Austin inspected the dead man near the motorcycle. “It looks like you were doing pretty well on your own.”

“I was about to go to pieces,” Gamay said, wondering how she could joke about her near dismemberment. “Where are we?”

“Lake Tahoe.”

“Tahoe! How did you find me?”

“We'll explain after we pick up Francesca. Can you walk?”

“I'll crawl on my knees to get out of this dump. Nice outfits,” she said, eyeing their white caps and suits. “Is that what got you past the guards at the door?”

“There weren't any guards.”

“I guess they didn't want to be responsible for Daryll and Daryll.”

“Truth is, we blundered in here. We saw you playing a losing game of tag with your friend. I grabbed a crossbow off the wall and watched as you set him up beautifully for a shot.” Austin took a pistol from one of the dead men. “What say we saddle up before the posse comes?”

Gamay nodded and started to limp toward the doors, protectively flanked by the two men. The doors opened, and Brynhild stepped in. She was alone, but that didn't make her any less imposing as she strode across the hall. She barely glanced at the dead bodies as she came over and stood before them, muscular legs spread wide apart like tree trunks, her hands on her hips.

“I take it this is your handiwork,” she said.

Austin shrugged. “Sorry about the mess.”

“They were fools. If you hadn't killed them, I would have. They disobeyed my orders and defiled this sacred place.”

“Still, I know how hard it is to get good help these days.”

“Not as hard as you think. There's no shortage of people who like to kill. How did you get in here?”

“We walked in the front door. What is this place?”

“It's the heart and soul of my empire.”

“You must be the elusive Brynhild Sigurd,” Austin said.

“That's correct, and I know who you are, Mr. Austin, and your friend, Mr. Zavala. We've been watching you since you visited our facility in Mexico. It was thoughtful of you to honor us with your visit.”

“Don't mention it. You must let us know who your interior decorator is. What do you think, Joe, early Addams Family or late Transylvanian?”

“I was thinking more like Munster modern. The boat-shaped coffee table is a nice touch.”

“You will learn,” the woman said. “That boat symbolizes the past, the present, and the glorious future.”

Austin laughed. “An appropriate symbol. That boat isn't going anywhere, and neither is your empire.”

“You NUMA people are becoming tiresome.”

“I was just telling Joe the same thing before you arrived. We don't want to wear out our welcome. If you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way. Saddle up, guys.”

Zavala, who was in the lead, tried to step around Brynhild. Out of habit he flashed his trademark smile. Brynhild was a freak, he reasoned, but she was still a female. The famous Zavala charm was lost on the giantess. She reached out and grabbed him by the shirt, shook him like a terrier with a rat, then with her great strength threw him onto the floor. Zavala quickly regained his feet. Ever the gentleman when it came to women of any size or age, he smiled again. “I know how you feel, but this isn't a good way to end our relationship.”