Part 24 (2/2)
She frowned. She couldn't just burst into the room, although it was tempting. Not being able to see what lay beyond was a problem. She didn't know if she could get that close without alerting them to her presence.
She felt Tuk nudge her from behind. She turned and saw him gesturing to himself. Annja frowned and then understood. Tuk wanted to do the recon.
She raised her eyebrows. Are you sure?
He nodded. He could do it.
Annja moved out of his way and watched as the little man crept soundlessly up the corridor toward the twin torches. Fortunately, because the torches were in front of him, they cast Tuk's shadow behind.
The little spy moved easily and quickly and Annja almost thought at one point that he had become part of the wall. It was easy to see why Tuk's skills had been so highly valued by the intelligence services of so many countries.
He must have some stories, Annja thought.
She looked back down the corridor and then up at Tuk. At any second, they might be discovered. Annja kept a firm hand on her sword and then watched as Tuk reached the periphery of the doorway, sank down on his knees and, ever so slowly, peered around the corner.
Don't stay too long, Annja thought. Just get a glimpse of the room and then come on back.
The little man seemed to know exactly how much time he had and retreated back down the corridor toward Annja quickly and silently. He motioned for her to follow him back into the darkness and there he squatted. Annja crouched next to him and whispered, ”What did you see?”
Tuk cupped his hand to Annja's ear and replied. ”Guge is in there. He's not dressed like my father anymore.”
”How is he dressed?”
”Military fatigues.”
”Chinese?”
”I don't think so.”
”What else?”
”There are several soldiers in there. They're all armed with automatic weapons. And there's one other person in there, as well.”
”Who?”
Tuk frowned. ”Hsu Xiao.”
Annja sighed. So the a.s.sa.s.sin was involved in this somehow. But what did Guge have to do with this and why were they connected?
”How should we play this?” Tuk asked.
”We need your phone, right?”
”Yes.”
”And Guge has it, so we need to get it back from him. The sooner we can call in the cavalry, the better.”
”You mean Garin.”
Annja nodded. ”I'd settle for a Boy Scout troop if I thought it would help. But yes, Garin should be brought in here if possible.”
Tuk nodded. ”All right, then. Let's go get the phone.”
Annja stopped him. ”How many soldiers?”
”Four.”
Annja frowned. Six to two. Not good odds. Especially since Tuk was unarmed and they were facing automatic weapons and a top-drawer a.s.sa.s.sin. Taking the room down would be a challenge even if Tuk had a weapon. But going in there without one was virtually suicidal.
”Stay here,” she said.
Tuk frowned. ”I'm going with you.”
Annja shook her head. ”I understand that you want to come with me, but you can't. You don't have a weapon, and the instant the bullets start flying I won't be able to protect you. Those soldiers will turn you into Swiss cheese if they get even half a chance.”
”Don't I have any say in this?”
”No. I rescued you back there, so you owe me, right?”
”I suppose.”
”Then do as I say.”
Tuk held her arm. ”Annja, that a.s.sa.s.sin-Hsu Xiao-she's not going to be easy to kill.”
Annja shrugged. ”They never are.”
Tuk released her arm. ”Just be careful.”
”As much as I can.”
Annja crept back up the corridor. She could sense Tuk watching her from behind and hoped he would be all right. She didn't like the idea of leaving him alone in the corridor, but it was better than if he came with her.
She paused outside of the room and checked her position. Inside an animated conversation continued.
Wish I knew what they were saying, Annja thought.
She gripped her sword and looked into the blade. Her own reflection stared back at her and she smiled in spite of herself. Here we go again, she thought.
She took several deep breaths, flus.h.i.+ng her system with an abundance of oxygen. Adrenaline dripped into her veins and Annja's heart thundered again, ticking into overdrive in preparation for battle.
There was movement in the room. Some part of Annja's gut told her that, in a few short seconds, the hallway was going to become very crowded.
It was time.
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