[Once the action starts, "E.S. Posthumus – Menouthis" fits the chase
watch?v=yyLStNI5McA&list=PLD4ZwDeQz9JD51AJMysw-PC3D6epHvXzS&index=2]
Frantically, they looked around for the lifesaving glyph. Peggy said determinedly, "It has to be here." She prayed she was right. Otherwise, they would be squashed flat in moments.
Suddenly, Howard declared triumphantly, "Ah hah, there it is!"
Peggy's shoulders brushed against both walls when she twisted around to face him. Howard's flashlight beam pointed directly overhead.
While chiming, "Make yourself useful," she quickly scrambled up Howard's body as if he was a step ladder.
Howard helped as best he could but protested when her foot used something it shouldn't have.
Ignoring his pained grunts, she reached his shoulders quickly.
The walls continued to press in tighter.
When Howard turned them so to fit, Peggy would have toppled off her precarious perch if the walls were not so close.
Finally, her fingertips brushed the distinctive glyph on the ceiling. Lunging upwards, she pressed it in.
Instantly, the walls stopped. It was just in the nick of time, too. They were wedged so snugly that neither could move.
Then the barriers slowly creaked apart and moved back into their original positions.
Ecstatic, both cheered, and Peggy jumped down. After a quick hug, they laughed overly loud. Now that the danger had passed, she thought they sounded a little bit hysterical.
Getting under control, Peggy dusted off her clothing in the hopes of stilling her shaking hands.
An enthused Howard exclaimed, "Good call Peggy! I thought for sure we were goners."
Since they were no longer about to be killed, Peggy admitted, "Honestly, I did as well. But then I thought, why would whoever set this up go to so much trouble just to kill off anyone seeking this right away."
Suddenly, a small trap door slid open on the wall exactly opposite where they had first entered. Located below the seven odd glyphs, Peggy swore it had not been there before. Then she recalled how seamless the Pyramid's exterior casing stones were.
As Howard studied this new opening, he griped rather testily, "And who would have thought folding paper would solve this? I should have taken up origami instead of engineering."
Peggy could not help but state, amused, "Are you, one of the most intelligent people in the whole world, upset because you could not figure the clue out?"
"No," Howard grumbled as he crossed his arms petulantly.
Taking in his sullen pose, Peggy stared at him. She wondered if nearly being crushed to death had shaken him more than he let on.
Trying to reassure her friend, she reminded him, "Don't pout, Howard. You found that lifesaving symbol. Also, your brains had thought up that infra-red flashlight that located the markings in the first place."
"Well, when you put it like that," Howard said, trying to sound humble. Such a modest attitude was never very convincing on the man.
Smirking, Peggy replied, "Now let us see where this opening leads to."
Bending over, she cautiously poked her head into the passageway. Peggy snorted when she saw that it was another small square-shaped tunnel. It was a steep incline, but she let out a relieved breath when she saw a pinprick of daylight at the end.
"It's a way out of the Pyramid," she said.
A surprised Howard asked, "What? That's it? There should be something that tells us where to go to next."
Tilting her head, Peggy murmured, "Well, since the clue is not in this room, perhaps it is further up."
Before entering the cramped tunnel, Howard stated, "Yeah, there has to be something for our troubles."
Peggy nodded absently and crawled inside. Since it was such an extreme climb, she braced her back against the wall. Then with her knees pressed on the opposite side, she began to ascend.
Howard crept behind her, and they slowly inched their way up the passageway.
Peggy began to sweat about halfway through and tiredly dabbed her forehead. The awkward position was painful but worth it just to get out and into the fresh air. She glanced down at Howard and saw that he was just as worn out as she felt.
After another few feet, she spotted what looked like a Greek word carved into the stone wall in front of her. There were also more of those odd curved-shaped symbols that always resembled chicken scratches to her.
