Page 19 (2/2)

He wrapped the painter around one fist then accepted Remi’s help up the bank “Pull,” he whispered “Pull hard!”

Together they heaved on the painter The skiff’s bow bu up the slope

The powerboat was three hundred yards away The men’s attention seemed focused on the opposite shore, but Salance and they were finished

“Pull, Remi”

Again they heaved back on the painter Sa until the tendons in his neck bulged The skiff’s nose appeared over the lip of the bank, but now free of the water and subject to gravity the electricthem The skiff slipped backward a foot

“One ood pull,” Sam said “On three Onetwothree!”

The skiff arced up and over the lip and slid onto level ground In lockstep Sarass

“Down, Sam”

Remi dropped to her belly, followed a split second later by Sa

“Think we made it?” Remi whispered

“We’ll know shortly If things go bad, I want you to run as fast as you can Head for the forest and don’t look back”

“No, Sam—”

“Shhh”

The powerboat’s engine was growing louder by the second, seeht for their spot

Then, Scarface’s voice: “Anything?”