Sliding out from under the truck, Joy thought she had any potential oiling problems taken care of. Her daddy was a useless drunk, but he sure knew his cars, and fortunately had passed on that knowledge to his only daughter. Smiling a little, she absently wiped her cheek, further smearing the grease already there. He'd have loved this little wagon with its flathead valve engine, dual exhaust, and, of course, cargo capacity.
Looking down at her watch, she saw that time was short and she needed to get going. After finding a halfway clean grease rag and cleaning herself up, she ditched the grubby coveralls and got in the truck. Starting it up, she smiled again. What an engine! This trip would be a real pleasure, as well as a moneymaker.

Ten minutes later, and she was ready. Canada Dave had loaned her the garage, and his boys had done all the loading in a matter of seconds, heaving case after case of the precious white lightning into the back while she stayed in the cab and out of the cold. As she started back out on the road, she checked her watch again. Timing was everything, and you had to know where the cops liked to hide and when their shifts changed. That was when you wanted to do it; the tired ones only wanted to get home, too sleepy to concern themselves with suspicious activity, while the fresh ones weren't yet awake enough to be paying close enough attention.

Creeping back across the frozen Detroit river and out of Canada, Joy's heart sinks as she notices an unusual flurry of activity ahead. Pulling closer, her worst fear is imagined. It's a roadblock, and she's got no choice but to go through it. From the looks of things, there are only a couple of sawhorses across the road, with a single police car on each side. There was no sense even attempting to explain to them what the hell she was doing; that much was obvious and she knew she needed to try and make a break for it.

After the tires once more gained purchase on solid ground, Joy crossed her fingers and stomped on the gas pedal. Engine roaring, she made toothpicks out of the two sawhorses and flew into the night. In seconds, she was out of sight and had a considerable lead. But fifteen minutes later, it happened. The cooling system failed, and the engine blew. Joy rolled off the shoulder of the road and as far into the bushes as they'd allow. The dull black paint job would work in her favor, but only time would tell if it would be enough.

'Damn', she muttered as she leaned her head back and stared dully at the roof. 'Why didn't I stick with the coupe?!?'

Fran laughs, handing around a small carton of cigars, sending her bodyguard to fetch a bottle of the best bubbly. It was an occasion worth celebrating. All the hours spent working on this deal had finally payed off. She holds out a lighter for one of the Canadian mobsters, a grin plastered on all of their faces. Business was over, pleasure could begin.

They had been negotiating smuggling routes and disputing territory between the American and Canadian cartels. They had been holed up in this cabin, both parties under orders to return with results or not to return at all. Finally an agreement had been struck that suited everyone.

Bang

The noise ran through the cabin, hands shooting to holsters all round. A gun was already pointed at Fran's head. She holds up two hands, showing them both to be empty. Everyone mentally checks themselves for gunshot wounds. Satisfied they were ok, they all relaxed slightly.

"Ey, It came from over by the road. One of us, one of you go down have a look see?"

Fran nods, motioning for Styrenex to go with the Canadian

Styrenex runs from the cabin with his Canadian counterpart Jake,the evening moon lights up the whole valley,in the distance  headlights are travelling down from the highway towards a wooded area."Theres something in those trees.........its.......its a truck....." says Styrenex as the two men come under a volley of fire from the first of the police cars.

Forced in the direction of the truck by the persistent fire,the two men dive beneath it,almost burying themselves in the fresh snow............the drivers door opens slowly and an arm extends holding a gun to Jake`s head,"It`s an ambush Styrenex",says Jake,as the two men are caught by surprise by the occupant..............."My god who are you!" exclaimed the woman stepping out of the truck,"We`re not the heat thats for sure"replied Styrenex,"we can`t sit here under this fire they`re nearing...............let`s head back to the cabin,at least we have some cover and more fire power there"said Jake,leading the three of them into a small channel giving cover to their exit...........

Stumbling through the snow, Joy manages to keep pace with the two men. She didn't know them, and she'd be unwise to trust them, but they weren't the ones currently shooting at her.

So she ran.

In the distance, she could see an outline of dim light illuminated behind a swatch of drapery. The men had obviously come from there to begin with. Patting her side to make sure she still had her gun, she followed them up the steps and inside of what appeared to be a cabin used for some sort of gathering. Immediately upon entering, she did a head count and knew she was in a precarious position. The moment's relief she experienced upon seeing another female face didn't last long as she realized that the people present had been doing business. Fortunately for her, there wasn't much tension in the room, most likely due to the half-empty bottle of champagne that she noted on the large table around which they were all seated. Joy cleared her throat and spoke.

'I hate to interrupt your dealings here, but I'm afraid I've brought some unwanted attention. Luckily for us, there are only 2 of them. Shall we make a stand, or might you kind folks have an alternate means of getting out of here?'

The Canadians glanced among eachother. They themselves had cars, and fast ones too, but not the kind that one would risk in a firefight. They murmur amongst eachother, deciding whether to stay or go. As they talk Fran moves over to Joy with a small smile.

I don't know why you're running from the cops.. But I guess seeing as they're coming this way we're temporary allies. I'll want to know what you're doing here later. We might even be able to work out a deal..

