DARK ANGEL

Before the Dawn

MAX ALLAN COLLINS
BALLANTINE BOOKS
NEW YORK
For Pam and Barb
two dark angels
e!en t"e blonde one
#It$s m% l&'e
It$s now or ne!er()
*ON BON *O+I
#It$s m% l&'e
and I$ll do w"at I want()
ERI, B-R.ON
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
/% 're01ent 2ollaborator /att"ew +( ,lemens w"o also ass&sts me on t"e ,SI no!els and w&t"
w"om I$!e wr&tten n1mero1s 31bl&s"ed s"ort stor&es "el3ed me "ere &mmeas1rabl%( A knowledgeable
Dark Angel 'an4 /att 2o53lotted t"&s tale and 2reated a deta&led stor% treatment 'rom w"&2" I 2o1ld
de!elo3 Before the Dawn.
/% ed&tor Ste!e Sa''el so1g"t me o1t 'or t"&s ass&gnment4 and t"en 3ro!&ded 2ons&stentl% strong
s133ort4 w"&2" &n2l1ded not 61st ro1nd&ng 13 mater&als4 b1t add&ng "&s own 2reat&!e &n31t( Ste!e "el3ed
sol!e se!eral 3roblems o' t"e sort a wr&ter 'a2es w"en 2reat&ng a stor% t"at m1st e7&st w&t"&n a world o'
e7&st&ng stor&es(
I wo1ld l&ke to t"ank t"e 2reators o' Dark Angel, *ames ,ameron and ,"arles Eglee4 w"o are also t"e
e7e21t&!e 3rod12ers o' t"e s"ow8 .ebb&e Ols"an o' 9:t" ,ent1r% Fo78 and Wend% ,"esebro1g" o'
L&g"tstorm( I$d also l&ke to a2knowledge t"e 3rod12ers o' Dark Angel, Rene E2"e!arr&a and Rae
San2"&n&8 and4 at Ballant&ne Books4 ;&ll&an Berman4 ,olette R1ssen4 and ,olleen L&ndsa%( T"e s133ort
t"ese4 and ot"ers4 3ro!&ded was4 'rankl%4 remarkable4 &n2l1d&ng 3rom3t and "el3'1l res3onses 'rom *&m
,ameron "&msel'(
/att4 Ste!e4 and I "o3e t"at Dark Angel 'ans w&ll a33re2&ate t"&s e73lorat&on &nto t"e beg&nn&ngs o' t"&s
e72e3t&onal ant&5"ero&ne(
Sometimes, when she looked back on it, Max might have been recalling a particularly vivid dream
other times, the memories had a strangely detached !uality, as if these events were the stuff of a story
she"d heard, things reported to her that had happened to someone else, or maybe one of those #$
shows she"d seen when she"d lived with the Barretts.
But in moments of clarity, she knew the %story& was none of those things.
'o matter how some inner censor tried to distance her from the pain, Max knew she had experienced
what she remembered. (ven though she saw herself from the outside looking in, the young woman still
recogni)ed that all of this had happened to her, reall% happened, the entire experience a part of her as
much as the barcode on the back of her neck.
'ormal people weren"t marked that way, as if they were a box of fro)en peas or one of the packages she
delivered, in the *ob she"d taken, in the normal life inside of which she was hiding.
#here were those who considered Max a cold one but behind her unreadable ga)e, Max still felt
emotions, a flood of feelings that she wasn"t supposed to possess, the humanity Manticore had tried to
prune from her personality, from all of their personalities.
+losing her eyes, Max, for the millionth time, it seemed, allowed the movie to run again on the
inside of her eyelids-
Chapter One
COLD PURSUIT
/ANTI,ORE <EA.=-ARTERS
;ILLETTE4 WYO/IN;4 9::>
<er bare 'eet 3o1nd&ng4 break&ng t"e 2r1st o' &2e on t"e snow53a2ked gro1nd4 "er t"&n bl1e "os3&tal5
st%le smo2k "&ked "&g" o!er 31m3&ng legs4 n&ne5%ear5old ?@51n&t AA9>B::CAD@9 barel% not&2ed t"e
Febr1ar% 2old( Ne&t"er d&d s"e "a!e an% knowledge t"at &n ot"er 3arts o' t"e -n&ted States4 +alent&ne$s
.a% was less t"an 'ort%5e&g"t "o1rs awa%8 t"at was 3art o' a m1ndane4 ord&nar% l&'e as 1nknown to "er
as "er 2ontrolled e7&sten2e "ad been to t"e o1ts&de world(
T"o1g" s"e "ad learned m12" at /ant&2ore4 all t"e g&rl knew4 at t"&s moment4 was t"at s"e was r1nn&ng
'or "er l&'e(
T"e dea'en&ng w"&r o' 2"o33ers 2&r2l&ng o!er"ead d&d not 2a1se "er to look 134 and s"e a!o&ded t"e
w&de w"&te beams o' sear2"l&g"ts t"at 3robed4 slas"ed t"e remote /ant&2ore 'a2&l&t%4 t1rn&ng t"e
gloom% woods &nto a "a1nted "o1se o' l&g"t4 dark4 and s"adow(
Br1nette lo2ks s"a!ed down to a se!ere 2on2entrat&on52am3 b1EE 21t4 s"e was small4 b1t not sk&nn%
lean4 l&t"e4 w&r% and4 t"o1g" 1nm&stakabl% a 2"&ld4 alread% battle5"ard( <er dark ol&!e 2om3le7&on
ga!e "er a t&n% ad!antage o!er some o' t"e ot"ers4 t"e ones so w"&te t"e% 3ra2t&2all% glowed w"en t"e
sear2"l&g"ts neared t"em4 g"osts &n t"e "a1nted "o1se( <er e%es were large and dark4 and s"e m&g"t
"a!e been re'erred to as doe5e%ed &' t"ere "adn$t been somet"&ng let"al gl&nt&ng &n t"ere4 somet"&ng
almost 3redator% &n t"e wa% t"ose orbs took &n w"ole s2enes and m&ssed no deta&l(
S3r&nt&ng t"ro1g" t"e woods4 s"e d&dn$t breat"e "ard4 d&dn$t e!en sweat4 as ma2"&nel&ke s"e
31m3ed "er arms and 3&stoned "er knees 13 and down( <er "%3ersens&t&!e "ear&ng 3&2ked 13 be"&nd
"er4 'art"er &n t"e d&stan2e w&t" ea2" str&de t"e ragged breat"&ng o' "er 31rs1ers4 grown513s w"o4 'or
all t"e&r own tra&n&ng4 2o1ld onl% !a&nl% '&g"t to kee3 13 w&t" a genet&2all% en"an2ed sold&er5&n5t"e5
mak&ng(
T"e 2"&ld knew &t was tr1e now t"e% were es2a3&ng4 t"e% were really es2a3&ng t"o1g" s"e and t"e
ot"ers4 "er #s&bl&ngs4) 2o1ld barel% gras3 t"e word$s mean&ng( T"e% were well s2"ooled4 t"ese sold&er
k&ds4 b1t t"e&r 2onte7t was l&m&ted( T"e g&rl knew #es2a3e) onl% as somet"&ng %o1 t"o1g"t abo1t w"en
%o1 "ad been 2a3t1red4 a'ter %o1$d been taken 3r&soner(
B1t s"e and t"e ot"ers weren$t 3r&soners4 were t"e%F A'ter all4 wasn$t /ant&2ore t"e&r "ome t"e onl%
"ome t"e%$d e!er knownF
B1t t"at "ome "ad seemed s1ddenl% a 3r&son4 w"en t"e man t"e% tr1sted4 t"e 'at"er '&g1re to t"ese
s3e2&al 2"&ldren ,olonel L%de2ker "&msel' "ad 2allo1sl% s"ot one o' t"em down( E!a was deadG
For w"atF /ere de'&an2eF
Now t"e% knew e7a2tl% w"at t"e% were t"e% were an e73er&ment4 an e7er2&se &n m1tated genet&2s
and m&l&tar% ta2t&2s8 and t"e% knew4 too4 w"at t"e% were wort" to /ant&2ore4 &' t"at e73er&ment 'a&ledH
nothing. All t"e tra&n&ng4 all t"e e7er2&ses4 all t"e st1d%&ng4 n&ne %ears4 "er w"ole l&'e4 "ad s"attered &nto
somet"&ng &n2om3re"ens&ble4 w&t"&n t"e blast and e2"o o' a s&ngle g1ns"ot(
A gro13 o' snowmob&les4 t"e&r eng&nes "owl&ng l&ke a 3a2k o' w&ld dogs4 'lew b% "er 'lank4 tra!el&ng
too 'ast to see "er as s"e 3ressed "ersel' aga&nst a tree4 t"e ro1g" bark we&rdl% soot"&ng4 rem&nd&ng "er
s"e was al&!e4 awake4 not dream&ng t"&s( T"e grown513 sold&ers looked l&ke '1t1r&st&2 monsters to t"e
g&rl4 &n t"e&r bagg% bla2k 'at&g1es and n&g"t5!&s&on goggles4 all w&t" laser5s&g"ted a1tomat&2 wea3ons4
3ress&ng 13 t"e "&ll 'rom t"e !alle% &n an om&no1s wa!e
S"e took o'' r1nn&ng aga&n(
,rest&ng a slo3e4 'leet as a 'o74 /a7 'o1nd "ersel' &n a 2lear&ng( A'ter a moment o' &nde2&s&on4 s"e saw
a "ead4 Ia2k$s "ead4 r&se 13 'rom be"&nd a log(
Wordlessl%4 s"e mo!ed to 6o&n "&m( As s"e neared4 more k&ds &n t"e bl1e5gra% n&g"ts"&rts and 3a6amas
began to 3o3 o1t 'rom be"&nd ot"er logs and t"e tr1nks o' trees4 l&ke strange4 s1dden n&g"t5bloom&ng
'lowers( T"e% s"ared not onl% t"e same 'orm o' dress4 b1t t"e b1EE521t "a&r as well4 and t"&s sameness
made t"em &nter2"angeable4 t"e&r &nd&!&d1al&t% lost(
T"e last one to re!eal "ersel' was *ond%4 "er sm&le s"ow&ng "er rel&e' t"at /a7 t"at was t"e name "er
s&bs "ad g&!en "er "ad '&nall% made &t to t"e rall% 3o&nt( .es3&te /ant&2ore$s 2onstant "ammer&ng t"e
3o&nt t"at none o' t"em was more !al1able t"an an% o' t"e ot"ers4 t"e two g&rls w"o e!en w&t"o1t t"e
"os3&tal 2lot"&ng and s"a!ed "a&r21ts resembled ea2" ot"er "ad bonded4 be2ome s&sters(
Be"&nd /a74 t"e roar o' t"e snowmob&les 3low&ng 13 t"e "&ll grew lo1der( As 1s1al4 Ia2k took 2"arge8
t"e bo% 2o1ld be 2ool and &ntense at on2e( -s&ng m&l&tar% "and s&gnals Ja g&'t t"e&r &nstr12tors "ad g&!en
t"emK4 Ia2k broke t"e gro13 &nto es2a3e5and5e!ade 3a&rs( One b% one4 t"e 2o13les d&s3ersed &nto t"e
woods4 ea2" go&ng &n a d&''erent d&re2t&on(
W"en Ia2k 2r&s3l% s&gnaled 'or "er and *ond% to take o''4 /a7 s"ook "er "ead( S"e d&dn$t want to lea!e
Ia2k be"&nd8 s"e d&dn$t 1nderstand w"% t"e s&bs were se3arat&ng wasn$t t"ere strengt" &n n1mbersF
B1t t"e solemn bo% aga&n em3"at&2all% s&gnaled 'or t"em to go( S"e d&dn$t want to lea!e "&m alone4 b1t
s"e "ad no 2"o&2e t"e&r &nstr12tors "ad &nst&lled obed&en2e to team leaders and t"en *ond% was
grabb&ng "er b% t"e arm4 and t"e% were tak&ng o'' &nto t"e 2old n&g"t(
On2e aga&n4 /a7 'o1nd "ersel' 'l%&ng t"ro1g" t"e woods4 t"&s t&me w&t" *ond% at "er s&de( W&t"&n
se2onds t"e% rea2"ed t"e 3er&meter o' t"e 'a2&l&t%4 w"ere awa&ted a se!en5'oot 2"a&n5l&nk 'en2e wear&ng
garlands o' barbed w&re(
T"e g&rls s2am3ered 2atl&ke 13 t"e 'en2e4 eased t"emsel!es o!er t"e barbed w&re 1naware t"e% were
2entered &n t"e n&g"t5!&s&on sn&3ers2o3es o' t"e&r 31rs1ers and as t"e% dro33ed to t"e ot"er s&de and
'reedom4 /a7 3a1sed to look ba2k4 t"&nk&ng t"at "ad been too eas%
So1nds &n t"e n&g"t 3erked "er keen "ear&ng and drew "er gaEe to w"ere Ia2k t1rned "el3lessl% at t"e
2enter o' an e!er5t&g"ten&ng 2&r2le o' bla2k5garbed troo3ers4 red laser beams s&g"t&ng &n on "&m4 s2arlet
dots dan2&ng(
Powerless to "el34 t"e %o1ng g&rl wat2"ed as TaEer darts str12k t"e bo% 2ommander and sent "&m
t1mbl&ng down a slo3e4 tw&t2"&ng to t"e gro1nd4 "&s arms and legs wr&t"&ng w&ldl%4 2on!1ls&!el%
2ar!&ng man&2 snow angels( S"e stood rooted to t"e s3ot4 "orr&'&ed b% t"e s&EEl&ng so1nd o' t"e
ele2tr&2&t%4 1nt&l *ond% t1gged on "er slee!e and got "er mo!&ng aga&n(
/a7 knew now t"at Ia2k "ad sa!ed "er l&'e b% 'or2&ng t"em to se3arate8 and r1nn&ng awa% 'rom t"e
'en2e l&ne t"at n&g"t4 s"e 2o1ldn$t "el3 'eel&ng t"at some"ow s"e and *ond% "ad 'a&led "&m4 3oss&bl%
e!en betra%ed "&m4 b% lea!&ng "&m to 'a2e so man% w&t" so l&ttle
T"e bell&gerent growl o' t"e snowmob&les grew lo1der as t"e men on ma2"&nes 2losed &n on t"e g&rls on
'oot( See&ng an o33ort1n&t% to slow t"e&r 31rs1ers4 t"e %o1ng '1g&t&!es s2am3ered o1t onto t"e &2ed5
o!er s1r'a2e o' a small 3ond( T"e &2e a33eared strong eno1g" to "old t"em4 b1t /a7 'elt 3rett% s1re &t
wo1ldn$t s133ort t"e we&g"t o' t"ose b1lk% snowmob&les( Be"&nd t"em4 t"e roar o' t"e 2"o33ers
&n2reased4 l&ke an a22elerat&ng s2ream4 and t"e s3otl&g"ts t1rned &n t"e&r general d&re2t&on as t"e
g1ns"&3s 6o&ned t"e 31rs1&t(
T"e% were nearl% a2ross t"e 3ond w"en /a7 sensed t"e &2e go&ng s3ong%4 start&ng to g&!e wa% beneat"
"er bare 'eet4 and s"e "ad 61st eno1g" t&me to "ear t"e s"ar3 2ra2k be'ore t"e &2e e73loded 1nder "er
and s"e 'o1nd "ersel' dro33&ng &nto t"e 'r&g&d water beneat"(
So 2old &t almost b1rned4 t"e slos"&ng water stabbed at "er l&ke m&ll&ons o' t&n% kn&!es8 b1t s"e &gnored
t"e 'eel&ng and 31s"ed "ersel' to t"e s1r'a2e and g1l3ed a&r(
*ond%4 stand&ng barel% ten 'eet awa%4 2alled4 #/a7G )
#;oG) /a7 %elled4 e!en as s"e str1ggled to ga&n 31r2"ase on t"e 6agged edge o' t"e tear &n t"e &2e(
#No4 we st&2k toget"erG)
#;o4 *ond%4 I$ll '&nd %o1( *1st go()
T"e g&rl "es&tated 'or a long moment 1nt&l t"e% saw a <1m!ee 2ome 2ras"&ng t"ro1g" t"e gate be"&nd
t"em( /a7 wat2"ed t"e !e"&2le 2"ew&ng t"ro1g" t"e snow toward "er and wondered &' t"e dr&!er knew
t"e 3ond la% d&re2tl% &n "&s 3at"( S"e t1rned and wat2"ed as *ond% das"ed toward t"e 'orest4 t"e
snowmob&les 3low&ng a'ter "er4 t"e r&ders '&r&ng "a3"aEardl%4 t"e&r b1llets not #a)ers, bullets
tear&ng bark o'' t"e trees and r&33&ng go1ges &n t"e snow(
T"en *ond% d&sa33eared &nto t"e woods(
To sa'et%F To 2a3t1reF To e7e21t&onF /a7 2o1ld onl% wonder(
T1rn&ng ba2k as t"e <1mmer !eered aro1nd t"e edge o' t"e 3ond and 61st as t"e "eadl&g"ts were abo1t
to "&t "er4 /a7 took a dee3 breat" and 3ro3elled "ersel' below t"e s1r'a2e o' t"e water( T"ro1g" t"e
!e&l o' &2e4 s"e 2o1ld barel% make o1t t"e <1mmer sl&d&ng to a sto34 and two men 2l&mb&ng o1t( S"e
2o1ldn$t tell 'or s1re w&t" t"e strange angle4 blo2ked as s"e was b% t"e 3art&t&on o' &2e8 b1t one o' t"em
2o1ld "a!e been L%de2ker
and "e seemed angr%(
T"e two men s3oke 'or a moment4 t"e&r words too m1''led 'or e!en /a7$s "%3er"ear&ng to make o1t
'rom "er water% "&d&ng 3la2e8 b1t t"e 3a&r 2l&mbed ba2k &nto t"e <1mmer and sk&dded o'' &nto t"e
darkness(
S&len2e now(
It 'elt odd down "ere4 so m12" o' "er bod% as"&!er w&t" t"e onset o' "%3ot"erm&a4 and %et "er l1ngs
b1rned as &' someone "eld a mat2" to t"em( Fear st&ll s01&rmed &n "er stoma2"4 l&ke a 2o&led snake4 and
s"e 'elt 2erta&n t"at w"en s"e broke t"e s1r'a2e4 L%de2ker and t"e ot"ers wo1ld be wa&t&ng t"ere to k&ll
"er(
S"e made a de2&s&on s12" battle'&eld de2&s&ons were 3art o' "er tra&n&ng4 a'ter all4 and &nstr&ns&2 to "er
make13( S"e wo1ld d&e '&g"t&ng4 rat"er t"an 61st g&!e 13
/a7 swam ba2k to t"e "ole and broke t"e s1r'a2e 61st as "er l1ngs seemed abo1t to e73lode( S"e
g1l3ed a&r4 went 1nder aga&n4 and 31s"ed "er wa% ba2k to t"e s1r'a2e tr%&ng to s12k &n t"e 3re2&o1s
o7%gen between '&ts o' 2o1g"&ng( S"e$d learned anot"er t"&ng ton&g"tH e!en ?@s4 l&ke "ersel'4 "ad t"e&r
l&m&ts(
P1ll&ng "ersel' o1t o' t"e water4 s"e looked aro1nd4 and was st1nned to '&nd "ersel' alone &n t"e dark(
S"e was 'ree( <er ne7t t"o1g"t was o' *ond%4 b1t s"e knew "er '&rst 3r&or&t% "ad to be tak&ng 2are o'
"ersel'( T"e 'l&ms% gra% n&g"ts"&rt4 now soaked w&t" t"e &2% water4 o''ered no 3rote2t&on aga&nst t"e
'r&g&d n&g"t a&r(
S"e needed to '&nd some3la2e warm4 somew"ere dr%4 and s"e needed to '&nd &t soon( Tr1dg&ng o'' &nto
t"e woods4 s"e wandered a&mlessl%( T"o1g" s"e knew t&me was o' t"e essen2e4 se2onds4 m&n1tes4 and
"o1rs seemed to "a!e lost t"e&r mean&ng and s"e "ad no &dea "ow long s"e st1mbled aro1nd &n t"e
darkness 1nt&l s"e '&nall% 'o1nd "ersel' stand&ng on t"e edge o' a two5lane "&g"wa%(
T"e woods s"e "ad known t"e% "ad 3la%ed war games t"ere4 t"e terra&n was 'am&l&ar8 now s"e was &n
a world s"e re2ogn&Eed onl% 'rom tra&n&ng !&deos( St&ll4 s"e "ad been ta1g"t well to ada3t4 to s1r!&!e4
"ad been &nst&lled(
In t"e d&stan2e4 /a7 2o1ld see t"e glow o' "eadl&g"ts( T"e /ant&2ore <1m!eesF Or someone elseF
Someone 'r&endl%F <ost&leF
.12k&ng &nto t"e d&t2"4 /a7 t1rned "er 2at$s e%es &n t"e d&re2t&on o' t"e on2om&ng l&g"ts and l&stened
'or t"e so1nd o' t"e eng&ne to grow lo1d eno1g" 'or "er to d&s2ern w"at &t was( T"e !e"&2le wasn$t
tra!el&ng as 'ast as t"e /ant&2ore <1mmers wo1ld be go&ng4 down a "&g"wa% an%wa%( O' 2o1rse4 t"e%
2o1ld be mo!&ng slow4 to sear2" t"e roads&des 'or "er
;enet&2all% en"an2ed t"o1g" s"e was4 t"e 2"&ld 2o1ld 'eel t"e s1bEero w&nd kn&'&ng "er 'les"4 sa33&ng
"er strengt"( I' s"e d&dn$t '&nd some k&nd o' s"elter soon4 t"&s s"ort 2"aot&2 e3&sode o' l&'e be%ond t"e
'en2e wo1ld be t"e onl% morsel o' 'reedom s"e$d e!er taste( S"e wondered &' s"e s"o1ld s"ow "ersel' &'
t"e "eadl&g"ts t1rned o1t to belong to a /ant&2ore !e"&2le( I' s"e ret1rned4 t"o1g" t"e 31n&s"ment
wo1ld no do1bt be se!ere4 &t 2o1ld "ardl% be as bad as d%&ng alone &n t"e snow 2o1ld &tF
But those had been bullets, snapping at .ondy"s bare heels/ 0ydecker seemed to have made a decision1
capture was not enough execution seemed at least implied-
Wat2"&ng t"e l&g"ts &n2" e!er 2loser4 /a7 knew s"e wo1ldn$t e!er let "ersel' be taken ba2k( .12k&ng
down4 s"e l&stened &ntentl% to t"e 3&t2" o' t"e on2om&ng eng&ne( It wasn$t a <1m!ee s"e$d "eard
eno1g" o' t"em to know t"&s was a d&''erent !e"&2le(
W"ate!er &t was4 t"e t"&ng l1mbered along on se!en 2%l&nders4 one o' t"em ob!&o1sl% t"e !&2t&m o' a
'o1led 3l1g( As &t to33ed t"e ne7t "&ll o!er4 /a7 re2ogn&Eed &t as 2&!&l&an a bl1e ,"e!% Ta"oe
W%om&ng 3lates4 A;T 9D>4 not a go!ernment 3late and not a go!ernment 3a&nt 6ob(
Pre3ar&ng 'or a '&g"t4 /a7 slowl% eased "ersel' o1t o' t"e d&t2" and onto t"e road4 n&g"ts"&rt 'la33&ng &n
t"e 2"&ll w&nd l&ke a de'&ant 'lag( In t"e d&stan2e4 t"e s&rens st&ll wa&led and t"e 2"o33ers st&ll 2&r2led t"e
woods4 t"e&r sear2"l&g"ts os2&llat&ng aro1nd t"e 'orest &n sear2" o' ?@s to lat2" onto
T"e Ta"oe dro33ed &nto a !alle%4 t"en 2rested bes&de /a74 t"e t&res sl&d&ng a l&ttle as t"e dr&!er stom3ed
on t"e brakes and lo2ked t"em 13( /a7 gl&m3sed t"e W%om&ng 3late4 A;T 9D>4 t"en t"e dr&!er '&nall%
got 2ontrol o' t"e !e"&2le and 31lled &t to a sto34 t"e 3assenger$s s&de door r&g"t &n 'ront o' "er(
It sw1ng o3en4 l&ke a sla33&ng "and4 and a woman &n "er t"&rt&es w&t" d&s"water blond "a&r to "er
s"o1lders and w&de5set bl1e e%es stared down at /a7(
#;et &n4) t"e woman sa&d( T"e e%es were a 3ea2e'1l 2olor4 t"e bl1e o' a mo1nta&n stream8 b1t t"e%
gl&stened w&t" 'ear( #<1rr% 13G ,ome on()
In L(A se2onds4 /a7 2om3leted a t"reat assessment4 re2koned t"e woman "armless4 at least 'or t"e t&me
be&ng4 and t"e 2"&ld sold&er 2l&mbed &nto t"e !e"&2le and s"1t t"e door(
#;et on t"e 'loor4) t"e woman sa&d(
/a7 res3onded to t"e 2ommand and t"e woman wra33ed "er &n a gra% woolen blanket /ant&2ore
&ss1eG
#It$s all r&g"t4) t"e woman sa&d4 res3ond&ng to t"e 'lared5e%ed e73ress&on o' t"e g&rl( #I work 'or t"em
b1t I$m not one o' t"em()
Kee3&ng "er e%es on t"e woman4 /a7 sa&d not"&ng( Better to let t"e woman kee3 talk&ng and 'or /a7
to 1se t"e t&me to gat"er "er strengt"( In t"e meant&me4 t"e g&rl 2al21lated t"at sna33&ng t"e woman$s
ne2k wo1ld be t"e 01&2kest wa% to k&ll "er8 and /a7 knew s"e$d "ad eno1g" !e"&2le tra&n&ng to o3erate
t"&s 2&!&l&an ma2"&ne( K&ll&ng "er w"&le t"e 2ar was mo!&ng4 "owe!er4 wo1ld add 1n3red&2table
'a2tors
T"e tr12k$s "eater "1mmed s3orad&2all%4 b1t t"e a&r &t blew &nto t"e 2om3artment was warm4 soot"&ng
t"e 2"&ld as s"e 2ons&dered m1rder met"ods( E!en t"e &t2"% blanket 'elt good wra33ed aro1nd "er
s"o1lders
T"e woman "ad a stra&g"t4 t"&n nose4 '1ll red l&3s4 and t"ose a01at&2 bl1e e%es4 all set &ns&de a tr&ang1lar
'a2e( S"e wore a w"&te med&2al 1n&'orm t"at 3eeked o1t beneat" a long dark o!er2oat( Se21r&t%52leared
2&!&l&an med&2al 3ersonnel 2ame and went at /ant&2ore4 /a7 knew(
/&str1st'1l b1t w&t" no better o3t&on4 /a7 "1ddled on t"e 'loor as t"e Ta"oe labored 13 and down t"e
snow52o!ered "&lls( T"e woman seemed 'r&g"tened as s"e dro!e t"ro1g" t"e n&g"t t"at was good8 &'
t"&s were one o' L%de2ker$s 3eo3le4 t"e dr&!er wo1ld not as l&kel% be s2ared not 1nless t"e woman
knew 61st "ow deadl% a 3a2kage s"e was trans3ort&ng(
T"e dr&!er d&d look down at /a7 o22as&onall% and o''ered reass1r&ng sm&les( /a7 2o1ldn$t '&g1re o1t
w"et"er t"e gest1re was meant 'or "er or to "el3 t"e woman reass1re "ersel'( Not t"at &t mattered4 r&g"t
now(
F&'teen m&n1tes later4 t"e woman 31lled t"e S-+ to a sto34 k&lled t"e l&g"ts4 and t1rned o'' t"e eng&ne(
#We$re "ere4) s"e sa&d4 "er !o&2e st&ll a l&ttle too "&g"4 t"e words a l&ttle too 'ast4 "er tens&on bleed&ng
t"ro1g" "er 'or2ed 2"eer&ness(
T"e% bot" got o1t and /a7 'ollowed t"e woman to t"e door o' a 2ab&n4 a small4 wooden str12t1re( T"e
r1st&2 "ome%ness o' t"e b1&ld&ng meant not"&ng to a 2"&ld ra&sed &n a 2on2rete barra2ks4 and &t
resembled not"&ng s"e "ad seen &n t"e&r tra&n&ng '&lms4 w"&2" d&d o22as&onall% de3&2t 2&!&l&an "o1s&ng(
T"&s t&n% b1&ld&ng seemed more l&ke a s"ed to t"e 2"&ld t"e s"a2k wo1ld "a!e '&t &ns&de one o' t"e
"1ge s"ower rooms ba2k at /ant&2ore(
T"e woman o3ened t"e door4 b1t /a7 "es&tated(
Anot"er reass1r&ng sm&le( #,ome on &t$s all r&g"t( Reall%( Yo1$ll be sa'e "ere()
/a7 wanted to bel&e!e "er a33arent bene'a2tor8 b1t t"en s"e "ad alwa%s bel&e!ed L%de2ker4 t"e% all
"ad and now one o' t"em was dead( At least one o' t"em
St&ll4 /a7 'ollowed t"e woman$s genero1s gest1re and ste33ed &ns&de t"e 2ab&n( T"o1g" s"e
&mmed&atel% 1nderstood &ts 31r3ose4 /a7 mar!eled at t"e '&re3la2e set &nto t"e le't wall( T"e "eat &t
s133l&ed ga!e t"e room a warm4 2oE% 'eel&ng s"e "ad onl% 3re!&o1sl% 'elt &n "er own bed4 between t"e
s"eets4 on e72e3t&onall% 2old n&g"ts(
To t"e r&g"t4 a door led to a t&n% bat"room &mag&ne t"at4 a room w&t" one to&letG and 'art"er down4
a s&nk 3rotr1ded 'rom t"e wall ne7t to a small sto!e( A re'r&gerator s01atted on t"e o33os&te wall4 w&t" a
small d&n&ng table and two 2"a&rs &n 'ront o' &t( In t"e l&!&ng room area4 a da%bed do1bled as a so'a4 and
a leat"er 2"a&r w&t" wooden arms warmed &tsel' &n 'ront o' t"e '&re4 an Ind&an53r&nt blanket 'olded
neatl% on to3( T"e '1rn&t1re4 w"at t"ere was o' &t4 was all made o' warm4 "ard4 dark woods(
To a 2"&ld ra&sed &n a 2on2rete b1nker4 so m12" warmt"4 so m12" wood4 was d&EE&ngl% 1n'am&l&ar
and %et wonder'1l(
T"e woman 3&2ked 13 t"e 3"one re2e&!er and 31n2"ed &n n1mbers( A 'ew se2onds later4 s"e sa&d &nto
t"e mo1t"3&e2e4 #It$s <anna" I need to see %o1()
Wonder&ng &' s"e was be&ng betra%ed4 /a7 walked g&ngerl% t"ro1g" t"e room4 e7am&n&ng t"e "ome%
to12"es Jw"&2" to "er were odd %et not o''531tt&ngK as s"e went(
To "er s1r3r&se4 and w&t" an a&r o' 2on'1s&on4 /a7 'o1nd "ersel' 'eel&ng more at "ome w&t"&n t"e walls
o' t"e teen% 2ab&n t"an s"e e!er "ad at /ant&2ore( It was an emot&on s"e was "a!&ng tro1ble
1nderstand&ng4 s1rg&ng t"ro1g" "er l&ke a sweet s&2kness4 as s"e looked at t"e 2andlest&2ks4 books4
3a&nt&ngs4 and ot"er ob6e2ts t"at were so 'ore&gn to "er(
#Naw4) <anna" was sa%&ng( #S"e$s 61st a k&d b1t s"e$s got 3roblems at "ome and needs to '&nd
somew"ere sa'e()
/a7 wondered &' s"e wo1ld e!er "a!e a 3la2e as bea1t&'1l as t"&s4 a 3la2e o' "er own8 t"&nk&ng o' t"e
2ab&n t"at wa%4 t"at a 3erson 2o1ld l&!e b% "ersel'4 made &ts smallness seem s1ddenl% room%
#Look4) <anna" was sa%&ng4 !ag1el% &rr&tated( #I$ll e73la&n e!er%t"&ng w"en I see %o1 T"anks( $B%e()
<anna" "1ng 13 t"e 3"one as /a7 rea2"ed o1t and to12"ed t"e so't "em o' t"e Ind&an53r&nt blanket4
rel&s"&ng t"e te7t1re( None o' t"e wool blankets at /ant&2ore "ad e!er been so soot"&ngl% so't
<anna" ste33ed 'orward4 3&2ked 13 t"e "1ge blanket and wra33ed &t aro1nd /a7$s s"o1lders( T"e 2"&ld
&mmed&atel% 'elt warm all o!er4 down to "er bare 'eet4 and s"e sn&''ed dee3l%4 tak&ng &n t"e woman$s
sweet s2ent4 w"&2" st&ll 2l1ng to t"e blanket(
#I$ll be ba2k as soon as I 2an4) <anna" sa&d4 s"r1gg&ng ba2k &nto "er "ea!% 2oat( #/ake %o1rsel' at
"ome()
/a7 sa&d not"&ng4 t"e 3"rase as 'ore&gn to "er as &' &n a lang1age s"e "adn$t got $ro1nd to learn&ng %et(
S"e and t"e woman lo2ked e%es4 t"en <anna" ste33ed o1ts&de &nto t"e 2old n&g"t and 31lled t"e door
s"1t be"&nd "er(
Stand&ng &n t"e w&ndow4 t"e blanket st&ll dra3ed aro1nd "er4 /a7 wa&ted( S"e stood t"ere4 star&ng o1t
t"e w&ndow4 'or w"at m&g"t "a!e been "o1rs( T"&s was4 a'ter all4 st&ll enem% terr&tor%( S"e was not
2erta&n w"at d&stan2e t"e% "ad tra!eled &n t"e 2&!&l&an 2ar4 b1t /a7 knew nonet"eless t"at /ant&2ore
wasn$t t"at 'ar awa%(
S"e knew also t"at L%de2ker and t"at !ag1e %et s3e2&'&2 ent&t% 2alled /ant&2ore wo1ld ne!er g&!e 13
look&ng 'or "er 'or all o' t"em(
F&nall%4 rel12tantl%4 /a7 de2&ded <anna" e&t"er wasn$t 2om&ng ba2k or "ad been 2a3t1red( E&t"er wa%4
t"e 2ab&n m1st now be 2ons&dered 1nsa'e( S"e l&ked t"&s 3la2e "ad s"e known t"e 2on2e3t4 s"e m&g"t
e!en "a!e lo!ed &t( <1man 'eel&ngs dee3 w&t"&n "er "ad st&rred t"e warmt"4 t"e wood8 t"e woman$s
k&ndness(
B1t s"e "ad alread% sta%ed "ere too long(
O3en&ng t"e door4 s"e took one last long look down t"e deserted lane8 t"en s"e t1rned and took one
more4 e!en longer look &nto t"e warm 2ab&n( /a7 %earned to sta%4 to be wra33ed &n warmt"4 to not be a
sold&er 'or a w"&le8 b1t s"e knew t"at wasn$t 3oss&ble(
S1r!&!al4 ada3tab&l&t%4 o!er2ame t"ese new emot&ons(
S"e dro33ed t"e blanket &n a 31ddle &n t"e doorwa%4 and bo1nded o'' a2ross t"e snow(
T"e s1n rose to '&nd /a7 mo!&ng at a slow trot4 'at&g1e 2at2"&ng 13 w&t" "er8 e!en t"e 'la33&ng
n&g"ts"&rt seemed wear%(
S"e needed to '&nd a 3la2e to "&de d1r&ng t"e da%l&g"t "o1rs4 anot"er warm 3la2e( T"e 2old "ad dra&ned
"er strengt" e!en more t"an t"e 2onstant r1nn&ng "ad( Sweat 'roEe &nto t&n% beads o' w"&te &n "er
e%ebrows4 on "er 2lose52ro33ed "a&r4 and st&''ened t"e alread% star2"% mater&al o' t"e smo2k(
/a7 knew t"at w"en t"e s1n got "&g"4 /ant&2ore wo1ld "a!e !er% l&ttle tro1ble 2at2"&ng 13 w&t" a
bare'oot n&ne5%ear5old g&rl wear&ng onl% a bl1e5gra% "os3&tal n&g"ts"&rt( From "er tra&n&ng4 s"e knew
eno1g" abo1t t"e o1ts&de world to real&Ee t"at s"e and "er s&bl&ngs l&kel% wo1ld be des2r&bed to t"e
a1t"or&t&es as es2a3ees o' some k&nd4 3er"a3s 'rom a mental &nst&t1t&on(
<er s3e2&al genet&2 g&'ts wo1ld 3ro!&de some 3rote2t&on4 %es8 b1t s"e was beg&nn&ng to lose t"e battle
w&t" e7"a1st&on(
S&n2e lea!&ng t"e 2ab&n4 s"e "ad 2l1ng to t"e woods4 onl% o22as&onall% "ear&ng t"e w"&ne o'
snowmob&les or t"e roar o' "el&2o3ters4 as s"e mo!ed so1t"( S"e st&ll "ad no &dea w"ere s"e was4 m12"
less w"ere s"e was go&ng4 s1r!&!al &tsel' "er onl% eng&ne(
S"e d&d know s"e was st&ll too 2lose to "er 'ormer #"ome) to a2"&e!e an% reasonable sense o' sa'et%8
and s"e needed to 31t as m12" d&stan2e as 3oss&ble between "er and L%de2ker and t"e m&n&ons o'
/ant&2ore(
A"ead o' "er4 t"e woods tra&led o'' and4 a2ross a s2r1bb% 2lear&ng4 t"ere la% t"e e73anse o' a large
3ark&ng lot '&lled w&t" tr12ks4 t"e same t%3e o' !e"&2les s"e "ad not&2ed br&ng&ng s133l&es to /ant&2ore(
