But a scuffling on the stairs would not allow that。
He stiffened； then moved to the rail overlooking the stairway。 More jackals were bounding up the steps； their backs to him。 Halloran leaned over and took them one by one； shooting at the base of their skulls； shattering the bone there。 The first jackal stopped dead； as if stunned； then toppled downstairs； the one close behind being entangled with the falling body。 The third； startled by the gunfire and trying to avoid its panions； dodged to the side and received a bullet in its shoulder。 The jackal howled and tumbled out of sight。
Halloran swiftly walked along the landing and paused at the top of the stairs； shining the light down。 Only two corpses lay at the bottom。
He descended cautiously； anxious to get away from the charnel…house； but wary of what might still be waiting below。 Hopefully these were the last of the stragglers。 From above came the continued scratching against the door and a kind of mewling whimpering。
Halloran stepped over the dead bodies at the foot of the stairs and backed away to the frontdoor； keeping his eyes on the corridor leading to the rear of the lodge…house。 Slipping the bag over his shoulder and gripping the pen…torch firmly between his teeth； he tried the doorhandle。 It resisted his pressure at first； the mechanism obviously rusted； then grudgingly turned。 But the bolts； top and bottom； were rusted solid and would not budge。
He guessed the entrance hadn't been used for many wears； but was reluctant to leave through the backway。 Instead he went into the room on his right。
Halloran was halfway across the floor heading for one of the windows； when something dripped onto his extended arm。 He stopped； curious。 Liquid spattered against his cheek。 He pointed the beam upwards and saw the blood dripping through the ceiling。 That was when he heard the throaty snarling from behind the door。
The jackal was on him before he had time to aim his weapon。 He went down； dust rising in great clouds as he hit the boards。 The torch flew from his grasp； striking the wall and blinking off when it fell to the floor。
The slathering animal was only a dim form above as Halloran clenched its fur and tried to keep the snapping jaws away from his face。 He was forced to release the sub…machine gun so that he could fend off the attack with both hands。 Its long legs were sturdy； much more powerful than they appeared； and they raked his clothes； scratching the skin beneath。 Halloran felt blood trickling down his wrist； but realised it was from his attacker〃s Own wound。 Using one hand again to hold the jackal off； with his other he reached for the blood…soaked shoulder and squeezed hard。 With a sharp； high…pitched yelp； the jackal sprang away； but Halloran went with it； keeping the pressure on the wound。 Because of their skeletal structure； he knew dogs or wolves were virtually armour…plated； their vulnerable points few； but a sharp blow to the jackal's neck； just before the shoulders； numbed it into immobility。 Halloran followed through before it had a chance to recover by slipping both arms beneath its shoulder； joining hands behind the creature's neck； and bringing up his elbows while pressing down his hands in one fast； vigorous action。 The jackal's breastbone split with a sharp crack； the shock killing it immediately。
He let the limp body fall away and without taking time to recover his breath； Halloran searched around the floor for the weapon。 When he had it in his hands； as well as the black bag carrying the extra ammunition； he returned to the door and closed it； a barrier against any other jackals not dealt with。 He went to the window； felt for the catch and； with some difficulty； forced it open。 When he attempted to lift the window； however； he discovered it was stuck solid。
Wasting no further time； he covered his eyes with one hand and used the stubby butt of the sub…machine gun to smash the glass。 Halloran squeezed through the opening and dropped to the ground outside。 The Mercedes waited in the gloom a short distance away。
He had taken only a few paces towards it when a window above shattered and screeching shapes rained down on him。
He stumbled when one landed on his shoulder； tripped when another jackal fell at his feet。 There was no way of telling how many there were around him and he knew there was little chance of recovering the weapon in the darkness。 He pushed an animal away； its resistance weak because of its wounds； kicked out at another when he had risen； sending the beast tottering backwards on legs that were already unstable。 Something tugged at his ankle and he lifted the jackal off the ground； hurling it away from himself。 He ran for the car drawing the Browning from its holster； just as a section of moon appeared。 Throwing open the door； he leapt inside。 He changed gun hands to close the car door； pulling at the handle as another jackal launched itself at him。 The animal became wedged and Halloran leaned away to avoid its gnashing teeth。 With his left hand he touched the automatic to the jackal's head and squeezed the trigger。 The beast jerked once； then slumped lifeless。 Halloran pushed the body away from the car and pulled the door shut。
He sat there； chest heaving； his arms and forehead against the steering wheel。 When he raised his head again to stare back at the lodge； the moonlight revealed a macabre scene： the wolf…like creatures were staggering around in circles； shocked by their wounds as well as in pain； baying at the moon； their stumblings almost a ritual dance。
Halloran reached for the RT； intending to alert the patrol cars of the estate's loss of inner security。 It had been unfortunate that neither car had been passing the gates a minute or two earlier when gunfire from the house would have brought them in to assist； but that was always a problem if manpower was stretched； not for the first time he cursed Kline for his faith in his own security。 Static blared out at him when he pressed the transmit button。 He switched off； then on again； hoping that interference would clear。 It didn't。 He spoke into the mouthpiece anyway； but the static became even worse as he waited for a reply。 Glancing up at the sky； he saw that the clouds were big and thunderous； the atmosphere itself muggyclose； charge…filled。 With a muttered curse； he returned the RT； holstered the gun； and switched on the Mercedes' ignition。
Something was calling him back to Neatly a certainty that there was trouble there； that not only was Kline in danger； but so； too； was Cora。 And it was her safety he cared about most。 After what had happened inside the lodge…house； reason or logic was of minor importance。 Sensing…intuition…was all。
He flicked on full…beam and swung the car towards the gates； turning in a tight circle that threw up earth and gravel； cutting through undergrowth on the far side of the road。 Instead of setting a straight course for the main house； Halloran veered to the left； bumping across the rough piece of ground； in front of the lodge。 He ploughed into the dazed and dying jackals； crushing them beneath the Mercedes' wheels； smashing into those that tried to run so that they hurtled into the air。 Only then did he make his way towards Neath。
The car tore down the road； headlights throwing back the darkness； dust curling in its wake。 He saw the first flash； of light silver the clouds； a strobe effect that reminded him of the fulguration on the lake the previous night。 Into the tunnel of trees he sped； the low…hanging branches never more threatening than now。 Around the curve； tyres screeching as they gripped。。 The road somehow seemed narrower； as if the trees on either side conspired to join together； only the searing lights forcing them to retreat。 Yet the feeling that the path behind him had closed up was uncanny。
The road began to dip and the car burst clear of the woods。
He could not help but wonder if the trees behind had finally linked。
In the distance was the brooding shape of Neath； only a few of its windows lit。 Halloran eased up on the accelerator； training taking over from impulse。 So wary was he that he switched off the lights pletely； trusting his judgement