Alvin rushed into the apartment building, only to realize he had no idea which floor the assassin who'd tried to kill him was on.
He really hadn't expected to become the target of an assassination...
If that shot had hit an ordinary person, they wouldn't have had a chance of surviving.
Alvin had to catch the assassin and find out who they were...
Now everyone looked suspicious to him!
The CIA might stage a performance and then kill Alvin, clearing themselves of suspicion in the process.
The KGB might also put on a show of fighting to protect him, then kill Alvin, the vice president who'd already shown signs of wanting to leave.
That way, they could play the victim, pin the blame on the CIA, and ultimately drive a wedge between Ivan and the United States.
The situation had grown so complicated that Alvin didn't want to think about it anymore.
He just wanted to catch the person who'd tried to kill him...
Manhattan Axe couldn't get involved, but did that mean Nick Hammer was someone they could mess with?
Just as Alvin rushed into the elevator, hesitating because he didn't know which floor to press...
47's voice came through the communicator built into his glasses...
"Top floor. Do you need me to stop her?"
Alvin pressed the top-floor button and said irritably, "FUCK!
You saw her all along?
Don't move. I'll catch her...
Buddy, you're my backup. You can't just watch me get shot!"
47 was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm not 'God'...
I'm in a building 950 meters away from you...
I was watching those CIA people the whole time!
I didn't spot her until after she opened fire!
I let my guard down a little because you were the one who needed backup..."
Alvin