“Splendid idea, Fargo.”
As luck would have it, Fisk and his crew raced into the chamber at that exact moment.
Fifty-five
Sam fired several rounds, forcing Fisk, Ivan, and Jak back into the tunnel. Bits of sandstone flew up from the ground. “New plan,” Sam said, pointing at the first tunnel.
Remi nodded, shut off her Stinger flashlight, pulling Nigel with her.
The only light now was coming from the third tunnel where Fisk and company were holed up.
Fisk realized the disadvantage. The cavern went dark.
Sam kept his aim in that direction as he backed toward the fourth passage. He hadn’t gone more than a few feet when someone stumbled from the tunnel and the chamber lit up with the dim blue beam of a cell phone that tumbled out, then landed light side up. Sam aimed his gun, only to find Alexandra standing there, unarmed, a sacrificial lamb to light up the chamber more. And Sam was right in the middle of it.
“I’ll kill the both of you, Fargo!” Fisk said. “The moment you or that woman moves.”
Alexandra froze, her hands in the air, as she looked at Sam’s gun.
So much for any advantage. “What is it you want, Fisk?”
“My cipher wheel. You were at the inn— Victor!” Fisk said, seeing the body. “What happened to him?”
“Ran into the wrong end of a knife,” Sam said.
“Guns on the ground. Now!”
Sam lowered his gun to the ground.
“Kick it away from you.”
Sam gave it a tepid push.
“Now Victor’s and Rogen’s guns.”
Sam tossed the gun in his waistband.
“The other.”
“Only one I found.” Remi had the other, not that he was about to mention it.
“Your wife. Where is she?”
“Good question.”
“Get her out here or you’re dead.”
Sam remained silent.
“Get her out here or I’ll kill you.”
“I’m here,” Remi said from just inside the first tunnel entrance. She turned on her flashlight, held up both hands, and stepped out into the cavern toward Sam. Nigel at least stayed safely hidden.
“Toss your gun.”
Remi started to lower her Sig.
“I said toss it.”