T"ese s"e "ad seen at t"e 'a2&l&t%4 one or at most two at a t&me( Now 3er"a3s as man% as '&'t% o' t"em
sat not a "1ndred %ards &n 'ront o' "er4 a !&rt1al 'orest o' mass&!e !e"&2les( Some mo!ed o1t4 w"&le
ot"ers mo!ed &n4 tak&ng t"e&r 3la2es &n a 2onstant 3arade(
/a7 wat2"ed 'or a long t&me as tr12ks 3arked4 t"e&r dr&!ers 2l&mb&ng down and d&sa33ear&ng &nto t"e
d&stan2e toward a b1&ld&ng o' w"&2" s"e "ad onl% an obstr12ted !&ew( A'ter a w"&le4 dr&!ers wo1ld
2ome ba2k o1t4 2"e2k t"e rear doors on t"e&r tra&lers4 2l&mb ba2k &nto t"e 2ab4 t"en somet&mes dr&!e
awa%4 and ot"er t&mes 61st rema&n 3arked w&t" t"e eng&nes r1nn&ng4 st1d%&ng ma3s4 read&ng4 rest&ng(
T"e 2"&ld knew t"at e!en &' t"e tra&lers weren$t "eated4 an% one o' t"em wo1ld 3ro!&de better 3rote2t&on
'rom t"e elements t"an s"e "ad now4 as well as g&!e "er a 3la2e to "&de d1r&ng t"e 2om&ng da%(
T"e% also 3resented a !ar&et% o' 3otent&al "aEards(
S"e m&g"t 2"oose to "&de &n a tr12k t"at ended 13 ba2k at /ant&2ore8 s&n2e s"e "ad no real sense o' t"e
s&Ee o' t"e world be%ond /ant&2ore4 t"&s seemed a gen1&ne 3oss&b&l&t%(
Or4 &' 1nable to relo2k t"e tra&ler 'rom t"e &ns&de4 s"e m&g"t be d&s2o!ered b% one o' t"e dr&!ers4 w"o
wo1ld 2erta&nl% 2all t"e a1t"or&t&es( And 'or all s"e knew4 t"at 2o1ld eas&l% &n2l1de ,olonel L%de2ker(
W&t" t"e &2% a&r b&t&ng &nto "er4 s"e was 1ns1re w"at to do8 b1t4 as a sold&er4 s"e knew do&ng not"&ng
was not an o3t&on(
/a7 wat2"ed 3at&entl% as two more tra&lers 2ame and went4 one at e&t"er end( T"en s"e rose to "er
"a1n2"es and 3re3ared to mo!e( T"e tree l&ne wo1ld 3ro!&de 2o!er 'or t"e '&rst twent% %ards or so
b1t a'ter t"at4 /a7 wo1ld be r1nn&ng o!er o3en gro1nd4 &n t"e br&g"t s1ns"&ne4 w&t" absol1tel% now"ere
to "&de
W"en t"e ne7t tra&ler ba2ked &n and 3arked a long orange a''a&r w&t" bla2k tr&m /a7 made "er
mo!e( S"e s"ot 'orward l&ke a r1nner 2om&ng o1t o' t"e blo2ks4 streak&ng t"ro1g" t"e last o' t"e trees4
t"en "&t t"e o3en '&eld4 2"1rn&ng along at '1ll s3eed(
<er e%es swe3t t"e 3ark&ng lot 'or w&tnesses to "er a33roa2"4 b1t s"e saw none8 t"e rear ends o' t"e
!e"&2les were l&ned 13 be'ore "er4 mak&ng &t 1nl&kel% a tr12ker s&tt&ng &n a 2ab m&g"t s3ot "er( As s"e
neared t"e des&gnated tra&ler4 and Eeroed &n on &ts two doors4 "er "eart sank
A t&n% t"read o' metal ran t"ro1g" t"e two 3&e2es o' t"e lo2k( T"ere was no wa% to o3en t"e door
w&t"o1t break&ng t"e metal4 t"1s alert&ng t"e dr&!er t"at someone "ad tam3ered w&t" "&s r&g( I' s"e
broke t"e seal4 s"e$d be 2a1g"t t"at m12" s"e 2o1ld '&g1re o1t4 w&t"o1t e!er "a!&ng seen t"e de!&2e
be'ore(
S"e ke3t mo!&ng4 d12k&ng &n and 2ro12"&ng 1nder t"e tra&ler4 w"&2" wo1ld 3ro!&de at least some 2o!er8
"1ddl&ng l&ke t"e s3ooked an&mal s"e was4 /a7 tr&ed to '&g1re "er ne7t mo!e(
.&d t"e tra&lers all "a!e t"ese de!&2esF A'ter e%eball&ng t"e doors4 s"e real&Eed t"ere wo1ld be no wa%
to lo2k t"e door 'rom t"e &ns&de4 an%wa%4 and t"e dr&!er wo1ld st&ll know "&s load "ad been tam3ered
w&t"( Damn it, s"e t"o1g"t4 1s&ng t"e 'orb&dden words s"e$d "eard ,olonel L%de2ker 1se4 w"en "e was
'r1strated or angr%(
/a%be4 s"e de2&ded4 one o' t"e ot"er tra&lers wo1ld "a!e a d&''erent t%3e o' door
/o!&ng o1t 'rom 1nder t"e tra&ler4 st&ll 2are'1l to 2"e2k 'or 1nwanted w&tnesses4 s"e sl&d to t"e ne7t
tra&ler4 and t"e ne7t4 and t"e one a'ter t"at4 1nt&l '&nall%4 at t"e '&'t" tra&ler4 s"e 'o1nd a s&ngle door t"at
sl&d 134 &nstead o' a 3a&r o' doors t"at o3ened on "&nges(
E!en l12k&er4 t"ere was no l&ttle metal seal t"&s t&me8 b1t t"e dr&!er wo1ld st&ll know t"e tr12k "ad been
o3ened w"en /a7 wo1ldn$t be able to lat2" t"e door 'rom t"e &ns&de
S"e wo1ld "a!e to r&sk &t(
A'ter 1nlat2"&ng t"e door4 not r1s"&ng4 s"e tr&ed to ra&se &t s&lentl%4 b1t &t s01eaked4 l&ke a wo1nded
beast4 and s"e d12ked 1nder t"e !e"&2le4 des3eratel%4 01&2kl% s2ann&ng t"e 3ark&ng lot 'or an%one w"o
m&g"t "a!e "eard(
Not"&ng(
S"e eased ba2k o1t4 ra&sed t"e door anot"er s&7 &n2"es 61st "&g" eno1g" 'or "er to 2rawl 1nder and
t"en took a ste3 ba2k( From a 'lat5'ooted 3os&t&on4 /a7 lea3t t"e t"ree and a "al' 'eet to t"e l&3 o' t"e
tra&ler4 land&ng n&mbl%4 all b1t s&lentl%4 and &n one 'l1&d mot&on sl&33ed 1nder t"e edge4 3&t2"&ng
"ersel' 'orward4 roll&ng onto "er s&de4 1nder t"e door(
W&t" t"e door st&ll 134 and t"e d1ll gra% l&g"t 'rom o1tdoors 3ro!&d&ng at least sl&g"t &ll1m&nat&on &ns&de4
s"e 2"e2ked o1t "er latest "ome(
T"e ba2k "al' o' t"e tra&ler was em3t%4 w"&le4 at t"e 'ront end4 '&!e wooden 3allets sta2ked w&t"
2ardboard bo7es nearl% as tall as s"e4 were 6ammed &nto t"e s3a2e( Be"&nd t"em 2ro12"ed a wooden
2rate t"at 2ame almost to /a7$s ne2k( Ins&de4 two bla2k tra2tor seats 'a2ed ea2" ot"er(
It wasn$t t"e 2ab&n4 b1t &t wo1ld do(
/a7 31lled t"e door ba2k down4 2are'1l to toss o1t t"e 2an!as stra3 atta2"ed to t"e bottom o' t"e door(
T"e 1nlat2"ed door m&g"t draw attent&on4 b1t lea!&ng t"e 2an!as stra3 on t"e &ns&de wo1ld "a!e been a
dead g&!eawa% t"at t"e door "ad been 2losed b% someone st&ll &ns&de(
.arkness 2ons1med t"e tra&ler( T"&s ma% not "a!e been as 2om'ort&ng as a blanket and a '&re4 b1t /a7
2erta&nl% 'elt better be&ng o1t o' t"e w&nd( T"e wood5and5steel 'loor was 2old beneat" "er bare 'eet8
st&ll4 &t was less wet and less 'r&g&d t"an stand&ng &n t"e snow o1ts&de( /a7 was not a 2"&ld a'ra&d o' t"e
dark t"e t&n% amo1nt o' 2at .NA m&7ed &nto "er genet&2 re2&3e ga!e "er t"e ab&l&t% to see e!en &n
3&t2" bla2k(
,l&mb&ng &nto t"e 2rate4 /a7 "1ddled low4 d&sa33ear&ng &nto "ersel'4 3eek&ng o1t 'rom be"&nd t"e seat
ba2k4 tr%&ng to see between t"e slats o' t"e 2rate( S"e sta%ed t"at wa%4 on g1ard4 'or "al' an "o1r(
T"en4 'rom o1ts&de t"e tra&ler4 s"e "eard a man$s m1''led4 #Son o' a b&t2"G)
/a7 "ad "eard L%de2ker sa% t"ose words4 too(
T"e door 3&g5s01ealed &n 3rotest as &t rose a 'oot or so4 t"e dr&!er st&ll "ang&ng on to t"e 2an!as stra3(
<e was a s"ort bald&ng man w&t" a s3"ere 'or a sk1ll4 l&ttle more t"an a d&sembod&ed "ead and
s"o1lders 'loat&ng abo!e t"e l&3 o' t"e tra&ler(
W&de5e%ed4 a 3eeled on&on o' a nose dom&nat&ng "&s 'a2e4 t"e g1% bobbed "&s ball5s"a3ed "ead as "e
looked aro1nd t"e tra&ler4 saw not"&ng4 swore some more4 m1ttered somet"&ng abo1t #damn k&ds
an%wa%4) t"en banged t"e door down(
/a7 "eard t"e lat2" s2rat2" ba2k &nto 3la2e8 s"e allowed "ersel' a m&n1te sm&le(
A moment later s"e "eard t"e dr&!er$s door slam4 t"e transm&ss&on get s"o!ed &nto gear4 t"e eng&ne roar4
be'ore t"e tr12k l1r2"ed 'orward(
Some t&me later J/a7 d&dn$t know "ow long4 as s"e$d '&nall% gotten some slee3K4 s"e 'elt t"e tr12k 2ome
to a sto34 ba2k 13 'or a long moment4 and t"en t"e tra&ler ro2ked a l&ttle4 as &' &t "ad b1m3ed &nto
somet"&ng( S"e "eard t"e b1r3 o' t"e a&r brake be&ng engaged4 'ollowed b% t"e slamm&ng o' t"e dr&!er$s
door aga&n( <o33&ng o1t o' t"e 2rate4 /a7 3re3ared "ersel'
T"e lat2" groaned as &t sl&33ed loose4 t"e door made &ts 'am&l&ar s01eal as &t %awned o3en and da%l&g"t
2as2aded &n(
<eedlessl%4 /a7 la1n2"ed "ersel' be'ore s"e real&Eed t"e dr&!er and anot"er tall man bot" wore 6eans
and "ea!% barn 2oats were blo2k&ng "er 3at"4 a 'ork tr12k s&tt&ng be"&nd t"em4 &ts motor 31rr&ng(
#W"at t"e "ellF) t"e dr&!er bl1rted4 as "e took a re'le7&!e ste3 ba2kward4 "&s "ands 2om&ng 13 to
de'end "&msel'4 1n&ntent&onall% 2lear&ng t"e wa% 'or "er(
/a7 landed gra2e'1ll% on t"e load&ng do2k4 t"e 2on2rete 'r&g&d beneat" "er 'eet a'ter t"e tra&ler$s
relat&!e warmt"( S"e took one ste3 toward t"e w&de5e%ed men4 3&!oted and lea3t o'' t"e do2k onto t"e
snow52o!ered 3ark&ng lot below( Bolt&ng a2ross t"e lot4 t"e two men %ell&ng at "er4 s"e made 'or a l&ne
o' tra&lers aga&nst t"e 'ar 'en2e(
As s"e 31lled awa%4 s"e 2o1ld "ear t"e "1''&ng o' t"e two men be"&nd "er8 aga&n a small sm&le 'ormedH
t"e% were not go&ng to 2at2" "er(
T"e se!en5'oot 2"a&n5l&nk 'en2e be%ond t"e l&ne o' tra&lers 3ro!ed to be e!en less o' an obsta2le t"an
t"e one ba2k at /ant&2ore8 s"e s2am3ered 13 and o!er4 t"e wa% a s3&der na!&gates a wall( And t"e 3a&r
o' o!erwe&g"t old men 31rs1&ng "er "ardl% 2om3ared to "el&2o3ters and snowmob&les(
S"e was gone be'ore t"e two men were "al'wa% a2ross t"e %ard( Be%ond t"e 'en2e la% a two5lane
bla2kto3 road4 and a2ross t"at w"at looked to /a7 l&ke a 'a2tor% o' some sort(
St&ll mak&ng &ts morn&ng as2ent4 t"e s1n told "er &t was a33roa2"&ng noon4 t"e sk%$s 2om3ass &nd&2at&ng
t"at west la% to "er le't( For no 3art&21lar reason s"e 2o1ld d&s2ern4 s"e 2"ose t"at d&re2t&on4 "o33ed
onto t"e road and ran 'or all s"e was wort"(
/a7 3assed b1s&ness a'ter b1s&ness4 tr%&ng not to allow t"e newness o' &t all to d&stra2t "er4 "owe!er
m12" see&ng s12" t"&ngs &n real&t%4 as o33osed to some tra&n&ng !&deo4 e72&ted and aro1sed "er( S"e
ke3t arms and legs 31m3&ng and4 e!ent1all%4 s"e le't t"e &nd1str&al 3ark be"&nd and mo!ed &nto an area
o' "o1ses(
<omes(
On2e &n t"e res&dent&al ne&g"bor"ood J+ivilians live here, t"e %o1ng sold&er t"o1g"tK4 s"e slowed down4
'&nall% allow&ng "ersel' to take &t all &n( T"ese str12t1res were not m12" l&ke <anna"$s 2ab&n at all(
/12" b&gger and 2lose toget"er4 t"e% !ag1el% rem&nded /a7 o' 2astles &n /ant&2ore te7ts(
T"o1g" most o' t"e str12t1res were w"&te4 o22as&onall% t"ere wo1ld be a bl1e one or a %ellow one a
ra&nbow to a 2"&ld ra&sed &n a bl1e5gra% en!&ronment and all o' t"em seemed to be two5stor% and
"a!e a garage 1nderneat" one s&de( A 'ew 2ars were 3arked on t"e street4 all w&t" l&2ense 3lates
sten2&led WYO/IN;4 l&ke <anna"$s last n&g"t8 b1t s"e saw no 3eo3le and wondered w"ere e!er%one
was(
At t"e so1nd o' a 2ar motor4 13 t"e street be"&nd "er4 a startled /a7 took o'' at a s3r&nt between two
"o1ses( S"e 2&r2led t"e "o1se to "er le't4 2om&ng ba2k onto t"e 3la2e w"ere s"e$d started4 61st a'ter t"e
2ar "ad 3assed4 roll&ng down t"e street4 obl&!&o1s to "er 3resen2e(
T"e !e"&2le looked d&''erent t"an an%t"&ng s"e$d seen at /ant&2ore4 and w"en s"e 'o21sed &n on t"e
name3late4 s"e 2o1ld make o1t a wordH A+ALON( S"e "ad no &dea w"at t"at meant( S"e d&d know t"e
/ant&2ore men tra!eled &n bla2k !e"&2les labeled TA<OE and <-/+EE8 t"&s w"&te A!alon looked
not"&ng l&ke t"ose(
/a7 wondered "ow 'ar s"e was 'rom /ant&2ore4 and "ow 'ar awa% s"e needed to get4 to be sa'e(
T"o1g" "er sense o' t&me was a&ded b% t"e s1n4 d&stan2e rema&ned !ag1e to "er( S"e ret1rned to t"e
s&dewalk4 b1t s"e knew "er smo2k wo1ld draw attent&on to "er4 and t"at s"e needed to '&nd 2o!er aga&n
1nt&l dark and t"e sooner4 t"e better(
Ro1nd&ng a 2orner4 s"e wandered down a new street( /a7 "ad tro1ble tell&ng t"&s one 'rom t"e 3re!&o1s
one4 t"e "o1ses look&ng &nter2"angeable4 as &' man1'a2t1red 'rom &dent&2al 3lans8 t"e 2ars looked abo1t
t"e same4 too4 and t"ere st&ll d&dn$t seem to be an% 3eo3le aro1nd e72e3t "er and t"e dr&!er o' t"e 2ar
t"at "ad 3assed b%(
/a7 "ad gone anot"er blo2k or two w"en s"e s3otted mo!ement &n t"e ne7t blo2k4 on t"e ot"er s&de o'
t"e street(
A 2"&ld
abo1t "er age4 3la%&ng &n a %ard t"ree doors 13( T"e s&g"t o' anot"er k&d made /a7 t"&nk aga&n o'
"er s&bs4 and an emot&on rose &n "er4 a 2ar&ng emot&on4 and sadH s"e wondered &' an% o' t"em "ad
es2a3ed(
S"e m&g"t ne!er know w"at "ad be2ome o' *ond% and t"e ot"ers Ia2k s"e 'eared "ad been k&lled
b1t s"e wasn$t s1re "ow s"e wo1ld '&nd an% o' t"em4 &' t"e% had gotten awa%(
B1t stand&ng "ere on t"&s 2orner4 wat2"&ng t"at ot"er 2"&ld 3la% &n t"e snow4 /a7 made a !ow t"at
wo1ld 'orm "er &n %ears to 2omeH s"e wo1ld ne!er sto3 look&ng 'or "er brot"ers and s&sters
Ne!er(
Chapter Two
TITANIC NIGHT
T<E ,AP
LOS AN;ELES4 ,ALIFORNIA4 9:L>
<ang&ng s1s3ended b% a slender n%lon ro3e4 e&g"t stor&es o!er n&g"tt&me Los Angeles4 /a7 t"o1g"t4
2iece of cake-
T"e l&ne tet"er&ng "er to t"e b1&ld&ng 'elt sn1g aga&nst "er was3l&ke wa&st( T"o1g" a 2"&ll% w&nd swe3t
o!er t"e 2&t%4 2older t"an one wo1ld e73e2t 'or earl% /ar2"4 &t barel% reg&stered on /a74 13on w"om
weat"er "ad l&ttle or no e''e2t( <er l&t"e4 at"let&2 bod% was s"eat"ed &n bla2k 'orm'&tt&ng 'at&g1es4
3ro!&d&ng warmt" eno1g" 'or "er genet&2all% am3l&'&ed bod%8 bes&des w"&2"4 "er /ant&2ore tra&n&ng &n
t"e 'r&g&d w&nters o' ;&llette4 W%om&ng4 "ad to1g"ened "er 'ar be%ond an% mere meteorolog&2al
3"enomenon s"e m&g"t en2o1nter &n LA( <er s&lk% bla2k "a&r4 worn long s&n2e "er es2a3e 'rom t"e
2om3o1nd4 was t12ked neatl% 1nder a bla2k wat2"2a34 and s"e made an anon%mo1s4 ase71al '&g1re as
s"e 3la%ed "1man s3&der(
L&ke t"e m1s&2 t"at "ad on2e been made "ere4 t"e re2ord 2om3an% t"at "ad or&g&nall% ere2ted t"e
3se1do5sta2ked5d&s2 str12t1re Jw"ere s"e wo1ld soon be break&ng and enter&ngK was an2&ent "&stor%(
A'ter t"e P1lse4 gangster gro13s "ad taken t"e b1&ld&ng &n l&e1 o' ro%alt&es owed4 'ollow&ng negot&at&ons
t"at were r1mored to "a!e been a l&teral bloodbat"(
T"e ragtag street arm% t"at mo!ed &n to t"e old ,a3&tol Re2ords B1&ld&ng t1rned t"e str12t1re &nto a
'ortress t"at "ad w&t"stood all atta2ks 1nt&l t"e B&g =1ake o' 9:L94 an%wa%( A'ter t"at4 a b1&ld&ng t"at
"ad on2e resembled a sta2k o' re2ords 2ame to look more l&ke a la%er 2ake w&t" t"e to3 'o1r stor&es
sm1s"ed b% t"e t"1mb o' a 'rost&ng5l&2k&ng ;od(
A se2ond generat&on o' gangsters dwelled &n t"e b1&ld&ng known now as t"e ,a3 and t"&s
3art&21lar bat2" o' 2r&m&nals5s&n2e5b&rt" were t"e ones /a7 3lanned to r&3 o'' t"&s e!en&ng( T"e Brood4
as t"e% were 2alled4 wo1ld b1%4 sell4 or trade an%t"&ng as long as &t was &llegal(
For &nstan2e4 r&g"t now t"e Brood "ad &n t"e&r 3ossess&on t"e se21r&t% 3lans 'or t"e <oll%wood <er&tage
/1se1m4 not 'ar o1ts&de Brood t1r' on <&g"land4 a re2on!erted o''&2e b1&ld&ng Jon2e belong&ng to a
3ower'1l #agen2%4) /a7 "ad been told s3&es4 s"e s133osedK t"at "eld m12" o' t"e rema&n&ng
nostalg&2 art&'a2ts o' a 2&t% w"ose ma&n b1s&ness "ad on2e been Jbe'ore t"e P1lse4 be'ore t"e B&g
=1akeK enterta&nment(
/a7 knew t"e Brood 3lanned to r&3 t"e m1se1m o''4 and s"e and "er own 2lan &ntended to 3re!ent
t"em 'rom do&ng so not o1t o' 2&!&25s3&r&tedness4 b1t to take down t"e s2ore t"emsel!es(
A'ter %ears o' str1ggle4 t"e se2tor 3ol&2e "ad '&nall% 'o1g"t to a stalemate w&t" t"e Brood4 3enn&ng t"em
&nto an area bordered b% t"e old L:L on t"e nort" and east4 ,a"1enga on t"e west4 and S1nset
Bo1le!ard on t"e so1t"( T"e <oll%wood Freewa%4 t"e old L:L4 21r!ed aro1nd t"e ,a3 and st&ll
o22as&onall% bore s3ott%4 s3orad&2 tra''&24 !e"&2les dr&!en b% t"ose bra!e Jor 'ool"ard%K eno1g" to 3ass
t"ro1g" Road"og terr&tor%(
<ang&ng along t"e nort" s&de o' t"e b1&ld&ng4 as 2as1al and 1na'ra&d as a 2"&ld on a ba2k%ard sw&ng4
/a7 looked down on t"e tw&nkl&ng abstra2t&on t"at was t"e L:L and wat2"ed &dl% as t"e Road"ogs
2"ased a'ter some 1n'ort1nate so1l w"o$d "ad t"e bad 61dgment to tr% to r1n t"e 'reewa%( S"e sm&led a
l&ttle4 s"ook "er "ead8 how reckless, t"e %o1ng woman t"o1g"t4 as s"e dangled o'' t"e s&de o' t"e tower(
Look&ng nort" toward /o1nt Lee4 /a7 2o1ld see t"e '&'t%5'oot letters t"at now s3elled o1t <O WOO.4
t"e&r w"&teness stark e!en &n t"e t"ree A(/( darkness( T"e s&gn "ad read <O YWOO. w"en /a7 "ad
arr&!ed &n <oll%wood &n 9:LA4 barel% a %ear a'ter t"e =1ake "ad de2&mated most o' w"at t"e 3ost5P1lse
r&ots "adn$t( T"&s latest re!&s&on str12k /a7 as a33ro3r&ate to a 2&t% o' s2a!engers and street tram3s o'
e!er% str&3e(
S"e 2"e2ked "er wat2"H it was time.
Se21r&ng a 'oot"old on a w&ndow ledge4 /a7 lowered "ersel' onto "er stoma2" on t"e steel awn&ng
abo!e t"e se!ent" 'loor( On "er bell%4 s"e s31n and slowl% 2rawled to t"e edge4 "er "ead "ang&ng down
as s"e 3eeked &nto t"e w&ndow(
S"e saw not"&ng b1t darkness(
S&lentl%4 s"e t&2ked o'' t"e se2onds 1nt&l /ood%$s d&!ers&on wo1ld beg&n(
/ood% leader o' t"e ,"&nese ,lan4 t"e gro13 /a7 belonged to "ad taken o!er &n /a7$s l&'e
Jt"o1g" s"e "ad ne!er made t"e mental 2onne2t&on "ersel'K t"e 'at"er5'&g1re 3os&t&on t"at "ad on2e
been '&lled b% ,olonel .onald L%de2ker(
An old man b% t"e standards o' t"ese s"ort5l&!ed t&mes '&'t%5'&!e4 ma%be e!en s&7t% /ood% "ad
3&er2&ng green e%es4 a tr&mmed gra% beard and m1sta2"e t"at 2onta&ned 'le2ks o' bla2k4 "&s long s&l!er
"a&r 2ombed stra&g"t ba2k4 1s1all% t&ed &n a long 3on%ta&l( <&s sk&n tone sa&d "e rarel% saw l&g"t o' da%8
and "&s nose a tw&st&ng ser&es o' "&lls on t"e 3la&n o' "&s 'a2e s3oke o' man% break&ngs4 w"&le t"e
t"&n4 3&nk5l&33ed l&ne o' "&s mo1t" ke3t t"e man$s t"o1g"ts lo2ked 13 t&g"t( <&s bla2k garments bla2k
leat"er 6a2ket4 bla2k T5s"&rt4 bla2k 6eans &ns3&red /a7 to "er own4 s&m&lar st%le o' dress(
T"e ,"&nese ,lan were t"&e!es4 so named not be2a1se an% o' t"e members were o' As&an des2ent4
rat"er be2a1se t"e% l&!ed &n w"at "ad on2e been /ann$s ,"&nese T"eatre4 t"e grandest o' man% lo2al4
abandoned mo!&e t"eaters( T"e P1lse and t"e =1ake "ad 2omb&ned to e''e2t&!el% k&ll t"e mot&on 3&2t1re
&nd1str%4 and t"eater 2om3le7es a2ross Amer&2a stood em3t%4 t"e&r des&gn d&''&21lt 'or an% wort"w"&le
31r3ose4 some be&ng t1rned &nto 'lo3"o1ses4 'ortresses4 w"ore"o1ses4 and e!en o22as&onall%4 &'
2l1ms&l%4 a "os3&tal(
T"e sel'5d1bbed ,"&nese ,lan "ad o2213&ed t"e t"eater w&t"&n da%s o' t"e P1lse4 and /ood%$s %o1t"'1l
gang "ad sta!ed o'' e!er% e''ort 'rom bot" 3ol&2e and r&!al gangs to e!&2t t"em(
3ive, /a7 2alml% t"o1g"t4 four- three, "er large dark e%es lo2ked on t"e w&ndow two- one-
An explosion rocked the world, a bright orange column of flame rising along the east side of the
building like a fiery offering to the heavens/
T"e roar t"at 'ollowed a se2ond later rem&nded /a7 o' t"e art&ller% blasts d1r&ng war games ba2k at
/ant&2ore and4 e!en as "eat wa!es rolled t"ro1g" t"e b1&ld&ng4 'or a se2ond s"e 'roEe4 a 2"&ll sl&2&ng
t"ro1g" "er bones(
A second explosion, this one on the west side, sent flames shooting skyward, as well, orange and blue
tongues licking hungrily.
Sna33&ng o1t o' &t4 /a7 2o1ld make o1t mo!ement be"&nd t"e darkened w&ndows o' t"e se!ent" 'loor(
A door sw1ng o3en4 a l&g"t &n t"e "allwa% s1ddenl% &ll1m&nat&ng t"e room4 and Brood members 3o1red
o1t &nto t"e "allwa%4 most l&kel% bel&e!&ng t"e% were 1nder atta2k(
T"e% weren$t 'ar wrong4 2ons&der&ng t"ose '&res b1rn&ng below8 /ood%$s &dea o' a d&!ers&on seemed to
/a7 to be 61st s"ort o' an all5o1t bl&tE on t"e Brood strong"old( /o!&ng 01&2kl% now4 1ns1re "ow long
/ood%$s '&reworks wo1ld kee3 t"e gangsters o2213&ed4 /a7 lowered "ersel' onto t"e s&ll o' t"e
se!ent"5'loor w&ndow and went to work( -s&ng a glass 21tter4 s"e et2"ed a 2&r2le b&g eno1g" to
a22ommodate "er slender 'orm4 31n2"ed &t &n4 and t"en "eld t"e edge to ma&nta&n "er balan2e as s"e
1nd&d "er tet"er(
T"e l&t"e t"&e' released "er "old on t"e ro3e and t"e w&ndow4 seem&ng to "ang t"ere 'or a se2ond4 t"en
lea3t "ead'&rst t"ro1g" t"e "ole and somersa1lted onto t"e mattresses s2attered a2ross t"e 'loor4 2om&ng
13 &n a '&g"t&ng stan2e(
T"e room was em3t%4 1nless %o1 2o1nted t"e sten2" le't be"&nd b% a doEen 1nwas"ed so1ls slee3&ng &n
w"at "ad on2e been an o''&2e 'or one( Onl% t"e desk rema&ned 'rom t"e '1rn&t1re t"at "ad 'ormerl%
marked t"&s room as a 3la2e o' b1s&ness8 &t sat to /a7$s le't4 one mattress on to3 o' &t and anot"er
1nderneat"4 one end st1''ed 1nder t"e desk so t"e owner$s "ead rested w"ere a worker$s legs and 'eet
"ad on2e been( In t"e Brood4 t"&s 3robabl% 01al&'&ed as eart"01ake awareness(
T&3toe&ng to t"e door4 /a7 l&stened 'or an% so1nd t"at m&g"t &nd&2ate s"e wasn$t alone on t"e 'loor( T"e
&n'ormat&on abo1t t"e se21r&t% 3lan "ad rea2"ed /ood% t"ro1g" a Brood &ntermed&ar% w"o a33arentl%
'&g1red t"e br&be "e$d sol&2&ted 'rom t"e ,"&nese ,lan was wort" r&sk&ng t"e wrat" o' "&s own gang(
A22ord&ng to t"e sello1t4 /&k"a&l Ka'eln&ko! t"e 'orm&dable4 legendar&l% sad&st&2 leader o' t"e Brood
ke3t t"e m1se1m se21r&t% la%o1t &n a sa'e on t"&s 'loor4 &n "&s 3r&!ate o''&2e at t"e 'ar end o' t"e "all(
T"e b1&ld&ng4 tomb5s&lent4 a33eared to "a!e em3t&ed as t"e Brood 3o1red downsta&rs to 2"e2k o1t t"e
e73los&ons( /o!&ng &nto t"e "allwa%4 /a7$s "%3ersens&t&!e "ear&ng so1g"t an% so1nd a 2reak o' t"e
'loor4 t"e s01eak o' a sneaker4 e!en somet"&ng as &n2onse01ent&al as t"e breat"&ng o' a g1ard not"&ng(
Not"&ng b1t t"e d&stant 2ra2kle o' 'lames and ra&sed !o&2es4 an%wa%4 man% 'loors below(
An e%ebrow l&'ted &n a l&ttle s"r1g4 be'ore /a7 took o'' &nto a s"ort s3r&nt t"at de3os&ted "er at t"e
t"res"old o' Ka'eln&ko!$s o''&2e(
S"e really wanted to make s1re t"at s&n&ster son o' a b&t2" wasn$t &n aga&n4 s"e l&stened &ntentl%4
"ear&ng not"&ng4 t"en tr&ed t"e door
lo2ked(
/a7 2ons&dered 3&2k&ng t"e lo2k s"e "ad t"e tools4 and t"e knowledge t"en de2&ded "er l&m&ted
t&me wo1ld be better s3ent &ns&de t"e o''&2e( Rear&ng ba2k4 s"e k&2ked t"e lat2" ne7t to t"e knob and t"e
door s3l&ntered w&t" a sat&s'%&ng crunch as &t sw1ng o3en(
#ime is money, s"e t"o1g"t4 mo!&ng &ns&de t"e em3t% room(
Em3t% o' 3eo3le4 at least( T"&s was a 2omb&nat&on o''&2e4 a3artment and arsenal( To t"e le't4 r1nn&ng
t"e lengt" o' t"e wall4 a ra2k d&s3la%ed w&t" 3r&de g1ns4 r&'les4 ma2"&ne g1ns4 and s"otg1ns( S"el!es
abo!e t"e ra2k "eld bo7es o' grenades4 'las"bangs4 and a w&de arra% o' 3&stols( S"e 2o1ld "a!e eas&l%
"el3ed "ersel'8 b1t e!er s&n2e L%de2ker "ad s"ot one o' "er ?@ s&bs t"at n&g"t &n t"e barra2ks4 /a7 "ad
"ad an &nnate ab"orren2e o' '&rearms( S"e "ated t"e 'o1l t"&ngs t"en4 s"e "ated t"em now(
T"e wall o33os&te t"e g1ns4 to /a7$s r&g"t4 was "ome to a monstro1s ro1nd waterbed 2o!ered w&t" s&lk
s"eets8 ne7t to &t4 l&ke a d&sa33ro!&ng 3arent4 stood a tall sta&nless5steel re'r&gerator( T"e wall &tsel' was
a "1ge w&ndow4 moonl&g"t 'lood&ng t"e room w&t" &!or%( T"e 2enter o' t"e o''&2e4 &n 'ront o' /a74 was
dom&nated b% a mass&!e k&dne%5s"a3ed desk4 be"&nd w"&2" loomed an o!ers&Eed4 t"ronel&ke leat"er
2"a&r( A large5s2reen T+ rose l&ke an altar to t"e r&g"t o' Jand be"&ndK t"e desk4 angled toward t"e bed(
Be"&nd t"e leat"er t"rone4 an o!ers&Eed 3ortra&t &n o&l o' Ka'eln&ko! Jnot !er% goodK took 13 most o' t"e
wall(
Surprising there"s room for all this stuff, t"e %o1ng woman t"o1g"t4 and the ego of that bastard
4afelnikov-
/ood%$s &n'ormant "ad sa&d t"e sa'e t"at "eld t"e se21r&t% 3lan was be"&nd t"e 3a&nt&ng( I' t"e sa'e was
as b&g as t"e 3ortra&t4 /a7 t"o1g"t4 t"e d&al o1g"t to be abo1t t"e s&Ee o' a "1b2a3(
As s"e made "er wa% aro1nd t"e desk4 s"e sl&33ed a sw&t2"blade o1t o' "er 3o2ket and 'l&2ked t"e
b1tton4 t"e blade s3r&ng&ng o3en w&t" a click. S"e 'o1nd a metal wastebasket4 t1rned &t o!er4 s3&ll&ng
re'1se4 and 2l&mbed 13 on &t4 and looked t"e R1ss&an gang leader &n "&s sm1g4 s13er&or 'a2e( T"en4
wear&ng "er own sm1g sm&le4 /a7 stabbed Ka'eln&ko! &n "&s o&l53a&nted "eart and sl&2ed 13ward4 t"e
2an!as r&33&ng4 as &' t"e s1b6e2t "&msel' were 2r%&ng o1t &n agon%(
T"e sa'e was w"ere &t was s133osed to be4 and t"e d&al was normal s&Eed( For as elaborate as /ood%$s
3lan "ad been4 t"&s seemed to t"e e73er&en2ed %o1ng 2at t"&e' a ro1t&ne "e&st( P1tt&ng t"e kn&'e awa%4
/a7 t1ned 13 "er "ear&ng4 3la2&ng "er ear to t"e sa'e$s metal door4 and started t1rn&ng t"e d&al(
In less t"an '&'teen se2onds /a7 "ad t"e t"&ng o3en8 &n '&!e more s"e "ad 'o1nd t"e se21r&t% 3lans to
t"e nostalg&a m1se1m4 and &n anot"er se2ond s"e "ad t"em t12ked &nto "er 'at&g1es( A large 3&le o' 2as"
to t"e le't 3ro!ed too tem3t&ng4 as well4 and t"at d&sa33eared &nto ot"er 3o2kets(
/ood% needn$t know abo1t t"at8 s"e wo1ld 2all &t a bon1s(
F&nall%4 sat&s'&ed w&t" "er "a1l4 s"e t1rned to lea!e( T"at was w"en s"e sensed t"e '&rst dog(
S"e "ad "eard t"e Brood ke3t dogs to deter &ntr1ders4 t"o1g" /ood% "ad been d&sm&ss&!e abo1t t"ese
#r1mors()
B1t t"e b&g4 bla2k4 bea1t&'1l beast4 &ts s"&n% e%es and raEor5s"ar3 w"&te teet" glow&ng &n t"e moonl&g"t4
was no r1mor( T"e dog4 some k&nd o' a .oberman m&74 mo!ed 'orward4 &n a low4 s1s3&2&o1s a33roa2"4
&ts m1s2les 1nd1lat&ng l&ke s"adows beneat" &ts ta1t sk&n( T"e an&mal growled low &n &ts t"roat4 a
d&s01&et&ng greet&ng(
#N&2e 3133%4) /a7 soot"ed4 "er "and rea2"&ng o1t toward t"e dog &n a slowl% o''ered4 1nder"and
gest1re o' 3ea2e4 s"ow&ng t"e an&mal an em3t%4 1nt"reaten&ng 3alm(
T"e dog snarled(
And t"e 2an&ne sentr% was not alone
S"e 2o1ld "ear t"e&r 3aws 3add&ng down t"e "all4 and 'o1r more a33eared &n t"e "allwa%4 and entered
t"e room !er% tra&ned4 none s2rambl&ng on to3 o' ea2" ot"er 'ann&ng o1t &n almost m&l&tar%
'as"&on4 growl&ng4 "old&ng t"e&r 3os&t&ons( Ea2" was at least as b&g as t"e leader4 w&t" sal&!a dr&33&ng4
'angs s"ow&ng4 t"e 01&ntet snarl&ng &n 1n"ol% "armon% as t"e&r leader edged 2loser(
/a7 rose to "er '1ll "e&g"t( T"e so't a33roa2" "ad 'a&led8 so4 mak&ng "er !o&2e lo1d and s"ar34 s"e
sa&d4 #S&t()
T"e lead dog barked on2e4 t"e 2an&ne e01&!alent o' 3uck you.
