CHAPTER 10
Pandemonium.
Darkness prevailed, punctuated by scarlet flashes that made the whole scene feel like a B movie cut together by a drug-crazed film editor. Steadman drew in a deep breath and pulled himself together. The shock of holding a winning hand and watching it get kicked to oblivion by the sudden blackout fell away, and his lawman’s training came to the fore. Mt. Rainier was erupting; he had things to do.
In the dark, the rustling and grunts of blind and frantic movement came across as if amplified through high-fidelity speakers. Squeals, scrapes, and strings of profanity rose in ever-increasing volume. To his left, Steadman heard the thunk of a chair hitting the floor and a woman’s cry of pain. People were getting hurt. Bracing his palms on the padded edge of the table, h