"Check this out," she said while motioning to Howard. "I believe I recognize this as archaic Greek. Unfortunately, that is the crux of my knowledge regarding this ancient language."
As Howard excitedly plodded upwards, she inched further away so he could inspect it.
Precariously balanced, Howard quickly did a rubbing of the etching. Though his features were dusty and streaked with dirt, his smile was pure glee. To Peggy, he looked like a child on Christmas Day.
Finished, he rolled up the paper and tucked it carefully inside a small metal tube for safety. After shoving it into his front pack, he gushed, "Once we get to my boat, Professor Spencer can translate this for us."
"That is if we can drag him away from any food you have on board," she remarked, and Howard snorted.
Nodding to Peggy, they then continued to ascend the steep slope. It seemed to take forever, and Peggy's back throbbed from ache. She wondered if Howard's boat had a bathtub. She could certainly use a good soak now.
Finally reaching the end, they dragged themselves outside and collapsed onto one of the massive stone blocks of the Pyramid's exterior steps. Chuckling from relief, they lay in the sunlight, enjoying the hot fresh air. Peggy hoped she would never have to go so far underground ever again.
Somehow sensing that they had escaped, the door to the exit slammed shut behind them. All evidence of where they had come from instantly disappeared as it seamlessly sealed itself off. It was so well hidden they could not tell where the opening had just been.
They looked from it and then at one another. Peggy laughed, "And stay out."
Howard shared an amused grin with her. Then whistling impressed, he patted the area they had just escaped, his smile huge, "What did I tell you about those Egyptian engineers, Peg?"
"Yes indeed, most impressive, Howard."
Relaxing on the warm, rough stone block, Peggy lazily took in their surroundings. Surprisingly, they were not that far above the ground, only about five stories up. Below the sand glittered as the blistering sun bounced off it.
Peggy was never happier to be in such a blazing oven in all her life.
Howard murmured, "I believe we traveled on a perfect North-South axis and are on the backside of the Pyramid."
Getting her bearings, Peggy asked, "So the Sphinx is to our left?"
As they both slowly stood and stretched, Howard nodded affirmatively.
She stared at him and chuckled. His pith helmet had somehow gotten dented. They must look a pair, she thought and laughed harder.
Mistaking her humor as relief, he said, "Yeah, that was some crazy adventure, Peg. Glad we got this clue safe and sound." He patted his pack but appeared worried, "I wonder how many more tests we will have to face?"
Peggy shook her head, "Not you, love. I will do them by myself from now on."
Ever prideful, Howard's chest puffed out. He declared haughtily, "That's hardly fair, pal. I am invested in this just as much as you are."
Peggy swore if he started beating his chest to prove his virility, she would shake him. She could only stand so much overwrought masculinity from the man, especially since being out in the field was not his forte. He might be brilliant, but he was far better working behind the scenes while she took care of the business end, so to speak.
She was about to argue the point when she saw multiple shadows streaking about on the stone at their feet. Shocked, she spun around and saw four shadowy shapes blotting out the sun. Squinting, Peggy used her hands to shade her gaze, and then she gasped.
Two stories above them, four women, concealed in dark Niqab outfits, stood on the stone blocks. Even from a distance, Peggy recognized those cold brown eyes. They could have only belonged to those lithe thieves from the Smithsonian.
Though they were minus one of their accomplices, Peggy's blood still ran cold. These women were deadly.
From her side, Peggy quickly drew her holstered Walter PPK. She aimed the gun at the nearest thief in seconds, but the women quickly somersaulted away. In moments, they were safely positioned out of view.
Not liking the odds, Peggy grabbed Howard's arm and then pushed the confused man ahead of her, "No time for sightseeing, Howard."
He began to protest, but then he saw where Peggy's eyes continued to dart to. He practically squeaked out a surprised wheeze when one of the women showed herself peeking over the edge of the block above. The thief's glare was formidable.
