“Just some bozo who doesn’t know squat about dynamite, but knows enough to keep quiet when I need to concentrate. We’re getting along all right.”

“That’s an amazing compliment in itself. But are you sure that the ridge charges will do their job? If we’re going to lead Volkov into a trap, I don’t want to lure him with a dead device.”

“They’re not as interesting as the ones down here. But they’ll do the job…I think.”

“Could you be a little more reassuring? I have Lara in the car and she’s already had a more complicated evening than she was prepared for.”

“But she can handle it. And she’s probably sitting there resenting you thinking she can’t. She knows I don’t make mistakes. She doesn’t need me to tell her. Isn’t that right, Lara?”

“Absolutely. On all subjects,” Lara said. “But it’s good to hear it from the expert.”

“Which Tanner is not, except in a few minor categories. Did he really pull off making Volkov blow his mind?”

“Any minute now.” She smiled at Tanner. “He handled that minor category very well, indeed.”

“Then we’ll have to see if we can stop playing around and go the distance.” Rennell’s tone was suddenly dead serious. “I’m ready, Tanner. Give me the word and it will be the Fourth of July.” He cut the connection.

Chapter 16

Chapter
16

Rennell immediately turned to Maria, sitting on the ground beside him. “Satisfied? I did what you wanted. You heard her voice and she’s fine.”

“As fine as she can be when they’re going to be chased up the damn mountain at any minute.” She nodded jerkily. “Yes, I’m as satisfied as I can be, considering. Though I was half afraid you’d tell her I was here.”

“Why would I do that? It would disturb the balance of the operation. You’re not doing too bad so far.”

“I’m doing exceptionally well,” she said dryly. “If I wasn’t, you would have gagged me and tied me up somewhere to get me out of your way.”

“True. But don’t let it go to your head.” He was focusing his binoculars on the casino. “You’ve only set the one charge so far, but you did well enough for me to trust you with the others. Just be ready to move fast when I tell you.”

“Of course. I want this over. When you tell me to jump, I’ll ask how high.” She grimaced. “Like a humble bozo should.”

“You didn’t like the ‘bozo’?”

“I would have liked it better if you hadn’t enjoyed it so much.”