He nodded swiftly and pulled something off his belt. She stiffened thinking it was a weapon, but he brought it up to his face and began speaking in swift, angry Spanish. "Report!" he snapped. "Where is Desi? She should be here by now."

As he talked on the phone, Vee slid sideways along the wall, thinking to slip past him and run. He reached out, so suddenly, she didn't have time to duck, and gripped her throat, slamming her into the wall. They stood that way, he towering over her, ...