“He better have the stuff ready for us,” Curt said. “Especially now that we have everything in place. We’ve lucked out having the captain on vacation. Your idea about us going in and telling him we were quitting after the event was the only part of the getaway I didn’t like. I don’t mind talking to the deputy. The guy’s a nerd.”

“Everything’s falling into place,” Steve agreed. “This time tomorrow we’ll be watching chaos in New York City on television from western Pennsylvania.”

“How many of those little timed detonators did you get?”

“A dozen,” Steve said. “Just to be sure.”

“You got your gun?”

“Of course.”

“Let’s go!” As Curt got out of the truck he grabbed the black rubberized canvas rabbit tool bag he’d brought from the firehouse. He’d checked its interior carefully for sharp edges or points. With the rabbit tool gone, there wasn’t anything in the bag sharp enough to puncture the sausages.

They walked in silence. When they reached the front door, Curt knocked. While they waited they both did a little two-step against the cold. With the clear sky, the temperature had plummeted, yet both were in T-shirts. Their guns were in holsters tucked into the small of their backs.

“What the hell?” Curt questioned when Yuri failed to appear. He pulled open the broken screen door and pounded on the inner door with his free hand. He looked at Steve. “If he’s not here I’m going ...”

Yuri yanked open the door. “Sorry,” he said out of breath. “I was downstairs.”

Curt gave him a glare before stepping inside. Steve followed. Yuri closed and locked the door.

“Is it ready?” Curt demanded.

Yuri pointed toward the kitchen table. “It’s waiting for you. But first how about a toast?”

“Why not?” Curt said.

Yuri eagerly went into the kitchen and got the vodka from the freezer. Curt followed and looked down at the plastic sausages.

“How much is here?” Curt asked.

“Five pounds,” Yuri said while he got out three glasses.

“Are these the directions I asked for?” Curt questioned. He picked up the thick envelope and held it aloft.

“Yes,” Yuri said as he walked out into the living room. “And I included some suggestions of what you might do after your laydown for your own protection. Just a few helpful pointers.”

“Good,” Curt responded. He put the envelope and the canvas rabbit tool bag on the table and joined the others.

Yuri poured out hefty dollops in each glass. He then handed them out and took one himself. He raised it toward the firemen. “To Operation Wolverine,” he said.

Both Steve and Curt nodded. All three clicked glasses and then took swigs. Curt and Steve both sucked in some air after swallowing. As beer drinkers, they weren’t accustomed to such strong liquor.