/a7 let o1t a long breat"( #Yo1r 2"o&2e( I d&dn$t want to do t"&s4 b1t %o1$re ask&ng 'or &t )
And 2at 3re3ared "ersel' to meet dog4 lower&ng &nto a 2ombat 2ro12"(
T"e '&rst dog lea3t and /a7 sw&'tl% s&deste33ed &t4 t"e .oberman sma2k&ng &nto t"e wall w&t" a %el3
and a d1ll t"1d( As t"e se2ond and t"&rd dogs 2ame a'ter "er4 se3arat&ng to "&t "er 'rom e&t"er s&de a
so3"&st&2ated o1t'lank&ng mane1!er 2om&ng 'rom 2an&nes /a7 61m3ed 13 on t"e desk4 61st as t"e
two an&mals 2oll&ded4 and rolled awa% &n a %el3&ng ball o' 3aws and 2laws and ta&ls(
One o' t"e two rema&n&ng &n t"e m&l&tar% l&ne &ns&de t"e doorwa% 'l1ng &tsel' at /a74 w"o !a1lted 13
and o!er4 t"e dog$s "ead sna33&ng ba2k aro1nd to tr% to b&te "er as /a7 soared o!er &t4 "&t t"e 'loor &n a
t12k4 somersa1lted to "er 'eet4 and s&deste33ed as t"e last dog l1nged(
R1s"&ng o1t &nto t"e "all4 /a7 31lled t"e s3l&ntered door s"1t be"&nd "er8 w&t" t"e lo2k sna33ed4 t"e
door wo1ldn$t "old t"e an&mals ba2k 'or long4 and s"e knew t"e beasts wo1ld be "ot on "er "eels( T"e&r
3&ssed5o'' bark&ng sa&d as m12"(
S"e ran to t"e ele!ator4 w&s"&ng t"ose doors wo1ld mag&2all% o3en be'ore s"e got t"ere4 and t"e% d&d(
Onl% now s"e 'o1nd "ersel' 'a2e5to5'a2e w&t" /&k"a&l Ka'eln&ko! and "al' a doEen members o' "&s
Brood( T"e% all looked as 3&ssed as t"ose dogs4 Ka'eln&ko! es3e2&all%(
5ait till he sees his portrait, s"e t"o1g"t(
Tall and t"&n4 t"e R1ss&an &mm&grant was nonet"eless well m1s2led4 w&t" 2lose52ro33ed blond "a&r4
3enetrat&ng bl1e e%es4 and rat"er sens1o1s 3&nk '1ll l&3s( <e wore a brown leat"er 2oat4 knee5lengt"4 an
o3en5t"roated orange s&lk s"&rt w&t" gold 2"a&ns4 bla2k leat"er 3ants4 and bla2k snakesk&n boots(
/ood% "ad sa&d &t bestH Ka'eln&ko! 21lt&!ated bot" t"e look and t"e l&'est%le o' a 3re5P1lse ro2k star4
w"&2" "&s late 'at"er "ad been4 or at least so &t was sa&d( T"e son s133osedl% "ad m1s&2al talent4 too4 b1t
61st '&g1red 2r&me 3a&d better t"an m1s&24 3art&21larl% &n a t&me w"en t"e enterta&nment &nd1str% "ad
gone to 2ra3(
T"e R1ss&an m&g"t well "a!e str12k /a7 as "andsome &' not 'or t"e e73ress&on o' rage s2rew&ng 13 "&s
'eat1res8 "andsome4 t"at &s4 'or a "om&2&dal man&a2(
#W"o t"e '12k are %o1F) "e asked4 momentar&l% 'roEen &n t"e ele!ator( St1d%&ng t"e small 'orm &n t"e
wat2"2a34 t"e R1ss&an sa&d4 #It$s a g&rl 61st a g&rl ) <&s bo%s s1rged o1t w&t" "&m4 e!en as "e
bellowed at t"em4 #W"o is t"&s l&ttle b&t2"F)
Be'ore s"e 2o1ld res3ond &n an% manner Jand words wo1ld not "a!e been "er '&rst 2"o&2eK4 s"e and t"e
R1ss&an and "&s men t1rned t"e&r 2olle2t&!e "ead toward a 2r1n2"&ng so1nd down t"e "all
and t"e 3a2k o' dogs b1rst t"ro1g" t"e alread% r13t1red o''&2e door4 and gallo3ed down t"e "all
toward t"em4 'angs 'las"&ng4 tong1es loll&ng4 sal&!a 'l%&ng(
T1rn&ng ba2k to Ka'eln&ko!4 /a7 sa&d4 #I$m t"e dog walker %o1 2alled 'or rememberF)
And "e w&n2ed &n 2on'1s&on 'or "al' a se2ond4 be'ore /a7 del&!ered a s&de k&2k to t"e R1ss&an$s 2"est
t"at kno2ked t"e w&nd o1t o' "&m w&t" a whoosh and sent "&m reel&ng ba2k &nto t"e ele!ator4 tak&ng "&s
1nderl&ngs l&ke bowl&ng 3&ns w&t" "&m(
Not st&2k&ng aro1nd to adm&re "er "and&work4 /a7 took o'' down t"e "all4 t"e dogs dogg&ng "er "eels(
W"en s"e all b1t t"rew "ersel' &nto t"e room s"e "ad or&g&nall% entered4 t"e lead dog was less t"an two
'eet be"&nd "er( .&!&ng 'orward4 arms e7tended &n 'ront o' "er4 as &' t"e wa&t&ng n&g"t were a lake s"e
was 3l1ng&ng &nto4 /a7 sa&led t"ro1g" t"e ro1nd "ole &n t"e w&ndow4 w&s"&ng s"e$d 21t &t a tad larger4
t"e snarl&ng dog r&g"t be"&nd "er(
S"e 2a1g"t t"e wa&t&ng ro3e and sw1ng &n a w&de ar2 awa% 'rom t"e b1&ld&ng( T"e dog4 m&s61dg&ng t"e
"ole sl&g"tl%4 slammed &nto t"e w&ndow 3ane4 %&3ed4 and reared ba2k &nto t"e o''&2e4 dro33&ng o1t o'
s&g"t( T"e ot"er dogs4 e!&dentl% "a!&ng learned 'rom t"e&r leader$s m&s'ort1ne4 sto33ed s"ort o' t"e
w&ndow4 t"e&r "eads bobb&ng 13 &n !&ew as t"e% barked and %a33ed at /a74 dangl&ng 61st o1t o' t"e
range o' t"e&r 6aws( One e!en edged &ts "ead o1t and took sw&3es at "er4 b&t&ng a&r(
B1t b% t"&s t&me /a7 was s"&mm%&ng 13 t"e ro3e4 and t"e&r snarls t1rned to growls as t"e% wat2"ed &n
&m3otent rage as s"e d&sa33eared toward t"e roo'(
Below "er4 s"e "eard !o&2es( St&ll s"&mm%&ng 134 s"e looked down4 and saw Ka'eln&ko!$s 3ale enraged
'a2e4 "ead st&2k&ng o1t o' t"e "ole &n t"e w&ndow l&ke a 'r1strated !&2t&m w&t" "&s ne2k st12k &nto a
g1&llot&ne(
#I$m go&ng to kill %o14 %o1 b&t2"G) "e %elled(
#I don$t t"&nk soG) s"e 2alled down4 sm1g4 2alm(
<&s res3onse was non!erbal4 and "e "&t "&msel' &n t"e "ead4 3oss&bl% 21tt&ng "&msel' on t"e glass(
La1g"&ng so'tl% to "ersel'4 s"e 2ont&n1ed to 2l&mb4 know&ng t"e R1ss&an$s men were alread% on t"e&r
wa% to t"e roo' to &nter2e3t "er( Look&ng down aga&n4 s"e saw Ka'eln&ko!$s 'a2e "ad been re3la2ed at
t"e w&ndow b% one o' t"e Brood members 'rom t"e ele!ator( A sk&nn% g1% w&t" long dark "a&r rea2"ed
tentat&!el% 'or t"e ro3e and4 61st as "e to12"ed &t4 /a7 n&mbl% k&2ked o'' t"e s&de o' t"e b1&ld&ng4
6erk&ng t"e strand awa% 'rom t"e g1%$s gras3( <e nearl% t1mbled o1t(
#Yo1 bitch/) "e %elled4 e%es w&de as m12" w&t" terror as rage(
#hese boys sure have a limited vocabulary, /a7 t"o1g"t4 as s"e ke3t 2l&mb&ng(
Beneat" "er4 t"e g1% d12ked &ns&de4 t"en 2ame lea3&ng o1t &nto t"e n&g"t( <e snared t"e ro3e4 and "&s
moment1m t"reatened to r&3 t"e tet"er 'rom "er gras3( S1r3r&sed b% "&s boldness4 s"e 2o1ld 'eel "&s
we&g"t at t"e 'ar end o' t"e ro3e4 and knew t"e l&ne wo1ldn$t s133ort bot" o' t"em
#T"e ro3e won$t "oldG) s"e 2alled down4 warn&ng "&m(
#F12k %o14 l&ttle g&rlG)
T"at l&m&ted !o2ab1lar% seemed s1ddenl% om&no1s
Feel&ng not so sm1g now4 2l&mb&ng e!en 'aster4 s"e mo!ed toward t"e roo'to34 t"e g1% now 2l&mb&ng
t"e ro3e below "er4 2"as&ng "er toward t"e roo'4 "eedless o' t"e 3er&l "e was 3la2&ng bot" o' t"em &n(
As s"e looked 13 t"e last ten 'eet4 s"e 2o1ld see t"e ro3e stra&n&ng aga&nst t"e tw&sted metal o' t"e roo'$s
d&storted edge( Be%ond t"at4 t"e stars "1ng br&g"t and gl&tter&ng &n t"e sk%4 as &' l&g"t&ng "er wa%4 1nt&l
t"e% were e2l&3sed b% a 'a2e
Ka'eln&ko!$s(
O3en&ng a sw&t2"blade w&t" a nast% click, t"e Brood$s leader sa&d4 #St13&d b&t2" I told %o1 I was
go&ng to k&ll %o1G)
#I$m gett&ng reall% t&red o' %o1 bo%s 2all&ng me t"at4) s"e sa&d( #Yo1r manners suck )
W&t" no alternat&!e4 and t"at we&g"t below "er4 s"e ke3t 2l&mb&ng4 narrow&ng t"e d&stan2e between
"ersel' and t"e Brood members on t"e roo'(
Ka'eln&ko! bent down4 t"e kn&'e start&ng to sl&2e t"ro1g" t"e t"&n ro3e( #*1st be a 2o13le more
se2onds and t"en nobod%$ll be 2all&ng %o1 Mb&t2"$ aga&n4 rest ass1red4 m% dear Nobod%$ll 2all %o1
an%t"&ng b1t deadG)
T"e R1ss&an was 2ar!&ng at t"e ro3e4 t"reads 3o33&ng4 "&s 'a2e a 3ale terr&ble t"&ng 61st abo!e "er4
2loser4 2loser
#Boss4 no/) t"e sk&nn% g1% below "er w"&ned4 b1t &t was too late(
Ka'eln&ko!$s blade 21t t"e ro3e(
/a7 let go4 t"e ro3e and t"e sk&nn% g1% t1mbl&ng down o1t o' s&g"t4 a s2ream&ng man r&d&ng a snake(
B1t as s"e let go4 /a7 la1n2"ed "ersel' 13ward4 s3ear&ng t"e la3els o' Ka'eln&ko!$s 2oat &n e&t"er "and(
*1st as gra!&t% took o!er and started to 31ll t"em bot" o!er t"e edge4 two members o' t"e Brood
grabbed t"e&r leader and 61st managed4 barel% managed4 to kee3 "&m and /a7 'rom 3&t2"&ng to t"e
3a!ement 'ar below(
And so s"e "1ng t"ere4 "old&ng on to "&s 2oat4 Ka'eln&ko!$s 'a2e onl% &n2"es 'rom "ers t"e% m&g"t
"a!e k&ssed4 t"o1g" s"e 'o1nd "&s breat" Jw"at was t"at4 sard&nesFK o''ens&!e and t"e ot"er two
Broodsters stra&ned to kee3 t"e&r 'earless leader 'rom 'all&ng4 t"e&r gr&3 on t"e&r s13er&or$s arms
3re!ent&ng "&m 'rom do&ng an%t"&ng to r&d "&msel' o' /a7(
Ine7orabl%4 gra!&t% t&lted t"em 'art"er o!er t"e edge( In "&s 3an&24 Ka'eln&ko! 'o1g"t to tear "&msel'
'rom t"e gr&3 o' "&s own men so "e 2o1ld tr% to 3r% /a7$s "ands 'rom "&s 2oat8 b1t "&s lo%al bo%s were
61st too strong4 and ke3t tr%&ng to 31ll "&m awa%(
*1st as &t seemed t"e sk&nn% Brood leader and t"e s"a3el% 2at b1rglar wo1ld t1mble t"ro1g" t"e n&g"t
toget"er4 /a7 looked 13 at t"e R1ss&an and sm&led(
Ka'eln&ko!$s e%es went w&de &n wonderment and rage "e m&g"t "a!e been t"&nk&ng4 6f only she were
one of mine/ t"en /a7 "eadb1tted "&m4 break&ng "&s nose4 and almost 3r%&ng "&m loose 'rom "&s
goons(
Blood s3ra%ed and t"e R1ss&an "owled( Tear&ng one arm 'ree4 "e sw1ng w&ldl% 'or /a7$s 'a2e8 b1t s"e
s&m3l% let go o' "&m
and "&s 'ollow5t"ro1g" 2arr&ed "&m ba2k o1t o' s&g"t onto t"e roo' w&t" "&s two goons &n tow(
As /a7 'ell t"ro1g" t"e n&g"t sk%4 a 'all&ng star4 s"e gr&nned4 en6o%&ng t"e r1s" o' a&r on "er 'a2e( Not
onl% d&d s"e "a!e w"at s"e$d 2ome 'or4 s"e$d gotten to blood% t"e nose o' t"e Brood$s leader not a
bad e!en&ng$s work4 so 'ar(
As s"e 3assed t"e se!ent" 'loor aga&n4 s"e 31lled t"e metal r&ng on "er s1&t t"at de3lo%ed t"e 2"1te and
a t&n% t1rb&ne blower t"at '&lled t"e 2"1te w&t" warm a&r and 3ro!&ded eno1g" 13dra't to g&!e "er an
eas% des2ent and a relat&!el% so't land&ng(
S"e "ad "o3ed not to "a!e to 1se t"e 2"1te o'' t"e ,a34 as s"e m&g"t land &n t"e m&dst o' t"e Brood
members below w"o "ad been s1mmoned b% t"e e73los&ons to t"e street( T"e 3lan "ad been to wa&t on
t"e roo'to3 t&ll t"e s&dewalks were em3t%4 as t"e Broodsters '&led ba2k &nto t"e b1&ld&ng4 to &n!est&gate
t"e s&te o' t"e b1rglar%( And t"en s"e$d 'loat to eart"(
B1t t"&s wo1ld do &n a 3&n2"( No "el3 wo1ld be wa&t&ng below4 "owe!er /ood% and t"e ,"&nese
,lan were now"ere to be seen as s"e dr&'ted toward t"e street8 t"at d&dn$t s1r3r&se /a7 t"e&r 6ob4 a'ter
all4 "ad been to 3ro!&de a d&!ers&on( T"e%$d done as m12"4 and s3l&t( S"e 'loated to t"e 3a!ement4
to12"ed down4 t1rned o'' t"e blower4 and wra33ed 13 t"e 2"1te(
T"en s"e t1rned4 to see Brood members swarm&ng toward "er4 dangero1s d&mw&ts &n tattered den&m(
T"e '&rst one 'ell to a s3&nn&ng ro1nd"o1se k&2k to t"e "ead4 t"e se2ond to a stra&g"t k&2k to t"e gro&n4
t"e t"&rd to a r&g"t 2ross(
And t"en /a7 was r1nn&ng4 t"e gangsters &n 31rs1&t( T1rn&ng t"e 2orner4 s"e 'o1nd "ersel' 'l%&ng down
+&ne Street w&t" "al' t"e Brood be"&nd "er( S"e ra2ed down t"e m&ddle o' t"e street4 "er s"oes
3o1nd&ng on t"e s"&n% wet 3a!ement( *1st as s"e 3assed a man"ole 2o!er4 /a7 wondered &dl% w"% t"e
street was dam3 &t "adn$t ra&ned toda%4 "adn$t ra&ned 'or weeks( As s"e "eard t"e man"ole 2o!er sl&de
o3en4 /a7 sto33ed4 3&!oted4 and dro33ed &nto "er '&g"t&ng stan2e(
,at2"&ng a gl&m3se o' s&l!er "a&r r&s&ng o1t o' t"e man"ole4 t"e 1nm&stakable nast% 3er'1me o' gasol&ne
'&ll&ng "er 'lar&ng nostr&ls4 /a7 s1ddenl% knew w"% t"e street was wet
S"e s31n awa% and ran 'or all s"e was wort" w"&2" was 3lent% e!en as s"e "eard t"e whoosh o'
t"e gas &gn&t&ng( Some o' t"e Brood s2reamed4 b1t s"e ass1med &t was more o1t o' 'ear t"an 3a&n(
/ood% wo1ldn$t let t"em get 2lose eno1g" to be 2a1g"t &n t"e '&re 3robabl%(
T"e &dea was to sto3 t"e 31rs1&t4 not to &n2&nerate t"e 31rs1ers4 t"o1g" a 'ew 2"arred 2as1alt&es
wo1ldn$t "a!e /a7 or /ood% los&ng m12" slee3( Look&ng o!er "er s"o1lder as s"e ran4 /a7 saw t"e
wall o' 'lame se3arat&ng "er 'rom 31rs1ers w"o were 'old&ng ba2k &nto t"e n&g"t4 s21rr%&ng "ome to
t"e&r tower o' broken dreams(
And s"e saw t"at /ood% "ad d&sa33eared ba2k down t"e man"ole4 as &' "e$d not e!en reall% been t"ere4
a g"ost "a1nt&ng w"at "ad on2e been <oll%wood$s most 'amo1s street(
#T"anks4) s"e sa&d to t"e n&g"t4 and was gone(
Less t"an an "o1r later4 w&t" t"e se21r&t% 3lans to g1&de "er4 /a7 negot&ated t"e ele2tron&2 lo2ks and
'&rst5'loor laser g1ards o' t"e 'ormer o''&2e b1&ld&ng and 21rrent "ome o' t"e <oll%wood <er&tage
/1se1m( <er new goal la% at t"e 'ar end o' t"e se2ond 'loor4 &n a lo2ked room g1arded b% more lasers4
m&nes4 and a s3e2&al alarm 1nder t"e ob6e2t &tsel'(
Onl% two g1ards 3atrolled t"e m1se1m at n&g"t4 and one o' t"em was alread% na33&ng at t"e se21r&t%
desk on t"e '&rst 'loor(
T"ere wasn$t s133osed to be an%t"&ng o' real wort" &n t"e m1se1m4 str&2tl% nostalg&a on d&s3la%8 b1t
/a7 t"anks to /ood% knew better( /an% o' t"e e7"&b&ts 'rom t"e "&stor% o' Amer&2an '&lmmak&ng
d&s3la%ed ob6e2ts o' !al1e onl% to wealt"% 2olle2tors o' 3re5P1lse memorab&l&a( None o' t"e k&ts2"%
art&'a2ts 2o1ld 2om3are to t"e l&teral 6ewel t"at awa&ted "er at t"e end o' t"e "all(
T"e '&rst 'loor 2onta&ned man% remnants o' t"e da%s t"at t"e 3la2ards 3osted ne7t to e7"&b&ts re'erred to
as t"e #;olden Age o' S&lents() T"e 2ane4 bowler4 and bla2k s1&t o' a #2om&2) named ,"a3l&n4 some
k&nd o' Arab o1t'&t a 'em&n&ne5look&ng a2tor named +alent&no "ad worn &n a 2o13le o' #s&lent) mo!&es4
and e!en a tra&n eng&ne t"at t"e 3la2ard 3ro1dl% stated 2ame 'rom a B1ster Keaton mo!&e 2alled #he
7eneral.
S&lentl% 2l&mb&ng t"e last 'ew sta&rs to t"e se2ond 'loor4 /a7 'o1nd "ersel' 3rowl&ng a "allwa% w"ose
3la2ard boasted o' mater&al 'rom t"e #;olden Age o' St1d&os() For a 3la2e w&t" so man% #;olden
Ages4) /a7 t"o1g"t4 t"ere seemed to be 3re2&o1s l&ttle a2t1al gold aro1nd( ,ree3&ng along t"e "allwa%4
kee3&ng 2lose to t"e wall4 /a7$s 2at e%es reg&stered t"e 'a2&l&t%$s ot"er g1ard4 a "ea!%set 'ella "ead&ng
'or t"e 'ar end o' t"e "all4 "er en"an2ed "ear&ng 3&2k&ng 13 "&s "eels 2l&2k&ng on t"e t&le 'loor(
S"e ke3t mo!&ng4 sl&d&ng 3ast ra&n2oat52lad '&g1res 'rom a #m1s&2al) 2alled Singin" in the 8ain, and a
01artet o' manne01&ns dressed as a l&on4 a 2r1de robot4 a s2are2row4 and a 3&gta&led g&rl &n a bl1e5and5
w"&te52"e2kered dress4 "old&ng a l&ttle dog8 t"e latter gro13&ng re3resented somet"&ng 2alled #he
5i)ard of 9), t"o1g" /a7 2o1ldn$t see "ow t"ese 2"ara2ters "ad an%t"&ng m%st&2al or mag&2al abo1t
t"em4 and t"e onl% w&Eards s"e knew abo1t were <arr% Potter and "&s 'r&ends(
W"at wa&ted &n t"e room be%ond t"e "allwa% "ad not"&ng to do w&t" t"e #;olden Age o' St1d&os4) b1t
&t was t"e most se21re room &n t"e b1&ld&ng so t"&s4 o' 2o1rse4 was w"ere t"e most !al1able e7"&b&t
was "o1sed(
/a7 wat2"ed 'rom t"e s"adows as t"e 3l1m3 g1ard 2"e2ked t"e door at t"e end o' t"e "all4 t"en
d&sa33eared &nto t"e sta&rwell4 to 2ont&n1e "&s ro1nds on anot"er 'loor( S"e wa&ted to make "er mo!e4
l&sten&ng to t"e door 2l&2k s"1t and t"e g1ard$s 'ootste3s "e was go&ng down on t"e metal sta&rs
d&ss&3ate(
T"en s"e all b1t so1ndlessl% s3r&nted J#his is the 7olden Age of silents, s"e t"o1g"tK t"e last '&'t% 'eet
to t"e e7"&b&t$s door4 2&r21m!ented t"e alarm4 3&2ked t"e n1mer&2 31s"5b1tton lo2k4 and took a long
dee3 breat"(
T"e lo2k and t"e alarm were t"e eas% 3art( /&nes4 a2t&!ated onl% w"en t"e m1se1m was 2losed4 la%
beneat" t"e 'loor4 and lasers "ooked to &n'rared beams 2r&ss2rossed t"e room w&t" barel% a 'oot between
t"em( Tak&ng one last look at t"e 'loor 3lan Ka'eln&ko! "ad so t"o1g"t'1ll% 3ro!&ded4 /a7 memor&Eed
&t4 t12ked &t awa%4 and 3lotted "er 2o1rse o' a2t&on(
S"e o3ened t"e door4 sl&33ed &ns&de4 and eased &t s"1t be"&nd "er( T"e 2"amber was w&ndowless and
s&lent4 rem&nd&ng "er o' t"e sol&t1de o' t"e barra2ks at /ant&2ore a'ter l&g"ts5o1t( <al' a doEen glass
2ases stood aro1nd t"e room4 ea2" bear&ng 3ro3s 'rom a mo!&e 2alled #itanic.
A tall d&s3la% 2ase &n t"e 2orner 2onta&ned a manne01&n wear&ng an old5t&me% d&a3"ano1s w"&te gown4
w"&le a s&m&lar glass 2ase &n t"e o33os&te 2orner "eld a manne01&n o' an attra2t&!e &' bab%5'a2ed %o1ng
man &n a t17edo(
T"ree long4 'lat 2ases were arranged &n a tr&angle &n t"e 2enter o' t"e room( One "eld s&l!erware4
anot"er a model o' a s"&34 and t"e t"&rd one was an arrangement o' st&ll 3&2t1res 'rom t"e mot&on
3&2t1re(
At t"e 'ar end o' t"e room4 en2ased &n a Ple7&glas bo74 1nder a narrow s3otl&g"t4 "er 3r&Ee 2a1g"t "er
e%esH a g&gant&2 bl1e d&amond on a s&l!er 2"a&n en2r1sted w&t" smaller d&amonds(
/a7 knew l&ttle o' t"e '&lm4 w"&2" a33arentl% was 'amo1s( Tele!&s&on was l&m&ted and !er% 2ontrolled
&n t"e 3ost5P1lse era4 and4 an%wa%4 s"e d&dn$t 2are 'or '&2t&on w"at was t"e 3o&ntF Few 3eo3le &n
made513 stor&es l&!ed more &nterest&ng l&!es t"an s"e d&d(
B1t s"e d&d know t"anks to /ood% t"at alt"o1g" e!er%one ba2k &n 3re5P1lse da%s "ad t"o1g"t t"e
great bl1e d&amond4 t"e #<eart o' t"e O2ean4) was merel% a '&lm 3ro34 &t "ad &ndeed been real4 a ten5
t"o1sand5dollar ne2kla2e 2omm&ss&oned b% t"e d&re2tor w"o later donated &t to t"e <oll%wood <er&tage
/1se1m(
#Its tr1e !al1e4) /ood% "ad told "er4 #&s known to 'ew w"% attra2t t"&e!es l&ke 1sF And to t"e
31bl&2 t"ose w"o st&ll 2are abo1t s&ll% an2&ent 2ell1lo&d t"e mag&2 o' t"e 3ro3 &s eno1g" to make &t
stand on &ts own as a to1r&st attra2t&on()
3unny, /a7 t"o1g"t( 6n this town where dreams once were manufactured, one of the most famous
artifacts was a fraud of sorts- be2a1se it was real.
Now t"e 'amed <eart o' t"e O2ean la% onl% twent%5'&!e 'eet a2ross t"e room 'rom "er(
And &' s"e 2o1ld retr&e!e &t4 and get o1t o' "ere w&t" "er sk&n4 t"e ,"&nese ,lan 2o1ld 'en2e &t 'or
eno1g" mone% to set t"em 13 'or %ears to 2ome(
<er breat"&ng slowed as s"e 3re3ared 'or t"e '&nal assa1lt on "er 3r&Ee( S"e 3o33ed a "1ge wad o' g1m
&nto "er mo1t" and started 2"ew&ng slowl%4 met"od&2all%( W&t"draw&ng 'rom 'at&g1e 3o12"es two good5
s&Eed s12t&on 213s w&t" 3ress1re5release "andles4 /a7 atta2"ed one to ea2" "and w&t" &n2"5w&de n%lon
stra3s and looked 13 at t"e 2e&l&ng( S"e "ad less t"an two 'eet o' o3en a&r between &t and t"e to3most
&n'rared beam(
T"e %o1ng woman lea3t stra&g"t 134 arms o1tstret2"ed4 s12t&on 213s st&2k&ng to t"e 2e&l&ng w&t" a
s12k&ng k&ss( Tak&ng &n a dee3 breat"4 t"en lett&ng &t o1t4 /a7 31lled "ersel' 13 1nt&l "er ne2k was bent
to one s&de and s"e "eld "ersel' 13 w&t" "er arms ak&mbo(
E!en 'or a sold&er w&t" "er 1n&01e talents4 t"e stra&n was se!ere(
Ne7t s"e slowl% 31lled 13 "er legs and stret2"ed t"em o1t &n 'ront o' "er4 as &' &n a ballet e7er2&se( S"e
now sat4 "ead 2o2ked to one s&de4 "ang&ng 'rom t"e 2e&l&ng abo!e t"e beams b% no more t"an s&7 or
ma%be se!en &n2"es( /o!&ng a2ross t"e room 'olded 13 l&ke t"&s wo1ld be no small 'eat(
;lan2&ng down at t"e ne2kla2e4 s"e 'ormed "al' a sm&le( 'o guts, no glory, s"e t"o1g"t4 and t"at bl1e
ro2k was ser&o1s4 ser&o1s glor% not onl% 'or "er4 b1t 'or "er w"ole 2lan(
Releas&ng one s12t&on 2134 s"e "eld "ersel' 134 eased &t 'orward as 'ar as s"e dared4 and atta2"ed &t
aga&n w&t" &ts t&n% 31'' o' a k&ss( S"e re3eated t"e a2t&on w&t" t"e se2ond 213 and 'o1nd "ersel' a 'oot
nearer t"e 3r&Ee( T"e m1s2les o' "er s"o1lders b1n2"ed and b1rned4 b1t w&t" "er breat"&ng4 s"e
2om3artmental&Eed t"e 3a&n4 31tt&ng &t o1t o' "er m&nd(
Few on eart" 2o1ld "a!e done t"&s( /a7 "ad "ad t"&s ab&l&t% s&n2e 2"&ld"ood(
Sweat tr&2kled down "er 'a2e4 dr&33&ng onto "er s"&rt 'ront as s"e s&ngle5m&ndedl% made "er wa% a2ross
t"e room4 st&ll 2as1all% 2"ew&ng t"e g1m as s"e went( S"e "ad 2om3leted "er a2t&on w&t" t"e 213s n&ne
t&mes now and not onl% d&d "er s"o1lders b1rn4 b1t "er b&2e3s4 tr&2e3s4 01ads4 "amstr&ngs4 and gl1tes
were ea2" &n t"e m&ddle o' a t"ree5alarm blaEe o' t"e&r own(
A !o&2e &n "er "ead t"at so1nded 1n2om'ortabl% l&ke ,olonel L%de2ker$s rem&nded "er t"at 3a&n was t"e
3r&2e o' a2"&e!ement(
Shut up, s"e mentall% re3l&ed4 and ke3t mo!&ng t"e 213s 'orward(
F&nall%4 a'ter w"at seemed l&ke 'ore!er b1t "ad onl% been s&7 m&n1tes4 s"e 'o1nd "ersel' d&re2tl% abo!e
&' barel% able to 2o2k "er "ead eno1g" to see t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean(
S"e "ad ma%be a 'oot and a "al' o' 2learan2e on ea2" s&de o' t"e Ple7&glas bo7( As &' t"e tr&3 o!er "ere
"adn$t been eno1g"4 now t"e 6ob wo1ld get really tr&2k%( In t"at t&g"t s3a2e4 s"e wo1ld "a!e to remo!e
t"e 21b&2 'oot o' 3last&24 snat2" t"e ne2kla2e w&t"o1t sett&ng o'' t"e alarm4 t"en s12t&on5213 "er wa%
ba2k to t"e door(
'o problem.
Tak&ng one "and o1t o' a s12t&on 2134 /a7 sn1gged "er knees 134 t"en slowl% rolled ba2kward4 lett&ng
"er 'eet 2ome 13 toward t"e 2e&l&ng as "er "ead lowered toward t"e bo7( Abo1t "al'wa% "ome4 "er bod%
t12ked &nto a s3"ere onl% sl&g"tl% larger t"an a bea2" ball4 s"e sl&33ed "er s"oe &nto t"e em3t% stra3 o'
one o' t"e s12t&on 213s(
Sat&s'&ed t"e stra3 "ad "er se21rel%4 s"e let go w&t" "er ot"er "and and sw1ng "er ot"er leg 13 and &nto
t"at stra3( S"e now "1ng 13s&de down4 "er "ead barel% a 'oot abo!e t"e ne2kla2e w&t" &ts gl&mmer&ng
stone(
Work&ng 01&2kl%4 /a7 3&2ked t"e lo2ks on ea2" s&de o' t"e 2ase4 l&'ted t"e Ple7& bo7 stra&g"t 134
w&t"drew t"e g1m 'rom "er mo1t" and a''&7ed &t to t"e to3 o' t"e l&d( T"en s"e rotated t"e t"&ng so &ts
to3 was down and eased &t toward t"e 'loor(
T"&s was t"e 3art t"at worr&ed "er most(
<er arms were not long eno1g" to rea2" t"e 'loor( S"e wo1ld "a!e to dro3 t"e bo7 t"e last 2o13le o'
'eet or so4 and "o3e to "ell t"e wad o' g1m "eld &t &n 3la2e and ke3t &t 'rom bo1n2&ng &nto one o' t"e
&n'rared beams(
Lett&ng o1t "er breat"4 /a7 released t"e bo7 w&t" as l&g"t a to12" as 3oss&ble( It dro33ed to t"e
2ar3et&ng w&t" a d1ll4 barel% a1d&ble thud, t"en ro2ked toward t"e beam
b1t r&g"ted &tsel'4 and sto33ed(
Step one accomplished.
P1ll&ng a 1t&l&t% kn&'e 'rom a 3o2ket4 /a7 leaned &n 2lose to t"e d&s3la%ed 6ewelr%( Onl% one w&re
2onne2ted t"e ne2kla2e to t"e alarm4 b1t s"e wo1ld "a!e to work gentl% not to set &t o''(
Blood was r1s"&ng to "er "ead4 and s"e 2o1ld 'eel "er 'a2e grow&ng "ot4 l&ke a 'l1s" o' terr&ble
embarrassment 61st a l&ttle longer and e!er%t"&ng wo1ld be '&ne '&ne
<ang&ng t"ere 13s&de down4 /a7 w&s"ed absentl% t"at a das" o' bat .NA "ad been added to "er
genet&2 2o2kta&l t"en ma%be t"&s st1nt wo1ldn$t make "er so d&EE%( ,are'1ll% s2ra3&ng ba2k t"e
3last&2 2oat&ng on t"e w&re4 s"e e73osed abo1t two &n2"es o' gleam&ng brass strands4 31t t"e kn&'e awa%4
and 31lled o1t a w&re o' "er own w&t" all&gator 2l&3s at e&t"er end( Atta2"&ng t"e 2l&3s at bot" ends o'
t"e se2t&on s"e$d 2leared4 /a7 took o1t "er w&re 21tters4 slowed "er breat"&ng aga&n4 and 2l&33ed t"e
alarm w&re &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e 2leared se2t&on(
S"e "eld "er breat" 'or a 'ew se2onds b1t no alarm so1nded4 no lasers blasted at "er4 and t"e m&nes
d&dn$t go o''(
Releas&ng t"e w&re 'rom t"e ne2kla2e4 /a7 gaEed 'ondl% at t"e "1ge bl1e stone4 and 'or t"e '&rst t&me
all e!en&ng4 a tr1e4 w&de sm&le 2reased "er 'a2e( S"e l&'ted t"e ne2kla2e 'eel&ng a real re!eren2e 'or &ts
!al1e4 &' not &ts "&stor% and ga!e &t a 01&2k k&ss
t"en4 as &' "er l&3s "ad done &t4 t"e alarm so1nded(
And all "ell broke loose(
#Shit,& /a7 w"&s3ered4 "er !o2ab1lar% o' #'orb&dden) words 'ar greater now t"an s"e$d e!er "eard
'rom ,olonel L%de2ker(
T"e t"&e' s1ddenl% real&Eed t"e ne2kla2e "ad also been rest&ng on a 3ress1re alarm a se21r&t% meas1re
t"at "ad some"ow not made &ts wa% &nto t"e Brood$s stolen 3lans( T"e alarm s&ren s01awked l&ke a
gaggle o' angr% geese4 a grat&ng4 obno7&o1s so1nd /a7 de2&ded s"e wo1ld "a!e "ated e!en 1nder
&nno2ent 2&r21mstan2es(
As o33osed to t"ese g1&lt% ones
T"e '&rst laser dr&lled t"e stand t"e ne2kla2e "ad been on4 and e73loded &t &n a s"ower o' wood and
!el!et4 61st as /a7 31lled "ersel' 13 o1t o' t"e wa%( .es3&te t"e m&nes &n t"e 'loor4 w"&2" were
3res1mabl% now a2t&!ated4 2"oos&ng t"e lesser o' bad o3t&ons4 s"e k&2ked "er 'eet o1t o' t"e s12t&on
213s4 and dro33ed to t"e 2ar3et&ng as lasers blasted "oles &n t"e room all aro1nd "er(
At least w"ere s"e$d al&g"ted4 t"ere "adn$t been a m&ne
;rabb&ng t"e Ple7&glas s"ell o' t"e e7"&b&t4 t12k&ng &t to "er l&ke a b&g s01are 'ootball4 /a7 d&d a
'orward roll and 3o33ed to "er 'eet 61st as a laser '&red a blast at "er 'a2e(
S"e dodged le't4 rea2t&ng w&t" t"e l&g"tn&ng &n"1man s3eed bred &nto "er4 t"o1g" s"e nonet"eless 'elt
t"e "eat o' t"e blast as &t s"ot 3ast "er r&g"t 2"eek4 and s"e 2o1ld "ear "er "a&r s&EEle as "er nostr&ls
'&lled w&t" t"e b1rned smell o' &t(
Lea3&ng w&t" all "er 2ons&derable m&g"t4 s"e 'l1ng "ersel' onto one o' t"e e7"&b&t 2ases &n t"e m&ddle o'
t"e room 61st as anot"er laser blast 2"ewed t"e 'loor not 'ar 'rom w"ere s"e$d been stand&ng4 sett&ng o''
t"e small blast o' one o' t"e m&nes( T"e% ob!&o1sl% weren$t meant to k&ll4 onl% to ma&m(
T"at was a rel&e' s"e g1essed
S"e onl% "ad a 'ew se2onds now 1nt&l t"e lasers wo1ld target "er aga&n( <e't&ng t"e Ple7&glas bo74 s"e
t"rew &t "al'wa% a2ross t"e rema&n&ng d&stan2e toward t"e door( It "&t4 b1t t"e so1nd o' &ts &m3a2t was
swallowed b% t"e e73los&on o' anot"er m&ne4 and t"e bo7 d&s&ntegrated4 mak&ng s"atter&ng m1s&2 &n a
2lo1d o' bla2k smoke(
Lea3&ng to t"e sa'et% o' t"e 2rater s"e$d 2reated4 /a7 knew all 3lann&ng4 an% strateg%4 "ad d&s&ntegrated
along w&t" t"at bo7 'rom "ere on o1t4 s"e$d 61st "a!e to sta% smart and get l12k%( S"e ran to t"e door4
dodg&ng and 21tt&ng all t"e wa%( To "er great s1r3r&se4 s"e wasn$t red12ed to a blood% mess b% anot"er
e73los&on t"e n1mber o' m&nes m1st "a!e been m&n&mal4 to kee3 t"e b1&ld&ng damage down(
S"e tw&sted t"e knob and 'o1nd t"at t"e door "ad a1tolo2ked w"en t"e alarm went o'' anot"er t&db&t
absent 'rom t"e se21r&t% 3lan(
T"e lasers were gett&ng 2loser now4 t"e&r a&m &m3ro!&ng as s"e stood mot&onless &n 'ront o' t"e door4
"eat andNor mot&on sensors 3robabl% lead&ng t"em to "er( Anot"er blast s"ot toward "er and s"e
s&deste33ed 61st eno1g" 'or &t to m&ss "er4 and blast t"e lo2k o'' t"e door4 sk&tter&ng "al'wa% down t"e
"all(
/a7 %anked w"at was le't o' t"e door o3en and lea3t &nto t"e "allwa%4 t"en d12ked aro1nd t"e edge o'
t"e door as stra% laser beams s"ot w&ldl% down t"e 2orr&dor(
T"e two g1ards 2ame r1nn&ng toward "er4 and /a7 real&Eed t"e% m1st "a!e d&sarmed t"e m&nes &n t"e
"allwa% t"&nk&ng s"e wo1ld be tra33ed &n t"e e7"&b&t room( Ea2" 2arr&ed a n&g"tst&2k and a TaEer(
T"e nearest one was a m1s21lar g1% &n "&s m&dtwent&es4 "&s 'a2e an angr% mask( T"e 'art"er one was
t"e 3l1m3 g1% s"e$d seen test&ng doors4 and "e was older b% at least twent% %ears and "ea!&er b% nearl%
a "1ndred 3o1nds4 and looked s2ared(
T"e m1s21lar one a&med "&s TaEer and '&red4 b1t /a7 d12ked 1nder t"e dart4 rolled 'orward4 and 2ame
134 "er r&g"t '&st 2at2"&ng t"e g1ard 1nder t"e 2"&n4 l&'t&ng "&m o'' t"e 'loor4 and send&ng "&m s3rawl&ng
a2ross t"e "all4 no do1bt to wake 13 later and wonder "ow so small a #g&rl) "ad 2old2o2ked "&m l&ke
t"at(
T"e 3l1m3 one tr&ed to look determ&ned b1t t"e gest1re 'a&led w"en "&s 2"&ns started 01&!er&ng( <e
'&red t"e TaEer w&t"o1t a&m&ng4 t"en stood &n bew&ldered 'ear as /a7 2ame 13 to "&m( A !o&2e &n "&s
"ead 3robabl% told "&m to draw "&s n&g"tst&2k4 b1t anot"er ma% "a!e rem&nded "&m "ow l&ttle "e was
be&ng 3a&d4 so "e 61st stood t"ere mot&onless4 s"&!er&ng l&ke gelat&n(
/a7 3atted "&s 2"eek4 and sm&led sweetl%(
T"en s"e s21rr&ed o'' down t"e "all(
T"e t"&e' 2o1ld "ear s&rens &n t"e d&stan2e w"en s"e t"rew o3en t"e m1se1m$s 'ront door4 b1t b% t"e
t&me t"e 2o3s got "ere4 s"e$d be long gone
and t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean was t12ked sa'el% &ns&de "er 'at&g1es( /a7 2o1ldn$t wa&t to get ba2k to
t"e t"eater to s"ow t"e 3r&Ee to /ood%(
S"e wo1ld "a!e 'elt l&ke a k&ng o' t"&e!es4 &' s"e "adn$t been #a g&rl()
Chapter Three
A HOME FOR MAX
T<E ROA.
