"Come on, you bastards," he screamed, swinging the club wildly. He started to feel lightheaded.

Elise watched from her high spot on the green, tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt no concern for the raptors, knowing a golf club in the hand of a man was no match for a golden eagle coming in at well over a hundred miles an hour. And to the birds, the club would be seen moving in slow motion.

Jules' bird, Rex, struck first, as she had hoped. She knew the bird was only thinking of the rooster reward, but allowed herself to believe her brother dealt the fatal blow. Blaine Edwards, his throat shredded and spurting blood, dropped like so many of the mannequins.
Edwards began to move his hands to his throat, but a moment later, Kara ripped out what was left of it.

Blaine Edwards lay still, not yet dead, but conscious of death's imminent arrival.
The birds were quickly gone to collect their reward from Annette, who watched and waited in the nearby wooded area.
Elise walked over to Edwards and stood over him. Their eyes made contact for a brief few seconds. She said to him, "I hope your life insurance policy is better than my brother's medical insurance."

Edwards stared, not at her, but into the sky, his eyes unblinking into the sun.
Elise turned and walked away. As she walked, she hoped for some feeling of satisfaction or vindication that would begin the healing. But the pain in her heart was still there. Maybe time would do a better job.
If not, there was still Jack Ross, Beacon Health Insurance's chief legal counsel.