The other's eyes flicked down to it. He cursed and took one short step forward, hand outstretched.
Horning dived off the desk, straight at him.
The man from beyond the barrier started back. He jerked up the gun.
His shot went wild. Horning landed on him with bone-crushing impact. The gun skated off across the room. They crashed to the floor together, rolling over and over till they hit the workbench. It rocked wildly. Tools cascaded over them.
Twisting, Horning drove a blow at his counterpart's face.
The other writhed away. His elbow jabbed into Horning's throat.
Horning choked. Before he could recover, a knee found his belly. The wind went out of him. His adversary broke free and scrambled away, clawing for the gun.
Horning lunged after him. He caught a foot ... jerked and twisted with all his might.
The killer sprawled, flat on his face. But his outstretched hand clutched the pistol.
Horning snatched a Stillson wrench from the litter of tools fallen from the workbench.