,ASPER4 WYO/IN;4 9::>
As s"e wat2"ed 'rom t"e 2orner4 t"e n&ne5%ear5old /a7 a 'ore&gn '&g1re &n t"&s res&dent&al
ne&g"bor"ood4 "er t"&n bl1e5gra% /ant&2ore smo2k 'la33&ng &n w&nter w&nd4 "er bare 'eet 3lanted on t"e
2old 2on2rete o' a s&dewalk tr&ed to 2om3re"end w"at t"e %o1ng 2"&ld was 13 to
B1t t"e genet&2all% bred sold&er5&n5t"e5mak&ng s&m3l% "ad no &dea w"at t"e 'emale 2"&ld was do&ng4
roll&ng a ball o' snow a2ross t"e w"&te %ard4 mak&ng a b&gger ball o' &t w&t" "er e!er% ste3(
Fo21s&ng &n4 /a7 looked 2losel% at t"e 2"&ld a2ross t"e street a g&rl w"ose long bla2k "a&r 3eeked o1t
'rom beneat" a red sto2k&ng 2a3( A l&ttle older t"an /a74 at least a %ear or two4 t"e g&rl "ad '1ll l&3s4 a
s"ort nose4 and w&de5set bl1e e%es beneat" long4 b1tter'l% las"es(
/esmer&Eed4 as &' w&tness&ng a dream4 /a7 wat2"ed as t"e g&rl rolled t"e ball o' snow ba2k t"e ot"er
wa%( T"e ro1nd w"&te t"&ng 2ame 13 almost to t"e g&rl$s wa&st now4 and /a7 st&ll 2o1ldn$t '&g1re o1t
w"at t"&s k&d t"o1g"t s"e was do&ng(
A'ter ba2k&ng 13 to t"e 2orner and d12k&ng be"&nd a 2ar4 /a7 wat2"ed t"e g&rl 'or a moment4 t"en
sl&33ed a2ross t"e street4 a bl1e5gra% s"adow( Now on t"e same s&de o' t"e blo2k as t"e g&rl4 /a7 edged
be"&nd t"e 2orner "o1se w&t"o1t be&ng seen4 and took o'' a2ross t"e ba2k%ards4 "ead&ng 'or t"e t"&rd
"o1se4 &n t"e 'ront %ard o' w"&2" t"e g&rl was 3la%&ng( T"&s snow5roll&ng be"a!&or /a7 "ad ne!er seen
be'ore w"at sort o' strateg% was t"&sF and s"e needed a 2loser look(
W"en /a7 ro1nded t"e t"&rd "o1se and 2re3t 13 to a s3ot be"&nd a large e!ergreen to wat2"4 t"e g&rl
was st&ll at work &n t"e snow( To /a74 "er n&g"ts"&rt and bare 'eet seemed s1ddenl% &n2onse01ent&al4
2om3ared to t"e w&ld52olored 2lot"es o' t"e ot"er g&rlH red sto2k&ng 2a34 green m&ttens4 3&nk 3arka4 bl1e
6eans4 and 2anar% %ellow boots(
/a7 stared &n ra3t 'as2&nat&on as t"e g&rl &n t"e red sto2k&ng 2a3 de2&ded t"&s ball was b&g eno1g"4
abandoned &t &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e %ard4 and mo!ed down near t"e s&dewalk to start anot"er( T"e g&rl
3a2ked snow onto t"e new ball 1nt&l &t was too b&g to "old4 t"en s"e rolled &t as s"e "ad t"e last one(
W"en t"e 2"&ld was '&n&s"ed4 t"e se2ond s3"ere o' snow was onl% sl&g"tl% smaller t"an t"e one ne7t to
&t4 and &t too 2ame nearl% to "er wa&st( T"e g&rl tr&ed to l&'t &t 13 to set &t on to3 o' t"e '&rst ball4 b1t
2o1ldn$t 01&te get &t o'' t"e gro1nd(
Know&ng s"e s"o1ld retreat and a!o&d an% 2onta2t4 well aware s"e needed s"elter4 'ood4 and warmer
a33arel4 want&ng to kee3 mo!&ng4 /a7 nonet"eless rema&ned 'roEen w&t" somet"&ng ot"er t"an t"e
2oldH somet"&ng abo1t t"&s g&rl ke3t "er "ere4 ke3t /a7 wat2"&ng
No matter "ow "ard t"e g&rl &n t"e red 2a3 tr&ed4 &t seemed4 s"e 2o1ldn$t ra&se t"e se2ond ball on to3 o'
t"e '&rst( W&t"o1t reall% real&E&ng w"at s"e was do&ng4 /a7 ste33ed o1t 'rom be"&nd t"e e!ergreen and
mo!ed &n to ass&st t"e ot"er 2"&ld(
One o' t"e 'ew "1man &nst&n2ts t"at rema&ned strong &n "er4 des3&te /ant&2ore$s best e''orts4 was t"e
need to "el3 "er #brot"ers and s&sters) and t"&s g&rl4 so 2lose to "er own age4 to12"ed t"at s&bl&ng
2ord w&t"&n t"e ?@51n&t(
W"en /a7 a33eared4 t"e g&rl &n t"e red 2a3 stood 13 stra&g"t and "er mo1t" 'ell o3en &n ob!&o1s
s1r3r&se( /a7 d&dn$t sa% a word4 61st mo!ed to t"e ot"er s&de o' t"e ball and 31t "er "ands 1nderneat" &t(
T"e snow 'elt 2old aga&nst "er "ands4 %et &t was oddl% bra2&ng4 not 1n3leasant at all4 and t"e bare sk&n
on "er arms4 w"ere t"e slee!es o' t"e n&g"ts"&rt rode 134 began goose53&m3l&ng(
T"e g&rl &n t"e red 2a3 gras3ed t"e 3lan &mmed&atel% and mo!ed to "el3( Toget"er4 t"e two l&ttle g&rls
'or /a7 was4 'or all "er tra&n&ng4 des3&te t"e genet&2 tam3er&ng4 a l&ttle g&rl4 too l&'ted t"e new globe
o' snow 13 on to3 o' t"e '&rst one(
#<old &t t"ere 'or a m&n1te4) t"e g&rl &n t"e red 2a3 asked4 3ant&ng4 not able to kee3 13 w&t" /a74
#w&ll%aF)
/a7 nodded d1t&'1ll%4 kee3&ng "er "ands on t"e ball to kee3 &t 'rom roll&ng o''(
,at2"&ng "er breat"4 t"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 sa&d4 #I$!e I$!e got to 3a2k some snow aro1nd &t to kee3
&t 'rom 'all&ng o''( Y$knowF)
/a7 nodded aga&n4 e!en t"o1g" s"e "ad no &dea w"at was go&ng on( F&nall%4 s"e asked4 #W"at &s t"e
ob6e2tF)
T"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 looked at /a7 21r&o1sl%( #<1"F)
#W"at are %o1 do&ng "ereF W"at 31r3ose &s ser!edF)
#P1r3oseF We$re b1&ld&ng a snowman4 s&ll%()
#O"( A k&nd o' de2o%F)
T"e l&ttle g&rl 'rowned( #.oes Frost% "ere look l&ke a d12k to %o1F)
#NoG Is t"&s &s a stat1eF)
T"e ot"er l&ttle g&rl ob!&o1sl% "ad ne!er t"o1g"t o' &t t"at wa%( #Well %ea"( Sort o'()
#B1t t"e stat1e w&ll melt( It &s &m3ermanent()
#O' 2o1rse "e$ll melt4 someda%( B1t not w"&le &t$s t"&s 2old()
#I' t"e stat1e w&ll melt4 w"at$s t"e 31r3oseF)
#It$s '1nG)
T"&s word "ad been "eard be'ore b% /a74 b1t re3resented a 'ore&gn 2on2e3t8 s12" was t"e nat1re o'
m12" /ant&2ore tra&n&ng(
#Aren$t %o1 "a!&ng '1n4 "el3&ngF) t"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 asked4 "er breat" 3l1m&ng( #W"at$s %o1r name4
an%wa%F)
#/a7()
#/a7F Isn$t t"at a bo%$s nameF)
#No( I$m a g&rl()
#.1"G I 2an see t"at I$m L12%( L12% Barrett() T"e g&rl ke3t 3a2k&ng snow as t"e% 2on!ersed4
smoot"&ng and se21r&ng t"e snow orbs( /a74 a 01&2k learner4 &m&tated t"e a2t&on(
#L12% &s %o1r name( <ello4 L12%()
#<ello4 /a7( Aren$t %o1 2oldF)
/a7 s"r1gged aga&n( #A l&ttle()
T"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 e73la&ned t"at #Frost%) now needed a "ead8 /a7 3&t2"ed &n and t"e% 'as"&oned a
smaller ball(
#Are %o1 s&2k4 /a7F)
#S&2kF)
#Yo1 look l&ke %o1 walked o1t o' a "os3&tal or somet"&n$()
#O"( No( I am well()
#;ood4) L12% sa&d4 31tt&ng '&n&s"&ng to12"es on t"e t"&rd ball( #Yo1 l&!e aro1nd "ereF)
/a7 s"ook "er "ead4 "el3&ng l&'t t"e #"ead) onto t"e snow stat1e(
#Are %o1 sta%&ng w&t" relat&!es4 too4 /a7F)
#Relat&!esF)
#W"ere$s %o1r momF My mom wo1ld be reall% mad &' I 2ame o1ts&de w&t"o1t m% 2oat4 m% boots4 m%
m&ttens4 or m% sto2k&ng 2a3()
#/omF) /a7 bra2ed t"e '&nal ball as L12% 3atted &t &nto 3la2e4 1nt&l &t 'elt more sol&d4 l&ke &t wo1ldn$t
mo!e &' s"e were to let go( /a7 d&dn$t let go4 t"o1g"(
#Yo1 do "a!e a mom don$t %o1F Or do %o1 l&!e w&t" %o1r dadF)
#.adF)
L12% remo!ed a 2arrot 'rom one 3o2ket o' "er w&nter 2oat and two l1m3s o' 2oal 'rom anot"er8 s"e
made a 'a2e o1t o' t"em /a7 1nderstood t"at &nstantl% and t"en t"e% stood and looked at t"e&r
work o' art4 2ons&der&ng &t 2are'1ll%(
T"e older g&rl looked 2are'1ll% at /a74 too4 and seemed onl% to be "al' k&dd&ng w"en s"e asked4 #Yo1
aren$t a re'1gee 'rom a loon% b&n4 are %o1F)
#Loon% b&nF)
T"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 'rowned( #L&sten4 are %o1 'rom anot"er 2o1ntr%F)
#I$m an Amer&2an() /a7 knew t"at m12"(
#Well4 don$t %o1 "a!e a momF)
#I ne!er "ad a mom()
#<ow 2an t"at beF)
#L12% I don$t e!en know w"at a mom &s()
T"e g&rl &n t"e 2a3 began to la1g"(
#.&d I sa% somet"&ng '1nn%F) /a7 asked4 a l&ttle &rr&tated4 b1t not know&ng w"%(
L12%$s la1g"ter 2a1g"t &n "er t"roat( #Yo1$re %o1$re ser&o1sF Yo1 don$t know w"at moms areF)
S1ddenl% 'eel&ng !er% &gnorant4 /a7 sa&d4 #-"4 no()
#Well "ow do %o1 t"&nk %o1 got "ereF)
/a7 wanted to sa%4 6 escaped from Manticore, stowed away on a truck, then-
B1t s"e d&dn$t sa% t"at8 s"e m&g"t be 1ns2"ooled &n t"e wa%s o' t"e o1ts&de world4 b1t /a7 nonet"eless
knew t"at t"&s wasn$t w"at L12% meant(
L12% "ad anot"er 01est&on4 'a&ntl% mo2k&ngH #Yo1 were born, weren$t %o1F)
Anot"er 01est&on /a7 "ad no answer 'or(
Now L12% ste33ed 'orward4 3att&ng t"e snow4 smoot"&ng t"e stat1e( #Is t"at w"% %o1$re dressed l&ke
t"atF $,a1se %o1 got nobod% to take 2are o' %o1F)
/a7 wondered "ow s"e 2o1ld "a!e re2e&!ed so m12" tra&n&ng &n t"e last n&ne %ears4 learned so m12"4
st1d&ed so "ard4 and %et st&ll t"&s g&rl &n t"e red 2a3 2o1ld 2ome 13 w&t" all t"ese 01est&ons4 t"e answers
to w"&2" /a7 "ad no &dea(
T"e% mo!ed to t"e s"o!eled 2ement 'ront ste3s o' t"e "o1se and sat down( L12% asked4 #Yo1 aren$t
'rom aro1nd "ere4 are %o1F)
F&nall%4 a 01est&on s"e knew t"e answer to( #No()
#/e ne&t"er( /% mom$s &ns&de !&s&t&ng w&t" m% a1nt( We$!e been "ere s&n2e %esterda%( I l&ke &t "ere4
$2a1se .ad &sn$t along B1t we$ll be lea!&ng 'or "ome soon()
/a7 sa&d4 #An ant &s an &nse2t()
L12% la1g"ed( #Not t"at k&nd o' antG Are %o1 k&dd&ngF A1nt +&2k& &s m% mom$s s&ster() Aga&n t"e
la1g"ter was re3la2ed b% a look o' 2on2erned 21r&os&t%( #/a7 d&d %o1 r1n awa%F)
#-" %ea"( I ran awa%() T"e 01est&ons seemed to be gett&ng eas&er now(
L12% 31lled o'' "er m&ttens( #<ere %o1 take t"ese()
;rate'1ll%4 /a7 t1gged on t"e m&ttens( T"e% were wet 'rom t"e snow4 b1t t"e% st&ll were better t"an
not"&ng4 and s"e a33re2&ated t"e warmt" o' L12%$s gest1re4 e!en more( #T"anks()
#So4 /a7 %o1 don$t "a!e a "ome() It was a statement4 not a 01est&on(
#No4 L12%()
#And I don$t "a!e a s&ster()
#I "a!e s&sters( And brot"ers()
#Reall%F W"ereF)
#We we$re all s3l&t 13()
#Broken "ome4 "1" I know a lotta k&ds &n %o1r s&t1at&on()
Some"ow /a7 do1bted t"at(
L12% was look&ng toward t"e "o1se4 a s3l&t5le!el w&t" a large 3&2t1re w&ndow &n t"e l&!&ng room
13sta&rs8 t"en "er e%es ret1rned to /a74 and a new e72&tement was gl&tter&ng t"ere( #Yo1 don$t "a!e an%
2lot"es4 or an%w"ere to sta%4 or an%t"&ng to eat4 r&g"tF)
Aga&n /a7 'o1nd "ersel' at a loss 'or words( B1t now t"at "er "ands were warmer4 s"e started to
real&Ee "ow 2old t"e rest o' "er "ad be2ome( S"e started s"&!er&ng and "ad to work to kee3 "er teet"
'rom 2"atter&ng(
#/a74 m% mom &s a real so't&e( S"e wanted me to "a!e a s&ster4 b1t s"e and .ad 2o1ldn$t()
#W"%F)
#I don$t know( B1t I do know one t"&ngH m% mom 2o1ld "el3 %o1()
Fr1strated4 /a7 sa&d4 #L12%4 I st&ll don$t know w"at a Mmom$ is4) s"ak&ng "er "ead4 not l&k&ng w"ere t"&s
seemed to be go&ng(
Look&ng 2on'1sed now "ersel'4 L12% 3ondered t"at 'or a moment( Absentl%4 s"e rose 'rom t"e ste3s and
went ba2k to work on t"e snowman4 smoot"&ng &t as s"e 2ons&dered t"e 3roblem( /a7 6o&ned "er4
stand&ng as s&lent as Frost%(
F&nall%4 st&ll '&ll&ng &n ga3s &n t"e snowman4 L12% sa&d4 #/om &s t"e 3erson w"o ga!e b&rt" to me4 and
%o14 too()
#Yo1rs mom ga!e b&rt" to meF)
L12% la1g"ed aga&n4 sto33ed "ersel'4 s"ook "er "ead( #No4 not m% mom :our mom4 w"oe!er s"e &s4
or ma%be was ga!e b&rt" to %o1( Yo1 "a!e a bell% b1tton4 don$t %o1F)
#I don$t know()
#A na!elF)
#O' 2o1rse I "a!e a na!el()
#Well4 t"at$s w"ere %o1 1sed to be 2onne2ted to %o1r mom4 w"en %o1 were born( T"at 3ro!es &t(
W"et"er %o1 know "er or not4 %o1 "ad a mom4 all r&g"t() L12% s"r1gged( #E!er%bod% does()
#So moms are alwa%s g&rlsF)
#Women4) L12% sa&d ser&o1sl%4 seem&ng to take t"&s tea2"erl% res3ons&b&l&t% to "eart( #W"en we$re
older4 we$ll be women4 and moms4 too()
/a7 d&dn$t l&ke t"e so1nd o' t"at m12"( #.o we "a!e toF)
#Well w"% do %o1 "a!e to ask s12" "ard 01est&ons4 /a7F)
T"at t"ere were t"&ngs L12% didn"t know seemed oddl% 2om'ort&ng to /a78 made "er 'eel less &gnorant(
#An%wa%4) L12% was sa%&ng4 as s"e a33ra&sed Frost% one last t&me4 #m% mom 2an "el3( S"e 2an g&!e
%o1 'ood and ma%be A1nt +&2k&$s got some old 2lot"es )
/ore 3eo3le t"at was bad wasn$t &tF S1ddenl%4 /a7 'eared s"e ne!er s"o1ld "a!e sto33ed4 ne!er
s"o1ld "a!e s3oken to t"&s l&ttle g&rl(
#No4) /a7 sa&d( #T"at$s oka%( I 'end 'or m%sel'( I ada3t and s1r!&!e()
#<1"F)
#.on$t tell an%one %o1 saw me4 oka%F)
L12% seemed 3er3le7ed(
#L12%4 3lease( .on$t make me )
#/ake %o1 w"atF)
4ill you, /a7 t"o1g"t(
L12%$s e%es br&g"tened w&t" real&Eat&on( #It$s $2a1se %o1 ran awa%4 &sn$t &tF Yo1$re a'ra&d /om wo1ld
send %o1 ba2kG)
Slowl%4 /a7 nodded( S"e to12"ed t"e g&rl$s arm8 "eld &t '&rml%( #Prom&se me4 L12%F)
L12%$s bare "and to12"ed /a7$s m&ttened one( #/a7 were t"e% mean to %o1F I mean4 w"ere %o1 ran
awa% 'rom were t"e% str&2tF)
6n her mind"s eye, Max saw (va fall dead from 0ydecker"s bullet.
#T"e% were str&2t4) /a7 sa&d(
#T"e% were mean to %o1 t"ereF)
#+er% mean()
L12% 'orgot abo1t "er mom as s"e be2ame 2a3t&!ated w&t" t"e not&on o' /a7$s d&lemma( #;ee w"at
d&d t"e% doF)
#T"e% took me awa% 'rom m% mot"er4) /a7 sa&d4 stat&ng "er own s1dden real&Eat&on4 #and t"en told
me s"e ne!er e7&sted()
#T"e% reall% d&d t"atF)
A 2ar4 one blo2k o!er4 rolled b%4 /a7 looked 134 saw t"e 2ar4 and d12ked ba2k be"&nd t"e e!ergreen4
L12% "ot on "er "eels(
#T"e% reall% d&d t"atF) L12% re3eated(
#O" %es4) /a7 sa&d( #And t"e%$re 2"as&ng me now( Yo1 2o1ld be &n danger4 too4 61st be&ng w&t" me
T"at$s w"% no one 2an know t"at I$m "ere()
L12% seemed to 1nderstand4 %et t"e danger /a7 "ad ment&oned onl% seemed to e72&te t"e 2"&ld(
#L&sten4 /a7 I$!e got an &dea( We 2an "&de %o1( Yo1 2an go w&t" 1s( We l&!e 'ar awa%4 really 'ar
awa% W"oe!er$s look&ng 'or %o1 wo1ld ne!er t"&nk to look t"ere()
A warm 'eel&ng 2ame &nto /a7$s 2"est4 somet"&ng s"e$d ne!er 'elt be'oreH "o3e( #B1t &' we do t"at4
won$t %o1 "a!e to tell %o1r momF)
#Tr1st me s"e$ll want to "el3 %o1()
/a7 s"ook "er "ead !&goro1sl%8 s"e "ad tr1sted L%de2ker
#/om l&kes k&ds4 s"e$ll "el3 %o1 and kee3 awa% t"e 3eo3le 2"as&ng %o1( Look4 s"e tr&ed to ado3t a
s&ster 'or me and t"e% t1rned "er down()
#Ado3tF)
#Take &n a k&d w"ose mom was dead or somet"&ng( B1t m% dad t"e% sa&d "e wasn$t Ms1&table4$ or
an%wa%4 s"e$d g&!e an%t"&ng 'or me to "a!e a s&ster()
-n2on!&n2ed4 /a7 sa&d4 #T"ank %o14 b1t I better get go&ng() S"e t1gged o'' t"e m&ttens and "anded
t"em ba2k to L12%(
#Yo1 2an$t lea!e %o1$ll 'reeEe &n t"ose 6amm&esG Yo1$re s"&!er&ng()
/a7 s"r1gged( #I wo1ld rat"er 'reeEe to deat" t"an go ba2k() S"e t1rned and started to walk aro1nd
toward t"e rear o' t"e "o1se(
,at2"&ng 13 w&t" "er4 L12% 31t a "and on /a7$s arm( #<ow abo1t &' &t$s 61st our se2ret4 %o1 and meF)
Ske3t&2&sm et2"ed /a7$s 'a2e(
#<onest4) L12% sa&d( #Yo1 2an "&de &n t"e 2ar and w"en we get "ome4 %o1$ll be m&les and m&les awa%()
#Reall%F)
#Nobod% w&ll e!er "a!e r1n awa% betterG We 2an do &t4 /a74 &' %o1 2an sta% 01&et()
/a7 s"r1gged( #I$m alwa%s 01&et()
#Yo1 k&nd o' are( .ealF)
L12% st12k o1t "er "and8 t"&s was a gest1re /a7 knew4 'rom /ant&2oreH s"e s"ook t"e ot"er 2"&ld$s
"and(
Sneak&ng anot"er '1rt&!e glan2e at t"e "o1se4 L12% led t"e wa% o1t 'ront to w"ere a t&red old S-+ sat
&n t"e street( W"en t"e% got to t"e 'ar s&de4 L12% sa&d4 #W"en I o3en t"e door4 %o1 get &n 01&2k( T"ere$s
a blanket &n t"e ba2k 2rawl 1nder &t and sta% on t"e 'loor b% t"e ba2kseat( =1&et as a mo1se4 nowG)
#I 2an be 01&eter() To /a7$s ears4 m&2e were terr&bl% no&s%(
#/om alwa%s makes me s&t &n t"e ba2k4) L12% was sa%&ng4 #w&t" m% seat belt on( I' we$re 01&et4 we
2an w"&s3er and &' I 2an get a sna2k 'rom A1nt +&2k& 'or t"e road4 we 2an s"are &t( I$ll sneak %o1
someG)
#Sna2kF)
#Food4 /a7( Yo1 do eat4 don$t %o1F)
A sm&le sl&33ed o1t des3&te "er 'ear( #Yes and &t$s been a long t&me s&n2e I d&d()
L12% nodded( #Oka%4 I$ll get %a somet"&ng T"&s &s e72&t&ngG T"&s beats b1&ld&ng a snowman all to
s"&tG)
/a7$s e%es w&dened4 "ear&ng t"e 'orb&dden word 'rom t"&s k&d(
#Now get &ns&de t"e S-+4) L12% ordered4 #and get 1nder t"e blanket()
L12% o3ened t"e door and /a74 tra&ned to 'ollow "er gro13 leader4 d&d as t"e ot"er g&rl "ad &nstr12ted(
T"e &ns&de o' t"e tr12k was te2"n&2all% 2old4 b1t so m12" warmer t"an t"e o1tdoors( At least s"e was
'&nall% o1t o' t"e w&nd and4 w&t" t"e blanket4 /a7 started to get warm almost &mmed&atel%(
Less t"an an "o1r later4 t"e ba2k "at2" door 'l&33ed 13 and /a7 nearl% 3an&2ked b1t L12%$s mom
d&dn$t look tw&2e at t"e blanket w"en s"e s"o!ed two s1&t2ases &nto t"e storage area one o' t"em
aw'1ll% 2lose to /a7$s nose and slammed t"e door aga&n(
/a7 l&stened as t"e mom sa&d good5b%e to A1nt +&2k&4 w"o also sa&d a lo1d good5b%e to L12%(
#;et %o1r seat belt on4) /om sa&d(
#Yes4 ma$am4) L12k% answered4 "er we&g"t dro33&ng "ea!&l% onto t"e seat 61st be"&nd /a7(
S"o!&ng t"e s1&t2ase awa% a l&ttle4 /a7 s&lentl% rolled o!er and took sto2k o' "er small worldH t"e seat
L12% was &n sat "&g"4 w&t" an 1n1sed storage area beneat"( /a7 2rawled 1nder t"e "&g" seat4 "er "ead
"1gg&ng t"e 'loor8 s"e looked 13 to see L12% look&ng down at "er( T"e ot"er g&rl "ad to 2o!er "er own
mo1t" to kee3 'rom s01eal&ng &n del&g"t( W"at to /a7 was an e7er2&se &n s1r!&!al was to L12% a great
ad!ent1re(
#Yo1 oka%4 L12eF) /om asked(
#F&ne( *1st '&ne()
T"e eng&ne t1rned o!er and t"e S-+ 2o1g"ed to l&'e( #It$ll warm 13 &n "ere soon4 dear()
#;ood( I am k&nda 2old()
#,at2" %o1r deat" mak&ng t"at s&ll% snowman()
#.&dn$t %o1 l&ke Frost%4 /omF)
#<e was !er% "andsome4 dear()
A'ter a w"&le4 t"e "eater was 31tt&ng o1t adm&rabl%4 and L12% looked at /a74 w"o ga!e "er a l&ttle nod(
#We$re warm eno1g" now4 /om()
#WeF)
#/% new 'r&end 1" /a7 1" 2an$t %o1 see "erF S"e$s s&tt&ng r&g"t ne7t to me()
/om let o1t a l&ttle la1g"( #Anot"er &n!&s&ble 'r&endF)
L12% s"r1gged(
#<one%4 aren$t %o1 gett&ng a l&ttle old 'or t"atF)
Anot"er s"r1g( #/a7$ll be t"e last one()
T"e banter went on l&ke t"at 'or a 'ew more m&n1tes4 L12% sl&33&ng /a7 2ook&es w"en /om was
wat2"&ng t"e road4 /a7 2"ew&ng as 01&etl% as 3oss&ble( As /a7 l&stened to t"e 2on!ersat&on between
mot"er and da1g"ter a 2on!ersat&on not"&ng l&ke t"e talk between ad1lts and t"e ?@ k&ds at
/ant&2ore t"e /om seemed nice t"e %o1ng stowawa% real&Eed 61st "ow al&en a 1n&!erse s"e
was enter&ng(
F&nall%4 t"e talk&ng 01&eted4 and m1s&2 'rom t"e 2ar rad&o 3la%ed t"e 2o1ntr% western /a7 was 1sed to4
'rom t"e /ant&2ore n&g"t sta''$s boombo7( E!ent1all%4 L12% went to slee34 and not long a'ter "er4 /a7
dr&'ted o'' as well(
W"en /a7 awoke4 t"e S-+ wasn$t mo!&ng(
Tens&ng4 s"e 3eeked o1t 'rom beneat" t"e seat4 and saw no s&gn o' L12%$s 'eet "ang&ng down( ,rawl&ng
ba2k &nto t"e rear o' t"e !e"&2le4 s"e d&s2o!ered t"at t"e s1&t2ases were gone4 too( S"e l&stened4 b1t all
s"e "eard was s&len2e 31n2t1ated b% tra''&2 and n&g"t so1nds(
/a7 was alone aga&n( Slowl%4 s"e 2rawled o1t 'rom 1nder t"e blanket( A glan2e o1t t"e w&ndow told
"er &t was t"e m&ddle o' t"e n&g"t8 s"e determ&ned t"at t"e Barretts were 3robabl% be"&nd t"e n1mbered
door &n 'ront o' t"e S-+4 w"&2" was 3arked &n a stall &nd&2ated b% w"&te l&nes 3a&nted on bla2k 3a!&ng(
;ett&ng o1t o' t"e !e"&2le4 w&t" all t"e 2a1t&on "er tra&n&ng "ad bestowed "er4 n&ne5%ear5old /a7
2l&mbed down and stret2"ed "er t&red legs( Be&ng 'olded 13 1nder t"e seat "ad taken &ts toll on "er
m1s2les and bones8 b1t on t"e br&g"t s&de4 s"e was warm and dr%4 and 61dg&ng 'rom t"e &nner 2alm s"e
'elt4 /ant&2ore was 'ar be"&nd "er( S"e reall% d&dn$t re01&re t"&s m12" slee34 b1t t"e g&rl was sort o'
sa!&ng 134 not know&ng w"at awa&ted "er( /ak&ng s1re s"e was 1nobser!ed4 s"e began e73lor&ng a
l&ttle4 kee3&ng t"e S-+ &n s&g"t at all t&mes(
T"e weat"er "ere was sl&g"tl% warmer t"an &n t"e 3la2e t"e%$d le't4 and t"e snow "ad 3ra2t&2all%
d&sa33eared4 61st 3at2"es "ere and t"ere( T"e S-+ sat &n t"e 3ark&ng lot o' a two5stor% -5s"a3ed
2on2rete b1&ld&ng4 w&t" t"e Barretts$ n1mbered door r&g"t &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e bottom o' t"e -( Onl%
twent% or so 2ars o2213&ed t"e large lot4 and most o' t"em "ad l&2ense 3lates 'rom t"e state o' -ta"(
T"e g&rl 'o1nd a glass door marked LOBBY4 3eered t"ro1g" and saw l&g"ts on4 &ns&de( S"e tr&ed t"e
door and 'o1nd &t 1nlo2ked8 b1t w"en s"e o3ened &t4 a b1EEer b1EEed( .12k&ng ba2k o1ts&de4 be"&nd a
3arked !e"&2le4 /a7 wat2"ed t"ro1g" t"e w&ndow as a %o1ng blond man &n a w"&te s"&rt and tan 3ants
2ame o1t o' a rear room4 looked o!er t"e 2o1nter at t"e door4 s"r1gged4 t"en went awa% aga&n(
Be%ond t"e 2o1nter4 &n t"e 2enter o' t"e lobb%4 /a7 saw a table w&t" a large bowl o' 'r1&t &n t"e 2enter(
<er stoma2" r1mbled w&t" ant&2&3at&on( S"e looked aga&n at t"e door w&t" t"at anno%&ng b1EEer(
<er tra&n&ng "ad ta1g"t "er t"at no obsta2le was 1n2on01erable( S"e 2ons&dered t"e 3roblem 'or w"at
'elt l&ke a long t&me4 "er e%es dart&ng to t"e 'r1&t more o'ten t"an s"e wo1ld "a!e l&ked8 s"e s"o1ld "a!e
better 2ontrol( W"at was s"e4 a 2"&ldF F&nall%4 s"e de2&ded t"ere "ad to be anot"er wa% &n4 and s"e
started aro1nd t"e b1&ld&ng to '&nd &t(
At t"e 'ar end o' t"e le't 13r&g"t 3art o' t"e -4 s"e 'o1nd w"at s"e wantedH anot"er door4 t"&s one
a22ess&ble onl% b% t"e &nsert&on o' a ke%2ard8 &t d&dn$t seem to "a!e a "1man g1ard4 and t"at alone
wo1ld make &t eas&er(
S"e retra2ed "er ste3s to t"e Barretts$ S-+4 and sear2"ed t"e &ns&de4 look&ng 'or w"at s"e needed( S"e
d&dn$t '&nd a s2rewdr&!er4 b1t &n t"e glo!e 2om3artment s"e d&d 2ome 13on a small 3o2ketkn&'e(
#hat should be ade!uate.
F&!e m&n1tes later s"e "ad t"e 'ront 2o!er o'' t"e ke%2ard bo74 "ad 2rossed t"e w&res and a22essed t"e
"all4 t"en 'ollowed &t to t"e lobb% w"ere "er reward wa&ted &n t"e 'r1&t bowl( A'ter d12k&ng ba2k down
t"e "all w&t" t"e ent&re bowl4 s"e 01&2kl% de!o1red two bananas and an orange4 lea!&ng t"e 3eels as
e!&den2e o' t"e "1ngr% an&mal w"o$d s2a!enged "ere(
T"en /a7 e73lored long eno1g" to '&nd a bat"room and get a dr&nk o' water 'rom t"e s&nk4 be'ore
mak&ng "er wa% ba2k to t"e S-+4 a banana and two a33les st&ll t12ked &n "er arms(
S"e n&bbled "er 'r1&t 1nt&l '&nall% L12% and "er mom s"owed 13 and /a7 sl&33ed 1nder t"e blanket4
and t"en t"e% were on t"e road aga&n(
L12% wanted to w"&s3er4 b1t /a7 s"ook "er "ead4 not want&ng to r&sk &t( <er bell% '1ll4 t"&s strange
world seem&ng to t"e ?@51n&t s1r3r&s&ngl% eas&l% dealt w&t"4 /a7 d&sa33eared 1nder t"e blanket and
sle3t4 2ontentedl%(
E&g"t "o1rs later4 w"en t"e !e"&2le '&nall% sto33ed 'or good4 and L12% and "er mom "ad d&sa33eared
aga&n4 /a7 2l&mbed o1t o' "er "&d&ng 3la2e to '&nd "ersel' &n a land o' s1ns"&ne4 warmt"4 and 3alm
trees(
Tra&n&ng !&deos "ad s"own "er 2o1ntr% l&ke t"&s be'ore4 b1t &t "ad been an abstra2t&on s"e$d ne!er
seen an%t"&ng l&ke &t &n 3erson( As s"e stood o1ts&de t"e S-+4 s"e let t"e s1ns"&ne bat"e "er 'a2e4
"ands4 and legs( S"e 2o1ldn$t re2all e!er be&ng so warm &n "er l&'e4 and s"e lo!ed &t(
/a7 was stand&ng be'ore a small 'rame "o1se4 smaller t"an t"e one w"ere s"e$d met L12%8 3arked &n
t"e %ard was t"e S-+4 w"&2" stood between "er and t"e street4 a long4 bla2kto3 road w&t" one5stor%
"o1ses l&n&ng e&t"er s&de 'or as 'ar as s"e 2o1ld see(
T"o1g" t"e% were o1t o' "er !&ew4 /a7 "eard k&ds la1g"&ng4 somew"ere( T"&nk&ng L12% m&g"t be w&t"
t"em4 s"e took one ste3 be'ore t"e so1nd o' a woman$s !o&2e sto33ed "er(
#Yo1 m1st be "1ngr%()
/a7 w"&rled to see L12%$s mom stand&ng be"&nd a s2reen door( #-" )
A k&nd ad1lt 'a2e4 w&t" e2"oes o' L12%$s4 bestowed a sm&le nearl% as warm as t"e s1ns"&ne( #It$s all
r&g"t4 "one% L12% told me abo1t %o1r tro1ble()
/a7$s '&rst &nst&n2t was to r1n4 61st r1n8 b1t t"e onl% ot"er ad1lt 'emale s"e$d e!er s3oken to o1ts&de t"e
gates o' /ant&2ore <anna" "ad "el3ed "er( And4 l&ke <anna"4 t"&s woman d&dn$t seem 13set w&t"
"er "ad 2alled "er #"one%4) an a33arentl% a''e2t&onate des&gnat&on t"at t"e woman "ad also granted
"er da1g"ter(
R&g"t now4 &n 'a2t4 t"e woman "eld o3en t"e s2reen door 'or /a7 "eld &t o3en w&de(
#Wo1ldn$t %o1 l&ke to 2ome &nF) L12%$s mom asked4 d&s3la%&ng a w&de toot"% sm&le( #/a%be get
somet"&ng to eatF)
Tentat&!el%4 /a7 a33roa2"ed t"e woman8 gett&ng "er '&rst 2lose look at t"e #mom4) /a7 2o1ldn$t "el3
wonder&ng &' all moms looked l&ke t"&s( Per"a3s '&!e 'oot '&!e &n2"es4 and L9@ 3o1nds4 w&t" dark brown
brown "a&r 3&led "&g"4 L12%$s mom "ad "er da1g"ter$s w&de bl1e e%es4 '1ll l&3s4 and t"ose same long
e%elas"es( S"e wore a 3ale bl1e dress w&t" small 3&nk 'lowers on &t(
#I s"o1ldn$t4) /a7 '&nall% managed(
#Look4 /a7 It &s Max, &sn$t &tF)
/a7 nodded(
#Is t"at s"ort 'or /a7&neF)
#I don$t t"&nk so()
T"e woman$s sm&le lessened b1t d&d not d&sa33ear4 and s"e st&ll "eld t"at door o3en( #Look /a7(
L12%$s told me %o1 "a!e now"ere else to go4 and t"at t"e 3eo3le %o1 were sta%&ng w&t" be'ore w&ll "1rt
%o1 &' t"e% '&nd %o1( Is t"at r&g"tF)
Anot"er nod(
#T"en %o1 need a new 3la2e to l&!e4 don$t %o1F)
/a7 looked down t"e street as &' t"e answer m&g"t be t"ere somew"ere8 b1t w"% wo1ld t"ese almost
&dent&2al "o1ses "old an% better answer t"an t"&s oneF
F&nall%4 /a7 nodded a t"&rd t&me(
#T"en wo1ld %o1 l&ke to sta% w&t" 1sF)
S"e s"r1gged( S"e d&dn$t know "ow to res3ond to t"at(
#Well4 2ome &n4 dear "a!e some 'ood4 and we$ll talk( Work &t o1t()
/a7 looked t"e ot"er wa%4 13 t"e street4 and 'o1nd no 3otent&all% better answers &n t"at d&re2t&on4
e&t"er( <alt&ngl%4 s"e took a ste3 toward t"e "o1se( W&t" t"e s2reen door o3en4 s"e 2o1ld smell t"e
aroma o' roast bee' as &t wa'ted t"ro1g" t"e "ome4 21rl&ng &ts '&nger &n!&t&ngl%
T"e des&re 'or a real meal o!er2ame "er m&sg&!&ngs and /a7 strode &nto t"e "o1se(
T"e l&!&ng room was small( T"o1g" b&gger t"an <anna"$s4 t"&s one was less &mmed&atel% &n!&t&ng( T"e
smell o' old 2&garettes "1ng &n t"e a&r8 t"e so1r2e seemed to be a worn5look&ng o!erst1''ed 2"a&r to "er
le't4 w"&2" "ad a 2o13le o' em3t% beer 2ans s&tt&ng on a table ne7t to &t4 no do1bt add&ng to t"e stale
odor o' t"e room(
St&ll4 t"e aroma o' t"e bee' be2koned4 o!er2om&ng t"e toba22o odor4 and /a7 'ollowed L12%$s mom
&nto a small d&n&ng room to a wooden table w&t" 'o1r mat2"&ng 2"a&rs( T"o1g" t"e 'ood looked t"e
same as w"at s"e$d re2e&!ed at /ant&2ore4 &t smelled m12" betterH roast bee'4 2arrots4 mas"ed 3otatoes
and gra!%4 and 'res"5baked b&s21&ts(
L12%4 look&ng g1&lt% and 3er"a3s a33re"ens&!e4 sat on t"e 'ar s&de o' t"e table4 and "er mom mo!ed
toward t"e 'ar end4 31ll&ng o1t t"e near5s&de 2"a&r 'or /a7 as s"e went b%(
#L12%$s dad won$t be "ere 'or d&nner ton&g"t4) t"e mom sa&d( #<e$s work&ng "e$s a tr12k dr&!er()
/a7 nodded( S"e wondered &' t"at meant "e was l&ke t"e man w"ose tr12k s"e$d "&dden &n(
#<e$ll be "ome tomorrow( .o %o1 l&ke roast bee'4 /a7F)
Swallow&ng sal&!a4 /a7 sa&d4 #Yes4 !er% m12"()
#Well4 d&g &n( L12%4 g&!e "er a "and Plent% to go $ro1nd()
P&l&ng "er 3late "&g"4 /a7 d&!ed &n and t"o1g"t t"at s"e$d ne!er eaten an%t"&ng t"at tasted t"&s good(
#So4 dear were %o1 born &n ,as3erF)
/a7 t1rned toward t"e mom( #,as3erF)
#Yo1 know t"e town w"ere %o1 met L12%F)
#No4 I wasn$t born t"ere() S"e sa&d t"&s w&t" ass1ran2e4 t"o1g" &ns&de "ersel'4 /a7 "ad do1btsH s&n2e
s"e$d known not"&ng o' mot"ers and b&rt"s be'ore %esterda%4 w"o 2o1ld sa%F
#*1dg&ng b% w"at L12% sa%s4) t"e mom sa&d4 #and 'rom t"at smo2k %o1$re wear&ng4 %o1 es2a3ed 'rom
an &nst&t1t&on an or3"anageF)
#W"at$s an or3"anageF)
#A 3la2e4 dear4 w"ere 2"&ldren w&t"o1t 3arents l&!e()
#Yes( Yes4 &t was an or3"anage()
#And t"e% were 2r1el t"ere4 dearF)
#O" %es()
L12%$s mom mo!ed "er 'ood aro1nd on "er 3late w&t" a 'ork4 b1t d&dn$t eat an%t"&ng8 "er e%es were
dam34 and mo!&ng s&de to s&de4 &n t"o1g"t(
T"en t"e mom sa&d4 #We tr&ed to get a n&2e g&rl l&ke %o14 t"ro1g" o''&2&al so1r2es( B1t t"e% wo1ldn$t
let 1s( /% "1sband "as a dr&nk&ng 3roblem( I g1ess %o1 "a!e a r&g"t to know t"at()
5hy would anyone have trouble drinking;
T"en t"e mom bl1rted4 #Wo1ld %o1 l&ke to sta% w&t" 1sF)
St&ll 2"ew&ng4 /a7 61st looked at "er(
#Yo1 and L12% 2o1ld be l&ke s&sters()
/a7 glan2ed o!er at L12% w"o was nodd&ng em3"at&2all%4 a w&de sm&le on "er 'a2e(
#We 2an$t "a!e an% more 2"&ldren4 L12%$s dad and I4 and ;od knows4 we 2o1ld 1se anot"er "and
aro1nd "ere()
/a7 "eld t"e woman$s gaEe( #Wo1ld an%one "a!e to knowF)
T"e mom$s e%es 'lared( #NoG T"e% 2o1ldn$t know4 dear or %o1$d be taken ba2k to w"ere %o1 ran
'rom()
/a7 s"ook "er "ead4 !&olentl%( #I wo1ldn$t want t"at()
#Yo1$re m% late 2o1s&n$s Bet"$s g&rl()
#I amF)
T"e mom sm&led( #Yo1 are now We$re %o1r 'oster 'am&l%( W&ll %o1 sta% w&t" 1s4 /a7F)
Know&ng w"at t"e woman wanted4 /a7 slowl% nodded( T"en and t"ere4 61st t"at eas&l%4 s"e "ad a new
"ome(
L12% s3oke 'or t"e '&rst t&me s&n2e t"e%$d sat down( #W&ll &t be all r&g"t w&t" .adF)
#I$ll 2on!&n2e "&m( .on$t %o1 g&rls worr%( <e 2an be d&''&21lt b1t "e$ll know w"at t"&s means to me(
And as long as /a7 &s w&ll&ng to work aro1nd "ere %o1 are4 aren$t %o1 /a7F)
/a7 nodded(
#Well4 t"en4 we won$t "a!e an% tro1ble( In t"e meant&me4 I$m go&ng to see to &t %o1 get 3lent% to eat4
and t"en we$ll get %o1 some new 2lot"es()
;lan2&ng down at "er so&led n&g"ts"&rt4 /a7 knew t"at wasn$t a bad &dea(
T"e mom beamed at "er( #Now4 %o1 make s1re %o1 lea!e room 'or 3&e &t$s lemon mer&ng1e()
/a7 "ad ne!er "ad t"&s e7ot&2 d&s" be'ore4 and &t was &n2red&bl%4 del&r&o1sl% del&2&o1s(
T"e ne7t n&g"t4 /a7 'o1nd o1t w"at a dad was4 and &t wasn$t near as good as a momH a dad Jt"&s one
an%wa%K was a b1rl% b1ll% w&t" str&ng% gra%&ng "a&r4 31tr&d breat"4 a 'o1l mo1t"4 and a !&2&o1s tem3er(
O"4 t"e dad 2o1ld be n&2e4 b1t onl% w"en "e "adn$t been dr&nk&ng(
W"&2" wasn$t o'ten Jand &t d&dn$t take /a7 long to learn w"at a #dr&nk&ng 3roblem) reall% wasK(
A'ter 61st ten m&n1tes w&t" *a2k Barrett4 /a7 knew s"e$d been wrong t"&nk&ng L%de2ker was mean(
L%de2ker was onl% b1s&nessl&ke4 2old b1t not br1tal8 L%de2ker was monstro1s t"&s #dad) was a
monster(
T"at '&rst n&g"t4 /r( Barrett "ad 2ome &n t"e door4 br1s"ed 3ast "&s w&'e w&t" t"e greet&ng4 #;et me a
beer4) and t"en "e dro33ed &nto "&s re2l&ner4 l&t 13 a smoke4 and t1rned "&s e%es toward /a7 J&n a 3&nk
T5s"&rt and 6eansK4 w"o stood ne7t to L12% at t"e s&de o' "&s 2"a&r( #W"o t"e "ell &s t"&sF)
Po33&ng t"e to3 on "&s beer4 /rs( Barrett sa&d4 #T"&s &s /a7( Sa% "ello to /r( Barrett4 /a7()
#<&4 /r( Barrett()
T"e dad &gnored /a7( #W"at t"e '12k &s t"at war or3"an do&ng "ereF)
<ow 2o1ld "e know s"e was an or3"anF And a sold&erF
R1bb&ng "er "ands on t"e 'ront o' "er a3ron4 /rs( Barrett sa&d4 #Be n&2e4 *a2k S"e needs a 3la2e to
sta% 'or a w"&le()
<e t1rned to glare at /rs( Barrett( #Anot"er goddamn mo1t" to 'eedF)
#*a2k4 I want t"&s()
#*oann4 I)
#I 31t 13 w&t" a lot4 *a2k( I' %o1 don$t l&ke &t4 %o1$ll 2ome "ome to an em3t% "o1se no meals4 *a2k( No
la1ndr%( E!en get 13 and get %o1r own beer()
<e was gaE&ng at "er l&ke "&s w&'e was on '&re( #.on$t get mo1t"% )
#Yo1 2an "&t me4 *a2k b1t I$ll go( I$ll lea!e( I reall% w&ll t"&s t&me( :ou know what this means to me.)
