Dick's chest was heaving. His hands rested on his thighs as he gasped for air. Looking around, he couldn't see where the Russian had gone, but two other men followed Dick into the lane. "I'm looking for the man that ran in here, have you seen him?" Dick asked them between tortured breaths.

"No, sorry," replied the cultured voice of Robert as both he and Harper approached.

Dick saw stars, experienced a blinding flash and felt intense pain as he collapsed to the ...