red clouds passed before her eyes . she had been shot in the right temple . `` not if you were dead first , '' i said . that look let burke know just what his brother wanted him to do . he felt happy and calm , like everything was going to be okay from now on . `` we have a mutual acquaintance , '' he replied , looking me over . let 's think this through a bit more . '' the ground suddenly shook as an explosion somewhere above their heads went off . 