Chapter 72

By the time Rebecca and David reached the patch of the mountain between the helicopters, both rotors still, a small crowd of their passengers had formed: Brett, Rivers, Mac, the Cutlers, and two men Rebecca didn't recognize who were speaking Italian.

The two pilots hung back near the copters, trying to stay out of the line of fire.

"Congratulations!" Rivers said, jabbing a finger into Brett's chest.

"For what?" Brett said.

"We told you that you were going to get somebody killed, and you just did, you son of a bitch!" Rivers said.

Rebecca had never heard him raise his voice before.

"You arrogant, pigheaded son of a bitch," Rivers said.

"Everything happened at once—the eruption and my helicopter having to make a sudden turn and then…" Brett shook his head as he looked down at Morgan's lifeless body. "An avoidable tragedy? Yes. But still a tragedy."

Jake Rogers was leaning against the side of the Airbus, and Rivers wheeled on him. "Was it your decision to fly that close to the summit at a time like this?" Rivers asked. "And not clear it with the tower or with the goddamn army?"

Rogers said, "I just work here, General. By the time I got this baby under control, the only option I had was to make the sharp turn that I did and try to get out of Dodge." He shrugged. "I thought the guy was strapped in."

"Well, you were wrong about that, weren't you, hotshot?" Rivers snapped. "All of you were wrong. This godforsaken volcano has already claimed its first victim, and it hasn't even started trying to kill us all."

Oliver Cutler was standing next to Brett. Rivers turned back to face them.

"Shame you two didn't have a backup cameraman," Rivers said. "Imagine the kick-ass pictures you would have had of the death dive."

"Morgan knew the risks of coming here just like we all do," Cutler said.

"You're all a bunch of cowboys," Rivers said. Before either Brett or Cutler could respond, Rivers added, "I hate fucking cowboys."

He looked around and said, "Questions? Comments?"

Brett took a small step forward, as if he were afraid he might step on a land mine. "I have just one comment, General," Brett said. "If you tell me to leave, I will."

"No," Rivers said. "You're staying. I need you more than ever, Mr. Brett."