“I don’t think so. We purposely have no cell phone signal here except for the network connected to my phone.” He patted his breast pocket. “Same with radios. If you really knew anything, you would have been here with more than just the two of you. When the cause is right and just, victory is inevitable. You’re finding that out.”

“Is that a bit of your propaganda?” Lou asked. “Because it’s crap. Hey, here’s one for you. ‘No matter how right you think you are, you’re not.’ Dennis Welcome. That’s how he used to win arguments against me.”

“I’ve heard enough,” Bacon countered, his genteel charm all but gone. “These first couple of shots will just hurt, doctor, but be patient. I choose shoulder.”

Without another word, he fired. A flash erupted from the muzzle of his gun, accompanied by a surprisingly muffled pop. Instantly, Lou felt pain explode from just above his right armpit, and also in his back. He pitched to his knees, knowing the shot had gone through and through. Blood was already flowing from the entrance hole.

“These are going to hurt you more than they hurt me, Dr. Snide. Wait, did I have that right?”

Incongruously, all Lou could think of at the moment of his death was the anatomical pathway the first bullet must have taken. He tried, but could not move his arm. Clenching his teeth, he breathed rapidly through his nose. Tears blurred his vision. But he had learned about courage and not giving up from Cap Duncan and Tim Vaill, and, anticipating a second shot, he still scanned about him for anything he could use as a weapon.

I love you, Em …

I … love … you … baby.

The Oriental rug beneath him began to swirl.

Where is my gun? Got to get my gun …

Lou knew he had only seconds to live.

Not eight feet away from him, Bacon raised his cane once more, this time, it seemed, at Lou’s face.

“Sooner or later, you people are going to lose,” Bacon said. “You’re just doing it sooner.”

Lou straightened up and locked his eyes on his tormentor.

“Go to hell,” he said.

“You, first, sir. You first. I choose groin.”

Bacon adjusted his aim lower. Lou clenched his teeth. Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw a movement from the doorway to his right, and heard a chilling scream. At virtually the same instant, Bacon pulled the trigger. Lou closed his eyes, flinching at the sound. But there was no impact … no pain. He looked just in time to see Ahmed Kazimi’s body in flight. His arms and legs were outstretched. The bullet from Bacon’s gun had struck him squarely in the chest. There was another scream, this one of agony, as Kazimi crumpled to the floor.