train. He was just rounding the front bumper when Sigrid stepped out in front of him.
    Bins came to a skidding stop in the gravel. He took one look at Sigrid—unarmed, half his size and a third his weight dripping wet—and roared with laughter. He raised the twin barrels of his shotgun and stuck it squarely against her chest.
    "Jesus, Jaffer! Who is this, your daughter?"
    His laughter halted abruptly as he realize the weapon was no longer in his hands. Sigrid was holding it, and now she was the one who was grinning at him.
    "Jesus!" Bins said again.
    "Sigrid, actually," she said as she flipped the shotgun over and thrust it back into his surprised hands. She even took the barrel and pressed it back against her chest, much to his dismay. "Want to try that again?"
    As it turned out, he did. Growling his rage, Bins didn't hesitate as he pulled the trigger. The loud report echoed through the ravine. The only problem was that Sigrid was now standing at his side.
    "Fuck," Bins said, his mouth hanging open.
    "You've still got one round in that chamber. I suggest you don't miss."
    Bins turned and fired again. He was only a meter from her, but it might as well have been a hundred. Sigrid was already rolling under him, tumbling and coming up at his rear. She put her foot firmly against his backside, kicking him forward. Bins stumbled,