He realized that they’d fallen through a triggered hatch that was now quickly, and quietly, closing. All thoughts of the hatch left his mind as his body impacted against a cold stone floor. He landed at an odd angle, which compressed his ribs near to breaking and knocked the wind out of him.Unable to speak, he listened as Pierce whispered his name. “Jack … Jack, where are you?”A bright light struck his face a moment later as Pierce switched on his flashlight.Seeing King squint from the light and in pain, Pierce said, “Sorry,” and moved the light away, revealing a nondescript stone tunnel. After King caught his breath and was helped to his feet, he looked at Pierce, who seemed unfazed by the fall.Pierce noticed King’s attention and questioning gaze. He smiled. “I landed on my feet.”King shook his head. The bookworm archaeologist was becoming a catlike Tomb Raider while he, an elite soldier, became a potato sack.When Pierce’s grin turned cocky, King said, “At least I didn’t hit a girl.”Pierce had opened his mouth to issue a retort, but stopped short and then deflated.
