“You didn’t think we’d just let you leave, did you?” The man grinned and lifted a pistol tipped with a suppressor. Ian held up a hand. “I can explain. I only—” “The time for explanations has passed, Dr. Higgs.” Two soft spits sounded, and there were corresponding flashes of light. Ian clutched his chest and sank into the snow. As his world faded to black, he realized he’d never see Amanda again.
