Free Fire Eye by Peter d’Plesse Page A

that can be covered by the same six centimetre circle.
    “That’s appalling shooting!” complains Alexander. “Not one bullseye!”
    Hammer and Jed exchange glances again. Hammer can’t help himself, blurting out, “Where’d you find her?”
    “Off an internet dating site,” Jed responds.
    “You’re wanking me!” Hammer says.
    “Yeah, I am. She’s actually my boss.”
    “You’re wanking me more!”
    “No mate, I’m not. She is my boss.”
    “Fuck! How do you get to work for someone like that?”
    “
Just pot luck mate. She’s good, isn’t she! A real maverick!”
And one bloody hot woman as well
, Jed thinks secretly behind the walls no one has yet penetrated.
    “What are you guys going on about?” Alexander demands as she clears the gun and drops her ear muffs.
    “That’s fantastic shooting!” Jed offers. “Most of the guys I shoot with would hang up their guns if they saw a first timer do what you have just done!”
    “Just natural talent!” Alexander smiles.
    “Okay Hammer, you better tell her,” Jed suggests. “She might believe you more than me.”
    Hammer steps toward Alexander and points to the target. “You just put six rounds of .38 Special and six rounds of .357 Magnum into a circle about six centimetres diameter at twenty-five metres. That’s fantastic! The whole group is a bit to the right of centre and slightly high, but that’s only a matter of adjusting the sights one or two clicks to the left. Everyone holds a gun differently so it has to be fine tuned. The group you shot shows that your sight picture, trigger pull and grip are consistent. That’s what handgun shooting is all about. You are very, very good lady and it takes a lot to impress me!” Reaching into his pocket, he puts another three rounds on the bench. “Try another three, no charge.” He picks up the Smith and Wesson and adjusts the rear sight two clicks to the left and one click down.
    When Alexander picks up the revolver there is a change in her whole demeanour. It isn’t just confidence, but a determination of mind and body that radiate something Jed can’t put his finger on. He watches as she slips the rounds into the cylinder, flicks it shut and without help lines up the cylinder with the first round just to the right of the hammer so it will be in line with the firing pin when she pulls the trigger.
    Jed and Hammer swap yet another wordless glance.
    As she takes up a firing position, Jed moves sideways for a better view and is perplexed by the expression on her face. He is no stranger to defending himself and the expression on her face gets his full attention. He watches intently as she takes command of the revolver to place three shots onto the target, pulling the hammer back each time with her thumb.
    This time Alexander retrieves the target for them to inspect.
    “One in the bull, two in the nine ring. A four centimetre group. With a .357 Magnum! Fuck!” Hammer spits with astonished respect.
    Jed watches the play of emotions on Alexander’s face, from genuine pleasure to grim satisfaction and something else that would be frightening if it was directed at him. He has a gut feeling that this time she had not been seeing a paper target! “If I’m ever in trouble, you can be my wingman anytime Alexander,” he offers with a smile.
    “Thanks for the experience, I enjoyed that!” she responds and her smile washes away any sign of the grim determination so recently clouding her features.
    Hammer organises the gear as they prepare to leave and offers Jed his card. “If you’re around I’d like to catch up.”
    “That’d be great!” Jed responds as they return to the foyer. He offers a card and his hand to Hammer and they shake firmly.
    As they turn, Alexander stands waiting with her hand out to Hammer offering her own card. “Is this just a boy’s thing or can the girls join in too?” she asks, with a hint of challenge and a dose of playfulness.
    “Anytime mate, and Jed is welcome too,”