Ivan s hands explored Holley thoroughly, particularly between the legs, and Holley said, It must be a big one you re looking for.

Ivan gave him a shove so violent that Holley went staggering, and his Burberry rain hat fell to the floor, disclosing the Colt, which the Russian picked up at once, throwing the hat across to the desk.

Now can I shoot him?

Murphy pulled the Colt from the clip in the rain hat and examined it. Very nice. I like it. He left the cap on the desk and slipped the Colt into his pocket.

Ivan said, Only a pro would use a shooter like that.

I know that, I m not a fool. Show him where he s going to end up if he doesn t answer a few questions.

Ivan leaned down, grasped a ring in the floor, and heaved back a trapdoor. There was the sound of running water, the smell of sewage.

Where the hell are you, Dillon? That was the only thought running through Holley s mind. He glanced about him wildly, trying to act like a man in panic.

He said to Murphy, What is this? What are you doing? I told you my name is Daniel Grimshaw.

Well, I think you re a damn liar, so you d better tell me the truth quickly, mister, or Ivan here will be breaking your right arm. You won t be able to swim very far in the sewer after that, I m afraid.

You re making a big mistake.

It s not my mistake, my friend. Murphy shook his head and said to Ivan in Russian, Break his arm.

Dillon called in the same language, I don t think so, and shot Ivan in his gun hand. Ivan cried out, dropped the Makarov, and slumped to one knee beside the open sewer.

Murphy took the whole thing surprisingly calmly. Remembering that he d slipped the Colt. 25 into his pocket, he watched Holley pick up the Makarov and realized there was still a chance things might go his way.