For what seemed like an eternity he stared at her, his expression lost in the darkness; then he brought the microphone back down to his mouth. “Cliff,” he said, “we’d better quit for now. I’ve got a slight problem here. I’ll call you again tomorrow night at the same time.” He clipped the mike back in place without waiting for a response, then straightened slowly.

“Well, well,” he mused.

“Stay where you are, Eric. I’m not bluffing.” She jumped slightly as Cricket brushed against her leg, looking up at her curiously.

“I know the accommodations are not first class, Miss Lambert,” Eric drawled, “but I’d hoped the rates would kinda make up for that.”

“I mean it, Eric. Move away from the radio. I’m going to call Central Control.”

She could see him smile in the dim light as he dropped his hands. The smile infuriated her. “Now, Eric!” she shouted. “Move away from the radio.”

“But you told me to stay where I was.” He took a step toward her. “You’re not nervous, are you, Nicky?”

“Eric, stay back!” she commanded, raising the muzzle higher.

“Make up your mind. Do you want me to stay back, stay where I am, or move away from the radio?”

When she spoke, her voice was steady and cool. “It’s not funny, Eric. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I must.”

He cocked his head to one side. “Oh, really? I have a hard time believing that.” He took another step toward her.

The rifle bucked in her hands with a deafening roar, and Eric jumped to the side as the bullet cut the air a foot wide of his head.

“I may seem to you to be a foolish, frightened female,” she said, levering a new shell into the chamber, “but I know how to use this. Now move away from the radio, slowly.”

Eric shook his head sadly. “I’ve never thought you were either foolish or frightened.” He took another step toward her. “But I don’t think you can blow a man’s head off either.”

“Eric! Stay back!”

“I’m coming, Nicky. Either use the rifle or give it back.”

As he took another step, she dropped the muzzle, aimed just wide of his feet, and squeezed the trigger again. As the bullet plowed into the dirt and forest debris, Eric jerked backwards and fell to the ground, writhing violently. “My eyes! My eyes!” he screamed, digging at his face with his clenched fists.

Nicole gaped at him in stunned surprise. She had missed him by almost two feet—unless the bullet had ricocheted or kicked dirt into his eyes. Cautiously she moved around the fire toward him, rifle ready.