Hoyt tapped his chin. “You a student of history, Mr. Ross?”

“I’ve taken a class or two,” Ross said.

“There’s a little episode I’m quite familiar with from 1525. German Peasants’ War. You know it?”

Ross looked over at his aide, listening with one hand cupped over the receiver. She shook her head. “I don’t know much before 1776,” he said.

“Peasants were real mad, storming castles and overthrowing lords. They had the nobles outnumbered a hundred to one, but the rebellion was crushed and thousands died. You know why?”

“I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”

“The peasants wanted to negotiate. They thought the princes were reasonable men and they had reasonable demands. But the princes were just stalling for time until they could get cavalry and cannons in place.”

“You saying I’m just stalling you so that we can find you and kill you?” Ross said.

Hoyt grinned. “That’s probably what you think. But you know what? It’s a good idea, and I think I found a good use for it.”

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