“That will do,” Tanner replied. She took her hand from his throat and pulled off the mask.

Victor Steiger gave her a slight head nod in approval. “Where the hell did you get those explosive rounds?”

Tanner pulled out her Beretta and ejected the fourth explosive round from the chamber. Victor caught it as it flipped through the air. “I found them while going through my dad’s things. He had almost a case full of them. I’m going to carry an extra clip with four loaded on top. In case I get caught in another steel cage.”

“I wonder why Colonel Tanner kept these around the house,” Victor said while he examined the bullet. “Don’t you know these things are illegal?” he said sounding like a cop.

“What are you going to do? Arrest me?” she asked.

Victor looked at her and frowned.

“I thought you weren’t going to pull your punches any more. I know you can do better than that,” she said.

Victor looked sharply at Tanner. “That was a serious attack. What do you want me to do? Rush out of the dark and cut you up with a sword? You’re doing great. The Colonel taught you well. Your father would be proud of you.” He touched her shoulder.

Tanner nodded. “I’ve still got a lot to learn from Xing, though.”

“Everybody’s still got a lot to learn from Xing. But he is pleased with your progress.”

“You’d never know it from talking to him,” she replied.

The elevator door opened again. Eric stepped out and walked over to them.

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