<e t1rned awa%( ,l&2ked on t"e T+ w&t" "&s remote and g1l3ed "&s beer(
/rs( Barrett t1rned and walked o'' &n a "1''( #,ome on4 g&rls()
#Not so 'astG) /r( Barrett bellowed( <e t1rned to /a7 aga&n( #Yo1G)
#Yes4 s&r()
#Well %o1$re 3ol&te4 an%wa%( K&nda s2rawn% ma%be %o1$ll '&ll o1t l&ke L12%4 &n a %ear or two
Yo1 gonna "el3 aro1nd "ere4 earn %o1r kee3F)
/a7 nodded(
#T"&s one4) "e 6erked a t"1mb toward "&s da1g"ter4 #don$t do s01at4 "al' t"e t&me()
L12% sa&d4 #I alwa%s do)
/r( Barrett sw1ng aro1nd &n "&s 2"a&r and sla33ed "&s da1g"ter t"e 2ra2k rang &n t"e small "o1se4
l&ke a g1ns"ot(
L12%$s mo1t" was trembl&ngl% o3en4 as tears rolled down "er 'a2e4 b1t no so1nd 2ame o1t(
#.on$t talk ba2k to %o1r 'at"er()
Between g1l3s o' a&r4 L12% managed to sa%4 #Yes4 s&r()
#T"at$s better()
/a7 took a ste3 'orward( #.on$t "&t "er()
*a2k sla33ed /a7 e!en "arder4 t"e 3a&n s"oot&ng t"ro1g" "er 6aw4 "er teet"4 t"ro1g" e!er% '&ber o' "er
be&ng( S"e res&sted t"e 1rge to str&ke ba2k8 ma%be t"&s was "ow 'am&l&es be"a!ed( S"e 2o1ld alwa%s k&ll
"&m later(
#Yo1 want to sta% "ere4) *a2k %elled4 #%o1 want t"ree s01ares and a bedF Yo1 kee3 %o1r '12k&ng mo1t"
s"1t 1nless %o1$re told to s3eak()
<er 2"eek st&ll t"robb&ng4 /a7 stood t"ere s&lentl%4 glar&ng at *a2k Barrett(
<e sla33ed "er aga&n( #.on$t stare at me4 and w"en I tell %o1 somet"&ng4 %o1 s"ow me t"e 3ro3er
goddamn res3e2t( St&2k w&t" t"at MYes4 s&r$ s"&t4 and we$ll get along 61st '&ne()
Pa&n s"ot t"ro1g" "er bod% aga&n and t"&s t&me a tear welled &n "er e%e4 b1t /a7 w&lled &t not to 'all(
#Yes4 s&r()
#T"en s"e 2an sta%4 *a2kF) /rs( Barrett sa&d(
#K&d 2an sta%( For now()
#O" *a2k4 t"ank %o1() And s"e k&ssed "er "1sband on t"e 2"eek4 and "e br1s"ed "er awa%(
/om Jas /a7 "ad now beg1n to 2all "er4 and t"&nk o' "erK es2orted /a7 to t"e bedroom s"e was
s"ar&ng w&t" L12%(
#Sta% on *a2k$s good s&de4) /om ad!&sed4 #and don$t talk ba2k w"en "e$s &n a bad mood()
Later L12% sa&d4 #I "o3e I "o3e %o1 don$t t"&nk t"&s &s worse t"an w"ere %o1 es2a3ed 'rom()
In "er own warm bed4 /a7 was we&g"&ng t"at( ;ett&ng sla33ed was better t"an gett&ng s"ot(
#It$s '&ne4) /a7 sa&d(
T"at "ad been Febr1ar%( T"ere were more sla3s and e!en some o1tr&g"t beat&ngs &n /ar2"4 A3r&l4 and
/a%( Somet&mes /r( Barrett wo1ld enter t"e room &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e n&g"t and take L12% awa% w&t"
"&m8 t"e g&rl wo1ld look s2ared4 b1t w"en s"e ret1rned4 s"e$d sa% at least "er dad "adn$t "&t "er(
/a7 "ad been too se71all% na&!e at t"e t&me to reall% 1nderstand w"at was "a33en&ng8 b1t s"e knew &t
was somet"&ng bad( As 'or t"e beat&ngs4 t"e% were 2ommon3la2e aro1nd t"e Barrett "o1se8 and /a74 &n
an e''ort to '&t &n4 "ad onl% 'o1g"t ba2k one t&me(
T"at "ad been &n earl% /ar2"( *a2k Jas /a7 now t"o1g"t o' "&m4 ne!er 2om&ng to t"&nk o' "&m as4
m12" less 2all "&m4 .adK "ad wa7ed "er 3rett% good4 and w"en /a7 "ad gotten to "er 'eet and "e
rea2"ed o1t to sla3 "er aga&n4 s"e$d s&deste33ed t"e blow4 2a1g"t "&s "and &n "ers4 and broken two
'&ngers be'ore "e$d wren2"ed &t ba2k(
B1t "1rt&ng *a2k "ad been a m&stake(
/a7 was 'or2ed to go w&t"o1t 'ood 'or a week4 w"&2" onl% bot"ered "er a l&ttle s"e$d "ad de3r&!at&on
tra&n&ng4 a'ter all b1t w"en "e$d 2ome "ome 'rom t"e emergen2% room4 "e$d beaten L12% so badl% t"e
g&rl 2o1ldn$t walk 'or two da%s(
#I' %o1 e!er4 ever ra&se a "and to me aga&n4) *a2k told /a74 #%o1r s&ster 3a%s()
From t"en on4 /a7 "ad done as s"e was told8 and *a2k "ad been smart eno1g" not to la% "&s "ands on
"&s new #da1g"ter() At least 1nt&l t"at da% &n *1ne4 w"en t"e w"ole world 2"anged 'ore!er
*1ne O4 9::>4 "ad seemed l&ke an% ot"er da% s2"ool "ad gotten o1t t"e week be'ore4 and /a7 and
L12% were settl&ng &n 'or a s1mmer o' no s2"oolwork( /a7 "ad '&t &n s1r3r&s&ngl% well at s2"ool4 mostl%
kee3&ng to "ersel'4 t"o1g" t"e se&E1res t"at were a s&de e''e2t o' "er genet&2 breed&ng 2a1sed a s"are o'
embarrassment4 1nt&l t"e s2"ool n1rse '&nall% 3ro!&ded an 1nl&kel% non3res2r&3t&on med&2at&on
tr%3to3"an t"at wo1ld 21rta&l and 2ontrol t"em(
*a2k ke3t t"em b1s% eno1g" aro1nd t"e "o1se4 and o' late "e$d been e!en angr&er t"an 1s1al( T"e
.odgers t"e onl% t"&ng "e tr1l% lo!ed &n t"&s l&'e "ad been los&ng4 and t"e sk&d "ad onl% ser!ed to
g&!e "&m more reason to beat on L12% and /om(
On t"&s *1ne e!en&ng4 t"e s&sters were steer&ng "&m a w&de 3at"( <e was 3arked &n "&s re2l&ner g1EEl&ng
beers and 2"a&n5smok&ng4 as "e wat2"ed t"e .odgers 'all be"&nd earl%4 AP:( /rs( Barrett "ad taken
re'1ge &n t"e bedroom4 lea!&ng /a7 and L12% to '1l'&ll *a2k$s needs and re2e&!e t"e br1nt o' "&s rage(
*a2k "ad alread% ra&sed "&s "and to L12% on2e ton&g"t4 and t"e g&rls "o!ered &n t"e ba2kgro1nd4 be&ng
2are'1l to not r&le "&m aga&n(
F&nall% t"&ngs started to look 13 a l&ttleH t"e .odgers "ad men on se2ond and t"&rd and onl% one o1t(
/a7 "ad learned some baseball 'rom be&ng 'or2ed to wat2" t"e games w"&le s"e wa&ted on *a2k4 and
s"e re2ogn&Eed t"e beg&nn&ngs o' a rall% w"en s"e saw one( For t"e&r own sa'et%4 t"e g&rls "ad be2ome
.odgers 'ans4 too( I' t"e team d&d well4 *a2k was less a3t to sla3 t"em aro1nd(
W"en t"e ele2tr&2&t% went o1t4 61st a'ter n&ne4 /a7 grabbed L12%$s "and and led "er to t"e basement
w"ere t"e two g&rls "&d 1nder t"e sta&rs w"&le *a2k went berserk( As t"e% "1ddled t"ere tears r1nn&ng
down L12%$s 2"eeks4 and *a2k tear&ng t"e "o1se a3art look&ng 'or t"em so "e 2o1ld #beat t"e&r asses)
/a7 made a de2&s&on(
On2e t"ese 3eo3le "ad all gone to slee3 'or t"e n&g"t4 s"e was o1t o' "ere( As t"&ngs t1rned o1t4 no one
went to slee3 t"at n&g"t4 b1t t"e% st&ll managed to m&ss t"e beat&ng
T&red o' sear2"&ng 'or t"em4 "&s anger s1bs&d&ng as "e remembered t"e &m3end&ng .odgers$ rall%4 *a2k
Barrett staggered ba2k 13sta&rs and t1rned on a 3ortable rad&o4 w"&2" rel&ed on batter&es( *a2k was
3&ssed w"en "e 2o1ldn$t '&nd t"e game on t"e d&al4 b1t w"en "&s al2o"ol 'og 2leared some4 "&s anger
d&sa33eared and "e 2alled /rs( Barrett and t"e g&rls to "&s s&de(
#Somet"&ng terr&ble$s "a33ened4) "e sa&d4 "&s !o&2e s1ddenl% sober4 and not at all "ate'1l(
In 'a2t4 "e so1nded 'r&g"tened4 l&ke a s2ared k&d(
Soon t"e% "ad all gat"ered aro1nd t"e rad&o to l&sten(
#T"&s &s t"e Emergen2% Broad2ast S%stem4) a !o&2e sa&d( #At twel!e5o"5'&!e A(/(4 eastern t&me4
terror&sts detonated a n12lear &nstr1ment o!er t"e Atlant&2 O2ean( T"&s "as tr&ggered an ele2tromagnet&2
31lse t"at "as destro%ed !&rt1all% e!er% ele2tron&2 de!&2e on t"e eastern seaboard()
/rs( Barrett "1gged *a2k and gat"ered t"e g&rls to "er4 as well(
#All 2omm1n&2at&ons are down east o' t"e /&ss&ss&33& R&!er4 and t"ere &s 21rrentl% no t&metable 'or t"e
reestabl&s"ment o' 2onta2t w&t" t"ose areas( T"e t"reat o' anot"er terror&st atta2k &n t"e western "al' o'
t"e 2o1ntr% &s st&ll a 3oss&b&l&t%4 and all 2&t&Eens are asked to rema&n &n t"e&r "omes 1nt&l '1rt"er not&2e()
T"e l&ttle 'am&l% "1ddled toget"er l&ke t"at 'or t"e ne7t two and a "al' "o1rs( T"e EBS 2ont&n1ed to
broad2ast t"e same message o!er and o!er4 w&t" no new &n'ormat&on( F&nall%4 *a2k grew bored and
restless( <e 31lled L12% awa% 'rom "er mot"er(
#;et me a beer4) "e growled(
L12% went to t"e k&t2"en and 2ame ba2k w&t" a 'res" beer4 3o33&ng t"e to3 'or "&m8 b1t t"e 2an sl&33ed
o1t o' "er "and as s"e tr&ed to g&!e &t to "&m4 and landed 13s&de down &n *a2k$s la34 soak&ng "&s 2rot2"(
<e 61m3ed 13 and stood be'ore t"em4 "&s 'a2e redden&ng &n anger4 t"e 2an bo1n2&ng a2ross t"e room4
"&s 3ants look&ng as t"o1g" "e$d 61st wet t"em(
/a7 la1g"ed(
T"e l&!&d *a2k took a ste3 toward "er4 "&s "and s"oot&ng o1t8 b1t /a7 "ad alread% de2&ded to lea!e4 so
t"ere was no reason to end1re t"e ab1se an%more( As t"e dad rea2"ed 'or "er4 s"e d12ked4 k&2ked o1t4
and swe3t "&s 'eet 'rom 1nder "&m4 dro33&ng "&m to t"e 'loor &n a "ea3(
<e "owled &n rage and4 as "e tr&ed to get 134 s"e del&!ered an elbow t"at broke "&s nose and kno2ked
"&m 'lat aga&n(
*a2k s"r&eked &n 3a&n(
F&nd&ng t"e so1nd strangel% sat&s'%&ng4 /a7 ba2ked o'' t"en4 mo!ed toward t"e door8 b1t t"e '&g"t
wasn$t o1t o' *a2k %et and "e 2rawled a'ter "er( S3&nn&ng4 s"e del&!ered a k&2k to t"e s&de o' "&s "ead
t"at dro33ed "&m one last t&me and le't "&m l%&ng on t"e 'loor 1n2ons2&o1s(
W&t" one last look ba2k at an aston&s"ed L12% and /rs( Barrett "er s&ster and /om d&dn$t seem to
know w"et"er to be 13set or elated /a7 w"&s3ered4 #T"ank %o1()
And s"e walked o1t o' t"e s"abb% l&ttle "o1se 'or t"e last t&me( S"e d&dn$t know w"ere s"e was go&ng4
b1t s"e d&d know s"e wasn$t 2om&ng ba2k "ere e!er(
In t"e da%s to 2ome4 /a7 l&ke e!er%one learned 'rom t"e remnants o' t"e med&a w"at "ad
o221rred(
T"e P1lse "ad s2rewed 13 e!er%t"&ng b1t good( E!er% ele2tron&2 and motor&Eed de!&2e 'rom New York
to .es /o&nes bo1g"t t"e 'arm w"en t"at t"&ng detonated( W&t"&n se2onds4 3ower gr&ds4
tele2omm1n&2at&ons networks4 trans3ortat&on s%stems4 bank&ng s%stems4 med&2al ser!&2es4 and
emergen2% s%stems "ad be2ome m1se1m rel&2s(
One m&n1te4 t"e -n&ted States o' Amer&2a was a s13er3ower w"ere e!er%bod% "ad 6obs4 mone%4 'ood4
all t"e&r needs met( T"e ne7t4 t"e Amer&2an ta3estr% 1nra!eled and le't t"e 2o1ntr% reel&ng No 6obs4
no mone%4 no 'ood4 3eo3le 'or2ed to start 'end&ng 'or t"emsel!es(
No more dr&!e5134 no more New York Sto2k E72"ange4 no more s2"ool t"e ent&re eastern "al' o' t"e
2o1ntr% 2ame to a gr&nd&ng4 s2ree2"&ng "alt( E!er%t"&ng 3eo3le were s1re o' %esterda% was &n do1bt
toda%4 and t"ere was no tell&ng "ow long or e!en if t"e 2o1ntr% 2o1ld re2o!er 'rom s12" a
2atastro3"e(
E!en t"o1g"4 on t"e n&g"t /a7 le't t"e Barrett "ome4 t"e e''e2ts o' t"e P1lse "adn$t %et rea2"ed
,al&'orn&a4 t"e ?@51n&t 'o1nd "ersel' &n t"e same leak% boat as e!er%bod% else( ;enet&2all% en"an2ed or
not4 a n&ne5%ear5old 2o1ld do onl% so man% t"&ngs &n an 13s&de5down world8 so /a7 01&2kl% t1rned to
3ett% t"e't( S"e d&d '&ne 'or a w"&le on "er own4 steal&ng eno1g" to eat4 slee3&ng w"ere!er s"e 2o1ld
'&nd a 3la2e(
T"o1g" t"e East$s destr12t&on "ad been nearl% &nstantaneo1s4 t"e West took longer to 'eel t"e e''e2ts8
b1t as t"e West ,oast e2onom&2 de3ress&on 2a1g"t 13 w&t" t"e 13"ea!al &n t"e East4 t"e 3&2k&ngs 'or
'oragers l&ke /a7 be2ame more and more s3arse(
St&ll4 /a7 "ad managed to b1&ld a loner$s l&'e 'or "ersel' t"ere &n Los Angeles( As t"e 3eo3le aro1nd "er
broke 13 &nto smaller gro13s &n order to 3rote2t t"emsel!es4 s"e 2ont&n1ed to l&!e t"e o1tlaw l&'e4
'&nd&ng "ersel' a remote s3ot w&t"&n t"e 2on'&nes o' ;r&''&t" Park4 'rom w"&2" s"e !ent1red onl% w"en
s"e needed s133l&es( To /a74 t"e t"ree %ears s"e l&!ed &n t"e 3ark were l&ke an e7tended /ant&2ore
'&eld e7er2&se(
W&t" one &m3ortant d&''eren2e s"e was 'ree(
W"ene!er s"e started to get down abo1t t"e state o' "er l&'e4 t"at one t"o1g"t 2o1ld br&ng "er ba2k 13(
B1t s"e wondered &' t"e ot"ers &' t"ere were an% st&ll o1ts&de t"e w&re m&ssed "er as m12" as s"e
m&ssed t"em
de'&ant E!a4 s"ot b% L%de2ker4 t"e 2atal%st 'or t"e&r es2a3e4 dead 'or s1re8 Br&n4 t"e a2robat&2 one8
Ia2k4 t"e&r leader and "er older brot"er8 Set"4 t"e bo% w"o$d been 2a1g"t t"at n&g"t and dragged ba2k
b% t"e g1ards8 and "er best 'r&end and s&ster *ond%
T"ese and ot"er s&bs seemed to 2onstantl% o2213% "er t"o1g"ts8 %et s"e ke3t go&ng( ;ett&ng b&gger4
stronger4 smarter4 /a7 knew t"ese t"&ngs wo1ld "el3 "er to '&nd "er s&bs &n t"&s 3osta3o2al%3t&2
Amer&2a4 no matter w"ere t"e% were(
T"ose were t"e goals t"at needed to be met4 not s3end&ng "er t&me worr%&ng abo1t w"at might be( I' s"e
2o1ld make "ersel' good eno1g"4 '&nd&ng t"e s&bs wo1ld take 2are o' &tsel'(
T"e% weren$t t"e onl% ones s"e m&ssed4 t"o1g"( L12%4 and t"e s&t1at&on /a7 "ad le't "er &n4 st&ll
bot"ered /a7 "er ot"er s&ster4 ba2k &n *a2k Barrett$s "o1se4 "&s world( T"en4 &n t"e s3r&ng o' "er
twel't" %ear4 w"en s"e '&nall% ret1rned to t"e Barrett "ome to res21e L12%4 s"e 'o1nd t"e "o1se
abandoned(
All t"e wa% ba2k to "er "ome &n t"e 3ark4 tears streamed down "er 2"eeks4 as s"e real&Eed t"at L12%
was 3robabl% o1t o' "er l&'e 'ore!er( F&nd&ng "er s&bl&ngs wo1ld be d&''&21lt eno1g" lo2at&ng a normal
2"&ld l&ke L12%F Ne7t to &m3oss&ble(
T"ree weeks later4 earl% /a%4 t"e B&g =1ake "&t(
/eas1r&ng O(@ on t"e R&2"ter s2ale4 t"e 01ake str12k &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e n&g"t4 k&ll&ng t"o1sands &n
t"e&r beds4 tak&ng 'ar man% more l&!es &n ,al&'orn&a t"an t"e P1lse "ad( F&res raged 'or weeks4 b1&ld&ngs
2olla3sed4 "o1ses sl&d down t"e s&des o' mo1nta&ns4 o!er3asses 'ell4 2r1s"&ng late5n&g"t dr&!ers(
/a7$s small san2t1ar% &n t"e 3ark s1r!&!ed4 b1t w&t" l&terall% m&ll&ons "omeless now4 t"e 6ob o'
3rote2t&ng "er n&2"e4 and st&ll tr%&ng to 'orage eno1g" 'or "er own s1r!&!al4 was be2om&ng "o3eless(
S"e lasted a %ear t"at wa%4 b1t w&t" s133l&es gett&ng "arder and "arder to '&nd4 s"e was 'or2ed to
s2a!enge 'art"er and 'art"er 'rom "ome(
And l&ke so man% %o1ng g&rls "ad &n t"at t&me 61st be'ore "ers4 /a7 made "er wa% to <oll%wood4
alt"o1g" &n "er 2ase &t wasn$t to star &n t"e mo!&esH "er 6o1rne% ended 13 be&ng more o' a s&m3le
m&grator% 3at"
a 3at" t"at led "er stra&g"t to /ood% and t"e ,"&nese ,lan(
Chapter Four
LAST FROM THE PAST
T<E ,<INESE T<EATRE
LOS AN;ELES4 ,ALIFORNIA4 9:L>
W"en /a7 strode a2ross t"e 2ra2ked 2ement 3at&o and &nto t"e 'ormer /ann$s ,"&nese T"eatre4 a
3a2&ng /ood% was wa&t&ng 'or "er 61st &ns&de t"e doors( S"e wo1ld "a!e l&ked to t"&nk "&s an7&et% was
'or "er4 b1t knew betterH t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean was t"e root o' "&s worr%(
T"e lobb% st&ll 3ossessed t"e glass 2on2ess&on 2o1nters 'rom t"e old da%s4 b1t now4 &nstead o' 'ood4
t"e% ser!ed 13 slee3&ng 01arters 'or some o' t"e %o1nger k&ds( T"e 2ar3et&ng "ad at one t&me been red
b1t now was worn to a t"readbare 3&nk( Se!erel% 2ra2ked b% t"e =1ake4 t"e "&g" 2e&l&ng "ad "eld 'or
se!en %ears now4 and no reason to t"&nk &t wo1ldn$t last se!en more4 an%wa%( T"e walls were de2orated
not w&t" 3osters b1t gra''&t&4 some l&ke old 2a!e draw&ngs re3resent&ng ,lan "&stor%4 ot"ers 61st
obs2ene(
#Are %o1 all r&g"t4 2"&ldF) /ood% asked4 "&s !o&2e so't and smoot"4 b1t w&t" a t&nge o' e72&tement &n &t(
<&s long s&l!er "a&r was t&ed ba2k &n &ts 21stomar% 3on%ta&l and "e wore a bla2k sweats"&rt4 bla2k
sla2ks4 bla2k so2ks4 and r1nn&ng s"oes(
#Yo1 mean4 d&d I get %o1 %o1r ba1bleF)
#.o %o1 t"&nk so 3oorl% o' me4 2"&ldF Welldid %o1F)
#T"at$s w"% %o1 sent me4 &sn$t &tF)
A w&de wol'&s" sm&le o3ened "&s 'a2e to re!eal large w"&te teet" J"&s groom&ng4 b% 3ost5P1lse
standards4 was remarkableK(
Be'ore t"e 2on!ersat&on 2o1ld 3rogress4 Fres2a 3o33ed t"ro1g" t"e do1ble doors t"at led to t"e old
t"eater$s ma&n a1d&tor&1m(
T"&rteen or so4 Fres2a was tall and sk&nn% 'or "&s age4 w&t" long4 stra&g"t red "a&r and 3ale 'les"
swarm&ng w&t" 're2kles( <e bo1n2ed o!er to t"em &n "&s an2&ent WEEIER T5s"&rt Jno k&d &n t"e ,lan
"ad an% &dea w"at t"e word re3resented4 b1t &t am1sed Fres2aK4 and tattered 6eans t"at were more w"&te
t"an bl1e(
#W"ass134 /a7F) Fres2a asked4 e!er 2"&33er(
T"e bo% "ad eno1g" energ% Ea33&ng aro1nd &n t"at gangl% bod% to l&g"t a small 2&t%( St&llness took "&m
onl% w"en "e sle3t4 and onl% t"en be2a1se "e "ad t"e 133er b1nk4 t"e to3 o' t"e 2on2ess&on stand4 a
3re2ar&o1s 3er2"H &' "e mo!ed at all &n "&s sl1mber4 "e$d end 13 on t"e 'loor(
#;otta 2"e2k &n w&t" t"e /oodman "ere4) s"e sa&d eas&l%4 #t"en I$m gonna 2"&ll4 Fres2a ma%be get
somet"&ng to eat()
#;reatG ,an I 2omeF ,an IF)
T"e k&d wasn$t e!en on dr1gs(
#W"o sa&d I was go&ng an%w"ereF) /a7 sa&d4 tr%&ng not to sm&le4 and 'a&l&ng(
Fres2a gr&nned &n res3onse4 and d1g t"e toe o' "&s tattered sneaker &nto t"e 2ar3et&ng( S"e was well
aware "e was &n lo!e w&t" "er4 and 3robabl% "ad been t"e moment "e met "er4 w"en "e 6o&ned t"e ,lan
a %ear ago(
<a!&ng been w&t" /ood% 'or most o' t"e last s&7 %ears4 /a7 was an old5t&mer4 t"e /oodman$s 2"&e'
l&e1tenant and t"e best t"&e' &n t"e ,lan J#A master o' t"e 'orgotten art o' 2at b1rglar%4) /ood% wo1ld
sa%K4 w"&2" was no small 'eat4 2ons&der&ng all twent%5e&g"t members were street5sa!!% t"&e!es
t"emsel!es(
#W"%4 Fres4) /a7 asked4 #%o1 wanna go o1tF)
Fres2a l&g"ted 13 a 2&gg&e and started to 6&tter( #/a74 t"at wo1ld be great t"at wo1ld be 3er'e2t( Been
13 all n&g"t wa&t&n$ 'or %o1 to get ba2kG)
S"e nodded( #/ood% and me4 we gotta go take 2are o' a 2o13le o' t"&ngs T"en we 2an blaEe4 oka%F)
#I$ll wa&t r&g"t "ere4) t"e red"ead 3rom&sed(
/ood% stand&ng 3at&entl% t"ro1g" all o' t"&s JFres2a was one o' "&s 'a!or&tes4 tooK led t"e wa%(
*1st be'ore "e got to t"e do1ble entr%wa% o' t"e a1d&tor&1m4 "e o3ened a s&de door at le't and d12ked
13 t"e sta&rs4 ob!&o1sl% "ead&ng to /a7$s 2r&b4 &n w"at "ad on2e been t"e grand old t"eater$s 3ro6e2t&on
boot"(
/a7 wondered w"% t"e% were go&ng t"ere( /ood% 1s1all% 2ond12ted b1s&ness &n "&s own 01arters4 t"e
'ormer manager$s o''&2e8 not t"at "e "adn$t dro33ed b% /a7$s 2r&b be'ore b1t t"&s 61st seemed
1n1s1al(
T"en aga&n4 t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean was an 1n1s1al 3r&Ee(
T"e tall man &n bla2k t1rned t"e knob and entered as &' t"&s were "&s room4 not "ers( /a7$s door was
alwa%s 1nlo2ked l&!&ng w&t" a b1&ld&ng '1ll o' t"&e!es made lo2ks 1nne2essar% &' not o1tr&g"t abs1rd
and4 an%wa%4 /a7 knew o' no one w"o m&g"t enter t"at s"e 2o1ldn$t "andle(
T"e %o1ng woman 'ollowed "er mentor &nto t"e modest 2"amber and "e 2losed t"e door be"&nd t"em(
Ot"er t"an /ood%$s o''&2eNl&!&ng 01arters4 t"&s 2ra2ked53laster5walled room was t"e b&ggest 3r&!ate
room &n t"e 3la2e( T"e dead 3ro6e2tor "ad been s"o!ed &nto a 2orner4 a de2a%&ng m1se1m 3&e2e
1nwort"% o' t"e &nst&t1t&on /a7 "ad 61st looted( T"&s 3ro!&ded /a7 a w&ndow &nto t"e a1d&tor&1m
w"ere most o' t"e ,"&nese ,lan sle3t(
.own t"ere4 t"e rows o' seats e72e3t 'or t"e '&rst "al' a doEen rows "ad long s&n2e been remo!ed
and re3la2ed w&t" &tems better s1&ted to t"e needs o' t"e ,lanH 2ots4 61r%5r&gged walls4 small 2am3
2ooksto!es4 and ot"er 3ara3"ernal&a4 s2attered aro1nd t"e "1ge room &n l&ttle l&!&ng501arter 3o2kets(
T"e mo!&e s2reen w&t" ,<INESE ,LANG emblaEoned &n "1ge orange s3ra%53a&nt gra''&t& st&ll
dom&nated t"e wall be"&nd t"e stage4 and /ood% 1sed t"&s 3lat'orm w"en "e addressed "&s s"abb% b1t
3ro'&2&ent troo3s(
T"e 3ro6e2t&on boot" &tsel' was t"e b&ggest room /a7 "ad "ad to "ersel' &n "er ent&re l&'e( <er earl&est
memor&es were o' t"e /ant&2ore barra2ks8 t"en s"e$d s"ared a room w&t" L12%4 a'ter w"&2" s"e l&!ed &n
a "ole &n t"e gro1nd barel% b&g eno1g" 'or one4 ba2k &n ;r&''&t" Park(
Ten b% s&7teen4 w&t" &ts own bat"room4 t"e boot" seemed "1ge to /a74 a s1&te all to "ersel'( O' 2o1rse4
t"e bat"room wo1ld "a!e been a greater l171r% &' t"e 3l1mb&ng worked on a more reg1lar bas&s( T"e
t"eater "ad been abandoned be2a1se o' t"e 01ake 2ra2ks &n t"e 2e&l&ng4 and "ad e!en been s2"ed1led
'or demol&t&on b% t"e 2&t%4 e72e3t someone "ad stolen t"e work order and w&t" all t"e ot"er tro1bles
&n t"e 2&t% /ann$s seemed to "a!e been lost &n t"e s"1''le(
T"e 3l1mb&ng4 w"&2" onl% worked some o' t"e t&me &n <oll%wood an%wa%4 worked e!en more
&n're01entl% w&t"&n t"e t"eater 1s1all% onl% a'ter /ood% "ad la&d some green on lo2al 3ower and
water re3s(
/a7$s bed res21ed 'rom t"e r1bble o' t"e old Roose!elt <otel a2ross t"e street was a l171r&o1s
01een5s&Eed bo7 s3r&ng on t"e 'loor4 mattress on to3( A ,oleman 2am3 lantern4 a 3r&Ee 'rom "er da%s o'
l&!&ng &n ;r&''&t" Park4 sat at t"e "ead o' t"e bed near a s"ort 3&le o' books4 mostl% non'&2t&on Js1b6e2ts
/ood% wanted "er to st1d%K4 and a dog5eared 3a3erba2k 2o3% o' 7ulliver"s #ravels, t"e one no!el s"e
owned4 also 3ro!&ded b% /ood%( <er new motor2%2le4 a Kawasak& N&n6a 9@:4 leaned aga&nst one wall4
and a 3added arm2"a&r4 also l&'ted 'rom t"e Roose!elt r1&ns4 s01atted near t"e 3ro6e2t&on w&ndow( <er
onl% ot"er 3ossess&on4 a small bla2k5and5w"&te T+4 sat on a t&n% table to t"e le't o' t"e 2"a&r(
