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A neat hole appeared in Kholkov’s sternum; a red stain spread across the front of his sweater He collapsed to his knees and gaped at Saun hand twitch, saw the Glock start to rise Spear held before hi reflexes were no ed into Kholkov’s chest, then out his back Sam leaned forward, wrenched the Glock froave the spear a twist Kholkov tue and watched hiht

Remi walked up “Couldn’t have happened to a nastier person”

Back in the cavern, they picked their way through the stalactites, frequently checking behind and to the sides on their way back to the platform Bondaruk was nowhere to be seen They half expected hi moved Aside from the distant rush of the waterfall, all was quiet

They stopped at the platform “I’ll play ladder this time,” Sam said, then knelt down and formed a stirrup with his hands Remi didn’t move

“Saht?”

He turned “It’s right over—”

Behind the barrel, the green glow of the cheht shifted

Sam whispered out of the side of his mouth, “Run, Remi”

She didn’t argue, but turned and started sprinting back across the cavern toward the tunnels across froon’s teeth

Ten feet in front of Sa hare, he spun, raised his gun, took aim on her

“No!” Sam shouted He jerked up the Glock and fired The bulletthrough his ear He screamed, turned, fired Sam felt a hammer blow in his left side A wave of white-hot pain rushed through his torso and exploded behind his eyes He stumbled backward and fell The Glock clattered across the floor

“Sam!” Remi shouted

“Stop right there, Mrs Fargo!” Bondaruk barked He came out from behind the barrel stalactite and stalked over and leveled his gun with Sam’s head “Come back here!” Bondaruk commanded

Remi didn’t move

“I said, come back here!”