Crozier decided that he would shoot Hickey first. His hand was on the pistol in his pocket. He would not even remove the weapon from the greatcoat for the first shot. He would shoot Hickey in the belly when he got three feet closer and then pull the pistol out and try to shoot the giant in the center of his forehead. No body shot was guaranteed to bring Manson down. As if his thinking about shooting had made it happen, there came the crack of a shot from the direction of the coastline. Everyone except Crozier and the caulker’s mate turned to see what was happening. Crozier’s gaze never left
...more