/ood% gaEed down at t"e books( #Tra!el&ng to L&ll&31t aga&n4 /a7&neF)
/ood% knew '1ll well t"at /a7&ne wasn$t "er nameH &t was 61st an a''e2t&onate n&2kname(
S"e sm&led( #,an$t "el3 &t I l&ke t"e g1%()
<er mentor 2"12kled( #Yo1 and ;1ll&!er %o1r l&!es are not t"at d&ss&m&lar4 %o1 know()
#Yea"4 I$d not&2ed t"at()
/ood% eased "&s lank% 'rame &nto t"e 2"a&r8 /a7 rema&ned stand&ng(
#So4 /a7&ne t"e s2ore was &t d&''&21ltF)
/a7 re2o1nted t"e e!en&ng4 dra&n&ng &t o' an% e72ess melodrama8 st&ll4 /ood% seemed &m3ressed(
S"ak&ng "&s "ead4 "e sa&d4 #/r( Ka'eln&ko! w&ll be d&s3leased w&t" %o1()
#I "o3e "e doesn$t know w"o borrowed "&s se21r&t% 3lan( T"at 3oor tra&tor wo1ld d&e slow4 I bet()
#+er% slow b1t o1r R1ss&an ad!ersar% ma% well "a!e made %o14 %o1 know()
#<ow 2o1ld "e I(.( meF I ne!er met t"e g1% be'ore()
#Yo1 1nderest&mate %o1r renown w&t"&n 2erta&n 2&r2les()
/a7 'rowned( #W"at 2&r2lesF I don$t know an% M2&r2les($ )
Arms dra3ed on e&t"er s&de o' t"e 2"a&r4 as &' &t were a t"rone and "e a k&ng Jt"e latter was tr1e4 &n a
wa%K4 /ood% ar2"ed an e%ebrow( #Yo1 t"&nk t"e ot"er 2lans don$t talk to ea2" ot"erF Yo1 t"&nk t"ese
s13er"1man 'eats o' %o1rs "a!e gone 1nnot&2edF)
#I don$t 2are4) s"e sa&d w&t" a s"r1g(
#Per"a3s %o1 s"o1ld( Yo1$!e g&!en t"em all one sort o' tro1ble or anot"er o!er t"e %ears4 "a!en$t %o1F)
A slow sm&le 2rossed /a7$s '1ll l&3s( #;&rl$s gotta do w"at a g&rl$s gotta do()
/ood%$s e%es seemed to look &nward( #T"at se21r&t% 3lan meant a great deal to t"e Brood( T"e% meant
to obta&n t"e ba1ble &n %o1r 3o2ket and t"e% won$t take t"&s de'eat l&g"tl%( Ka'eln&ko! w&ll sear2"
long and "ard to '&nd o1t w"o wronged "&m()
F&nall%4 2as1all%4 s"e w&t"drew t"e ne2kla2e 'rom "er 3o2ket( #T"&s old t"&ngF)
/ood%$s e%es went as w&de as t"e stone( #/% ;od4 /a7&ne It$s e!en more breat"tak&ng 13 2lose()
/a7 "eld t"e stone to t"e d&m l&g"t and st1d&ed &t 'or a long moment( #It$s 3rett% 2ool4 I g1ess() W&t"
anot"er s"r1g4 s"e "anded &t o!er(
#Prett% 2ool4) /ood% sa&d4 tak&ng t"e stone( #I' t"e% 2onne2t %o1 to 1s and t"e% w&ll we$ll "a!e a
real enem%()
#T"e% tr% to storm t"&s 3la2e4 we$ll "and t"e&r asses ba2k4 w&t" 2"ange()
T1rn&ng t"e stone o!er and o!er &n "&s "ands4 /ood% seemed not to "a!e "eard "er( #T"e ne2kla2e
alone wo1ld 'eed t"e ,lan 'or a %ear()
#T"at was a good 3lan %o1 "ad$2e3t 'or t"ose dogs( For r1mors4 t"e% "ad some teet" on $em()
<e s"ook "&s "ead4 3on%ta&l sw&ng&ng( #/% a3olog&es An%wa%4 a 3lan &s wort"less w&t"o1t 3ro3er
e7e21t&on( T"at was ke% and t"e onl% one &n t"&s 2&t% w"o 2o1ld "a!e e7e21ted &t was %o1 W"&2"4
m% dear4 %o1 d&d()
#No b&gg&e4) s"e sa&d4 w&t" %et anot"er s"r1g(
R&s&ng4 "e t12ked t"e stone &nto a 3o2ket as "e mo!ed to "er( P1tt&ng an arm aro1nd /a74 /ood%
k&ssed t"e g&rl$s 2"eek4 as "e "ad man% t&mes be'ore onl% now4 "&s l&3s 3er"a3s l&ngered a moment
too long( #Yo1 d&d well4 m% dear %o1 d&d !er% well()
#T"anks4) /a7 sa&d4 'eel&ng s1ddenl% 1n2om'ortable( Oddl%4 t"e &mage o' /r( Barrett enter&ng t"e
bedroom a'ter m&dn&g"t4 to 'et2" L12%4 'las"ed t"ro1g" "er m&nd( #I I better get Fres2a "e$s
3robabl% wet "&s 3ants b% now( I 3rom&sed to get somet"&ng to eat w&t" "&m4 %$know()
/ood% d&dn$t mo!e4 "&s arm st&ll aro1nd /a7$s s"o1lders( #I' t"e% 2ome &' t"e Brood dares brea2"
o1r strong"old ;od "el3 t"em w"en %o1 re!eal %o1r 3owers o' battle()
#T"anks() Sl&d&ng awa%4 not want&ng to anger "&m4 b1t st&ll 'eel&ng t"at somet"&ng wasn$t 01&te r&g"t4
s"e made anot"er m1mbled e721se and sl&33ed o1t o' t"e room and down t"e sta&rs( S"e 2o1ld "ear
/ood% on t"e ste3s be"&nd "er4 b1t d&dn$t t1rn to see w"ere "e was(
Fres2a was s&tt&ng l&ke a gargo%le on t"e edge o' t"e 2on2ess&on 2o1nter4 alread% wear&ng "&s r1m3led
.odgers 6a2ket( <&s 3r&Ee 3ossess&on4 t"e 6a2ket was Fres2a$s onl% t&e w&t" "&s old l&'e w"ate!er t"at
"ad been( T"e 2lot"es "e$d been wear&ng w"en "e 6o&ned t"e ,lan "ad been b1rned4 "&s old name
'orgotten4 "&s new name ado3ted 'rom t"e men1 be"&nd t"e 2on2ess&on stand( Onl% t"at 'aded bl1e
.odgers 6a2ket rema&ned(
T"e ,lan r1le &nst&t1ted b% /ood% and embra2ed b% t"em all was t"at t"e 3ast d&dn$t matter4 d&dn$t
e7&st8 t&me began t"e da% %o1 6o&ned t"e ,lan(
#Let$s bo1n2e4) /a7 sa&d as s"e walked 3ast "&m(
Fres2a 61m3ed down and4 'ollow&ng "er s1ggest&on4 bo1n2ed along ne7t to "er4 a 3133% e72&ted to be &n
"&s master$s m&stress$sF 3resen2e(
T"e% swe3t o1t o' t"e t"eater a2ross t"e remnants o' old5t&me mo!&e star "and3r&nts and 2ement
s&gnat1res and onto <oll%wood Bo1le!ard4 to be greeted b% t"e r&s&ng s1n( /a7 "ad ne!er been near
<oll%wood Bo1le!ard be'ore t"e =1ake4 b1t some o' t"e area$s den&Eens s"e$d s3oken to o!er t"e %ears
told "er t"at t"e Bo1le!ard was t"e one 3art o' t"e 2&t% t"at t"e =1ake "adn$t 2"anged all t"at m12"(
#W"ere we go&n$F) Fres2a asked(
#W"ere do %o1 want to goF)
#<ow abo1t t"at wa''le 3la2e o!er on La BreaF)
#S1re( Wa''les are good( I got not"&ng aga&nst wa''les()
Fres2a g&ggled at t"at4 as &' /a7 were t"e so1l o' w&t8 s"e sm&led to "ersel' and t"e% walked along(
T"e Belg&an Wa''le <o1se was on t"e 2orner o' La Brea and <awt"orn4 a "ealt"% b1t doable walk 'rom
/ann$s( T"e 3la2e "ad on2e been all w&ndows4 b1t t"e =1ake "ad destro%ed t"em4 and t"e 3l%wood
"1ng to re3la2e t"em tem3orar&l% "ad be2ome 3ermanent( L&ttered w&t" gra''&t&4 t"e 3l%wood was now
t"e wa''le "o1se$s trademark4 and 21stomers were 3ro!&ded w&t" markers to add to t"e de2orat&on w"&le
t"e% wa&ted 'or t"e&r 'ood( T"e boot"s were st&ll !&n%l52o!ered4 b1t wear and tear "ad taken t"em
be%ond '1nk% &nto 61nk%( S3arse earl%5morn&ng tra''&2 meant t"at onl% n&ne or ten ot"er 3atrons were &n
t"e 3la2e w"en Fres2a and /a7 strolled &n(
T"e% took two seats at t"e 2o1nter so Fres2a 2o1ld wat2" t"e wall5mo1nted T+ ad6a2ent to t"e 'ood
ser!&2e w&ndow 'rom t"e d&ng% k&t2"en(
T"e Satell&te News Network4 w&t" "eadl&ne stor&es &n "al'5"o1r 2%2les4 was at t"&s "o1r abo1t t"e onl%
2"o&2e &n a T+ market t"at "ad gone 'rom a 3re5P1lse "&g" o' o!er two "1ndred 2able 2"annels to t"e
21rrent "al' doEen4 all o' w"&2" were 1nder t"e 'ederal go!ernment$s t"1mb( T"e SNN and two lo2al
2"annels were all t"at was le't o1t east4 and &n t"e /&dwest4 t"e% got SNN and s2attered lo2al 2"annels8
so t"e West ,oast rema&ned4 b% de'a1lt4 t"e 2enter o' t"e tele!&s&on world &t was 61st a m12" smaller
world(
#I$m gonna make a lea3 "ere4) /a7 sa&d4 #and "a!e a wa''le()
Fres2a gr&nned( #Yo1 b1%&n$F)
/a7 'a!ored "&m w&t" a w&de sm&le( #W"at "a!e %o1 done latel%4 to deser!e me b1%&ng %o1 break'astF)
#-" I 61st '&g1red %o1 were on some b&g s2ore4 and wanted to4 I don$t know4 2elebrate( /a%be
s"are t"e wealt"()
#W"% wo1ld I want to do t"atF)
Fres2a seemed "1rt b% "er k&dd&ng( #I don$t know I 61st k&nda "o3ed %o1 know )
S"e rea2"ed o!er and 3atted "&s "and( #Rela74 mongrel( Yo1 know I won$t let %o1 star!e()
<e br&g"tened and4 as &' kee3&ng 13 Fres2a$s end o' t"e 2on!ersat&on4 "&s stoma2" growled(
A wa&tress 2ame 13 to t"em w&t" all t"e 1rgen2% o' a stroke !&2t&m 1s&ng a walker( S"e was &n "er late
'ort&es4 earl% '&'t&es4 sk&nn% as a straw4 w&t" a t&g"t4 narrow 'a2e( S"e was not t"r&lled to see t"em( #Sa!e
me a tr&3 tell me %o1 don$t need a men1()
Fres2a s"ook "&s "ead( #I don$t need oneG I$ll "a!e two wa''les and a large 2"o2olate m&lk( O"4 and
some ba2on too()
#We been o1t o' ba2on 'or a week now()
#Yo1 got sa1sageF)
#L&nk()
#Oka%G .o1ble order()
/a7 looked s&dewa%s at "&m( #<ow b&g a s2ore %o1 t"&nk I 31lled o''F)
<&s 'a2e 'ell( #-"4 /a74 I$m sorr%4 I4 1" )
#K&dd&ng( I$m k&dd&ng()
#,"&t2"at on %o1r own t&me4 "one%4) t"e wa&tress sa&d4 and s"e wasn$t k&dd&ng( #Yo1 need a men1F)
#Wa''le4 sa1sage4 2o''ee w&t" m&lk4) /a7 sa&d(
T"e wa&tress s&g"ed4 as &' t"&s b1rden were nearl% too m12" to bear4 t1rned and le't( /a7 and Fres2a
settled &n to wat2" t"e news( /a7 was not 3art&21larl% &nterested /ood% "ad made &t 2lear to "er t"at
t"e news was 2ontrolled4 and not to be bel&e!ed b1t Fres2a en6o%ed t"e 2l&3s o' '&res and s"oot&ngs
and ot"er ma%"em(
W"&le Fres2a sat r&!eted to t"e s2reen4 wa&t&ng 'or t"e ne7t d&saster4 /a7 re2ons&dered "er meet&ng w&t"
/ood%( <e seemed to be 31s"&ng "er to take a ste3 s"e wasn$t read% to take a ste3 &nto a 3ersonal
relat&ons"&3( Seemed t"e k&ng o' t"e ,lan was &n t"e market 'or a 01een
O"4 "e$d been s1btle abo1t &t no d&re2t ment&on8 b1t s"e 2o1ld read t"e man s"e 2o1ld 'eel t"e
3ress1re(
O!er and abo!e t"at4 s"e knew "e was r&g"t abo1t Ka'eln&ko!4 t"e Brood4 and some o' t"e ot"er gangs
s"e$d r&33ed o'' o!er t"e %earsH s"e was b1&ld&ng a re31tat&on4 attra2t&ng attent&on4 and t"&s made "er
1neas%( /a%be &t was t&me to mo!e on
Alt"o1g" t"e ,lan "ad be2ome "er 'am&l%4 s"e wo1ld get o!er &t( S"e$d lost 'am&l% be'ore8 somet&mes4 &t
seemed los&ng 'am&l&es4 and mo!&ng on4 was t"e onl% t"&ng s"e d&d w&t" an% reg1lar&t% t"at t"e onl%
t"&ng 3ermanent abo1t "er l&'e was &ts &m3ermanen2e(
S"e glan2ed at Fres2a( <er lea!&ng wo1ld break t"at red"eaded4 o!ers&Eed ragam1''&n$s "eart8 b1t
e!ent1all% "e wo1ld get o!er &t and '&nd someone "&s own age to 'all &n lo!e w&t"( And bes&des4 &' "er
be&ng gone took some "eat o'' t"e ,"&nese ,lan4 t"at 3robabl% wo1ldn$t be a bad t"&ng4 e&t"er(
T"e wa&tress s"owed 13 w&t" t"e&r 'ood4 glan2&ng at t"em as &' d&sg1sted b% t"e&r need to eat4 and
Fres2a &mmed&atel% drowned "&s two wa''les &n s%r13 and b1tter4 and d1g &n4 s2ar'&ng t"e st1'' l&ke "e
"adn$t "ad 'ood 'or weeks( Maybe the waitress is right, /a7 t"o1g"t8 3resca eating &s a little
disgusting-
/a7 s&33ed "er 2o''ee and 3&2ked at "er 'ood8 s"e was ne!er !er% "1ngr% a'ter a b&g s2ore( Fres2a
2"1gged "&s 2"o2olate m&lk and asked t"e wa&tress 'or se2onds( On t"e T+4 a ser&es o' 2ommer2&als
ended and a news 2%2le started( T"e doe5e%ed <&s3an&2 woman read&ng t"e "eadl&nes "ad stra&g"t bla2k
"a&r4 "&g" 2"eekbones4 and wore a s"ar3l% 21t 2"ar2oal b1s&ness s1&t(
#And in 0os Angeles, with the sector turf war between the +rips and the Bloods escalating, Mayor
#imberlake assured residents that he would double the number of police officers on the street by the
end of the year.&
/a7 glan2ed 13 to see !&deo o' t"e 21rl%5"a&red ma%or s3eak&ng to a gat"er&ng o' 2&t&Eens &n 'ront o'
,&t% <all4 del&!er&ng t"e same old b(s( /a74 l&ke e!er% ot"er res&dent o' so1t"ern ,al&'orn&a4 knew "e
was talk&ng t"ro1g" "&s ass( T"e 2lans and gangs "ad t"e 3ol&2e o1tn1mbered nearl% t"ree to one and
t"e 2&t%$s onl% "o3e was to de2lare mart&al law and 2all &n t"e Nat&onal ;1ard(
And ma%be t"at wo1ld '&nall% "a33en w"&2" was 61st one more reason to "&t t"e road4 s"e t"o1g"t(
T"e <&s3an&2 woman started a new stor%( #2olice in Seattle are stepping up their efforts in the search
for the dissident cyber*ournalist known as <(yes 9nly." 5ell=known for breaking into broadcasts with
his pirate <news" bulletins, <(yes 9nly" is wanted by police on local, state, and national levels.&
/a7 wat2"ed &dl%8 3ol&t&2s bored "er(
##his amateur video shot in Seattle *ust last night,& t"e newswoman 2ont&n1ed4 #shows a suspected
(yes 9nly accomplice, doing battle with officers. #he police are searching for this young rebel as
well.&
,o1rtes% o' amate1r !&deo4 /a7 wat2"ed as a brown5"a&red %o1ng man &n 6eans and a den&m 6a2ket
s1rro1nded b% Seattle 3ol&2e o''&2ers s1ddenl% s3rang to l&'e(
A stra&g"t k&2k to t"e gro&n dro33ed t"e 2o3 &n 'ront o' "&m and4 e!en be'ore t"at one 'ell4 t"e %o1ng
man d&d a ba2k 'l&3 t"at took "&m eas&l% e&g"t 'eet &nto t"e a&r be'ore na&l&ng a land&ng be"&nd t"e
o''&2er w"o a moment be'ore "ad been 'a2&ng "&m( W"en t"e o''&2er t1rned w&t" n&g"tst&2k ra&sed4 t"e
%o1ng man "&t "&m w&t" a stra&g"t r&g"t to t"e t"roat t"at dro33ed "&m(
One o' t"e rema&n&ng t"ree r1s"ed at t"e rebel w&t" a TaEer4 and t"e %o1ng man lea3t o1t o' t"e wa% at
t"e last se2ond4 so t"at t"e 2o3 s"ot one o' "&s 'ellow o''&2ers( As t"e o''&2er w"o "ad '&red t"e TaEer
stood &n aston&s"ment4 t"e %o1ng man s31n and k&2ked "&m tw&2e &n t"e 'a2e be'ore t"e o''&2er 'ell(
T"e rema&n&ng 2o3 drew "&s ser!&2e 3&stol and em3t&ed t"e 2l&3 at t"e %o1ng man4 w"ose res3onse was
to 2artw"eel4 s3&n4 and dodge 1nt&l t"e o''&2er$s 3&stol was em3t%( W"en t"e last ro1nd m&ssed "&m4 t"e
%o1ng man ste33ed 'orward and "&t t"e 2o3 w&t" "al' a doEen alternat&ng le'ts and r&g"ts4 be'ore "e
mer2&'1ll% let t"e 31bl&2 ser!ant dro3 to t"e gro1nd 1n2ons2&o1s(
/a7 sat as w&de5e%ed and amaEed as t"e bo%$s !&2t&ms(
E!en t"o1g" s"e$d onl% eaten a t&n% amo1nt o' "er break'ast4 t"e 'ood began to ro&l &n "er stoma2"( S"e
"ad 61st w&tnessed s13er"1man 'eats t"at 'ew on t"e 3lanet 2o1ld "a!e a22om3l&s"edH and t"e onl%
"1mans s"e knew o' 2a3able o' s12" t"&ngs "ad been bred and tra&ned at /ant&2ore
T"e !&deo was gra&n%4 s"ot 'rom a d&stan2e4 and s"e was reasonabl% s1re &t wasn$t Ia2k8 b1t t"e %o1ng
man w"o took o1t t"e '&!e 2o3s 2o1ld de'&n&tel% "a!e been one o' "er s&bs( <e looked !ag1el% l&ke
Set"4 b1t Set" "adn$t made &t o1t t"at n&g"t "ad "eF T"e 3&2t1re was so lo1s%4 e!en w&t" "er en"an2ed
!&s&on4 s"e 2o1ldn$t tell m12" o' an%t"&ng4 'or s1re(
T"&s g&'ted g1% 61st "ad to be one o' "er s&bs d&dn$t "eF W"o else 2o1ld do w"at t"e% 2o1ld doF Or
were t"ere ot"er 3la2es l&ke /ant&2ore4 t1rn&ng o1t s13ersold&ersF
#/a7( /a7G)
S"e t1rned to look n1mbl% at Fres2a( #W"atF)
#W"% w"% are %o1 crying, /a7F)
S"e bl&nked( S"e d&dn$t know s"e "ad been4 b1t t"ose were tears4 all r&g"t4 r1nn&ng down "er 2"eeks8
t"e streaks o' mo&st1re 'elt warm( #It$s not"&ng4 Fres4) s"e sa&d( #<ow %o1 do&ng w&t" %o1r 2"owF)
#I$m gonna blow 13 soon()
#T"en w"% don$t %o1 sto3 eat&ngF)
#A'ter %o1 treated me to t"&s 'eastF I wo1ld ne!er &ns1lt %o1 t"at wa%4 /a7G)
S"e 2o1ldn$t "el3 b1t sm&le t"ro1g" t"e tears( As s"e sat wat2"&ng t"e bo% s"o!el &n t"e 'ood4 s"e knew
"er 2o1rse was 2learH a g&rl "ad to do w"at a g&rl "ad to do(
B1t s"e knew w"en s"e le't4 s"e$d m&ss Fres2a most o' all( #Yo1 read% to go t"en4 wa''le bo%F)
<e sl1r3ed down t"e last o' "&s se2ond 2"o2olate m&lk( #Yea"4 %ea"4 I$m read% to blaEe And t"anks4
/a7( I "a!en$t eaten l&ke t"&s &n da%s Yo1 s1re %o1$re oka%F)
#*1st somet"&n$ &n m% e%e4) s"e sa&d( #I$m great4 now()
#Yo1$re alwa%s great4 /a7()
T"e wa&tress 2ame o!er as t"e% rose and /a7 3a&d t"e&r b&ll4 &n2l1d&ng t&3(
#Be s1re to 2ome ba2k4) t"e wa&tress sa&d8 &t seemed !ag1el% a t"reat(
As t"e% walked ba2k to t"e t"eater4 w&t" 2ons&derabl% less 1rgen2%4 /a7$s m&nd was nonet"eless ra2&ng(
S"e$d alwa%s wondered "ow s"e$d go abo1t '&nd&ng "er s&bl&ngs4 and now4 at break'ast4 one o' t"em "ad
3ra2t&2all% dro33ed &nto "er la3( <ow long wo1ld &t take "er to get to Seattle4 and "ow wo1ld s"e get
3ast all t"e 2"e2k3o&ntsF W"at wo1ld /ood% t"&nk abo1t "er lea!&ngF <e "ad all b1t s1ggested &t
be'ore4 "adn$t "eF
Or "ad /ood% wanted "er to sta% w&t" "&mF
T"e b&ke$s gas tank was '1ll4 more or less8 b1t wo1ld s"e be able to get '1el on t"e roadF E!en &' s"e
2o1ld4 t"e 3r&2e o' t"e st1'' wo1ld eat t"ro1g" "er bankroll( T"e 01est&ons eng1l'ed "er l&ke swarm&ng
&nse2ts(
As t"e% neared t"e t"eater4 Fres2a aga&n asked4 #Yo1 s1re %o1$re oka%4 /a7F)
S"e wra33ed an arm aro1nd "&s s"o1lders and k&ssed "&m on t"e 2"eek4 tak&ng "er good sweet t&me4 t"e
smack o' "er l&3s l&ke a sweet sla3( W"en s"e let "&m go4 Fres2a 'l1s"ed red4 "&s t"o1sands o' 're2kles
merg&ng &nto one b&g glow&ng blot2"( S"e knew &nstantl% t"at "e was t"&nk&ng t"e same t"o1g"ts abo1t
"er t"at s"e$d been t"&nk&ng a'ter /ood%$s l&nger&ng k&ss on t"e 2"eek onl% Fres d&dn$t seem we&rded
o1t l&ke s"e "ad beenH "e seemed 3leased4 e!en e72&ted(
>h o"
<er mot&!at&ons "ad been 31rel% &nno2ent4 w"&2" made "er wonder &' ma%be /ood%$s "ad been4 too
/ann$s was slowl% 2om&ng awake4 ,lan members st&rr&ng and l&n&ng 13 to 1se t"e bat"rooms4 t"e smell
o' break'asts 2ook&ng on "ot 3lates wa't&ng 3leasantl%( /a7 de3os&ted t"e st&ll5beet5'a2ed Fres2a ne7t to
"&s 2on2ess&on5stand bert" and "eaded &nto t"e a1d&tor&1m &n sear2" o' /ood%(
T"e slo3&ng 'loor was s2attered w&t" slee3&ng bags and beds a33ro3r&ated 'rom t"e Roose!elt
wre2kage4 w"&le blanket #walls) were dra3ed 'rom 2lot"esl&nes( .es3&te t"e break'ast odors4 t"e smell
o' stale sweat and 1nwas"ed so1ls "1ng &n t"e a&r8 and %et !er% 'a&ntl% l&ngered t"e ol'a2tor% memor%
o' b1ttered 3o32orn(
It was a motle% 2rew /ood% lorded o!er4 b1t t"e% were a 'am&l% /a7 alread% was !&ew&ng t"em
w&t" a sort o' nostalg&a and t"e% lo!ed t"e old man(
/ood%$s se2ond5&n52ommand4 ;abr&el an A'r&2an Amer&2an &n "&s late twent&es was ro1s&ng t"e
k&ds w"en s"e 2ame &n(
#/oodman &n "&s o''&2eF) s"e asked(
;abr&el "ad a s"adow$s wort" o' bla2k "a&r4 brown e%es4 and an ostr&2" ne2k( <e 2o2ked "&s "ead
toward t"e mo!&e s2reen( #Yea"4 and "e$s "a33% as a 2lam( W"at t"e "ell %o1 31ll o'' last n&g"t4
/a7&eF)
#L&ttle s2ore( Same5o same5so sa!e5t"e5da% k&nda t"&ng()
<e "arr1m3"ed4 b1t gr&nned( #A&n$t &t t"e tr1t"( .on$t know w"at we$d do w&t"o1t %o1 $ro1nd "ere4
g&rl()
/a7 'elt a tw&nge o' g1&lt(
;abr&el was look&ng down at N&ner4 a s&7teen5%ear5old newb&e g&rl w"o$d been w&t" t"e ,lan 'or abo1t a
mont"(
#;et %o1r s2rawn% ass o1ta t"e sa2k4) ;abr&el growled( #T"ere$s work to be done &n t"e real world()
,ont&n1&ng on toward t"e loom&ng s2reen4 /a7 t"o1g"t abo1t N&ner( N&2e k&d8 rem&nded "er a l&ttle o'
L12%( /a7 "o3ed t"at on2e s"e was gone4 ma%be Fres2a and N&ner 2o1ld "ook 13( /&g"t be good 'or
bot" o' t"em(
/a7 took a doorwa% to t"e le't o' t"e s2reen4 &nto an area w"ere a s&ngle g1ard4 T&33ett4 blo2ked t"e
"allwa% t"at led to /ood%$s 01arters( S&75'o1r4 ma%be 9D: 3o1nds o' tattoos and 3&er2&ngs4 T&33ett "ad
been a l&neba2ker ba2k &n t"e 3re5P1lse da%s( Now4 nearl% '&'t%4 "e st&ll "ad a bla2k belt &n karate and
was t"e onl% 3erson &n t"e ,lan w"o 2o1ld "old "&s own w&t" /a7( W"en t"e%$d s3arred on2e4 "e$d
lasted e&g"t se2onds4 eas&l% t"e re2ord 'or a mat2" w&t" "er( Onl% now t"at /a7 knew t"e man$s mo!es4
"e$d go down &n '&!e(
#<e%4) /a7 sa&d(
T&33ett sm&led4 s"ow&ng a t"&n l&ne o' toba22o5browned teet"( B&g and 3ale w&t" an &n2ongr1o1s A'ro4
"e s2ared t"e s"&t o1t o' e!er%bod% e72e3t /a7 and /ood%( E!en ;abr&el ga!e T&33ett more t"an t"e
a!erage amo1nt o' s3a2e(
#,1t&e 3&e4) "e sa&d( #Wanna go a 'ew ro1ndsF)
#No( Yo1F)
#<ell no( Yo1 m1st wanna see t"e man()
#I need to see t"e man()
#;&rl w"&3s m% ass don$t "a!e to ask me tw&2e() T"e g1ard ste33ed as&de(
T"e "allwa% "ad an &n2ense odor4 alwa%s 3leasant to /a7 a'ter t"e 'et&d sweat smell o' t"e a1d&tor&1m(
/ood%$s o''&2e was t"e se2ond door on t"e le't o' t"e 3ale5bl1e 2ra2ked 3laster walls4 an 1nmarked one
61st a'ter anot"er labeled /OO.Y OFFI,E( T"e latter led &nto a t&n% em3t% room8 b1t t"e &m3ortant
3art o' t"at #OFFI,E) door was t"e 'o1r o1n2es o' ,D w&red to &t(
S"e kno2ked on t"e se2ond door4 sa&d '&rml%4 #/a7G)
T"e door re3l&ed w&t" a m1''led4 #,omeG)
S"e 'o1nd /ood% seated be"&nd "&s desk4 on "&s 2ell 3"one8 "e wa!ed 'or "er to enter and take a 2"a&r
a2ross 'rom "&m4 w"&2" s"e d&d(
T"e wall to "er le't4 t"e one t"at ab1tted t"e boob% tra3 room4 was loaded 'loor to 2e&l&ng w&t" sandbags
to 3rote2t /ood%$s o''&2e s"o1ld t"e tra3 be s3r1ng( T"e desk was an old metal one a22om3an&ed b%
t"ree 1nmat2"&ng metal5'rame 2"a&rs4 one 'or /ood% and two on t"e ot"er s&de( T"e wall to t"e r&g"t
"ad a doorwa% 2ar!ed &nto &t4 and a 21rta&n o' 31r3le beads se3arated /ood%$s 3r&!ate 01arters 'rom t"e
o''&2e( A 'ew o' t"e an2&ent mo!&e 3osters Sean ,onner% &n 7oldfinger, ,l&nt Eastwood &n Dirty
?arry Jbot" mean&ngless to /a7K sal!aged 'rom somew"ere &n t"e t"eater4 were ta2ked "ere and
t"ere(
#.on$t &ns1lt me4) "e sna33ed &nto t"e 3"one4 b1t "&s 'a2e re!ealed 2alm at odds w&t" "&s tone( <e
glan2ed at /a74 rolled "&s e%es4 made a mo1t" w&t" "&s '&ngers and t"1mb4 and o3ened &t and 2losed &t
ra3&dl%H blah, blah, blah.
