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“What do you think happened?” Han snapped “Austin and the woman jumped you and set the place on fire”

By now, the guard had untied Gao’s hands and propped him up Gao rubbed at his wrists, then his neck “Maybe they realized I was taking video of them”

Han put his hand on the h-tech co lay on the floor a few feet away

“If they were upset about you recording them, they wouldn’t have left all your ca the authorities into the building An incident to put a spotlight of attention on us It won’t ainst theh video?”

Gao nodded “We have video, voice recordings,we need to construct a replica”

“Good,” Han said “There’s a helicopter on the way in Get back to the island and get working on them immediately”

“‘Them’? You want more than one?”

“Oni has brought us a gift: the policeman who helped Austin back in Tokyo I want a replica of him also; it will make it that much more difficult for the authorities to cause us trouble e make our move”

• • •

KURT AND AKIKObay waited just beyond

Using Gao’s key card, Kurt opened the last door A stairwell led down to the floor, where towers of wooden crates and machinery loomed like a miniature city

Several vehicles sat at the far end

“We’re going to need a way out of this, once we get Nagano,” Kurt said “See if you can find the keys to one of those cars or trucks”

“If not, I can hot-wire one,” Akiko said

“Good,” Kurt said “If we have a choice, soates and brick walls would be nice”