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There was no need to check if the injury had been fatal Nobody could have survived a shot like that

The man knehere Bell was and exactly where he’d likely show hiround, the superior weapon, and all the time in the world Rather than chase directly, Bell scrae that rose up the flanks of the foothills He stayed in a crouched position to reduce his silhouette and started running uphill after the shooter He could see theback up his own little ravine toward his sniper’s nest For such a bigslabs ofground at a pace Bell could barely maintain

The erosion-worn gulley split into two channels just ahead, and when the man reached it, he spun around and started back down the ht of hiulley and try to work his way back up the other side in order to eain

He’d just started cli the far bank of the valley when he heard the sound of rew both louder but also receded

Bell cursed and redoubled his effort But it was no use Even before he reached the top, the assassin had built up enough speed coasting downhill in the vehicle they’d driven here to pop the clutch and force the engine to life Once lit, the truck roared off, accelerating down the h on the bank to spot thea fine pluh look to identify its color, much less its make and model

He jogged back the way he’d come to check on Tony Wickersham On the way, he’d check the dead body for clues He reached the bouldered area where he’d left Tony only to find the young Englisher in his place Bell had his pistol trained on the interloper in an instant

“Easy there, I’m not your enemy”

“Who are you and where’s Tony?”

“I’m Buck Tompkins I’m a miner down at the Satan We heard the explosion and realized the water had stopped gushing into our cas out We found your man The others took him back to our camp and I waited here for you”

“I recognize you now You helped with drilling the holes”

“Yes, sir, I did” He eyed Bell’s strange attire but didn’t comment

“Thank you for looking after Tony He’s in a bad way”

“We’ll get him warmed up and into town real quick Central City has a fine doctor”

Bell thought for a second Theof the attack and how the blast had meant to seal them in the mountain for all eternity, and there was no need to tell thes at our camp If you have transportation out of here, take Tony into town as soon as you can, and I’ll catch up at the doctor’s office It’s allit to Tony That’s hoas shot”

“Don’t beat yourself up over an accident That’s part of life We’ve got a truck, so it’s no problem”