Distracted as he was, he simply hoisted her under the armpits as she turned to use the handles to dismount. She let out a startled grunt at his apparently effortless manhandling but made no further complaint as she straightened her backpack and the heavy plasticized case of forensics equipment slung over her shoulder.
The others didn't need his help to dismount, except Pamela, who handed him a padded canvas g*n case. Whatever was in there was long, heavy, and he suspected it packed a big punch. She took it back off him on the ground, holding it in her left hand as she shouldered her compact rifle to a ready position with the other.
Otero stopped them as they moved toward the dirt street leading further into the village. Apparently, he wasn't happy that Michelle had been throwing her we
