"They cleared the area of everyone but the killer," he thought bitterly.
Having committed the route to memory as he followed the escort to the spunnel room, Zolan raced along the corridors, gun in hand. No one barred his way.
The air lock came in view. He hurried through and twisted into the flitter driver's cage. He cut the mag beam to the dock and signaled the waiting tug.
##
They met on the transit strip.
Standing close, facing off the strip, observant,
Zolan briefed Brad in quick, terse phrases.
"What's your assessment?" Brad asked when
Zolan finished.
"It was a long, straight corridor. The escort must have been shot from the bend some distance away. Damage to the comm room was extensive. Scarf must have an agent there. My having the area cleared alerted him. That brought on the attack."
"Did you get word to Hanno?"
"No. It would have raised questions I couldn't answer without breaking our cover. He'll have to figure it out for himself. I'm concerned about what the agent will report to his control."