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He glanced over his shoulder Down the ladder, Marchetti was cli, then a rest, then another rung, another rest He coughed, spat water

“Come on, Marchetti,” Kurt said in a harsh whisper, “we don’t have all day”

“I fear I can go no farther,” the billionaire said “This is where it ends, right here on this ladder You should go on without me”

“I’d love to,” Kurt mumbled, “but I need you to turn off the machines”

“Right,” Marchetti said as if he’d forgotten “I’”

Marchetti began to cliures exiting the second floor of the starboard pyranized one of theant aide The other was unfamiliar

“What’s Otero look like?” he asked

Marchetti poked his head over the top of the ladder “Average-sized man,” he said, “dark complexion, close-buzzed hair on a very small, very round head”

The figures were too far away for Kurt to be certain, but that description fit the an a fast jog down one of Aqua-Terra’s roads The occasional glance back was enough to tell Kurt they were on the run

“Anyway off this boat,” Kurt said, “er—I mean island?”

“By helicopter,” Marchetti said “Or via the marina, by boat or seaplane”

The oal

“I think Otero and your lawyer friend are headed that way,” he said “Leilani, help Marchetti find a computer ter as he is, I think we’ve cleared hi more than crimes of fashion”

“I’m sorry,” she said “I promise”

Kurt turned to Joe “Ready?”