Page 93

CHAPTER 92

BLODGETT AND HIS mates made a strategic retreat to a position behind a row of three huge metal dumpsters. Now they were firing from between the containers and over them, as rounds hit the metal panels like blows from a sledgehammer.

Blodgett emptied a full clip, then rolled onto his back and pulled another from his pocket. As he jammed it home, he saw movement behind him. They were being flanked! “Check your six!” he shouted.

The others whipped around as Kira stepped out of the shadows, hands up. “I’m unarmed! Don’t shoot!”

Blodgett put his sight square on her heart anyway. “What the fuck?” he muttered.

Another volley hit the dumpsters. The giants turned to return fire. Kira dropped to the ground and crawled forward until she was wedged between Blodgett and Marley behind the middle dumpster.

“Did you boys miss me?” she asked. She reached over and pulled a .45 from Marley’s holster. She stretched out in a prone firing position and started placing shots from between two dumpsters. On the other side of the mine, one intruder fell. Then another. And another.

Fenwick looked over. “Jesus! Shaba doesn’t miss!”

Kira was out of ammo. She made a gimme motion with one hand. Fenwick tossed her another clip.

“Who the hell are we shooting at?” asked Tagaloa between rounds.

“Somali militia,” said Kira. “They’re looking for me.”

“You’re popular tonight,” said Harper as he reloaded. “Gurney’s looking for you, too—personally.” A bullet kicked up dirt beside him.

“Gurney’s dead,” said Kira, getting off another shot. “And the rest of your buddies were probably ambushed by these guys. I wouldn’t count on them for reinforcements. It’s just us.”

Blodgett lifted his head to peek over one of the dumpsters. A bullet pinged off the metal rim. He ducked back down. “They’re advancing!” he called out.

Kira emptied another clip, driving a few intruders back under cover. “Don’t stop!” Kira shouted. “Keep the pressure on!”

Blodgett looked over at the young woman beside him. She had caused him a shitload of trouble over the past few weeks. And now this. “Tell me something. Why the hell should we fight to save your ass?”

“Because she’s earned it!” A booming male voice from behind.

Blodgett whipped around.

He saw a huge man silhouetted against the night sky, two rifles braced on his hips and a cutlass through his belt.

Kira dropped her pistol and screamed. “Doc!”