Without any more prompting, Howard began to scramble down the large blocks quickly. Due to the stones' size, it was difficult work, but being panicked did have the advantage of not caring about gravity or bruised shins.
Hearing the deadly women's bounding steps nearing, Peggy pivoted to fire. Instead of finding an easy target to lock on, the women leaped about the Pyramid's stones as if they were frogs in a hot frying pan. It was like nothing the SSR Agent had ever seen before. It even eclipsed Steve Roger's amazing acrobatics.
Howard must have heard her stop, for he turned and then grimaced. Peggy's mouth was agape, so he shut it for her. "Come on, pal."
Snapping out of it, she joined him in scurrying down the chest-high blocks. She yelled to his retreating form, "How are those moves even possible?"
Howard yelled over his shoulder, "Well, we could just ask them—"
Knowing he was only half-joking, Peggy growled her thoughts regarding that.
Shaking away her worry, Peggy instead concentrated on staying behind Howard and not overtaking him. It would not due to leave the one she was supposed to protect in her wake. It was difficult, though, for the whole time, she heard the increasing sounds of thumps as the women's springing forms landed closer and closer behind them.
Finally, the duo jumped onto the sandy ground. They then slogged toward the front of the Pyramid, where transportation was. The sand was very fine, and Peggy felt it was like running in place as it swallowed up past her ankles.
Plodding onwards, Peggy watched the four women leap down onto the sandy desert floor behind them. The thieves then began to chase after them, but slowly. Unlike her and Howard's ponderous pace, theirs almost looked more deliberate, as if they were stalking prey. Peggy did not care to take on the role of the mouse for these devious felines.
Then she realized that the further the women went, the more they sunk into the sand. Soon they were up to their knees in the soft grit. Peggy was unsure why this was happening to those thieves and not her and Howard. Regardless, she would take whatever breaks they could get.
Peggy quickly aimed her gun at the lethal women. But before she could fire, the thieves suddenly dived into the loose sand, disappearing from view. Startled, Peggy suddenly feared that they were now burrowing toward them. Hastily, she and Howard retreated nearer to the front of the Pyramid.
Along the way, Peggy glanced over her shoulder and saw that those dangerous women were still out of sight.
As they trudged exhaustedly around the last corner, Peggy got her bearings. Something was not right.
She eyed the area concerned. That was when she spotted the two British officers guarding the tomb. They were slumped against one another, unconscious. Wincing, she hoped they did not suffer anything worse than a headache.
Panting, Howard grumbled angrily, "Where did all the damn transportation go?"
The area was devoid of people and even animal conveyances. There should have been at least one insanely stupid tourist wandering around in the noonday heat. No, only she and Howard were those crazy idiots!
"Those women must have chased them off."
Worried, Peggy pulled Howard to the dirt path that led to the merchant's area. There had to be some mode of transportation further ahead.
Looking back, Peggy felt a chill coursing down her back. Those deadly thieves had risen and were once again in pursuit. Thankfully the soft sand continued to hinder them.
Knowing they would only dive under again, Peggy did not bother trying to shoot them. Instead, she tugged harder on her wheezing friend's arm to get him to move faster.
But Howard was red as a beet and gulped down air as if it were water. "Sorry, Peg," he gasped. "Not used to running in this damn heat."
Peggy wished she had time to let him cool off, but she wouldn't feel safe until there was more distance between them. "I understand, but we don't have time."
"Wait, there," Howard pointed at the eager young kid who had bicycled them earlier. Smartly, he had been hiding in the shadows, waiting for them. The boy waved and began to pedal over. Howard whispered, relieved, "I can't believe he stuck around. I bet he could get us to the docks."
Admonishing, Peggy hissed, "It is too bloody hot to make him try to outrace those deadly thieves." She should not have to remind him how fast and dangerous those women were once they reached solid ground.
"Ah, come on. Well, at least to the marketplace. We should be able to hail a taxi there."
