Page 96 of The Last Kingdom

Derrick Koger, staying back on the sidewalk, following Knight.

* * *

COTTON KEPT WALKING, NOT SURE WHERE HE WAS GOING OR WHAThis next move would be. He desperately wanted to corner the man on his tail. Koger had texted back and said he was following and the man’s name was Terry Knight. Ex-CIA. Surely part of the Scythe. When he’d stepped off the elevator in the state library he’d done what he’d always done as an active agent. Assessed the room. Which had been busy. But a quick scan had revealed a face he recognized. The man who’d been shooting at them from the helicopter as it flew away. He never, ever forgot a face.

Thank goodness.

He’d kept walking out of the library, casting the impression that he was oblivious to anyone who might be interested in him. Koger’s text alerted him to the fact that they now had Knight sandwiched. Ahead he spotted a towering church facade with twin steeples that accommodated bells, which were ringing the 1:00P.M.hour. People came and went through tall arches that led toward what appeared to be entrance doors. He turned and scampered up the shallow, broad stone steps, passing through one of the arches and entering the nave.

Time to spring a trap.

* * *

DERRICK SAW MALONE VEER RIGHT AND ENTER ST. LUDWIG’SChurch. He’d driven by it a million times, just never been inside. Maloney was a pro, realized he was being followed, and knew he had backup. So he had to assume he’d turned into that church for a reason.

And Knight followed.

But tires screeching caught his attention.

* * *

RIFE WHIPPED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HOPPED THEcurb, stopping the car fifty feet in front of Koger on the sidewalk. His gun lay on the passenger’s seat. He grabbed it as he popped open the door, keeping his eyes locked on Koger through the side window.

People on the sidewalk scattered in surprise and shock.

He rolled out into the midday sun, stood upright, and leveled the gun, keeping the car between him and Koger.

* * *

DERRICK WAS ONLY MOMENTARILY CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY THECARappearing ahead. He’d learned long ago that surprise never got you. It was the rebound that mattered. And he was a hell of a rebounder. Besides, with Knight around, he figured Rife would not be far away.

And here he was.

He reached beneath his coat, found his pistol, and freed it from the holster. People were between him and the car. Rife was out, bringing his weapon level. He’d never backed down from a fight. Not ever.

Not now.

He ticked off two rounds.

But his aim was affected by the people in the way, several of whom dove to the pavement. One shot shattered the passenger’s-side window. The other ricocheted off the open driver’s-side door.

Rife recoiled, seeking cover.

Clearly, the SOB wanted him dead.

Okay.

Go for it.

* * *

RIFE SWUNG BACK UP FROM HIS CROUCHED POSITION, USING THECARfor cover, and aimed.

But Koger was gone.

* * *

DERRICK DARTED RIGHT AND SOUGHT REFUGE INSIDE A RECESSEDdoorway.People were still scampering every which way, some even seeking safety out in the busy street among the passing cars.