Thinking Woman wore an embroidered Mexican dress with her turquoise necklace and silver pin, finally enough color even for her.

“Two.”

It was a slit trench for coaxial cable that had never been filled in. Maddened by the nearness of their destination, a thousand toads scaled the high shoulder of earth and abandoned stakes and at the crest sang with pulsing throats. Those on the other side slid deliriously into the miracle of water.

“One.”

Last step. Last heartbeat. Last breath.

“NOW!”

From the eye of the new sun, a shadow flying.

Dedication

FOR NELL, LUISA, AND SAM

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to acnowledge the assistance of Dr. Norris Bradbury, Jon Else, Maj. Gen. Niles Fulwyler, Dr. John Manley and his wife, Kay, John Michnovich, Sir Rudolph and Lady Peirls, Alfonso Popolato, Bob Porton, Dr. Raemer Schreiber, Jack and Louise Smith.

Especial thanks are owed to Bob Krohn, R.C. and Harriett P. Smith, and to Françoise Ulam and her late husband, Stan.

A great debt is also owed to those friends who cannot be named.

While this book could not have been written without the generous aid of all the above, they should not be held responsible for what is, in fact, only fiction.

By Martin Cruz Smith:

THE INDIANS WON

GYPSY IN AMBER

CANTO FOR A GYPSY

NIGHTWING

GORKY PARK*

STALLION GATE*

POLAR STAR*

RED SQUARE*

ROSE*

HAVANA BAY*

DECEMBER 6

WOLVES EAT DOGS

STALIN’S GHOST

*Published by Ballantine Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

While driving through New Mexico, MARTIN CRUZ SMITH passed a road sign for Stallion Gate and inquired where it led. The result is this novel, his first since Gorky Park. Mr. Smith is part Indian. He lives in California with his wife and three children.