“Cut him loose,” Marta ordered.

“I’ll need to reach for my pocketknife.”

“Be careful.”

He pulled out the knife and cut the tape that secured Demidov’s legs. The Russian spread them, steadying himself. Simon sliced the tape that bound the wrists.

“Now drop the knife,” Marta said.

He did so.

Demidov winced as he moved his arms slowly forward, giving the impression that his muscles were locked, then he removed the tape that remained on his wrists.

“This is all your fault.”

“I’m sorry, Nick. I admit I made a mistake. But I corrected it. I got you out.”

“The goddamned restaurants that the health department shut down. The courier you didn’t send, so I had to pick up the money on my own, which is why the feds were able to grab me at the warehouse. That stupid dry-cleaning shop. Every time I leave the office, my clothes stink.”

“Nick, I told you I’m sorry.”

“Where the fuck is everybody? Why didn’t you bring more help?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t? What do you mean?”

“They’re all in Texas.”

“What are they doing in—”

“Hijack jobs. It’ll look like Texas gangs did it. No one’ll ever suspect that—”

“You sent everybody to Texas? On your own?”

“I thought—”

“You stupid cunt, don’t think. You’re not good at it.”

Marta shot him.

He took a step back and looked surprised.

She shot him again.

Then a third time.

Blood first seeped, then poured from the wounds.

Demidov collapsed to the ground.

Not moving.

She aimed at Simon.

Liz continued to stagger across the gravel. Except for the blood on her arm and the bit of yellow that showed on her legs, she was still covered with mud. With each halting step, she placed the blunt edge of the spear ahead, using it to support her weight. Marta switched her aim toward Liz, then back toward Simon.

The woman peered down at her brother, then lowered the pistol. “Look at what you finally made me do.”

When Liz reached them, she wavered and remained standing only because she leaned on the spear.

“Where’s Max?” Marta asked.

“Dead.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Rambo,” Liz murmured.

“What?”

“Saw Rambo use his knife to make a spear. Saw him hide in a stream. Saw him do a lot of things.”

“You’d better get her to a hospital,” Marta said. “She’s delirious.”

“Hospital?”

“You kept your part of the bargain. Not that it matters.” Marta stared down at Nick’s body. “A lot of people are going to be angry about what I just did.”

“Maybe I can help.”

“How?”

“Protect you. Give you a new start. The FBI. Witness relocation program.”

Marta laughed as if he were making a joke.

Again she stared down at her brother.

Liz’s eyes closed, then she toppled. Simon grabbed her before she struck the gravel. She was terribly cold. He held her tightly, wanting never to let her go. When Simon looked up, Marta was gone.

A few seconds later a black SUV roared into view from behind the house and sped along the lane, disappearing among the trees.