She thinks for a second, her brain working out an angle here. She shakes her head, trying to concentrate on the here and now.

But for now we've gotta fight 'em off. I can't vouch for our northern freinds over there, but I'll stand by honour among thieves.

She draws her gun for the second time that night, partially stripping it down on the tablem then slotting it expertly back together.

"Ok,so what firepower we got here then?"Asks Styrenex,panting
from the speed at which they ran back to the cabin.He checks his .38 snub and
reaches deep into the inside pocket of his coat for a fresh box of ammo.

Everyone checks their weapons,..........all handguns,"well
it`s gonna be that sort of fight then"says Fran,with a raised
eyebrow...............one of the Canadian BG`s stood for a while,smiled and
produced a cloth bag around 4 foot long,he untied the side withdrawing a
rifle...........

"this is a little something I carry these parts....good for the
open country........even better with this"........he then produces a scoped
sight,the look of relief on everyone`s face was sufficient cause for the BG to
load,set his sights and settle against a partially open window,seeking out the
erratic movement of unnatural light given off by the torches the police were
carrying.

The police had lined up in a small gulley to the North of
the cabin......Their calls for the surrender of the occupants,with the usual
text book "gotcha surrounded"line echoed through the valley........The response
from the gang was that to which they were all trained well,a volley of gunfire
rang out towards the police position.......

The guy with the rifle was enjoying
himself having took one Cop down already..........The fight had to be took to
the Cop`s,it was the only way,reinforcements would surely be on their way,and
the gang had to get the hell out....."Ok,who`s with me" asked Styrenex,checking
his chamber was full..........

The deafening sounds of rifle fire consumed the inside of the cabin as Joy nodded toward Styrenex, signaling that she was ready to go. Glancing over toward Francine, she could see that the other woman was expertly checking her weapon. Flexing her fingers to rid them of the coldness that had crept into her finger joints, Joy grabbed her pistol and clicked off the safety. As the three headed toward the rear of the cabin, where Joy assumed there would be a back door to use, Joy had to shout to be heard over the din.

'WHAT ABOUT THEM?' she motioned toward the group of Canadians, still thoroughly enjoying themselves as they shot through the cabin windows.

Fran finally finishes assembling her gun, training the sight of the small Beretta pistol through the window. She pauses a couple of seconds, fires, and a gurgle and a thump is heard from outside. Having taken out the threat she turns back to Joy.

You and Styrentex go on ahead.

She pulls a set of keys from an inside pocket, tossing it to Joy.

Its the little green Deuce. Play nice. I kinda like it in one piece.

She nods to Styrentex then turns back to the window. Seven bullets were left in the small lightweight gun. And there were at least ten armed men still milling around in the snow. She sure hoped the Canadians were as good shots as they were negotiators.

"You know the rules Fran as well as I,one out,all out,I`m
gonna end this thing"

Shots were now entering the cabin through existing bullet
holes,the level of cover it once offered was slowly disappearing.........

Styrenex beckons to Joy to hand him her gun............"C`mon
lady,this aint no time to argue".........he takes the handgun,checks it`s full
and crouches low.............."This will work,trust me..........."

The gang look at him as he moves to the back of the cabin
expecting some sort of plan to be relayed to them,instead he creeps through the
rear door of the cabin,keeping low his coat collects the snow around the
bottom,clinging on to the heavy dense fabric...........

Steadily peering around the corner of the cabin he could see
the cops were within 30 yards,and closing.............He checked both
guns,kissed the barrels and lept out from behind the cabin,running like a
madman towards the enemy...........he shouts..."C`MON YOU LILLY LIVERED SONS OF
BITCHES...IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!"....

He shoots at the nearest cop to him with his right hand,the
cop falls to the floor...............he crouches and lets go at
another............hitting the second cop in the throat,who then flails around
in the snow bleeding profusely and choking on his own blood.

He stands and is aware of a the guns now trained upon him,another
cop falls,the BG in the cabin picks off another with the rifle........Styrenex
runs again towards the enemy and is about to let off another round of verbal
abuse when a shot rings out.......and he falls to the ground............

The firing from the cabin stops briefly,as they are aware of
what has just occurred.The cops seize the opportunity to gain ground and move
in closer,a rookie gets close up to Styrenex`s body,kicks it,and kneels along
side,his rifle trained upon the cabin door.

A voice calls towards the cabin......"Come on out,or we`re
comin in" There is silence within the cabin.

The rookie then looks behind him for the signal to get up
real close..........the signal is given,the rookie puts his weight on his left
side as he starts to stand,when he feels the barrel of a gun under his left
ear............a voice whispers..........."Drop ya gun,and you`ll keep ya head"

Stunned.........the rookie moves his eyes to the left,sees
Styrenex lay next to him,and slowly places his rifle on the ground.

Styrenex stands,pulling the rookie up in front of him,his
gun held at his head..........

"No silly moves,and he lives..goddit?".The cops hesitate as
Styrenex whispers something to the rookie,the rookie yells out...."Drop `em
guys,he means it....fa god`s sake!"the rookie now in tears and obvious shock,begins to weep.

Styrenex drags the rookie back towards the cabin,the front
door opens,he backs in to the cabin with his gun firmly held at the rookies
head..........