“I was just going to suggest that,” Anton said. He was backing away. He’d never seen Volkov in a rage like this. “Just give me a little time.” He was looking for a way out, some way to distract him. “Do you want me to get rid of Kael? He’s no use to you now.”

Volkov whirled on Kael. “I’ll get rid of him myself.” He took out his gun. “You did your best to save my money?” He shot him in the head. “Not good enough, you asshole.” He turned on Anton with the gun still in his hand. “Now find me Tanner and that bitch from hell or I’ll blow your head off, too.”

Anton didn’t doubt he’d do it. He’d have to play along until he could get Volkov to quiet down. “We’ll have to be smart about this. We have to catch them, not just shoot them. If it was Tanner that took your money, then he’s going to be the one to know how to get it back. And you’re angry at Lara now, but when you get over it, you’re going to remember what a fine time you had with those Trials. You had plans for her.”

“I’ll tear her apart,” Volkov said coldly. “I’ll tear both of them apart. They can’t do that to me. Don’t try to convince me I should keep the whore because it’s over. You only want to wring me of every dime you can.”

“Whatever you decide,” Anton said. “I only want what’s best for you. But you agree we should try to capture them? That way you have a chance of getting some satisfaction.” And Anton might stand a chance of reaping more money from Volkov or at least keep himself alive. “I’ll gather the men and we’ll hunt them down.”

Volkov was frowning. “Hunt…I like the sound of it.” He smiled savagely. “And they may be playing into our hands by taking the west exit from the mountain. They’re on the ridge road, and the helicopter is still in the canyon. I’d rather get the helicopter and attack them from the air. I could really chew them up.” He was heading for the door. “That’s what we’ll do. Call the helicopter and alert them I’ll be in the canyon in fifteen minutes and to be ready for me. You go up the mountain road and grab some of the men, then join me.”

“But it would really be better to—”

“Don’t tell me what’s better,” Volkov said. “Just do what I order, and you might survive what that bastard Tanner did to me.” He was striding out the door. “But I doubt it.”

* * *

“I think that Volkov might have just found out that all his money went up in a poof of smoke.” Lara was looking in the rearview mirror, which was reflecting the casino in the valley. “I see two trucks leaving the casino area at breakneck speed. They’re heading in this direction.”