Chapter 16 Summary

Thursday, December 4, 6:08 p.m. Leaphorn is hit in mid-stride. He hears a loud shot, feels terrible pain in his abdomen and smells burned powder. Susanne screams. In reflex, Leaphorn fumbles for his holster. He looks to the rock face before him, from where he saw the shot coming. He looks down and realizes, incredulously, that there is a tube of metal projecting from his abdomen. Leaphorn pulls it out and realizes that the tube has a hypodermic needle attached to it. The needle has punctured his stomach. Leaphorn tells Susanne that he has tripped a booby trap. He believes the substance injected into his body will only temporarily paralyze him. It appears to be the type of sedative used on large animals, but Leaphorn warns Susanne that it could have been filled with something more toxic. They must find shelter immediately before Leaphorn...