“Look: two o’clock. Bang on time.” Alan headed up the garden path towards the front door. Sam grabbed Alan’s arm. “Al, wait - look at the door.” Alan stopped dead in his tracks and followed Sam’s gaze. The front door was slightly ajar and Alan could see some dark liquid slowly spreading in an ever-widening pool on the tiled floor. And he could see something else: a hand. Alan nodded in recognition of the changed situation. “Silencers. Make ready,” he ordered. Both of the boys quickly looked behind them and checked that the coast was clear. They swiftly extracted their Luger pistols from beneath their trouser waistbands and screwed on a silencer attachment. The boys cocked their weapons and flicked off the safety catches. “Ready,” both boys said softly. “Cover me,” Alan ordered as he raised the pistol to the firing position and used his left hand to help steady the weapon.
