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A long truck and trailer pulled in front of hi wheel in a crazy zigzag to avoid se truck There was a loud lass and the screech of tortured metal as the bus sideswiped the front end of the truck The bus, its entire right side gouged and smashed, bounced wildly out of control Pitt corrected and fishtailed the shattered vehicle until it straightened He pounded the steering wheel angrily at seeing fluid spraying back over the newly cracked windshield The i the radiator froine That wasn't the only probleht tire was blown and the front suspension knocked out of alignment

"Do you have to hit everything that comes across your path?" Giordino asked irritably He sat on the floor on the undae arms circled around Maeve

"Thoughtless of me," said Pitt "Anyone hurt?"

"Enough bruises to win an abuse lawsuit," said Maeve bravely

Giordino rubbed a swelling knot on one side of his head and gazed at Maeve woefully "Your oldand threw a surprise ply"

"Someone at NUMA lance "Not you, I hope"

"Not me," Maeve said firmly

Giordino made his way to the rear of the bus and stared out thefor signs of pursuit Two black vans careened around the da up our exhaust pipe"

"Good guys or bad?" asked Pitt

"I hate to be the bearer of sad tidings, but they ain't wearing white hats"

"You call that a positive identification?"

"How about, they have Dorsett Consolidated Mining logos painted on their doors"

"You sold me"

"If they come any closer, I could ask for their driver's license"

"Thank you, I have a rearview mirror"