How many times had he seen Haber expose himself to devastating fire without hesitation?
Haber could do anything, Devine thought, his doubts and fears long gone.
Haber wasnt like regular men.
Sir, three oclock, said Willard, on the aircrafts other side.
The bird swung to the right.
It was a faded blue pickup.
Dirt spat out from the rear tires as it struggled up the steep grade.
Haber called over the intercom.
I cant tell, Devine said, trying to make out anyone in the cab.
It was practically impossible with the vibration of the chopper.
Haber grabbed the glasses and looked himself.
It has to be.
Get after the truck.
The choppers nose tilted downward and they sped forward over the swamp.
Reaching the opposite side, they could see the blue pickup make the top of the hill.
What the hell is it doing?
Get up on that damned ridge and give me a clear shot.
Theyd just reached the top of the ridge, coming up behind the truck, when it happened.
Haber said, and laughed.
Get me down there!
Get me down there now!
Who the hell are you?
Haber said to him.
Im Joe Walke, he said.
It wasnt my fault.
That New York cop youre chasing, Walke said.
I thought we could bail and shake you, but he didnt get my gist, I guess.
That cop is down there in the truck?
Poor fella, he said.
Theres nobody in there, Irvine radioed up after another three minutes.
The old farts lying.
the old man said, looking down at the truck again.
I could have sworn I seen him right there next to me.
He must have jumped after all.
It was past sunset now, getting dark.
I wanted to wrap this up before dark, but now that wont happen, will it?
Haber said, and hit the old man square in his face with the rifle butt.
The old man turned with the blow.
Then he turned back and spat out a tooth.
You think youre tough, hitting an old man?
Haber said as he leaned down over him.
Mr. Shit, I presume?
It was the skull and wings of force recon.
USMC 68, it said beneath it.
Thats who I am.
Right there.Semper fi, you asshole.
CHAPTER 26
THREE HOURS LATER,we came upon the sign between two stone posts.
Big Country Secret Cavern, it read, in Jet Age 1950s script.
It was Joe Walkes idea.
Rosalind, too, knew a special way out on foot.
This place was big a long time ago, but its been closed for years.
Even the road is gone, Rosalind said as we stepped past the sign, Roxie at our heels.
In the low moonlight, I saw that there was an indentation in the hill wed been skirting.
It was just rock face along this side, ten stories of it going straight up.
Twenty feet later, we saw the cave opening.
