“Then we go counterclockwise, so we’re behind the quarry. Are they looking around or are they eating or pretending to eat?”

“They’re having an intense conversation, and, no, they aren’t paying attention to the runners or joggers or the food. This is just a guess, but from what I can see, it looks like they’re fighting.”

“Let’s get into position and wait to see how this plays out.”

Across the Basin, Nikki Quinn and Kathryn Lucas did a few stretches and limbering-up exercises before they jogged off.

“First lap will tell us what’s going on. We can always stop and wait to see if they get up or if they just keep sitting there,” Kathryn said. “If they stick with the picnic scene, we’re going to have a problem. I wish the others were here.”

“There was nothing for Annie and Myra to do. Besides, it’s too hot out here for them. And they have to be available to take the deliveries Charles has arranged. Yoko and Isabelle are here somewhere, but not as a duo, just as single runners. Alexis is replenishing her Red Bag, and I think at the last minute Charles wanted her to go to the Post. I don’t know why.”

Kathryn chewed on her bottom lip. “Did anyone say what’s in the hypodermics?”

Nikki laughed. “Just something to make them slow down. They’ll suddenly feel lethargic. It will be hard for them to put one foot in front of the other. It should last about four hours. We’ll be right there to help them out. Too much sun, not enough water. We don’t have refills, if that means anything.”

Kathryn shrugged. “It means nothing. A good left hook will take care of that situation. What are they doing now? Where are the guys? Damn, I wish I could see better.”

“Everyone is behind them. We’re at two o’clock now. Uh-oh!”

“What? What!”

“Looks to me like a small band of hoodlums coming up fast. The backpack is just sitting there on the ground. The woman still has the purse around her neck, it’s just a little one, no weight to it. The backpack looks like it’s loaded and heavy. Jack and Harry see it, too. They’re moving faster. Some runners are in between them. Faster, Kathryn!”

“Where’s Snowden’s guy?” Kathryn huffed.

“I don’t know, can’t see him.”

And then it all went wrong.

Sweat dripping into her eyes, Nikki brushed at her forehead with the inside of her arm as the group of slovenly youths closed in on the couple. A second later they had the woman’s purse and the backpack and were running like racehorses.

“What the hell? They’re just sitting there? Now what?” Kathryn exploded.