Peggy conceded reluctantly, "Alright." She figured the short journey couldn't hurt the kid. Besides, she was beginning to feel like an overcooked sausage herself.
The boy stopped, and before he could hop off his seat to assist them into his cab, they had already clambered aboard.
Instead of leaving immediately, the boy asked, "Did you have fun?" He eyed their dirty and disheveled appearance curiously.
Howard waved off his question, "Yeah, yeah, it was great, kid. Hey, I'll give you 20 bucks if you take us back to the marketplace immediately."
The boy's eyes became huge, and he nodded his head so fast that Peggy was surprised it didn't bobble right off.
"Now," they both urged.
Wearing a huge grin, the boy merrily cycled off.
As he pedaled them along, Peggy twisted around in her seat to keep an eye on their pursuers. The four women had finally exited the sand trap.
Seeing their quarry getting away, they began to trot after them.
The boy noticed Peggy's concerned gaze and asked, "Trouble?"
Not wanting to drag innocents into this, Peggy supplied, "Those women are bad and should not be trifled with."
Understanding more her tone than what she said, the boy pedaled even faster. Proud, he panted, "Yes, bad. Only I stayed."
Grateful, Peggy nodded, and Howard offered kindly, "You did good, kid."
Already nearing the marketplace, the boy began to slow down. Hastily looking around, Peggy and Howard did not see any moods of transportation available.
Howard beseeched the young kid, "Go as quickly as possible to the main road, and I'll give you 100 dollars!" The boy's smile grew, and he began to ride fast through the bazaar. Along the way, they passed the merchant's tents, which were still quiet due to the sweltering heat.
Even with the sun beating down on them, the pursuing women effortlessly began to catch up to the pedicab.
Trying to keep the panic out of his voice, Howard encouraged, "A little faster, kid."
The boy was already breathless but somehow found the energy to pedal quicker. Soon he began to outdistance the women.
By the time the boy reached the end of the marketplace, his tunic was drenched with sweat. Panting loudly, he pedaled them onto the main road, but Peggy stopped him with a light touch on the arm, "Here is fine."
Howard whined, "Come on, Peg. He looks like he still has some stamina left to get us to the docks. Besides, he's young."
The pedicab had not even come to a complete stop when Peggy had already exited it. As Howard stumbled out, she scolded him, "Don't be cruel, Howard. He's about to pass out. Now pay the young man what he is owed plus a good tip, and then let's go." Turning, she focused on the women who were getting closer by the second.
"Thanks for the lift, kid. This should help upgrade your ride." He added with a mutter, "Preferably a newer one." After handing the boy a couple of bills, Howard frantically looked around their surroundings. "Well, we need transportation. I don't know about you, pal, but my legs are already feeling rubbery."
As the kid excitedly thanked them for the money, Peggy grabbed Howard's arm. "We'll just have to find a conveyance along the way. Now the docks are straight ahead, correct?"
"Yeah, yeah," Howard grumbled, "About five miles or so."
With Peggy practically dragging him along, they hobbled down the main strip of 'Al Ahram,' aka Pyramid Avenue. Surprisingly, the entire street was devoid of any taxis. There was not even one camel to be seen. Hell, she would even try her luck with a tourist bus, but none were around.
The women chasing them had already passed the marketplace. They would reach the area where the boy had dropped them off in moments.
Desperate for any transportation, an undeterred Peggy and Howard hurried on. That was when Howard spotted an abandoned Vespa scooter parked further ahead. "There!"
Peggy studied the impossibly small two-wheeled ride as Howard rushed over to it. It was a cute one-seater in powdered blue. "I can't drive that thing and shoot them simultaneously."
As he began hotwiring it, Howard looked at her as if she had grown two heads. "Which is why I will drive, and you will shoot."
That meant she would be perched on the narrow metal plate that covered the back wheel well. Incredulous, she sputtered, "You cannot be serious, Howard."
