but

it was a salute; the man held his open palm on his breast for a moment as though he were listening to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Doc returned the salute. “Good to work with you again, Lieutenant Athelstane,” he said. He gestured at the hulk of a building down the block and across the intersecting street. “Position your men on the south, north, and west sides; my associates will be on the east. There’s the chance that this is a legitimate business, so be cautious. But I think it’s more likely this will be similar to any glitter-bright distillery raid.”
“Meaning they’ll fight like trapped rats.”
Doc smiled sourly. “Rats with autoguns. You’re to wait for my signal, but use your discretion. If you hear shouts or gunfire, don’t bother to wait. Dismissed.” They traded salutes, and Athelstane turned to rejoin his troops.
As the lieutenant led his people away into the darkness, the others clustered around Doc. Jean-Pierre was not in his usual elegant dress; he wore baggy workman’s clothes and a cloth cap.
Doc said, “We have to assume the doors are watched. Noriko, you and I will creep up beside the front door and wait for Jean-Pierre. Alastair, I want you and your Klapper on the other side of the street on the north corner for fire support.” He frowned at Harris. “You’re not carrying a long arm.”
“I’ve never fired a rifle. I took a couple of revolvers from the truck, on top of my usual.” Harris patted his coat pockets, felt the reassuring weight of the weapons and ammunition they held.
“You’ll need to be close, then. Like Alastair, but south corner. But you won’t be entering; stay at that position and keep any gunmen from leaving the building.”
“Sure.”
Doc looked at Gaby. There was nothing but joyless resolve in her expression. “Jean-Pierre, how is she with that?”
“Straight and true.”
“Gaby and Joseph, stay here with the truck. You’re our final line of reinforcement on this flank. Don’t act ­unless you have to. Any questions?”
There were none. Doc nodded at the rest of them, then he and Noriko melted away into the shadows.
Harris looked at Alastair. The doctor gestured for him to wait; then, after several seconds, pointed at the wall behind Harris. Harris moved there and walked in the deep shadow beside the wall, while Alastair matched him beside the building across the street.
Harris’ heart pounded. Prefight jitters