The improvised gagfilled both my throat with its taste and my nostrils with its rank stench. Icould feel the cold touch of the cuffs against my wrist ...nd ankles and Istrained at the chains links in a futile attempt to somehow break them, andregain my freedom. But each tug, each yank shortened the chain and limited mymovements. The growing restriction caused more pain and my struggles lessened. You stood over thescene, looking down on your disciples and your victim, savouring this straight. It's all over. We didn't want to wake you, so the rest of us took care of it. He's been totally defeated."Alan blinked owlishly as he processed this news. He was both elated and disappointed - he'd rather fancied himself playing a heroic role in the doctor's defeat. "He has? No way! How did that happen? No way!" Way." Susan grinned. "If you don't believe me, why don't you get dressed and ask him yourself? He's sitting in our minivan in the driveway with the others." He is?! Oh my God! How did. She looked like a million bucks, and was readyjust in time for Rocco's arrival.Robin opened the door and Bruchetti devoured her beauty with hungry eyes.Robin blushed and looked down. The boss wore a fashionable black suit witha red silk tie that matched Robin's dress. They were a perfect couple.This was going to be a difficult night.Bruchetti gathered Robin in his arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek."You're a real stunner, Robin. Thank you for going out with me," the bigman said sincerely."My. We hadn't made it in time.I sank to my knees, crying silently for all the dead killed then mutilated.I could see that they had all been herded into the town centre then killed, with a pile of discarded bodies laying testament to the massacre. Another pile of broken, useless, makeshift weapons lay next to the bodies.My eyes running dry, I looked around for Jessie. She had followed me towards the centre of the village, and was looking round curiously for something. Picking myself up I walked.