A chorus of protests went up, the argument threatening to explode into violence. At last Assim pulled René aside. They quietly conducted a more serious discussion at the fringe of the chairs.

When they were done, René signaled to Xalbador, who quieted the scrum once again.

“We have a solution,” René said.

Sark’s glaucomic eyes found a sudden focus. “Which is?”

“Breaching the vault,” Assim said.

At this, Candy stepped forward, interested at last. M hung behind her, his eyes level with her shoulder, observing the scene quietly.

“Mr. al-Hakeem and I were just discussing the risk of damaging the goods,” René said. “We’d hate for the overpressure from the charge to pancake the Nowhere Man’s vital organs.”

“Yes,” Sark said. “That would be a shame.”

“Fortunately, I have quite a bit of experience,” Assim said.

“Blowing shit up,” Sark said. “This is not breaching.”

Assim raised a shaking hand and smoothed his wispy mustache. “Al-Mansoura, Yemen, 2010. Bucheli, Colombia, 2011. Gombe, Nigeria, 2012. Taji, Iraq, 2013.”

“What are these?”

“Prisons,” Candy said, her grin growing broader. “Jails. Detention Facilities.” She turned to address the group. “The good news is that this piece of shit has busted through perimeter walls, cells, and dungeons on three continents.”

“Four,” Assim said. “Edmonton Max Security Institution.” A wan smile. “Last month.”

René turned, casting his brown gaze at Evan. “You have to get him out alive.”

“I could blast a sardine out of a tin without snapping a slender little bone. Believe me…” Assim smiled, showing his broken front teeth. “I want him alive more than you do.”

“Do you have explosives on the premises?” Candy asked.

“Dex is being choppered out for medical attention as we speak,” René said. “My exceedingly discreet transport team will deliver whatever Mr. al-Hakeem requires within a few hours.”

“Take your time.” Candy looked across at Evan and ran her tongue along her lips. “Some delicacies are worth waiting for.”

*   *   *

WHERE R U?

EN ROUTE WITH THE TEAM. CONFIRMING COORDINATES, BUT WE LOOK TO BE LESS THAN AN HOUR OUT.

VAULT ABOUT 2 B BREACHED. THEN AUCTION WILL COMMENCE.

STALL IT. WIN THE AUCTION. ORPHAN X IS NOT TO LEAVE PREMISES UNTIL I ARRIVE.

HURRY.

*   *   *

The air tasted recycled. Evan tucked the edges of the plastic trash liner into the shock collar, making sure the buffer hadn’t slid out of place. He could hear his breaths off the Lexan walls, vibrating his eardrums, an inside-a-snare-drum effect. The folding chair pressed hard and cold into his lower back. The bidders milled about, their focus directed at him in passing, as if he were a fish tank in a crowded lobby. So many of his enemies were right in this very room. And yet they constituted only a fraction of those who wanted him dead.