Top and Bunny hesitated as if surprised by the question. Bunny gestured to his ankle.

“Got a Colt Mustang XSP,” he said.

Top half turned and raised his shirt to reveal a Glock 9 mm in a belt holster.

“You’ll need to check those at the door,” said Saxon. “Rules.”

“Not a big fan of giving my gun up to anyone,” said Bunny, putting some bluster into it.

“And you can drive your ass out of here whenever you want, son,” said Saxon. “No one stopping you. But if you want to come in and talk to the man, then you got to check your guns at the door. Your choice.”

Top contrived to look pained and then nodded. “It’s cool, Buck. House rules.”

“House rules,” agreed Saxon.

“Fuck,” said Bunny, but he bent and removed the holstered piece. Instead of handing it over, he went around and unlocked a heavy steel box in the bed of the Ford and stowed his pistol in there. “This work for you, hoss?” he asked.

“That’s fine,” said Saxon.

Top pulled the holstered Glock from his belt and handed it to Bunny, who locked the box.

“And neither of you boys will object to a metal detector and a pat-down,” said Saxon, not really making it a question.

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” said Bunny.

They followed Saxon into the gymnasium, which was a huge cinder block structure attached to the back of the school building. There were armed guards at the door, and another pair inside, flanking a good-quality metal detector.

“New recruits, Mr. Saxon?” asked one guard.

Top contrived to look surprised. “Saxon?”

The talent scout spread his hands. “Yeah, well. John Saxon in here, Randall Flagg out there, capisce?”

“It’s copacetic,” said Bunny. “Flagg’s like your combat call sign.”

“Sure,” said Saxon. “Like that.” He gestured to the metal detector. “Shall we?”

It beeped once, requiring that Bunny remove his belt, which had a heavy steel buckle, and once inside, a moonfaced guard patted them down. He was very thorough.

“You done stroking my dick?” asked Bunny.

“Nah, couldn’t find it,” said the guard, which knocked a genuine laugh from Top. The guard straightened. “They’re clean.”

Top and Bunny followed Saxon toward the building. They were unarmed and greatly outnumbered. It was not the first time they’d been in something this tight, but previous experience and the memory of how some of those other situations played out did not inspire a single ounce of confidence that they were either safe or secure.

CHAPTER 42

PHOENIX HOUSE

OMFORI ISLAND, GREECE

Church and Lilith sat together, though they were not on the same continent.