Glancing up at her, Howard sneered, "Do you see anything else we can use? It's either that or trying to outrace those women on foot."
Pursing her lips at the horrible choices available, Peggy nodded begrudgingly at the Vespa. Then she heard the steady thumps of those pursuing them nearing. She spun around and aimed her gun at the thieves.
The robed assailants were getting much too close for her liking. And with the way Howard was grunting in frustration, they might not get out of this without a fight.
Things appeared dire until the boy's pedicab rode in from behind and rammed into the women. All four were bowled out of the way by the bulky transport. Pleased with himself, the kid skidded his contraption to a stop.
Merrily, he waved at Howard and Peggy.
Peggy grinned back in gratitude, and Howard cheered.
Laughing happily, the boy then gulped when one of the women rose to her feet and loomed over him. The female assassin raised her fist to strike the petrified boy down.
Suddenly, Peggy fired her weapon, just missing the woman. The normally accurate SSR Agent did not want to risk hitting the boy. Thankfully, her actions worked, for the kid was instantly forgotten. Now the women's sole attention was focused on Peggy and Howard.
Before Peggy could fire again, the four thieves scattered. They now used larger objects to move in on their prey, but this action slowed their progress. But Peggy still heard them getting inexorably closer.
"Anytime, Howard," Peggy said, overly cheery. She was surprised that the brilliant inventor was having such a difficult time.
"Just about there, and well-la," he crowed, and the Vespa's little engine revved to life.
As the Vespa shook from either power or fear (Peggy wasn't sure), Howard swung his leg over the small padded saddle and beckoned her to join him.
Because of her precarious position, Peggy would have no choice but to keep at least one arm wrapped around Howard's middle. "Really, Howard," she complained with a huff.
He jokingly leered at her, "Come on, Peg. You might actually enjoy it."
Swallowing a choice rejoinder, she instead muttered an unpleasant rebuke. Then, after one last worrisome glance at the nearing women who continued to dart in and out of cover, Peggy quickly hopped onto the back of their two-wheeled ride.
Howard gunned the motor when Peggy turned in her seat to shoot at the women two-handed. Instantly, they zipped off before she could fire. Feeling herself sliding off the back, Peggy grabbed Howard's waist just in time.
She gritted her teeth and accused, "You did that on purpose."
"Cut me some slack, pal." But his Cheshire grin told otherwise. "And you might want to hang on tighter."
Peggy began, "I hardly think this tiny vehicle—"
Somehow, he goosed more power out of the engine, causing a wheelie that nearly rolled her off the back. Instead, her cap flew free from her head, and she clutched Howard's middle tighter.
Speeding down 'Al Ahram' Avenue, Peggy and Howard saw that the road was practically devoid of any people.
Howard glanced at all the closed businesses worriedly. There weren't even any police around. "Where the hell is everybody? We could really use some help here."
Peggy stared upwards in disdain at the bright sun, regretting what it must be doing to her complexion. She replied, "Remember, mad dogs, English Men, and all that."
With a cheeky grin, Howard teased, "I wouldn't so much call you a female dog, Peg."
She snapped her teeth loudly in his ear, and they both shared a quick laugh. But then it was back to the matter at hand.
Though they were on an asphalt road, the Vespa had barely any shock absorbers left, and Peggy painfully bounced on the metal rim. She hated this thing that made her teeth rattle and added difficulty in targeting their foes.
"I don't suppose you could find a smoother surface," her voice trembled from the vibrations.
Howard looked at the tiny side mirror attached to the handlebars and grinned, "Relax, pal. Though we match those women for speed, we'll beat them in endurance." He shrugged all smug, "It's simple physics, pal. We are farther away, so they will never reach us—"
Peggy glanced over her shoulder and was not surprised that those chasing them had somehow gotten closer.
"Howard," she warned. Through her clenched jaw, she added, "You best update your mathematical formula."
