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record, that was all right with him.
    "So, you see," Collazo continued, raising his voice for emphasis, "it is important that you tell us everything you know. I realize that you are here as a representative of your government, and that accordingly you are protected by diplomatic immunity. But I don't think I need to remind you that privilege brings obligation, as well. In this case, the obligation to be as forthcoming as you can. It is essential that we learn what happened, if for no other reason than to ensure that such a thing cannot happen again in Manila." Collazo paused to look at Bolan over his half lenses. "Am I making myself clear?" At Bolan's wordless nod, the captain continued. "Good. So, now, Mr. Belasko, if you will," he said, sinking into the tall leather chair behind his desk, "tell me everything you can about what happened at the airport."
    "I came out of the debarking tunnel. I was working my way through the crowd when all hell broke loose."
    "You mean the shooting?"
    "Yeah, the shooting."
    He looked at Collazo to make certain the man had actually asked such an inane question. There was nothing on the older man's face to suggest he hadn't.
    Bolan continued. "At first I couldn't tell where the shooting was coming from. People were falling to the ground, and there was a lot of screaming. It all happened so fast that I wasn't sure whether the people on the floor were seeking cover or had been hit."
    "I gather, though, from your prompt reaction, that you are not unfamiliar with gunfire."
    "No, I'm not unfamiliar with it." Bolan closed his jaw with a nearly audible snap.
    "I see." Collazo leaned back in the chair. "Go on, please..."
    "I threw myself on the floor and drew my weapon."
    "You are authorised to carry it in your work?"
    Bolan nodded. Before Collazo could question him about his work, he pushed on. "I spotted one of the gunmen off to my right. I knew it was a terrorist, not a policeman..."
    "Because of the fatigues..."
    "Yeah, that, and because he was firing into the crowd. I heard return fire from behind me. I turned and saw it was the police, but I didn't pause to weigh the situation I just relied on my instincts. So I fired."
    "You didn't think the police were capable of doing their job?"
    "It wasn't like that. I reacted and fired. In the back of my mind was the thought that if I didn't, he might get away or he might kill more innocent people. It's a big terminal. The police were still some distance away at that point."
    "I don't want you to feel that you have done anything wrong, Mr. Belasko. But..." Collazo spread his hands, palms down, and patted the desktop, "I'm sure you understand."
    Bolan gestured vaguely with his hands. Cops were cops, and he wasn't surprised. Hell, he thought, it would be the same hot-air and bullshit in Chicago or New York. Why should Manila be any different?
    Then Collazo smiled. Bolan didn't like the look. It seemed out of place. And then the captain threw a curveball. "You were traveling alone, Mr. Belasko?"
    "Yes." Something told him to be careful, and he tensed. "I was traveling alone."
    "I understand that you were running through the terminal even before the shooting started."
    "Yeah, I was."
    "Do you mind telling me why?"
    "Yes, I do."
    "Ah," Collazo said, leaning back in the chair and rocking. "I see..." He studied Bolan for a long moment. Then, as if it had just occurred to him, he asked, "Even though you were traveling alone, did you know anyone else on the plane?"
    "Not as far as I know. I didn't see everyone."
    "Of course. But of those you did see, was anyone familiar to you?"
    Bolan shook his head. What the hell was Collazo after, he wondered. "Look," he said, "if you tell me what you're after, maybe I can help, but this merry-go-round is getting us nowhere."
    Collazo was about to respond when the phone on his desk buzzed with the sound of a small, angry wasp.
    He picked it up impatiently, swiveling the chair until his back was to Bolan. Then, without having said a