Critical Space (52 page)

"He would have killed you or you would have killed him, and I couldn't let it happen. I couldn't let you die for me, you understand?"

Natalie stood still on the path, and she was blurring in my vision, and I almost didn't hear her saying that if we were going to go at all, we had to go now.

I was remembering Lady Ainsley-Hunter, and the way she had gone through Orin McLaughlin as if he wasn't there. I was remembering the look on Alena's face as she threatened to use her crutches to kill a man if he didn't give her what she wanted.

I thought of all the dead; of Oxford, and Scott, and Midge, and Chris.

And Junot, who had been between me and what I needed to do.

"I couldn't let you become me," Alena whispered.

"It's too late," I said, and I lifted her in my arms, and I followed Natalie as she led us back to her car, carrying the PDW and the cane, the evidence of all our crimes.