Once more glancing in the side mirror, he gasped at their swiftness.
"That is impossible." She heard the worry in his tone and wondered if he thought the same as her. Could they actually be super human-like Steve, or were they some other new breed of danger? Regardless, they were in quite the sticky wicket.
Well, she would just have to worry about that later. Besides, such thinking was detrimental to their current health. For now, all they had to do was keep their distance and get to the docks alive.
Exhaling, Peggy twisted around and aimed her gun once more. She tried to track their bounding forms. God, they were fast. Thankfully it was not a problem to readjust her aim and anticipate where they would be next.
Making sure that her target was locked, Peggy fired. Suddenly, the thief leaped out of the way just in time. The bullet ricocheted off the building behind her. It was almost as if the woman had sensed the hit moments prior to impact.
Peggy gulped as she thought of such ramifications.
And like their tenacious teammate, the other thieves were just as undeterred. Any moment now, the deadly women would overcome the Vespa.
Suddenly a delivery truck turned the corner and was headed right at them.
Peggy screamed, "Howard!"
He barely swerved in time to prevent them from becoming grill meat.
Those pursuing them did not fare so lucky. Though the truck had instantly cut off the two in the middle of the pack, the nearest one chasing the Vespa was struck by the vehicle.
The woman sailed backward and slammed into a nearby parked car. Not even fazed by the collision, she determinedly pushed her way clear of the crumpled wreck. Once more, she joined her sisters, who were now circumventing around the truck.
Though the large obstruction had slowed down those three, the one in the back had time to readjust. Using her speed, she easily vaulted over the truck's engine compartment.
Having witnessed their amazing feats of prowess and survival, Peggy and Howard shared a concerned look.
Their worry was short-lived, for the woman who had jumped over the truck suddenly sprung forward. Amazingly, she easily leaped the distance between them in that one bounding move.
Instantly, she was right behind them. The woman quickly grabbed onto the tail light of the Vespa. The small vehicle now pulled her sliding form along, slowing them down. This enabled the ones who had been momentarily detoured to gain on the loaded-down scooter.
Peggy twisted around, her one arm still circling tightly around Howard's middle. She aimed her pistol point-blank, but the thief quickly plucked it free from Peggy's grasp and tossed it aside.
The agent winced when she heard the weapon clatter to the ground and then drop down into the nearby storm drain. And that had been her favorite gun, too. Tired of losing her firearms in such a fashion, Peggy snarled at the thief.
Now with that same hand, the woman reached determinedly for Peggy.
With her one arm still hugging Howard, Peggy barely dodged the grasping fingers. Then, taking a chance, her free fist punched at the hand that held tightly to the rear light. It was as if Peggy was impacting hardened clay, for her hits were absorbed with every blow. As for prying them off, their grip was vice-like.
Trying a different approach, Peggy boosted herself up and rested a knee on the wheel's metal rim. As she was balanced precariously, her knee rested against Howard's back. His intrigued noise quickly became a grunt of discomfort as it dug into his spine.
Ignoring him, Peggy swung her dangling leg up, knee bent. Then, she kicked back like a mule and struck the woman's face with all her might. The assailant barely reacted, and it felt as if Peggy had slammed into the side of the Pyramid itself.
As the shock wave reverberated straight to her bones, a wincing Peggy shook out her tingling leg. She had no choice but to straddle the back of the Vespa's metal wheel cover again.
The scooter continued to slow down, and Howard yelled imploringly over the sound of the straining motor, "You gotta do something, Peg."
"Right," Peggy answered firmly, "It's time for Bessie."
Quickly she pulled free a sawed-off shotgun from her backpack and aimed it at the woman's covered features. The glassy brown eyes did not seem to register the danger. But just before Peggy could fire, the woman swiped at the weapon.
Anticipating this predictable tactic, Peggy yanked the shotgun away just at the last moment. She grinned smugly as the attacker's fingertips just brushed the steel end of the barrel.
