Lou held his breath, ignoring the ripping pain in his fingers. His arms began to tremble as he struggled to maintain his hold.

Don’t speak … don’t breathe …

Another minute and the throbbing in his arms became unbearable. As he adjusted his hold, his footing slipped. A stone came free and clattered down the cliff face.

“Hang on a second,” the man above him said. “I just heard something. I’m going to take a closer look.”

The radio crackled again. “If you see anyone,” the voice on the other end said, “find out what he’s doing there, and then if his answer makes sense, kill the fucker. If it doesn’t, put a bullet in his leg and I’ll come out and help you bring him back here. Understood?”

“Yeah, understood.”

Lou looked above him for guidance, but it was nearly impossible to see the agent’s face through the thick haze. Then it registered that Vaill was motioning for him to go around him and continue the climb. At first, Lou hesitated, but his arms were killing him and he needed to move, so he elected to trust his partner and work his way to the right so he could pass. He was within a foot of the top when the barrel of a gun materialized, pointed at the center of his forehead.

What in the hell was going on? Vaill had to have forgotten the man was up there.

“Come up nice and slow,” Collins ordered.

Lou hauled himself over the top of the cliff, grunting with every movement. Once on the edge, he stole a glance behind him. He could see for just a short ways. Beyond that was only white. No sign of Vaill.

“I … I’m hurt,” Lou pleaded, improvising.

“Get up. Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here?”

With painful slowness, Lou rose from his crouch. The killer, a hard-looking, acne-scarred man with the long, blond hair of a Greek god, and a build to match, continued holding his gun at Lou. Searching as inconspicuously as he could for any sign of Vaill, Lou stumbled, at the same time inching back toward the edge of the precipice.

“I asked what you are doing here,” Collins demanded. “Are you here with anybody?”

Lou laid his performance on thicker, his voice quavering.

“I’m here alone. I’m just a hiker. Please put that gun away. Don’t hurt me.”

Collins cocked a half smile.

“I’m not going to hurt you, buddy, but I am going to kill you unless I get some answers. One last time: Who are you and what the fuck are you doing here?”