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Daniel scowled as he found himself dragging the flame of his lighter across the blade of a throwing knife clenched tightly in his fist yet again. This Jeannete woman was proving to be more trouble to kill than she was worth. She had shown exceptional fighting ability & technique, but that wasn't what had him worried. He rather enjoyed a skilled opponent, the normal cowering victim was rather boring to him. It was her crack shot that had him slightly concerned. No normal person was that skilled with a gun, not to mention carried one that often.

Then it hit him. She knew her father had enemies. Daniel smiled as he pressed the blazing metal to his arm injury. He had plenty more wounds to cauterize, and in that time...He would plan his new strategy.

Jeannete muttered to herself, cursing in French as she pulled into a small, dark alley, a white towncar with tinted windows right behind her. Pulling aside & slowing to a stop, she stepped out of her car & pulled her jacket tight against the cold night air as the second automobile screeched to a stop. As a lanky young man in black leather stepped out, he grinned broadly & said, "Well, well, well. Never thought I'd see Jeannete Cartier hitting up Pyotr Kalasnikovich." "Shut it, creep," she snapped, "I'm looking to defend myself, not exchange petty conversation with the likes of you."

"Yeah, I heard about that," Pyotr replied, "What kind of trouble are you in with the cartels? Heard they sent an assassin after you." "What?" Jeannete said. This was the first she had heard of cartels. A part of her wondered how her father had pissed them off, but she shrugged it off & said, "Did you bring everything I asked for?" Nodding, he started for the trunk, but quickly stepped into a side alley as a cheery ringtone blared out. Sighing, Jeannete waited until Pyotr was out of earshot & popped open his car's trunk, smiling at the wide assortment of rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

Unlocking his car, Daniel jumped into the front seat, turning the ignition & punching a number into his cellphone simultaneously. After 2 rings, a thick Russian accent answered, "This is Kalasnikovich." "Did you find the girl?" he growled. Grinning, Pyotr glanced behind him to where Jeannete Cartier stood examining the arsenal of weapons in his car's trunk. "I didn't even have to look. She came right to me." he said. "Bring her to the Mendoza mansion. I'm on the way there." Daniel said, pulling out of an old, derelict parking garage & swerving into an open lane. As he hung up his phone, he adjusted his rear-view mirror & grinned wickedly. The cat had the mouse cornered, and Daniel was ready to pounce.

Jeannete sighed & stole a glance at the side alley where Pyotr continued to talk in hushed tones. She didn't trust him, not after he had mentioned the cartels. He knew something too much. Drawing her pistol & cocking it slowly, she cautiously approached the side outlet, gun raised. "Pyotr?" she called hesitantly. Suddenly, a tall silhouette shot out of the opening & rolled forward, grabbing her gun & planting a foot in her stomach, sending her flying backwards. As Jeannete smacked into the brick wall with a nasty crack, she scowled as Pyotr approached in her swimming vision.

"Now, I'm looking to make some quick cash," he said, slapping handcuffs on her wrists, "And I think Juan Mendoza's gonna reward me quite handsomely when he sees what I brought him. Hauling Jeannete to her feet & dragging her to the car, he pressed the gun's barrel into her temple & growled, "Get in."

Checking his watch, Daniel sighed & ran a hand through his hair as Pyotr's town car pulled up in front of the Mendoza mansion. Stepping out of the vehicle, the young man grinned & said, "Package secure." As he walked towards the car, Pyotr placed a palm on his chest & said, "How about my money, compadre?" "Your reward shall come from God." he replied. Faster, far faster, than the Russian could react, Daniel whipped his machete out of its sheath and, in one clean slice, cleaved off Pyotr's head. "Eternal life." he finished, grinning as the body fell backwards. Opening the backseat of the towncar, Daniel smiled & pulled out an unconcious Jeannete Cartier. "Greetings, my dear," he said softly, "It appears we meet yet again."