a five-foot-high wall at its rear. Eddie swerved into the space just as the soldier saw him and fired again, bullets hissing through the air in his wake. He leapt at the wall, slapping his palms down hard on its top to vault over it—
The ivy-covered stones broke away beneath his hands.
Thrown off balance, he hit the wall and tumbled over it, realising too late that the drop on the other side was much higher . . .
All that saved him from serious injury as he slammed to the ground twelve feet below was the centuries-old build-up of dirt – and even that couldn’t prevent a bone-jarring landing. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as he bit his cheek.
He groaned and spat out a crimson glob, levering himself upright. Footsteps slapped through the alley above. The soldier was right on him. The only way out of the sunless pit was through a narrow passage.
He ran for it.
The AK’s thudding bark filled the confined space as the soldier leaned over the broken wall and fired. Bullets kicked up mud as they smacked into the ground, but Eddie was in the passage, the rest of the shots twanging noisily off the ancient stonework. Trampling plants, he darted round a corner to find a flight of steps winding upwards. He hurriedly ascended them, listening for the thump of the soldier jumping down after him.
It didn’t come. The Venezuelan wasn’t willing to take a leap into the unknown. Instead, he was continuing along the alley.
After Nina.
Nina raced back to the stairway, seeing Kit trying to pull Macy up. Osterhagen and Becker had just reached the top of the wall, but Cuff was still waiting anxiously at its base. ‘Soldiers!’ she shouted. ‘Right behind me – everyone run!’
Macy gave Kit a fearful look – even with his help, she was still having trouble climbing. There was no way she could reach the top of the wall before Nina’s pursuer arrived. ‘Hide!’ the Interpol agent ordered. She nodded, and he released her hands. Arms flailing for balance, she scuttled back down the pile of stones and ran for the roofless buildings.
‘Hey! What about me?’ yelped Cuff as Kit rushed up the stairs after the two Germans.
‘Just run, you moron!’ Nina yelled as she sprinted past him into another undergrowth-clogged alley. He hesitated, then started to follow—
‘Hey! Alto!’
The soldier burst into the open, aiming his gun at Cuff. The American gasped in terror, throwing up his hands. The Venezuelan looked round, glimpsing Macy as she ducked into the house Nina had explored earlier. Movement above – he fired at Kit, but the Indian threw himself the last few feet up the steps and disappeared over the top of the great wall.
His smoking AK-103 fixed on Cuff’s chest, the soldier advanced on him. ‘Don’t shoot, don’t shoot me!’ Cuff stammered. ‘I – I have dollars! American dollars!’ One shaking hand reached to a pocket. The soldier’s finger tightened on the trigger. ‘No, no, no! Please! Dollars, see?’ He took out his wallet and tremblingly thumbed it open to reveal a wad of banknotes inside, then tossed it to the ground. ‘Take it!’
The soldier regarded the money for a moment, then lowered the rifle. Cuff whimpered in relief – and the weapon’s stock smashed into his mouth, spilling blood and broken teeth. He collapsed on the muddy ground, clutching his jaw and moaning. A dark patch spread on his trousers as he wet himself.
His attacker shot him a brief sneer, then turned to hunt another intruder.
Macy.
The archaeology student was already regretting her choice of hiding place. The ancient house was more like a cell; small, devoid of concealment and with no other exit – except the window. She slipped her arms into the hole. It was narrower at the top than the bottom, but she hauled herself through, head and shoulders clearing the sill as she wriggled the rest of her body out—
A single gunshot, the bullet shattering part of the lintel. Stone chips stung her backside and thighs. She screamed, freezing.
‘Well, look at that!’ said a man in Spanish with a mocking laugh. ‘Now that’s a gorgeous ass – and in just the right position.’ Macy heard him cross the room. ‘Maybe I should keep you there, eh? Have some fun.’ She flinched as a hand squeezed her left buttock. ‘Now that’s—’
There was a muffled crack, followed by the thump of something heavy hitting the floor. Then silence. ‘Er . . . hello?’ she whispered nervously.