Instantly, the thief tried with the other hand holding onto the Vespa. As she let go in a vain attempt to snatch the shotgun, Peggy was ready for the double move. Actually, she was counting on it, and she instantly pulled the weapon back out of reach.
Peggy watched in satisfaction as the woman stumbled away.
"Hah, you missed!" Triumphant, Peggy's smile grew when the thief tried to recover her footing but failed. Though they had not been traveling at a fast speed, the woman was unable to stop in time, and she tripped when her foot caught the edge of the curb.
Sailing through the air, she crashed into a nearby fruit stand.
Peggy sneered, "Serves her right."
No longer having the additional weight hanging on, the Vespa suddenly sped up.
Seeing the weapon she held, Howard chortled, amazed, "You brought a shotgun? So do you name all your weapons?"
"Of course, how else I am to tell them all apart," she joked back.
As Howard goosed the engine, Peggy figured it was time to shorten these deadly women's odds of success. But she would have to be quick. It was well past the hottest time of the day, and the city was finally coming alive once more.
With the marketplace and shops reopening, more and more merchants and tourists ambled outside. Cursing, Howard had to slow down to weave around those who crossed the street. To make matters worse, it was delivery time, and crates were being unloaded in front of the various vendor shops.
"Try to keep in a straight line, Howard." Peggy urged as she took careful aim at the woman who was closest to them.
Howard quickly checked over his shoulder as Peggy cocked back one of the hammers to her double-barrel shotgun and cautioned, "Careful of the bystanders."
Peggy grunted her reply and fired, expertly blasting the nearing target's shoulder area. The woman tumbled to the ground. Pleased with herself, Peggy primed the other barrel, "Of course, Howard, I'm always careful."
When she went to shoot the next pursuer, Peggy almost faltered when the one she had just shot rolled to her feet. The robed woman once again chased after them, albeit slower this time.
"They must be wearing full body armor under their clothing this time," Howard muttered, hopeful.
Noticing that the woman's arm hung crooked, a relieved Peggy stated, "Perhaps whatever physical augmentation they have is not as troublesome as we first feared. Her shoulder appears dislocated."
Exhaling, Peggy focused her aim on the next woman. "They might survive a body shot, but they can't run if their kneecaps are ruined."
She fired, and as always, her aim was true. The shotgun pellets struck, and Peggy was reassured to see the closest woman's leg buckle under her. This one stayed down.
With the last remaining woman almost upon them, Peggy hurriedly rooted around in her backpack for more shells. She was about to tell Howard that these formidable killers could be stopped when she noticed their final pursuer was no longer behind them.
She then spied the woman running parallel on the sidewalk. Smartly, the thief kept the thickening crowd of curious onlookers between her and Peggy's expert shooting.
The SSR Agent pursed her lips at how tricky these criminals were. She certainly dared not fire now with so many innocents around.
Frankly, Peggy did not understand why the sound of gunfire had not caused everyone to flee. Instead, it had drawn more out like moths to a flame. At least the ones gawking in the street had finally scattered out of the way.
Licking her lips, Peggy murmured worriedly, "Are we almost there, love?"
Howard grounded out with a slight British accent, "Patience, dear." Determined to reach their goal, he only stared straight ahead.
"Howard, on your left," the steel in her tone made him glance in that direction.
Suddenly, the last deadly woman bounded up a stack of crates and sprung high up into the air. As she came down, she somersaulted over the speeding Vespa to land right in front of them.
Howard had no time to swerve. They slammed into her head-on.
Even though the Vespa was small, Peggy understood Newton's Laws of Motion. She expected the sickening sound of impact, or worse, the dreaded feeling of the vehicle going over a fleshy bump. But instead, the scooter abruptly stopped as if it had struck a brick wall.
They both suddenly flew off the crumpled wreck and through the air. In those few seconds, Peggy knew they would be in for a load of hurt.