He picked up the gun next. Pointing it at the floor, he fumbled with it until he released the magazine, then racked the slide back to eject the chambered round. Dale considered it carefully. He might want to keep it for himself—he’d certainly feel better if he was armed. Just in case. Of course, Lyra probably knew it wasn’t his, and he wouldn’t want them to think he was a thief. In that case, it should be given back to Kate . . . but without ammo. Maybe when she was off whatever meds they were giving her, she could be trusted with it again, but not before. The fact that he was likely to be one of the first targets of her wrath did not go unconsidered.