Per"a3s '&'teen se2onds later4 /ood% told t"e 3"one4 #I know &t$s a blood% de3ress&on4 b1t t"&s &s a
d&amond b&gger t"an t"at one good e%eball o' %o1rs4 %o1 &gnorant4 2%2lo3t&2 son o' a b&t2"() <e "&t t"e
EN. b1tton( #T"at$s w"at I$!e alwa%s "ated abo1t t"ese damn 2ells4) "e sa&d4 "&s !o&2e as blasQ as &' "e
were order&ng tea4 #%o1 2an$t slam a re2e&!er &nto a "ook4 and 31t a n&2e 3er&od on a senten2e()
/a7$s "ead was 2o2ked( #Was t"atF )
#T"at was someone w"o4 &' I$!e done m% 6ob 2orre2tl%4 w&ll be 2all&ng r&g"t ba2k() F&!e se2onds later
t"e 2ell 3"one rang and /ood% sm&led( #;ot "&m()
/a7 "ad wat2"ed /ood% negot&ate be'ore and knew "e 1s1all% got w"at "e wanted( T"e man "ad
2"arm and 2a6ones and a ta2t&2al sense se2ond to none(
#Yes4) /ood% sa&d &nto t"e 3"one(
<e l&stened 'or a 'ew se2onds(
#Well4 t"at ma% &ndeed be tr1e abo1t m% mot"er4) /ood% sa&d4 #b1t t"en we$ll ne!er know4 w&ll we4
s&n2e s"e 3assed awa% some %ears ago b1t one t"&ng &s 2erta&nH m% 3r&2e &s a fair 3r&2e()
<e l&stened aga&n4 toss&ng a tw&nkl&ng5e%ed sm&le at "&s 3rotQgQe(
#S3lend&d4) "e sa&d '&nall%( #W"ere and w"enF) /ood% 6otted somet"&ng on a 3ad( #A 3leas1re4 as
alwa%s( I l&ke not"&ng more t"an a smoot" transa2t&on() <e "&t EN. aga&n(
/a7$s e%ebrows went 13( #<ow m12" &s 'a&rF)
T"at w"&te sm&le o' "&s 2o1ld "a!e l&g"ted 13 a m12" larger room t"an t"&s( #.on$t 2on2ern %o1rsel'
w&t" deta&ls4 /a7&ne( S1''&2e to sa% t"e ,lan 2an mo!e somew"ere w"ere we don$t "a!e to worr% abo1t
t"e 2e&l&ng 'all&ng &n on 1s t"o1g" &t will be "ard to lea!e "ere( <owe!er s"abb%4 &t "as 2ome to be
"ome4 a'ter all()
T"at s"e 1nderstood(
#/% dear %o1$re not sm&l&ng( Is somet"&ng wrongF Is t"e not&on o' lea!&ng t"&s 3ala2e a sad one to
%o1F)
S1ddenl%4 /a7 seemed 1nable to s3eak( All t"e wa% ba2k 'rom t"e resta1rant s"e "ad re"earsed t"e
s3ee2"4 and now 2ame t&me to let &t o1t4 and s"e 2o1ldn$t '&nd a damn word(
#.o %o1 bel&e!e %o1$!e earned a b&gger s"areF Per"a3s %o1$re 2ontem3lat&ng "ead&ng 13 %o1r own
s1b2lanF)
/a7 took &n a dee3 breat" and let &t o1t slowl%4 61st as s"e "ad &n /ant&2ore tra&n&ng( T"&s 'elt a lot l&ke
de'1s&ng a bomb4 t"o1g" s"e wo1ld m12" rat"er be do&ng t"at( ,enter&ng "ersel'4 s"e started aga&n(
#/ood%4 I "a!e to take o''()
<e ro2ked ba2k &n "&s 2"a&r4 tented "&s '&ngers4 sm&led gentl%( #For w"ere4 m% dear4 and 'or "ow longF)
Look&ng at t"e 'ra%ed 2ar3et&ng on t"e 'loor4 /a7 sa&d4 #I t"&nk 'or good()
/ood%$s sm&le d&sa33eared( #Please don$t tease me4 /a7&ne( T"&ngs are 61st abo1t to t1rn aro1nd 'or 1s(
Yo1 2an be a 01een "ere()
S"e l&'ted "er e%es to "&s( #I$m sorr%( I$m grate'1l to %o1 %o1$!e ta1g"t me so m12"4 b1t I 61st ne!er
wanted to be a 01een( I onl% wanted to be )
#W"atF) "e asked4 "&s !o&2e edged w&t" &rr&tat&on and somet"&ng else d&sa33o&ntmentF #Yo1 61st
wanted to be w"atF)
T"&s was gett&ng "ard aga&n4 emot&ons s1rg&ng t"ro1g" "er4 stress gnaw&ng at "er g1ts(
#Free4) s"e '&nall% managed(
<&s d&s3leas1re a22elerated w&t" t"e !ol1me o' "&s !o&2e( #Yo1$re not free, "ereF)
S"e s"ook "er "ead( #O' 2o1rse I$m 'ree "ere( T"at$s not &t t"&s &sn$t abo1t %o1 or t"e ,lan( It$s abo1t
me( /ood% ) S"e to12"ed t"e ba2k o' "er ne2k4 &nd&2at&ng "er bar2ode( # %o1 know I$m not t"e
onl% one l&ke me()
#Yes4) "e adm&tted4 01&eter now(
/a7 sat 'orward( #I 2ame 13on &n'ormat&on t"&s morn&ng4 abo1t w"ere one o' m% brot"ers ma% be( I$m
not 3os&t&!e( B1t I need to '&nd o1t 'or m%sel'()
/ood%$s s&g" was endless( #I alwa%s 'eared t"&s da% wo1ld 2ome( I alwa%s dreaded &t()
#Yo1 do 1nderstand4 t"enF)
<&s dark e%es were sad as "e ga!e "er a l&ttle s"r1g( #Yo1 don$t "a!e eno1g" 'am&l% "ereF)
#I "a!e a large 'am&l% "ere( T"e ,lan w&ll alwa%s be m% 'am&l%4 b1t )
#B1tF)
/a7 looked at t"e 'loor4 t"en 13 at /ood% aga&n4 t"e&r e%es lo2k&ng( ##hey were m% 'am&l% '&rst( Yo1rs
was t"e 'am&l% I ado3ted()
#And t"at ado3ted %o1()
#T"at$s r&g"t( And %o1$!e been good to me( And I$!e done well b% %o1()
<e nodded slowl%(
S"e s"ook "er "ead4 dark "a&r bo1n2&ng( #We$!e talked abo1t t"&s4 /ood%( Yo1 know all I$!e e!er
wanted &s to '&nd m% s&bs()
<e looked at "er 'or a long t&me( T"en4 wear&l%4 "e sa&d4 #I know I$m be&ng 1n'a&r4 /a7&ne b1t I don$t
want to lose %o1()
#I$ll be ba2k someda%( I' not to sta%4 to !&s&t( +&s&t m% 'am&l%()
T"at made "&m sm&le4 b1t &t was a melan2"ol% t"&ng4 nonet"eless( #T"e ,lan "as been strengt"ened b%
"a!&ng %o1 &n &t4 /a7()
#T"ank %o14) s"e sa&d4 stand&ng( #B1t w&t" t"e 3a%da% %o1$ll get 'or t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean4 e!er%t"&ng
s"o1ld be '&ne()
R&s&ng4 "e sa&d4 #T"at$s 3robabl% tr1e nonet"eless4 %o1r absen2e w&ll be 'elt() <e 2ame aro1nd t"e
desk and stood 'a2&ng "er( #,an %o1 wa&t 1nt&l a'ter t"e e72"angeF I 2o1ld 1se t"e ba2k13()
S"e s"ook "er "ead regret'1ll%( #I t"&nk "e$s &n tro1ble4 m% brot"er4 and I need to '&nd "&m as soon as
3oss&ble()
#W"ere &s &t %o1$re go&ngF)
#I$m 61st go&ng4 /ood%( W"ere I$m go&ng means not"&ng4 e72e3t to me()
/ood% a22e3ted t"at w&t" a nod( #Yo1 "a!e eno1g" mone%F)
#I "a!e a stas"( It won$t last 'ore!er4 b1t &t$ll get me w"ere I$m go&ng /ood%4 I$m sorr%()
#/a7&ne4 don$t a3olog&Ee 'or 'ollow&ng %o1r "eart not e!er( S12" &nst&n2ts are t"e onl% 31re t"&ng le't
&n t"&s 3oll1ted world()
<er sm&le was warm4 "er gaEe 'ond( #Yo1 "a!e been a "ell o' a tea2"er()
#<a!e IF) <e rea2"ed 'or somet"&ng on "&s deskH a 3"oto( #Know t"&sF)
S"e took &t &n w&t" a glan2e4 answered matter5o'5'a2tl%4 ##rafalgar S!uare b% /ondr&an( P&et
/ondr&an()
<&s sm&le was adm&r&ng and s"e 2o1ld tell t"e adm&rat&on was not 61st 'or "er good looks(
;est1r&ng w&t" t"e 3"oto4 "er mentor sa&d4 #/ost o' t"e 2ret&ns w"o &n"ab&t t"&s 2&t% bel&e!e t"e
/ondr&an to be a "otel 'rom t"e 3re5P1lse da%s and not"&ng more( B1t %o1 know "&s 3a&nt&ngs4 all o'
t"em )
# /ost o' t"em )
# all o' t"em4 and w"at t"e%$re wort"4 and w"at t"e% 2an be 'en2ed 'or4 and w"ere to '&nd t"em()
#Yo1 ta1g"t me "ow to be a good t"&e'()
#I re'&ned %o14 m% dear( Yo1 were a good t"&e' w"en %o1 6o&ned t"e ,lan Now4 %o1 are t"e best()
<e went ba2k aro1nd t"e desk4 o3ened a drawer4 and 31lled o1t a wad o' b&lls w&t" a r1bber band
aro1nd &t( <e tossed &t to "er4 s"e 2a1g"t &t4 looked at &tdamn, at least five grand/ and tossed t"e
3a2ket ba2k(
#/ood%4 I told %o1 I got a stas"()
An embarrassed sm&le 2rossed /ood%$s 'a2e( #Yo1 "a!e some mone%4 I$m s1re8 b1t I$!e alwa%s ke3t
ba2k 3art o' %o1r s"are 61st &n 2ase t"&s da% e!er 2ame( To tell %o1 t"e tr1t"4 I do &t 'or all o' %o1()
#Yo1 don$t4) s"e sa&d s&m3l%(
#A" no( B1t &t so1nded good() <e lobbed t"e b1ndle ba2k to "er( #In %o1r 2ase4 "owe!er4 I d&d
be2a1se I was groom&ng %o1 to s&t bes&de me()
More than *ust sit, s"e t"o1g"t8 b1t sa&d4 #I don$t want t"&s4 /ood%( -se &t 'or t"e k&ds()
<e s"ook "&s "ead( #Yo1$ll need &t more t"an we w&llH %o1 sa&d &t %o1rsel'4 we$re abo1t to "a!e t"e
b&ggest 3a%da% e!er( We$ll be more t"an '&ne()
<e't&ng t"e b&lls4 s"e sa&d4 #No "ard 'eel&ngs4 t"enF)
<&s e%es and nostr&ls 'lared( #O' course t"ere are "ard 'eel&ngs4 m% dear4 t"at$s w"at l&'e largel% &s4 "ard
'eel&ngs b1t t"ere$s no anger4 and not a l&ttle lo!e( Yo1 go4 /a7&ne4 %o1 '&nd %o1r brot"er4 and &' %o1
want4 br&ng "&m ba2k "ere w&t" %o1( T"en %o1 w&ll bot" "a!e a 'am&l%()
T"&s t&me /a7 was aware o' t"e tears tr&2kl&ng down "er 2"eeks( S"e ro1nded t"e desk and "1gged
/ood%( T"e% embra2ed 'or a long t&me(
W"en s"e '&nall% 31lled ba2k4 /a7 asked4 #Yo1$ll tell t"e rest o' t"e gangF) S"e gest1red toward t"e
t"eater( #I "ate '12k&ng good5b%es()
#Are %o1 s1re %o1 don$t want toF)
S"e s"ook "er "ead( #;od noG I$m 2r%&ng 61st tell&ng you "ow do %o1 t"&nk I$d do w&t" t"emF)
<e la1g"ed gentl%( #A"4 /a7&ne4 m% /a7&ne 'or a genet&2all% en"an2ed k&ll&ng ma2"&ne4 %o1 don$t
seem !er% to1g"()
#Well t"en "el3 me 3reser!e m% &mage( Yo1 tell t"e k&ds good5b%e 'or me()
A sm&rk d1g a "ole &n one o' /ood%$s 2"eeks( #I g1ess t"&s &s one negot&at&on I$m dest&ned to lose()
T"e% "1gged one last t&me(
Be'ore s"e le't4 /a7 2alled Fres2a 13 &nto t"e 3ro6e2t&on boot" and asked "&m to wat2" &t 'or "er 1nt&l
s"e got ba2k 'rom #a l&ttle tr&3) s"e "ad to take(
#,an$t I 2ome w&t" %o1F) "e moaned8 e!en "&s 're2kles seemed to droo3(
#No4 I need %o1 "ere( Yo1$re m% guy, aren$t %o1F)
#I amF I mean I amG)
S"e s"r1gged w&t" "er s"o1lders and "er mo1t"( #Well4 t"en4 k&d wat2" m% s"&t 'or me( All I$m tak&n$
&s m% b&ke()
#No 3robG)
S"e 31t an arm aro1nd "&m 2ons3&rator&all%( #And I want %o1 to do one more t"&ng 'or me()
#An%t"&ng()
#Kee3 an e%e on N&ner( S"e seems l&ke a good k&d4 b1t s"e$s green s"e needs a man to look o1t 'or
"er()
Fres2a seemed to 31m3 13 a l&ttle at t"e t"o1g"t /a7 2ons&dered "&m a man( #,o1nt on &tG)
#And "ere4 Fres take t"&s() S"e "anded "&m a wad o' b&lls4 abo1t "al' w"at /ood% "ad g&!en "er(
<&s e%es were l&ke 'r&ed eggs( #/a74 %o1$re kidding, r&g"tF)
#P1t t"at &n %o1r 3o2ket4 and don$t tell an%bod% t"at %o1 "a!e &t4 or w"ere %o1 got &t()
#W"%F)
#Be2a1se e!er%bod% needs a se2ret stas" o$ 2as" and t"at$s %o1rs()
#Rad4) "e sa&d breat"lessl%4 t"1mb r&''l&ng t"e t"&2kness o' b&lls(
#And alwa%s remember4 Fres %o1$re m% brot"er4 too()
<e 'rowned &n 2on'1s&on( #MToo$F Yo1 got anot"er brot"erF)
#/a%be4) s"e sa&d( #I$ll let %o1 know()
T"e% "1gged4 t"en s"e sa&d4 #;otta blaEe()
#Better blaEe t"en4) "e sa&d(
And s"e walked "er b&ke o1t4 and was gone(
Chapter F!"e
WELCOME TO THE
MONKE# HOUSE
T<E PA,IFI, ,OAST <I;<WAY
E-REKA4 ,ALIFORNIA4 9:L>
L&ke 3o&son m1s"rooms4 t"e% s3rang 13 all aro1nd t"e 2o1ntr% a'ter t"e P1lse4 t"ese !&llages o'
rams"a2kle s"a2ks w"ere 3eo3le l&ttle more t"an re'1gees reall% 2ame to l&!e and4 're01entl%4 d&e(
Named *amestowns a'ter /&2"ael *ames4 t"e 3res&dent o' t"e -n&ted States w"en t"e P1lse "&t t"e
ragtag "amlets were a twent%5'&rst52ent1r% !ar&at&on on t"e <oo!er!&lles o' t"e 3re!&o1s 2ent1r%$s ;reat
.e3ress&on4 t"ose 3a2k&ng52rate 2omm1n&t&es named a'ter anot"er less5t"an5stellar 3res&dent(
T"&s *amestown4 lo2ated on t"e east s&de o' E1reka4 ,al&'orn&a4 "ad been aro1nd s&n2e 61st a'ter t"e LA
=1ake o' 9:L9( W"at "ad started w&t" onl% a 'ew 2ardboard "o!els "ad be2ome 'ollow&ng a 'ront&er
3attern "ardl% new to t"e state an a2t1al town o!er t"e last se!en %ears4 2om3lete w&t" bars4 trad&ng
3osts4 a 2"1r2"4 and e!en a ro1g"s"od s2"ool( ,o!er&ng a2res t"at 1sed to be t"e Se01o&a Park Ioo4 t"e
*amestown "ad &n2or3orated t"e Eoo$s an&mal "o1s&ng 'or &ts own !ar&ed 31r3oses(
T"o1g" most o' t"e Eoo "ad been 2on!erted to "1man s"elter4 t"e monke% "o1se "ad long s&n2e
be2ome a bar o' t"e same name4 also ser!&ng "1mans4 at least te2"n&2all%( Border&ng t"e /onke%
<o1se Jw"&2" "ad a neon s&gn w&red to &ts barsK were tower&ng ra!&nes o' statel% redwoods4 w"&2" most
3eo3le e!en t"e ro1g" sort w"o 2ame and went to s12" *amestowns "ad t"e good sense to a!o&d at
n&g"t( T"o1g" t"e !&llage was more or less 3ea2e'1l4 t"e woods was w"ere t"e ma6or&t% o' t"e bad
t"&ngs aro1nd "ere "a33enedH t"e 1s1al m1rders4 ra3es4 robber&es( T"e 'ol&age o' t"e 'orest wo1ld
ne!er la2k 'or 'ert&l&Eer4 t"anks to t"e 'low o' de2om3os&ng bod&es(
A2ross t"e ma&n walkwa% 'rom t"e /onke% <o1se4 arm%5na!% s1r3l1s tents "ad been 3&t2"ed aro1nd
t"e 'ormer Eoo$s str12t1res4 3ro!&d&ng tem3orar% s"elter 'or t"e "1ndreds o' tra!elers w"o sta%ed
an%w"ere 'rom a da% to t"ree or 'o1r mont"s4 de3end&ng on t"e&r ab&l&t% '&nan2&al andNor 3"%s&2al
to mo!e on(
For t"e last 'ew weeks4 t"e tent 2&t% "ad been "ome to a band o' barbar&2 So,al b&kers4 des2endants o' a
notor&o1s 3re5P1lse b&ker gang 2alled t"e <ell$s Angels( T"e New <ell&ons took t"e&r name ser&o1sl%4
were s1''1sed w&t" 3r&de &n t"e&r mongrel 3ed&gree4 and tr&ed to l&!e 13 to t"at &mage e!er% da%4 &n
e!er% wa%(
Stroll&ng at tw&l&g"t t"ro1g" t"&s nast%5ass 3ost5P1lse sl1m as &' &t were a ben&gn street 'a&r was a sl&m4
bea1t&'1l4 b1st% bla2k woman w&t" "&g" 2"eekbones4 a w&de nose4 and "1ge brown e%es s"aded w&t"
bl1e e%e s"adow8 "er dark e%ebrows 21r!ed w&t" an &ron&2 2on'&den2e t"at was no 3ose and "er large4
rat"er 31''% A'ro "ad been dressed 13 w&t" a 'ew 3&nk str&3es 'or good meas1re(
For a woman alone &n a to1g" town4 #Or&g&nal ,&nd%) /2Ea2"&n s"owed no 'ear ne&t"er d&d s"e 'eel
an%(
<er 3ants were a se2ond sk&n o' leat"er4 6et bla2k4 w&t" an orange4 m&dr&''5bar&ng to3 so t&g"t &t "ardl%
needed t"e s3ag"ett& stra3s4 s"ow&ng o'' not onl% "er 'lat t1mm% b1t t"e to3s o' "er breasts and bare
s"o1lders4 l&ke a dare( Not s1r3r&s&ngl%4 man% males took t"at dare4 t"&s str&k&ng 'emale draw&ng goo5
goo5e%ed4 dro356awed stares 'rom t"e 'ew b&kers w"o weren$t alread% &n t"e /onke% <o1se(
:ou damn well better be starin", s"e t"o1g"t8 "er "eels were s3&kes4 b1t s"e 2o1ldn$t "a!e mo!ed eas&er
&n tenn&es( :ou ain"t never seen nothin" like 9riginal +indy, lookee but no touchee, you barbaric
bo)os-
,ross&ng t"e walkwa%4 s"ak&ng w"at ;od "ad g&!en "er4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% all b1t b1m3ed &nto a b&ker
2o13le e7&t&ng t"e /onke% <o1se(
T"e b1rl% man$s a1tomat&2 'rown 'l&33ed &nto a %ellow5green gr&n w"en "e saw t"e s"a3el% 'orm "e$d
almost 2oll&ded w&t"8 "e "ad long4 tangled brown "a&r4 w"&2" ma% "a!e been was"ed at some t&me or
ot"er4 and wore onl% a ragged den&m !est w&t" "&s obl&gator% 6eans and boots( .es3&te a "a&r% beer
bell%4 t"e b&ker "ad arms r&!al&ng t"e tr1nks o' t"e s1rro1nd&ng se01o&as4 ea2" b&2e3 tattooed w&t"
snakes t"at 21rled aro1nd and 1nd1lated w"ene!er "e 'le7ed(
#/% bad4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% drawled(
T"e g1% "ad sl&t"ered one snake arm aro1nd "&s date4 a t"&n l&ttle 'ormer 3rom 01een &n 6eans and a
bla2k5leat"er5and52"a&ns "alter4 w&t" long blond "a&r4 31''% l&3s4 t&red bl1e e%es4 and a s1ltr% a&r abo1t
"er8 dr1gs and booEe "ad not %et robbed "er o' all "er a33eal(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% sm&led at t"e woman4 w"o sm&led know&ngl% ba2k(
T"e b&g dr1nk b&ker4 t"&nk&ng t"e sm&le was 'or "&m4 sa&d4 #I 61s$ m&g"t a22e3t t"at a3olog%4 Brown
S1gar4) and took a ste3 toward Or&g&nal ,&nd%
w"&2" was a m&stake(
T"e '&rst t"&ng "e lost was t"e blonde( Sl&33&ng o1t 'rom 1nder "&s snake5embossed b&2e34 t"e 3rom
01een sa&d to "&m4 #S2rew %o1 and t"e <arle% %o1 rode &n on4) and stormed o'' toward t"e tent 2&t%4
lea!&ng t"e b&ker to stare at Or&g&nal ,&nd%(
#<e%4 bab%4) "e sa&d 'las"&ng t"at m1lt&2olored gr&n4 "&s s3ee2" onl% a l&ttle sl1rred( #T"ree$s a 2rowd4
an%wa%()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% 31t "er "ands on "er "&3s and reared ba2k "er A'roed "ead( #Yo1 2an$t be ser&o1s4
<a%sta2k %o1 t"&nk I was sm&l&n$ at your 31nk assF)
<&s 'ore"ead 2len2"ed as "e attem3ted t"o1g"t(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% 2ont&n1ed w&t" "&s s2"ool&ngH #I was smilin" at t"e sweet s01eeEe t"at went t"atta wa%4)
one long t"&n '&nger 3o&nt&ng &n t"e d&re2t&on t"e b&ker$s 2"&2k "ad gone(
<&s e%es w&dened and t"e gr&n t1rned 13s&de down( #*es1sG A '12k&n$ dyke/)
<e took anot"er ste3 toward "er4 a mena2&ng one t"&s t&me8 b1t sto33ed w"en Or&g&nal ,&nd% dro33ed
&nto a 2ombat stan2e(
S"e asked4 #Yo1 den&grat&n$ m% se71al 3re'eren2e as&de %o1 sure %o1 wanna go t"ereF)
,&nd% "ad been mak&ng "er wa% ba2k to Seattle s&n2e s"e$d gotten o1t o' t"e arm%4 not so long ago( And
a woman4 !eteran or not4 d&dn$t "&t2" "er wa% 'rom Fort <ood4 Te7as4 1nless s"e knew "ow to "andle
"er ass(
T"e dr1nk b&ker 2ons&dered ba2k&ng down 'or a moment4 b1t "&s ego got t"e better o' "&m and "e 31lled
o1t "&s sw&t2"blade( T"e kn&'e o3ened w&t" a snick, long narrow blade '&nd&ng l&g"t to w&nk o''(
B1t "e m&g"t "a!e taken o1t a kaEoo and started 3la%&ng #Yankee .oodle4) 'or all t"e rea2t&on &t got o1t
o' Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 w"o merel% sm&rked a l&ttle(
#Know w"at t"e% sa%4) s"e sa&d( #Longer t"e blade )
T"e b&ker w&3ed se!eral greas% lo2ks o' "a&r o1t o' "&s e%es( #Y$gonna really a3olog&Ee now4 b&t2"()
S"e t&lted "er "ead and a33ra&sed "&m4 as &' t"e b&ker were '&ne 3r&nt s"e was tr%&ng to make o1t(
#Yo1 know4) s"e sa&d4 #%o1 done not"&n$ b1t 2all Or&g&nal ,&nd% names s&n2e we met t"e Md$ word4
t"e Mb$ word and %o1$re 61st abo1t a 2onsonant awa% 'rom gett&ng m% boot &n t"e 2ra2k o' %o1r w&de
"onk% ass()
<&s e%es were w"&te all t"e wa% aro1nd now4 and "e bl1rted anot"er e3&t"et '&nall% gett&ng aro1nd to
t"e #2) word and 2"arged "er(
#T"at$s t"e one ) s"e sa&d4 and as "e neared4 s"e s&deste33ed4 2ra2k&ng "&m along t"e ear w&t" t"e
ba2k o' a '&st as "e st1mbled 3ast "er4 and k&2k&ng "&m &n t"e ass(
T"at was t"e se2ond t"&ng t"e b&ker lostH "&s d&gn&t% s12" as &t was(
#;oddamn it,) "e roared4 one "and go&ng to t"e redden&ng ear( #I$m gonna 21t %o1 to '12k&n$ r&bbons4
%o1 bla2k b&t2"G)
<er res3onse to t"&s name52all&ng was non!erbalH w&t" a mart&al5arts 61m34 s"e del&!ered a 3er'e2tl%
3la2ed4 s3&ke5"eeled k&2k to "&s 'o1l mo1t"(
T"e b&ker dro33ed l&ke a bag o' gra&n4 "&s kn&'e t1mbl&ng 'rom "&s 3o33ed5o3en '&ngers and roll&ng
1nder some b1s"es4 as &' tr%&ng to get t"e "ell o1t o' t"&s( T"e b&g man tr&ed to s3eak aga&n4 b1t t"e
words 2ame o1t a m1s"% m1mble m&7ed w&t" t"e teet" "e was s3&tt&ng 13 l&ke 1nd&gested 2orn( Blood
streaked down "&s 2"&n onto "&s bare4 "a&r% 2"est &n 2olor'1l r&bbons(
#Oooo"4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 "ands on "&3s aga&n4 w&n2&ng &n 'e&gned d&sg1st( #Yo1 do know "ow to
gross a g&rl o1t Yo1 wanna 2all me some more namesF Yo1 a&n$t worked %o1r wa% to Mn$ %et$,o1rse
t"en I$d "a!e to k&ll %o1r ass()
Wobbl&ng to "&s 'eet4 "&s e%es narrow&ng w&t" "ate4 t"e b&ker glan2ed toward t"e b1s" w"ere "&s kn&'e
3eeked o1t 'rom 1nder some lea!es(
#Now4 %o1 don$t e!en wanna t"&nk abo1t go&ng 'or t"at4 do %o1 nowF Yo1r mama d&dn$t ra&se a 'ool4 d&d
s"e s1rel% %o1 know w"en %o1 got %o1r ass k&2kedF)
T"e res3onse to t"&s d&3loma2% was4 #F12k %o1G)
S"e waggled "er "ead and waggled a '&nger4 too( #No s&r4 nada 2"an2e4 not on %o1r best da% not e!en
&' I got some o' t"at sweet t"&ng %o1 2"ased o'' a'terward()
<%ster&2al w&t" '1r% and embarrassment4 t"e b&ker l1nged 'or t"e b1s"es w"ere "&s kn&'e awa&ted(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% 21t o'' "&s 3at" and met "&m w&t" a s&de k&2k to t"e "ead( Aga&n t"e b&ker dro33ed
and t"&s t&me "e sta%ed down( Breat"&ng a b1bbl% sal&!a5and5blood brot" bo&l&ng at "&s broken
mo1t"(
T1rn&ng 2as1all% toward t"e tents4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% t"o1g"t4 'ow where did that fine slice of heaven get
herself to;
B1t t"e blonde was now"ere to be seen(
#.amn4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d to nobod%( #And 61st w"en I t"o1g"t we "ad 1s a moment()
T1rn&ng ba2k4 s"e went t"ro1g" t"e o3en 2age doors &nto t"e bar( Two t"&ngs assa1lted "er
&mmed&atel%H t"e ra12o1s roar o' a bad ro2k band &n t"e 'ar end o' t"e room almost twent% %ears &nto
t"e twent%5'&rst 2ent1r% and II To3 2o!ers st&ll r1led and t"e aroma o' sandalwood &n2ense la2ed
w&t" monke% s"&t( Or&g&nal ,&nd% de2&ded t"e smart mone% was on breat"&ng t"ro1g" "er mo1t"
w"&2" meant s"e wo1ld '&t r&g"t &n w&t" t"&s gro13(
T"e 6o&nt was 3a2ked w&t" t"e sort o' lowl&'es w"o made t"e road t"e&r "ome4 and t"e 2omb&nat&on o'
sweat4 l&01or4 and bad breat" was an &n!&tat&on to be somew"ere else( But 9riginal +indy ain"t no
!uitter, s"e rem&nded "ersel'4 and bes&des ,&nd% was 3ar2"ed( S"e$d been look&ng 'orward to a brew
e!en be'ore s"e worked 13 a t"&rst k&2k&ng b&ker ass( So s"e elbowed "er wa% to t"e bar(
T"e band 2ont&n1ed to w"a2k awa% at t"e&r &nstr1ments t"e s&nger 2aterwa1l&ng &nto a 're01entl%
'eed&ng5ba2k m&ke8 b1t ,&nd% knew &t wo1ld take someone w&t" a P"(.( &n 2lass&2 ro2k to '&g1re o1t
w"&2" II To3 song t"e% were 21rrentl% b1t2"er&ng(
T"e bartender a sk&nn% 3ale 3&t&'1l5look&ng g1% w&t" more "a&r t"an "&s 2omb 2o1ld "andle and two
31''% bla2k e%es4 2o1rtes% o' a d&ssat&s'&ed 21stomer no do1bt mo!ed &n 'ront o' "er(
#BeerG) s"e %elled4 o!er t"e d&n o' t"e band and t"e 2rowd(
<e nodded and walked awa%(
S"e w"eeled to "a!e a look at t"e 3redom&nantl% b&ker 2rowd( Last t&me Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad seen t"&s
m12" den&m and leat"er &n one 3la2e "ad been at a rodeo near Fort <ood( T"&s was not"&ng l&ke t"at
t"ank ;od8 e!en t"e b&kers were an &m3ro!ement o!er t"e s"&t5k&2ker 2owbo%s &n Te7as( Or&g&nal
,&nd% was not 3re61d&2ed4 b1t s"e "ad l&ttle 3at&en2e 'or redne2ks(
Or 'or redne2k bands l&ke t"&s one two g1&tars4 a bass4 dr1ms4 and a dr1gg&e !o2al&st &n sear2" o' t"e
ke%8 t"e% so1nded l&ke marbles tw&rled &n a garbage 2an w&t" a 2o13le o' 'orn&2at&ng 2ats t"rown &n 'or
good meas1re(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% was st&ll s"ak&ng "er "ead &n d&sbel&e' at t"e sorr% state o' "er 21lt1ral and so2&al l&'e at
t"&s 3art&21lar moment4 w"en t"e s"&ner5adorned bartender 2ame ba2k w&t" a 2old bottle o' beer( S"e
got a t"ree5dollar b&ll o1t o' "er wallet Pres&dent *ames on &t4 a33ro3r&atel% and t"e bartender
snat2"ed t"e b&ll 'rom "er '&ngers(
#.amnG) s"e sa&d( #;o on and "el3 %o1r damn sel'4 w"% don$t %o1F)
T"e bartender walked awa%(
#No wonder %o1 a damn ra22oon4) s"e m1mbled4 t"enH #Kee3 t"e 2"ange4 Pr&n2e ,"arm&n$G) e!en
t"o1g" s"e knew "e$d alread% ass1med as m12"(
S"e s&33ed at t"e beer4 "o3&ng to make &t last( At t"ese 3r&2es be&ng sober was look&ng l&ke a reasonable
o3t&on( Bes&des4 t"&s 6o&nt w&t" t"at band and t"ese 3atrons wasn$t wort" more t"an one beer and '&'teen
m&n1tes o' "er l&'e( No one w"o s"ared "er 3art&21lar world!&ew seemed to 're01ent t"&s establ&s"ment4
and &' s"e d&dn$t want more b&ker r1n5&ns4 t"e best bet wo1ld be to dr&nk 13 and get t"e "ell o1t o' t"&s
Eoo(
S"e sw&gged "er s1ds and4 2ons&der&ng t"&s was Or&g&nal ,&nd% an%wa%4 ke3t a low 3ro'&le(
Nonet"eless4 t"e b&kers stared at "er4 mak&ng "er more 1n2om'ortable t"an s"e wo1ld 2are to adm&t(
S"e wasn$t a'ra&d "ell4 not"&ng s2ared "er4 e72e3t ma%be l&'e &tsel'8 b1t t"&rt% b&kers to one bla2k e75
sold&er seemed l&ke s"&tt% odds( K&ll&ng t"e beer4 s"e t1rned toward t"e door 61st as t"e b&ker s"e$d
3o1nded 2ame stagger&ng &n4 dr1nk Jmore 'rom "er beat&ng t"an beerK4 "&s mo1t" tw&sted &n an angr%
snarl4 blood st&ll tra&l&ng down "&s 2"&n l&ke a slo33% !am3&re(
#'ow %o1 get %o1rs4 %o1 bla2k b&t2"4) "e bellowed4 t"o1g" t"e words 2ame o1t sl1rred and m1s"%
be2a1se "e was dr1nk and no longer "ad all "&s teet"(
T"e band ke3t 3la%&ng8 b1t e!er% e%e &n t"e bar "ad alread% t1rned to t"e door4 and now sw&!eled to
Or&g&nal ,&nd%( A'ter all4 no one &n "ere "ad m&ssed "er entran2e
#O"4 maaaan I t"o1g"t I was done w&t" %o1r sorr% ass4) s"e sa&d4 and looked aro1nd at t"e ot"er
3atrons4 to 2o1rt t"e&r s133ort( On2e a '&g"t was '&n&s"ed4 t"e '&g"t was '&n&s"ed4 r&g"tF ;et on w&t"
%o1r damn l&!esG
B1t t"e b&kers were 2los&ng &nto a loose sem&2&r2le aro1nd "er4 31tt&ng t"e bar at "er ba2k4 lea!&ng a
3at" 'or t"e dr1nk to get to "er(
Aga&n t"e b1rl% b&ker edged toward "er4 and "e "ad t"at damn blade &n "&s "and aga&n( T"e 2&r2le began
to 2lose &n4 3ro!&d&ng a 2om3a2t stage 'or t"e 2om&ng a2t&on(
So s"e str12k '&rst4 3&2k&ng 13 t"e beer bottle and smas"&ng &t o!er t"e "ead o' t"e nearest b&ker4 w"o
2olla3sed &n a "ea3( T"e band '&nall% not&2ed t"at no one was l&sten&ng to t"em and sto33ed 3la%&ng4
3ro!&d&ng an aw'1l4 deat"l% s&len2e(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% tore a "ole &n &tH #:ou want some more of 9riginal +indy;& S"e gest1red to "ersel' w&t"
bot" "ands4 enter&ng t"e 2enter o' t"e 2&r2le4 ooE&ng bra!ado4 sa%&ng4 #T"en 2ome on 3lent% to go
$ro1ndG)
-n'ort1natel% 'or "er4 t"e% took "er &n!&tat&on(
T"ere was l&ttle room to mane1!er4 t"&s 2lose to t"e bar4 and alt"o1g" s"e got one b&ker a2ross t"e
br&dge o' t"e nose w&t" a stra&g"t r&g"t4 and anot"er &n t"e gro&n w&t" a knee4 &t was onl% a matter o'
t&me be'ore t"e b&kers "ad swarmed "er4 3&nn&ng "er on t"e 'loor l&ke a dead b1tter'l% &n a 2olle2tor$s
book( T"e% "eld "er down4 t&g"t4 s3read5eagled4 and took t1rns 2o33&ng obno7&o1s 'eels 1nt&l t"e b1rl%
bastard s"e$d alread% de'eated o1ts&de now 'o1g"t "&s wa% t"ro1g" t"e 2rowd(
#Yo1 a&n$t so 2o2k% now4 are %a4 b&t2"F)
S"e glared 13 at "&m4 3la%&ng t"e onl% 2ard s"e "ad( #Yo1 g1tless 31ss% a'ra&d to take on a g&rl b%
%o1r ownsel'F ;otta "a!e %o1r b1dd&es "old "er downF)
<e leaned o!er and sla33ed "er and &t so1nded l&ke a g1ns"ot4 r&ng&ng o'' t"e 2ement o' t"e 'ormer
monke% "o1se4 and "er "ead e73loded &n 3a&n a22om3an&ed b% 2olor'1l starb1rsts(
#I$m abo1t to a22e3t %o1r apology, b&t2" )
S3&tt&ng blood 13 &nto "&s 'a2e4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #I told %o1 to sto3 2all&n$ me t"atG)
<e reared ba2k a snake5dra3ed arm to "&t "er aga&n4 b1t be'ore "e 2o1ld str&ke4 a small "and gr&33ed t"e
b&ker$s t"&2k wr&st(
T"e ol&!e5sk&nned %o1ng woman &n bla2k leat"er 6a2ket and 3ants was 3et&te &' s"a3el%4 and s"e "ad
sl&33ed t"ro1g" t"e 2&r2le o' b&kers w&t"o1t an%one t"&nk&ng to sto3 "er( T"ose w"o$d not&2ed merel%
adm&red "er l&t"e %et !ol13t1o1s '&g1re8 a 'ew ot"ers were am1sed to see s12" a l&ttle t"&ng walk o1t
&nto t"e 2enter r&ng o' t"&s 2&r21s(
B1t now t"e% all 'roEe4 &n2l1d&ng Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s antagon&st4 w"ose nostr&ls 'lared and e%es w&dened4
as "e t1rned to see w"o dared &nterr13t "&m and w"o &t was t"at belonged to t"e !&sel&ke gr&3 on "&s
wr&st(
#Walk awa%4) t"e %o1ng woman ad!&sed "&m(
#Yo1 gotta be kiddin,) t"e b&ker sa&d4 133er l&3 3eel&ng ba2k o!er a sm&le t"at now "ad a 'ew
"oles &n &t(
T"e %o1ng woman sm&led ba2k( From t"e 'loor w"ere t"e ot"er b&kers st&ll "ad "er 3&nned4 Or&g&nal
,&nd% basked &n t"e rad&an2e o' t"e stranger$s sm&le4 e73e2t&ng t"e sweet t"&ng to soon be 6o&n&ng "er on
t"e 'loor4 w"ere toget"er t"e%$d 31ll a "orr&ble b&ker tra&n
#Yea"4) t"e %o1ng woman sa&d4 l&ttle sm&le4 l&ttle s"r1g( #I$m 61st k&dd&n$ aro1nd()
St&ll "old&ng on to "&s wr&st4 t"e bla2k52lad g&rl t"r1st a s&dewa%s k&2k t"at 2a1g"t t"e b&ker be"&nd t"e
knee4 and sent "&m to t"e 'loor4 kneel&ng "ard( From "er awkward !antage4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% 2o1ldn$t
'o21s on w"at "a33ened ne7t(
T"e leat"er52lad woman be2ame a der!&s"4 str&k&ng4 s3&nn&ng4 str&k&ng aga&n4 aga&n4 k&2ks kno2k&ng t"e
b&kers e!er% w"&2" wa%( S1ddenl% '&nd&ng "ersel' 'ree4 ,&nd% 61m3ed to "er 'eet4 2at2"&ng onl% t"e bl1r
as "er 1nl&kel% res21er t"rew dro3k&2ks and '&sts &nto one b&ker a'ter anot"er4 l&ke a damn Br12e Lee
mo!&e8 b1t t"at b1rl% b&ker w"o$d started &t all was gett&ng onto "&s 'eet4 t"at kn&'e st&ll &n one "and(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% slammed a small "ard '&st &nto t"e s&de o' "&s "ead and sent "&m down4 e!en as t"e g&rl
&n leat"er t"rew a 2as1al k&2k s&dewa%s4 kno2k&ng t"e kn&'e 'rom t"e man$s gras3( T"e b&ker was st&ll on
"&s 'eet4 b1t grogg%8 Or&g&nal ,&nd% do1bled "&m o!er w&t" a knee &n t"e gro&n4 and "&s mo1t" ga3ed &n
a s&lent s2ream 1nt&l s"e 2losed &t 'or "&m w&t" a "ard r&g"t(
And 'or t"e se2ond t&me ton&g"t4 t"e b&g b&ker w&t" t"e t&n% m&nd 'ell to t"e 'loor barel% 2ons2&o1s4
s3&tt&ng teet" l&ke seeds(
In less t"an t"&rt% se2onds4 t"e onl% 3eo3le st&ll stand&ng &n t"e bar were t"e band4 t"e bartender4 and t"e
two women( T"e ot"ers were &n !ar&o1s stages o' sem&2ons2&o1sness4 moan&ng4 roll&ng &nto 'etal balls4 a
'ew 2rawl&ng o''4 look&ng 'or a 2orner to bleed &n(
#I$m /a74) t"e %o1ng woman sa&d(
#Or&g&nal ,&nd%()
/a7 ra&sed a '&st and Or&g&nal ,&nd% to12"ed &t w&t" a '&st o' "er own8 ne&t"er "ad e!en blood&ed a
kn12kle &n t"e brawl( T"e bartender was sm&l&ng ma%be w"oe!er "ad g&!en "&m "&s s"&ners "ad gone
down &n t"&s melee8 "e "anded t"e two !&2tors 2old5sweat&ng beers and "eld "&s 3alms 13H no 2"arge(
Toast&ng w&t" t"e brew4 /a7 sa&d4 #Yo1 2an "andle %o1rsel'4 g&rl()
#S&ster g&rl4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d as s"e s1r!e%ed t"e damage4 #%o1 got a mo!e or two %o1r ownsel'()
#T"&nk ma%be we s"o1ld bo1n2eF)
#Yea"4 t"&ngs$!e k&nda d&ed down aro1nd t"e ol$ /onke% <o1se4 don$t %o1 t"&nkF)
#A l&ttle d1llF)
#I don$t t"&nk t"ese 3eo3le wanna 3art% no more()
W&nd&ng 2as1all% t"ro1g" t"e 2as1alt&es4 t"e two women walked o1t o' t"e bar(
#T"ose 3e2kerwoods are l12k% %o1 2ome along4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 "&t2"&ng "er s"o1lders(
/a7 ga!e "er an am1sed s&dewa%s glan2e( #T"e%$re l12k%F)
#O" %ea" 61s$ $'ore %o1 st12k %o1r teen% nose &n4 I was abo1t to b1st loose on t"e&r asses4 and 2a1se
some ser&o1s "arm()
/a7 la1g"ed l&g"tl%( #Yo1 s"o1lda sa&d somet"&n$ I wo1ldn$ta s3o&led %o1r '1n()
#<ow d&d %o1 e!en know to 2ome &nF)
#I don$t know I 2an sorta smell tro1ble()
#Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ears t"at$s3e2&all% w"en t"ere$s t"at m12" o' &t and &t smells t"at rank()
T"e n&g"t seemed s1ddenl% 2"&ll% to Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 and s"e "1gged "ersel'( /a7 sl&33ed o1t o' "er
6a2ket4 re!eal&ng a bab% bl1e4 well5'&lled slee!eless T5s"&rt4 and 3assed t"e leat"er garment to ,&nd%(
W"o sa&d4 #T"anks4) and 31lled t"e 2oat on(
#We 3robabl% s"o1ldn$t "ang aro1nd "ere()
#All b1lls"&t as&de4 g&rl4 we best wat2" o1r asses &n t"&s *amestown4 else we get 2a3s 3o33ed &n $em()
/a7 sto33ed &n 'ront o' a sleek bla2k motor2%2le( #T"&s &s m% r&de %o1 got w"eelsF)
#T"&s &s Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s w"eels() S"e "eld 13 a t"1mb( #/% st1'' &s "&dden &n t"e woods()
#St1''F)
#Yo1 t"&nk t"ese &s t"e onl% 2lot"es Or&g&nal ,&nd% ownsF) S"e gr&nned( #;ot me some st%l&n$ t"reads
o1t t"ere &n t"em woods()
#,an %o1 '&nd %o1r stas" &n t"e darkF)
#.oes t"e 3o3e s"&t &n t"e woodsF Is a bear ,at"ol&2F)
/a7 la1g"ed and t"rew a leg o!er t"e b&ke( #,l&mb on4 O( ,( we$ll get %o1r stas" and 31t some
d&stan2e between 1s and t"at b&ker bra&n tr1st()
#Yo1 don$t "a!e to tell Or&g&nal ,&nd% tw&2e() S"e 2l&mbed on be"&nd /a74 "er arms lo2k&ng aro1nd
t"e m&ddle o' t"e leat"er52lad r&der(
/a7 t1rned t"e ke%4 g1nned t"e b&ke4 and4 k&2k&ng a d&rt 2lo1d4 took o'' &nto t"e 'orest( T"e% 3&2ked 13
Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s ba2k3a2k 'rom &ts "&d&ng 3la2e and "&t t"e road( /a7 ke3t t"e s3eedometer 3egged at
nearl% one "1ndred4 mak&ng 2on!ersat&on &m3oss&ble 1nt&l t"e% sto33ed at a small4 roads&de 2o''ee s"o3
on t"e 'ar s&de o' Redwood Nat&onal Park(
,lean b% 3ost5P1lse standards4 t"e 3la2e "ad s&7 boot"s along one wall4 a 2o1nter w&t" a doEen or so
stools4 and be"&nd t"e ba2k 2o1nter a wall w&t" a 3ass5t"ro1g" w&ndow to t"e t&n% k&t2"en( At t"&s "o1r4
t"e 2ook and t"e wa&tress were t"e onl% 3eo3le &n t"e 3la2e8 t"e% sat ne7t to ea2" ot"er at t"e 2o1nter4
ea2" read&ng a se2t&on o' news3a3er( Wear&ng a w"&te T5s"&rt and bl1e 6eans4 t"e 2ook rose w"en t"e%
2ame &n( A 3a1n2"% man &n "&s late 'ort&es4 w&t" b1g e%es and greas% dark "a&r4 "e mo!ed ba2k toward
t"e k&t2"en w&t"o1t a word( T"e wa&tress wore tan sla2ks and a brown smo2k( S"e "ad s"ort dark "a&r4 a
b&rdl&ke bod%4 and a drawn4 2ow"&de5to1g" 'a2e( S"e sta%ed 31t 1nt&l t"e women "ad 2"osen a boot"(
#,o''ee4 %o1 twoF) s"e asked as s"e rose(
T"e% bot" sa&d4 #Yes()
T"e wa&tress mo!ed 01&2kl% 'or someone &n t"e m&ddle o' a gra!e%ard s"&'t and ga!e t"em ea2" a 213
o' 2o''ee and a glass o' water( #Yo1 read% to orderF)
#T"&s &s '&ne 'or now4) /a7 sa&d(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #Yea"4 me too()
Nodd&ng4 t"e wa&tress ret1rned to "er seat and 3&2ked 13 t"e 3a3er( #False alarm4 *a2kG)
T"e g1% &n t"e k&t2"en 2ame ba2k o1t and 3&2ked 13 "&s 3a3er4 too8 t"&s t&me t"o1g"4 "e sta%ed on "&s
s&de o' t"e 2o1nter(
#Or&g&nal ,&nd% 61st wanted to t"ank %o1 'or ste33&n$ &n ton&g"t() S&tt&ng 'orward4 s"e leaned a2ross t"e
boot" and 3atted /a7 on t"e "and( #A s&sta" 2o1lda looked at t"em odds and walked t"e "ell r&g"t ba2k
o1t t"e door()
S"ak&ng "er "ead4 /a7 sa&d4 #Wo1ldn$t do 'or s&sta"s to be lett&n$ ea2" ot"er b1m3 1gl&es w&t" t"e l&kes
o' t"ose d&2kweeds()
#T"e% a&n$t Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s t%3e an%wa%()
#Low5l&'e b&kers()
#.&2kweeds()
/a7 ga!e "er a look(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% e73la&ned w"at "ad started t"e alter2at&on w&t" t"e b&ker namel%4 t"e blonde(
Wat2"&ng /a7 2are'1ll%4 s"e sa&d4 #Yo1 gotta do w"at 'loats %o1r boat()
#None o' m% b1s&ness4) /a7 sa&d4 #w"ere 3eo3le 31t t"e&r 3addles()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% sm&led and /a7 ga!e "er "al' a sm&le ba2k( T"e% sat and s&33ed t"e&r 2o''ee 'or a w"&le4
lett&ng t"e s&len2e grow4 bot" o' t"em 2om'ortable w&t" &t(
F&nall%4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% sat 'orward aga&n4 sa%&ng4 #W"at t"e "ell was t"at ba2k t"ere4 g&rlF)
/a7 s"r1gged4 3la%&ng &t low5ke%( #W"at was w"atF)
Or&g&nal ,&nd% made a 2o13le o' mo2k K1ng F1 "and gest1res( #T"at *et L&4 *a2k&e ,"an a2t&on
w"at was 13 w&t" t"atF)
Anot"er s"r1g( A!o&d&ng e%e 2onta2t4 /a7 sa&d4 #<ad some tra&n&ng()
T"e ot"er woman waggled a '&nger( #No4 g&rl4 no no Or&g&nal ,&nd% was &n t"e arm% and she "ad
some tra&n&ng4 2an take o' "ersel' b1t whew, not"&n$ l&ke w"at was go&n$ on &n t"at bar()
/a7 stared &nto "er 2o''ee( #Let$s 61st sa% I$m a good st1dent()
#Yo1 wanna lea!e &t at t"atF)
/a7 "eld "er 2o''ee 213 &n bot" "ands4 as &' warm&ng t"em( #Yo1 don$t m&ndF)
#T"at$s 2ool( T"at$s w"ere we lea!e &t t"en()
A sm&le blossomed on t"e "eart5s"a3ed 'a2e( #T"anks()
#:ou t"ank&n$ me; T"at$s w"a2k()
#I' %o1 sa% so()
#An%wa%4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% 61st wants to sa% s"e owes %o1 b&g5t&me()
T"&s seemed to embarrass /a74 w"o sa&d o''"andedl%4 #I was 61st 6ealo1s4 all t"e attent&on %o1 were
gett&ng()
#Well4 %o1 m% g&rl now %o1 need an%t"&ng4 an%t&me4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% got %o1r ba2k()
/a7 sal1ted "er w&t" a 2o''ee 2134 and sa&d ser&o1sl%4 #T"at$s good to know()
#From now on %o1 m% Boo()
/a7 'rowned4 and looked !ag1el% ner!o1s( #I4 1" t"o1g"t I made &t 2lear I don$t go t"at wa%()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% 2ra2ked 134 t"e la1g"ter b1bbl&ng o1t o' "er8 b1t /a7 61st st1d&ed "er(
#Be&n$ a Boo a&n$t abo1t that, /a7 &t$s abo1t be&n$ stand5134 &t$s abo1t I got %o1r ba2k4 %o1 got
m&ne &t$s abo1t be&n$ t&g"t( Yo1 m% Boo()
A nat1ral sm&le blossomed on /a7$s lo!el% 'a2e( #Well4 t"en %o1$re m% Boo too()
T"e r"%me 2ame o1t awkward4 and made Or&g&nal ,&nd% start la1g"&ng aga&n4 and t"&s t&me /a7 got
2a1g"t on t"e wa!e4 and t"e two %o1ng women 61st sat t"ere and g&ggled 'or ma%be a m&n1te(
T"en Or&g&nal ,&nd% e7tended a '&st4 w"&2" /a7 b1m3ed w&t" "er own(
T"e wa&tress bro1g"t t"em re'&lls on t"e 2o''ee4 an a2t t"at ser!ed as a t&me5o1t( W"en t"e wa&tress le't4
t"e two women s&33ed and talked4 t"e 2on!ersat&on s"&'t&ng gears(
#So4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #w"ere %o1 "eadedF)
#Seattle()
#No k&dd&n$F)
/a7 looked at "er 21r&o1sl%( #S"o1ldn$t I beF)
#No4 g&rl4 &t$s 61st I$m "eaded "ome m%sel'()
#Seattle &s "omeF)
#One o' $em( S3ent some t&me &n t"e Emerald ,&t%()
/a7$s e%es t&g"tened &n 2on'1s&on( #Emerald ,&t%F)
#Yea"4 t"at$s w"at t"e 3ee3s 1sed to 2all Seattle ba2k be'ore t"e P1lse( Yo1 know l&ke 5i)ard of 9)F)
/a7 got a '1nn% e73ress&on on "er 'a2e( #I$!e "eard o' t"at )
#$,o1rse %o1 "a!eG) Or&g&nal ,&nd% looked at /a7 l&ke t"e g&rl was s3eak&ng Es3eranto( #W"o "asn$t
seen t"e best mo!&e e!er madeF)
#/e4) /a7 adm&tted(
#Ba2k &n t"e old da%s4 e!er% k&d saw t"at mo!&e()
#Well I "ad a k&nd o' s"eltered 2"&ld"ood()
#Ooo"4 Boo4 we got to &ntrod12e %o1 to t"e finer t"&ngs()
;r&nn&ng4 /a7 sa&d4 #I$m 13 'or t"at()
#Look4 2"&le4 "ere$s t"e deal&oH Or&g&nal ,&nd% needs a r&de to Seattle and %o1$re alread% go&n$ t"at
wa%()
/a7 looked &nto "er 213( #I need to "a1l( I$m sort o' meet&ng someone t"ere()
#<a1l&n$ ass &s '&ne w&t" Or&g&nal ,&nd%( T"e sooner we get t"ere4 t"e sooner we$re t"ere r&g"tF)
/a7$s e%es w&dened b1t s"e also sm&led( #<ow 2an I arg1e w&t" t"at log&2F Let$s blaEe4 Boo()
Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s 'a2e e73loded &n a sm&le( #Boo4 t"e Emerald ,&t% a&n$t ne!er been "&t b% a 3a&r o'
w&t2"es this '&ne )
;o&ng &nland and tra!el&ng on t"e &nterstate m&g"t "a!e been 'aster4 b1t /a7 st&ll took 3re2a1t&ons to
a!o&d an% 3oss&ble 2onta2t w&t" /ant&2ore8 so t"e% ke3t to t"e w&nd&ng P,< and mose%ed 13 t"e 2oast
at a le&s1rel% e&g"t%5'&!e to n&net% m&les 3er "o1r(
T"e% sto33ed onl% 'or 'ood and t"e 2all o' nat1re and to gas 13 t"e b&ke4 w"&2" at e&g"t or n&ne b12ks
a gallon was b1rn&ng a "ole &n "er bankroll4 as /a7 "ad known &t wo1ld( T"e roar o' t"e motor2%2le
and t"e w&nd ke3t 2on!ersat&on to a m&n&m1m4 b1t t"e two %o1ng women some"ow knew t"at ea2" "ad
'&nall% 'o1nd t"e sort o' 'r&end t"e% needed(
T"ere weren$t a lot o' 01est&ons abo1t ea2" ot"er$s 3ast8 &nst&n2t&!el% t"e% bot" knew t"e ot"er "ad
se2rets not 'or s"ar&ng( Ne!ert"eless4 t"e% 61st sort o' 'ell &n toget"er and t"e start o' t"e&r 'r&ends"&3
'elt l&ke t"e% were alread% &n t"e m&ddle o' &t(
T"e last '&!e "1ndred m&les o' t"e tr&3 'lew b% and be'ore t"e% knew &t4 /a7 and Or&g&nal ,&nd% were
tool&ng t"ro1g" t"e streets o' Seattle4 st&ll a str&k&ng 2&t% des3&te t"e s01alor o' 3ost5P1lse l&'e(
#E!er%t"&ng$s so green4) /a7 sa&d4 o!er "er s"o1lder(
#T"at$s w"% &t$s t"e Emerald ,&t%4 .orot"% g&rl()
#.orot"%F)
#Boo4 %o1 a&n$t got no sense o' 21lt1re w"atsoe!er()
#I m&g"t s1r3r&se %o14 ,&n )
At Fo1rt" and Blan2"ard4 /a7 eased t"e N&n6a o!er to t"e 21rb &n 'ront o' a 3la2e 2alled B12k$s ,o''ee(
T"e s&gn looked as t"o1g" &t 1sed to "a!e 'o1r letters be'ore t"e B4 b1t t"e% 2o1ldn$t be made o1t(
#,a''e&ne 2all&ng4) /a7 sa&d(
#Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ears &t4 too()
Ins&de4 t"e 3a&r o' str&k&ng women walked 13 to t"e 2o1nter be"&nd w"&2" stood a "ea!%set man barel%
taller t"an /a74 a las2&!&o1s gr&n 'orm&ng on "&s 'at4 '&!e5o$2lo2k5s"adowed 'a2e( At a 2o1nter be"&nd
"&m4 a blows&l% attra2t&!e blond woman abo1t t"e&r age wear&ng knee5"&g" 3&nk boots4 a bl1e
m&n&sk&rt4 and a 3&nk to3 t"at bared bot" "er m&dr&'' and most o' "er 'orm&dable 2"est "o!ered o!er a
sandw&2" &n t"e mak&ng(
#Lad&es4 don$t e!en bot"er order&n$ no 'ra33es4 lattes4 2a33122&nos4) "e sa&d( Star&ng at Or&g&nal ,&nd%4
"e added4 #I ser!e m% 2o''ee 61st l&ke I l&ke m% women "ot and bla2k()
T"e bl1e52"eeked g1% seemed 3ro1d o' "&msel'4 1nder t"e &ll1s&on "e "ad m&nted t"&s deat"less 3"rase(
/a7 2o1ld tell t"at Or&g&nal ,&nd% was 2ons&der&ng 61m3&ng t"e 2o1nter to b&t2"5sla3 t"e w"&te r&g"t
o'' t"&s "orse$s ass8 so /a7 gentl% sa&d4 #,ome on4 Boo let$s go some3la2e w"ere we 2an get a
grande()
#Yea" &nstead o' t"e l&m3 m&n& t"&s mo3e &s 3eddl&n$()
/a7 g&ggled4 and t"e blonde toward t"e ba2k g&ggled4 too b1t t"e 2o1nter g1% d&d not la1g"8 &n 'a2t4
"e reddened and '1med(
<e started to sa% somet"&ng4 b1t Or&g&nal ,&nd% 21t "&m o'' w&t" a wa!e o' a '&nger a22om3an&ed b% a
swa% o' t"e "ead and s"o1lders( #.on$t "ate t"e 3la%a"4 bab% "ate t"e game()
/a7 and Or&g&nal ,&nd% b1m3ed '&sts and t"e blond woman la1g"ed o1t lo1d(
T"e 2o1nter g1% t1rned on "er( #Yo1 know w"at$s reall% '1nn%F A skank l&ke %o1 look&n$ 'or a new 6ob
&n t"&s market4 &s w"at$s really '1nn%()
T"e blonde 'ell s&lent(
#<e%4) /a7 sa&d4 tak&ng a ste3 toward t"e 2o1nter(
#B1tt o1t4) t"e 2o1nter man sa&d( #T"&s a&n$t no 2on2ern o' %o1rs( And %o1 ) <e t1rned to t"e blonde(
# %o1$re mo!&n$ on to b&gger and better t"&ngs( ;et %o1r 'at b1tt o1ta "ereG)
/a7 lea3t t"e 2o1nter4 land&ng between t"e blonde and t"e 2o1nter g1%4 w"o was startled and a l&ttle
a'ra&d b% t"&s s1dden &m3ress&!e mo!e( #<&re "er ba2k()
#W"at do %o1)
/a7 l&'ted "&m 13 b% t"e t"roat8 "&s e%es were b1lg&ng as "e stared down at "er4 too a'ra&d and &n too
m12" d&s2om'ort to be 3ro3erl% amaEed b% t"e 3et&te woman l&'t&ng "&m gentl% o'' t"e gro1nd4 a 'a2t
ne&t"er Or&g&nal ,&nd% nor t"e 31t513on blonde 3&2ked 13 on(
T"e blonde to12"ed /a7$s arm( #It$s all r&g"t "e 2an$t '&re me4 $2a1se I 01&t I$m t&red o' work&n$ 'or
t"&s se71al5"arass"ole()
#;ood 2all4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d(
/a7 s"r1gged and 31t t"e g1% down(
<e was lean&ng o!er t"e 2o1nter4 red5'a2ed4 2"ok&ng4 w"en t"e t"ree women strolled o1t onto t"e street
toget"er( T"e% stood at t"e 21rb4 near /a7$s b&ke4 and 2"atted(
#/% name$s Kendra /a&ba1m4) t"e blonde sa&d4 e7tend&ng "er "and(
/a7 s"ook &t( #/a7 ;1e!era and t"&s lo!el% lad% &s Or&g&nal ,&nd%()
#Pleased4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d and s"ook "ands w&t" Kendra too(
#<ow d&d %o1 do t"atF) Kendra asked( #<andle /ort% l&ke t"at4 I mean()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% ra&sed "er e%ebrows4 sm&rk&ng( #;&rl "ad tra&n&ng()
/a7 at t"at moment real&Eed s"e wo1ld "a!e to wat2" "ersel'4 'rom now on s"e "ad been ent&rel% too
2areless aro1nd Or&g&nal ,&nd%(
#Tra&n&ng b1t no 2o''ee4) /a7 sa&d( <er ?@ sk&lls wo1ld "a!e to be better 2on2ealed( #And we "a!en$t
e!en started talkin" abo1t '&nd&n$ a 3la2e to 2ras"()
Kendra asked4 #Yo1 g1%s need a 3la2e to 2ras"F)
#We$re k&nd o' new &n town4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% e73la&ned(
#L&ke '&!e m&n1tes new4) /a7 added(
T"e blonde s"r1gged( #I' %o1 don$t need a lot o' s3a2e4 %o1 2an sta% w&t" me( I$!e got a 3la2e( Room
eno1g" 'or two4 ma%be t"ree()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% glan2ed at /a74 w"o s"r1gged4 ask&ng4 #W"% wo1ld %o1 do t"at 'or 1sF Yo1 don$t
know 1s 'rom nobod%()
Kendra gest1red toward t"e 2o''ee s"o3( #Yo1 stood 13 'or me w&t" /ort%()
#,ost %o1 %o1r 6ob4 %o1 mean4) /a7 rem&nded "er(
La1g"&ng4 Kendra sa&d4 #Yea"4 b1t &t was wort" &t4 see&n$ /ort%4 s2ared s"&tless and4 an%wa%4 t"at 6ob
s12ked( Bes&des4 &t wasn$t m% onl% means o' &n2ome()
#Work&n$ g&rlF) Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked4 aga&n glan2&ng at t"e 3&nk to3 '&lled to t"e br&m and t"e 3ostage5
stam3 m&n&sk&rt(
Kendra$s "ands went to "er "&3s( #W"% wo1ld %o1 ask t"atF) S"e d&dn$t so1nd "1rt4 e7a2tl% more
s1r3r&sed(
Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s e%es w&dened( /a7 'rowned at "er 'r&end4 w"o sa&d not"&ng abo1t t"e 'ormer
wa&tress$s 3ro!o2at&!e att&re4 merel% sa%&ng( #-" 1"4 don$t know4 g&rl4 &t 61st so1nded l&ke ma%be %o14
1" )
#O"4 I work a lot b1t not at t"at( I do some translat&ng4 lang1age tra&n&ng4 trans2r&3t&on work( I$!e
done a b1n2"a t"&ngs4 b1t ne!er t"at()
#Sorr% Or&g&nal ,&nd% d&dn$t mean no o''ense()
Kendra s"ook "er "ead( #Not to worr%( An%wa%4 $'%o1 g1%s need a 3la2e to 2ras"4 I$!e got room()
#Sweet4) /a7 sa&d( #W"ereF)
#Not 'ar()
#Walk&ng d&stan2eF I "o3e so4 $2a1se &t$s gonna be a b&t2" gett&n$ t"ree o' 1s on m% b&ke()
#O" %ea"4) Kendra sa&d4 w&t" a d&sm&ss&!e wa!e4 #eas% walk&ng d&stan2e()
T"e% wo1nd 13 walk&ng 'or most o' t"e ne7t "o1r4 /a7 31s"&ng t"e N&n6a4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% l1gg&ng "er
ba2k3a2k4 b1t t"e% d&dn$t 2om3la&n a'ter all4 a roo' was a roo'( B1t /a7 d&dn$t know 01&te w"at to
make o' Kendra( For a woman w"o knew lang1ages well eno1g" to work as a translator4 t"e blonde
seemed remarkabl% l&ke a 2l1eless a&r"ead(
N&2e one4 t"o1g"(
F&nall%4 w"en Or&g&nal ,&nd% ga!e /a7 a roll&ng5e%ed look4 s&gnal&ng s"e was s1re s"e was abo1t to
dro34 Kendra sa&d4 #T"at$s &t o!er t"ereG Told %a &t was 2lose() And 3o&nted to an a3artment b1&ld&ng
two doors 13 and a2ross t"e street(
T"e b1&ld&ng d&dn$t look l&ke m12"4 s&7 stor&es4 most o' t"e w&ndows 3l%wood52o!ered8 and4 as t"e% got
2loser4 a 3&e2e o' 3a3er ta2ked to t"e 'ront door be2ame all too e!&dent(
#T"e 3la2e &s condemned;) Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked(
Kendra s"r1gged a l&ttle( #Not reall% 2ondemned more l&ke abandoned()
T"e% got to t"e door and Or&g&nal ,&nd% st1d&ed t"e not&2e on t"e door( #Or&g&nal ,&nd% a&n$t no
translator4 b1t s"e reads Engl&s" and t"&s sa%s M2ondemned($ )
S"ak&ng "er "ead d&sm&ss&!el%4 Kendra sa&d4 #T"at$s 61st to kee3 o1t t"e4 %o1 know4 r&''ra''()
/a7 asked4 #<ow man% 3eo3le l&!e "ereF)
Kendra s"r1gged( #F&'t% or so()
#F&'t%F) Or&g&nal ,&nd% bl1rted( #F&'t% 3eo3le l&!e &n a 2ondemned b1&ld&ngF T"ank ;od %o1$re kee3&n$
o1t t"e r&''ra''G)
#,ome on &n4 g&rls4) Kendra sa&d( #Yo1$ll see &t$s not t"at bad( Reall%()
W"en t"e tr&o got to t"e 'o1rt" 'loor 13 a 're&g"t5st%le ele!ator4 /a7 walk&ng "er N&n6a along /a7
and Or&g&nal ,&nd% d&s2o!ered t"at Kendra was r&g"t( L&ke t"e b1&ld&ng &tsel'4 t"e a3artment was
1n'&n&s"ed4 a st1d% &n ta3ed dr%wall and 3last&25tar3 room d&!&ders8 b1t t"e 3la2e "ad r1nn&ng water4
two bedrooms4 and some de2ent se2ond"and '1rn&t1re( T"e% all 2ras"ed &n t"e t&n% l&!&ng room area4
Kendra &n a 2"a&r 2o!ered w&t" a bl1e s"eet4 and t"e ot"er two on a swa%ba2k 2o12" 2o!ered w&t" a
3a&sle% s"eet(
#Kendra4 %o1 r&g"t4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 lean&ng ba2k4 gett&ng 2om'%( #K&2k&n$ 2r&b()
#And nobod% bot"ers %o1 &n "ereF) /a7 asked(
Kendra made a small 'a2e( #Well t"ere$s Easte3()
#W"at$s an Easte3F) /a7 asked(
#<e$s a 2o3( W"o 2olle2ts 'rom all 1s s01atters()
#<e$s 2rookedF)
Kendra sm&led a l&ttle( #I sa&d "e was a 2o3()
#T"e% all bent &n Seattle4 "one%4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d to /a78 t"en to Kendra4 s"e asked4 #W"at$s t"e
go&n$ rateF)
#Too m12"4) Kendra sa&d4 and 3ro!ed &t b% tell&ng t"em(
#O12"4) /a7 sa&d4 b1t asked4 #Are t"ere an% em3t% a3artments le't &n t"&s b1&ld&ngF)
W&t" a s"ake o' "er blond mane4 Kendra sa&d4 #None '&t 'or "1mans( <ot and 2old r1nn&ng rats "oles
&n t"e walls4 m&ss&ng 2e&l&ngs no water4 no ele2tr&2&t% %o1 name &t4 t"e%$!e got t"e 3roblems( All t"e
"ab&table a3artments "a!e been taken()
#;reat4) /a7 m1ttered( S"e t1rned to Or&g&nal ,&nd%( #An% &deasF)
#Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s got a 'r&end s"e 2o1ld sta% w&t" 'or a w"&le() S"e s"r1gged regret'1ll%( #B1t
g&rl'r&end$s onl% got room 'or one more We got to t"&nk o' somet"&n$ else4 Boo()
#No %o1 don$t4) Kendra sa&d( #Yo1 two "a!e to l&!e toget"erF)
T"e two women looked at ea2" ot"er(
#Not reall%4) t"e% sa&d &n 1n&son(
#Yo1 aren$t a 2o13leF)
#We 'r&ends4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d(
#*1st 'r&ends4) /a7 sa&d4 o!erla33&ng ,&nd%$s answer(
#F&ne4) Kendra sa&d( #/a74 &' Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s got a 3la2e to 2ras"4 w"% don$t %o1 mo!e &n "ereF I
2o1ld ser&o1sl% 1se some "el3 3a%&n$ Easte3$s rent and &t$d be n&2e to "a!e somebod% to talk to( B1t I
61st don$t "a!e eno1g" room 'or all t"ree o' 1s()
#So1nds 3r&me4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d( #/% 'r&end$s 3la2e a&n$t t"at 'ar 'rom "ere8 s"e was sort o'
e73e2t&n$ me4 an%wa%( We 2an st&ll "ang4 Boo( No b&g deal&o()
/a7 looked ba2k and 'ort" 'rom Or&g&nal ,&nd% to Kendra( F&nall%4 s"e sa&d4 #,ool let$s do &t()
#Ne7t t"&ng4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #we got to '&nd a wa% to get some 2as"()
S2rew&ng 13 "er 'a2e4 /a7 sa&d4 #Yo1 mean l&ke a 6obF)
#W"at else %o1 gonna do4 Boo steal 'or a l&!&n$F)
/a7 sa&d not"&ng(
Kendra 3erked 134 gett&ng an &dea( #We s"o1ld go talk to T"eoG)
T"e two women t1rned to "er(
#T"eoF) /a7 asked(
#Yea"4 "e l&!es ne7t door w&t" "&s w&'e4 *a2&nda4 and t"e&r k&d4 21te k&d4 Omar( Pla2e T"eo works &s
always look&ng 'or "el3()
/a7 and Or&g&nal ,&nd% e72"anged glan2es t"at was a rar&t% &n t"&s e2onom%(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #Well4 let$s not kee3 t"e man wa&t&n$ Or&g&nal ,&nd% needs some mone%4 "one%4
to allow "er to l&!e &n t"e "&g" st%le s"e$s be2ome a221stomed to L171r&es4 l&ke eat&n$ and breat"&n$
an$ s"&t()
Kendra led t"e wa% and t"e% kno2ked on t"e door to t"e ad6a2ent a3artment( A t&n%4 knee5"&g" 'a2e
3eeked o1t4 "&s e%es b&g and brown4 "&s sk&n a dark bronEe(
#Omar4 &s %o1r dadd% "omeF)
T"e adorable 'a2e nodded(
#,an we 2ome &nF)
Omar looked o!er "&s s"o1lder and a 'emale !o&2e sa&d4 #T"at %o14 KendraF)
#Yea"4 *a2&nda I$!e got a 2o13le o' 'r&ends w&t" me( T"e%$re 2ool()
#Well4 2ome on &n4 t"en()
Ste33&ng ba2k4 Omar4 w"o 2o1ldn$t "a!e been more t"an '&!e4 o3ened t"e door 'or t"e t"ree women(
/a7 took &n t"e a3artment4 w"&2" looked a lot l&ke Kendra$s( A t"&n bla2k woman &n a brown T5s"&rt
and tan sla2ks stood &n 'ront o' t"e 2o12"4 an As&an man s"orter t"an "&s w&'e4 "&s "a&r bla2k4 "&s e%es
s3arkl&ng4 "&s sm&le w&de stand&ng ne7t to "er(
#*a2&nda4 T"eo4) Kendra sa&d4 #t"&s &s ,&nd% and /a7()
#Or&g&nal ,&nd%4) t"e woman 2orre2ted(
#Or&g&nal ,&nd%( T"e% bot" need 6obs and I t"o1g"t ma%be T"eo 2o1ld "ook t"em 13()
T"e sm&le ne!er 'aded as "e wa!ed 'or t"e women to s&t down on t"e 2o12"( *a2&nda mo!ed to a 2"a&r
w&t" Omar 2l&mb&ng &nto "er la34 T"eo stand&ng ne7t to t"em4 a "and on "&s w&'e$s s"o1lder(
#T"ere$s been a ton o' t1rno!er latel%4) "e sa&d( #It$s a "ard 6ob !er% 3"%s&2al4 and %o1 go &nto
dangero1s 3arts o' t"e 2&t%4 somet&mes( Lots o' t&mes()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked4 #W"at k&nda 6ob we talk&n$ abo1t4 T"eoF Re3a&r&ng 3ower l&nesF F&ll&ng &n
3ot"olesF)
T"e sm&l&ng As&an asked4 #E&t"er o' %o1 %o1ng women e!er been a b&ke messengerF)
T"e% looked at ea2" ot"er and s"ook t"e&r "eads(
T"eo asked4 #Yo1 got b&kesF)
/a7 "al' gr&nned( #I do N&n6a4 two5'&'t%()
T"eo$s sm&le a2t1all% grew w&der( #B&cycles( E&t"er o' %o1 "a!e a b&2%2leF)
#No4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d(
#B1t we w&ll b% tomorrow morn&ng4) /a7 sa&d(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% looked at "er d&sbel&e!&ngl%4 b1t T"eo took &t &n str&de4 "&s sm&le 1n'a&l&ng(
#E72ellent4) "e sa&d( #Yo1 2an go &n w&t" me( T"e 3la2e &s 2alled *am Pon% ?3ress( Normal4 t"e 'ella
t"at r1ns &t4 "e$s a b&t 13t&g"t b1t "e$s not e!&l( Pa%$s lo1s%4 "o1rs are worse8 b1t t"e ot"er r&ders are a
n&2e4 eas%go&ng gro13()
#Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s 13 'or g&!&n$ &t a s"ot4 least t&ll somet"&n$ better 2omes along()
#W"at &s &t e7a2tl% we$d be do&ngF) /a7 asked t"e As&an(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% answered 'or "&m( #We r&de aro1nd on b&kes del&!er&ng 3a2kages to d&''erent 3la2es4
w"at elseF)
#I don$t know an%t"&ng abo1t t"e 2&t%4) /a7 sa&d(
#Yo1 w&ll4 Boo4 %o1 w&ll( Or&g&nal ,&nd%$ll s"ow %o1 t"e wa%( /&ddle ne7t week4 %o1 be tell&n$ ta7&
dr&!ers "ow to get aro1nd t"&s town and s"&t()
T"eo sa&d4 #B&ke messengers 2o!er t"e w"ole 2&t%( +er% &nterest&ng t"e% see e!er%t"&ng and e!er%one
&n Seattle()
T"at made /a7 sm&le(
#W"at %o1 t"&nk&n$4 BooF) Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked(
#I$m t"&nk&ng we were l12k% to meet Kendra4) /a7 sa&d4 #and l12k&er to meet T"eo()
B1t s"e was t"&nk&ngH Bike messenger. 8ide all around town- an invisible person, wheeling here,
there, everywhere- #hat could work.
#hat could work-
Chapter S!$
MONE# TALKS
*A/ PONY ?PRESS
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
<o1sed &n a r1n5down ware"o1se4 a world o' dented lo2kers and ro1g" wood beams and an2&ent br&2k
and obs2ene gra''&t&4 *am Pon% ?3ress t1rned o1t to be 61st t"e sort o' mad"o1se w"ere /a7 2o1ld
blend &n and l&e low4 w"&le s"e looked 'or "er s&bl&ng(
<a!&ng "ad t"e w"ole tr&3 13 t"e 2oast to re3la% t"at gra&n% !&deo &n t"e t"eater o' "er m&nd4 /a7 was
now a gnat$s e%elas" awa% 'rom 2on!&n2&ng "ersel' t"at t"e #%o1ng rebel) s"e$d seen k&2k&ng 2o3 ass on
t"at news s"ow was &ndeed "er brot"er Set"(
T"e ?@ d&dn$t know "ow long &t wo1ld take to '&nd "&m4 b1t t"&s &nno21o1s 2o!er was look&ng l&ke &t
2o1ld work 'or t"e long "a1lH no one4 not e!en /ood% or Fres2a or an% o' t"e ,"&nese ,lan4 "ad an%
&dea s"e$d booked 'or Seattle( .odg&ng /ant&2ore all t"ese %ears "ad g&!en "er !er% 'ew 3ea2e'1l
n&g"ts o' slee38 b1t some"ow "ere &n Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s Emerald ,&t% /a7 'elt sa'er4 more
1ndergro1nd e!en t"an &n LA4 w"ere s"e$d drawn attent&on to "ersel' and "er s&ng1lar ab&l&t&es b% "er
2at5b1rglar a2t&!&t&es(
As Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad 3red&2ted4 t"e b&ke messenger g&g allowed /a7 to learn t"e 2&t% at a 'ar 'aster
rate t"an &' s"e$d 61st been bo1n2&ng aro1nd on t"e N&n6a4 "o3&ng to get l12k% &n "er sear2" 'or Set"(
L&!&ng w&t" Kendra &n t"e o''5t"e books a3artment was work&ng o1t 61st '&ne4 too4 t"o1g" t"e rent was a
b&t2"4 t"anks to t"at greed% bent 2o3(
B1t l&!&ng &n a s01atter$s "otel was 3er'e2tH no s&gn o' /a7 wo1ld a33ear an%w"ere &n t"e 2&t% re2ords4
and am&able a&r"ead Kendra was eas% to l&!e w&t" and was t1rn&ng &nto a good 'r&end(
At t"e same t&me4 /a7$s 'r&ends"&3 "ad grown w&t" Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 2emented b% /a7 stak&ng ,&nd%
'or t"e 2ost o' t"e b&ke %o1 needed to e!en a33l% at *am Pon%( T"e two women were s3end&ng almost
e!er% le&s1re moment toget"er4 w&t" Kendra 're01entl% &n t"e m&7(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad 'o1nd "er own 3ad4 a'ter onl% a week at *am Pon%( Not onl% was s"e more
&nde3endent4 "er 2r&b was 2loser to /a7$s a3artment t"an t"e 'r&end$s 3la2e s"e$d &n&t&all% 2ras"ed at(
E!er% morn&ng /a7 wo1ld "ook 13 w&t" T"eo4 t"en bo1n2e o!er on t"e&r b&2%2les to 3&2k 13 Or&g&nal
,&nd%4 and t"e t"ree o' t"em wo1ld r&de toget"er( T"e% wo1ld get 2o''ee and bagels4 sto3 &n a 3ark on
t"e wa% and eat4 t"en w"eel on &n to work(
It was d1r&ng t"ese l&g"t4 2"att% break'asts t"at Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 /a74 and T"eo started gett&ng to know
more abo1t ea2" ot"er( /a7 knew s"e was learn&ng a lot more abo1t "er 'r&ends t"an t"e% were '&nd&ng
o1t abo1t "er4 and somet&mes s"e 2o1ld 'eel ,&nd%$s "1rt !&be t"at /a7 was rema&n&ng o!erl% se2ret&!e(
B1t s&n2e O( ,( and T"eo d&dn$t seem to be genet&2all% en"an2ed k&ll&ng ma2"&nes4 de!elo3ed &n a
s13erse2ret go!ernment lab4 t"e% "ad a tad 'ewer se2rets t"an s"e d&d(
A mont" "ad gl&ded b% s&n2e /a7 "ad le't /ood% and t"e ,"&nese ,lan4 and t"e onl% t"&ng s"e "ad to
2om3la&n abo1t Jto "ersel'4 t"at &sK was t"at s"e "adn$t 'o1nd Set" "adn$t e!en t1rned 13 a lead( E!en
t"e news "ad been de!o&d o' an% ment&on o' t"e #%o1ng rebel) &n leag1e w&t" #E%es Onl%()
O' 2o1rse4 as good as /a7 was at look&ng4 Set" wo1ld be better at "&d&ng( <e$d "ad t"e same tra&n&ng as
"er4 and l&ke /a7 "ad been on t"e r1n a long t&me4 knew "ow to 2o!er "&s tra2ks 'ar better t"an s"e
knew "ow to 1n2o!er t"em( A'ter %ears o' r1nn&ng and "&d&ng4 /a7 'o1nd &t d&''&21lt to t1rn t"e 3ro2ess
aro1nd4 to look t"ro1g" t"e "1nter$s end o' t"e teles2o3e(
One t"&ng was 'or s1reH s"e wo1ld ne!er g&!e 13( A relentlessness was bred &nto "er w"et"er b%
/ant&2ore or "er own "1man genes4 s"e 2o1ld not sa%( S"e 61st knew s"e wo1ld '&nd Set"(
T"e onl% do1bt t"at managed to 2ree3 &n4 'rom t&me to t&me4 was t"e not&on t"at s"e m&g"t be wast&ng
"er t&me4 2"as&ng someone w"o t"o1g" a remarkable s3e2&men4 and s&m&lar to "er wasn$t reall% an
?@(
E!en worse was t"e 3oss&b&l&t% t"at t"&s m&g"t be one o' L%de2ker$s ?@s4 t"e star o' some later
/ant&2ore grad1at&ng 2lass4 do&ng 2o!ert work t"e med&a was 3la%&ng 13 as t"e work o' a #rebel()
In t"e meant&me4 /a7 'o1nd "ersel' &n t"e m&dst o' a new l&'e4 and e!en a new 'am&l% some o' t"ese
ot"er *am Pon% r&ders were all r&g"t(
T"e nom&nal boss4 "owe!er4 Normal w"ose work mon&ker was an &m3ro!ement o!er "&s real name4
Reagan Ronald "ad t1rned o1t to be 61st as 13t&g"t as T"eo "ad 2la&med( ,onser!at&!e to t"e bone4 a
'an o' bot" B1s" 3res&den2&es4 t"e oblong5'a2ed4 3er3et1all% d&stra2ted Normal w&t" "&s long stra&g"t
nose4 t"&n l&3s4 and "eadset t"at seemed as m12" a 3art o' "&m as "&s "ands or ears wore "&s brown&s"
blond "a&r s"ort and 2ombed ba2k4 "&s bla2k5'rame glasses and 2onstant 'rown mak&ng "&m look l&ke a
sad l&brar&an(
Normal 2ons&dered /a7 and "&s ot"er em3lo%ees a b1n2" o' sla2ker losers4 w"&2" "ardl% &ns3&red t"e
best &n t"em( ,onstantl% sa%&ng4 #B&34 b&34 b&34) "&s se2ret 2ode 'or #"1rr% 134) "adn$t ga&ned "&m an%
new 'r&ends e&t"er8 ne&t"er "ad "&s 'a!or&te4 3a&n'1l 3se1do5e73let&!e#W"ere t"e '&re tr12k &sF) F&ll
&n %o1r 'a!or&te *am Pon% r&der4 l&ke 'or e7am3le
<erbal T"o1g"t4 a Rasta'ar&an w&t" a s"a!ed "ead4 s"ort beard4 and read% sm&le4 a genero1s and
3"&loso3"&2al &nstant 'r&end( Fr1strat&ngl% 2"eer'1l4 "e was alwa%s read% to s"are an%t"&ng "e "ad
e!en "&s gan6a4 w"&2" /a7 took a 3ass on as well as to 3rosel%t&Ee 'or *a" and t"e t"eor%4 #It$s all
good4 all de t&me()
T"e ot"er messenger w"o be'r&ended /a7 and Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 'rom da% one4 was a s2are2row w&t"
long4 lank4 bla2k "a&r4 greas% strands o' w"&2" tra&led down o!er "&s dark e%es( Sket2"%4 t"e% all 2alled
"&m a n&2kname t"at a33l&ed more to "&s t"o1g"t 3ro2esses t"an an% art&st&2 ab&l&t%(
/ore t"an a l&ttle we&rd J#<e t"e lost T"ree Stooge4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% o3&nedK4 Sket2"% "ad sold "&msel'
o1t 'or e73er&ments &n a 3s%2" lab be'ore "e$d s&gned on at *am Pon%4 and man% o' "&s 'r&ends t"o1g"t
t"at m&g"t e73la&n "&s somew"at odd sket2"% be"a!&or(
Toda%4 l&ke most da%s4 t"e 'o1r o' t"em /a74 Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 Sket2"%4 and <erbal were tak&ng
t"e&r l1n2" break at T"e Wall 13 t"e street 'rom *am Pon%4 a 2ement slab w"ere t"e gang "1ng o1t4
do&ng b&ke tr&2ks and generall% 2"&ll&ng( <ere t"e% sat and wol'ed s1b sandw&2"es 'rom a nearb% s"o3(
<erbal 3assed on "a!&ng a sandw&2"4 "owe!er8 "&s ma&n 2o1rse was a s3l&'' "e l&t 13 not m12" b&gger
t"an /a7$s t"1mb and &n"aled dee3l%(
#A"4 $t&s a g&'t 'rom ;od4) <erbal sa&d4 as "e leaned bl&ss'1ll% ba2k aga&nst t"e table(
#I s"o1ld be2ome a Rasta4) Sket2"% 3&3ed &n4 adm&r&ngl%( #T"at$s m% k&nda sa2rament()
<erbal s"ook "&s "ead and made a tsk tsk at t"e 'ront o' "&s mo1t"( #A"4 b1t wors"&3&ng *a" &s not
abo1t t"e gan6a4 man( Wors"&3&ng *a" &s abo1t 'a&t" 'a&t" and growt"()
#;row&n$ gan6a4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 and t"e% all la1g"ed4 &n2l1d&ng t"e Rasta'ar&an(
T"e strong s2ent t&2kled /a7$s nose( #No wonder %o1 t"&nk &t$s Mall good4$ ) s"e sa&d(
#<e%4) Sket2"% sa&d br&g"tl%4 as &' t"e &dea "e was abo1t to e73ress weren$t somet"&ng "e s1ggested
e!er% da%4 #w"o$s 13 'or ,ras" a'ter workF)
#Or&g&nal ,&nd% 2o1ld be 13 "ow $bo1t %o14 BooF)
/a7 s"r1gged( #;1ess I 2o1ld "ang 'or a w"&le()
T"e nat1re o' t"e 6ob ea2" r&der o1t do&ng "&s or "er own del&!er&es 3re!ented t"em 'rom t&r&ng o'
one anot"er$s 2om3an% b% t"e end o' a long da%8 t"e% en6o%ed gat"er&ng to tell war stor&es4 s"are
ane2dotes abo1t Normal4 and swa3 tales o' tr&2k% del&!er&es and ass"ole 2l&ents(
#,oolG) Sket2"% t1rned to <erbal( #Yo1F)
#I' m% brot"er and s&sters need me to be t"ere4 %o1 know <erbal w&ll &ndeed be t"ere()
#.on$t re'er to %o1rsel' &n t"e t"&rd 3erson4 m% brot"er4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 'rown&ng( #Or&g&nal
,&nd% don$t d&g t"at a''e2ted s"&t()
E!er%bod% looked at "er4 not s1re w"et"er s"e was k&dd&ng8 and t"e% ne!er 'o1nd o1t(
#Oka%4) Sket2"% sa&d4 e%es gl&tter&ng4 3ro1d o' "&msel' 'or organ&E&ng somet"&ng t"at "a33ened almost
e!er% da%( #We all meet at ,ras"G)
#So1nds l&ke a 3lan4) /a7 sa&d4 r&s&ng4 onl% "al' "er sandw&2" eaten( #;otta bo1n2e Normal$s loaded
me 13 w&t" e!er% s"&t del&!er% t"at 2ame &n toda%()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% s"r1gged4 sm&rked( #<e 61s$ knows %o1 2an go &nto an% nast% 3art o' town4 and 2ome
o1t w&t" %o1r ass &n one 3&e2e()
Sket2"% 'rowned &n 'ragmented t"o1g"t( #Wo1ldn$t t"at be two 3&e2esF)
/a7 le't t"em to arg1e t"at one o1t(
O!er t"e 2o1rse o' t"e a'ternoon4 s"e made 'o1r del&!er&es( T"e '&rst was to a 3la2e wa% t"e "ell 13 on
<aml&n Street4 b% Portage Ba%8 t"e ne7t on t"e wa% ba2k on East Alo"a Street4 61st o'' Twent%5t"&rd
A!en1e East8 t"e t"&rd on Bo%lston near Broadwa%8 and t"e last t1rned o1t to be t"e S1bl&me La1ndr%4
downtown(
T"e 3la2e a 2ombo La1ndromat and dr% 2leaner looked less t"an s1bl&me4 and too d&ng% to la1nder
an%t"&ng e72e3t ma%be mone%( T"e As&an woman be"&nd t"e 2o1nter was abo1t as 'r&endl% as a
/ant&2ore tra&n&ng o''&2er( S"orter t"an /a74 "er bla2k "a&r t&ed ba2k &n a se!ere b1n4 t"e woman "ad a
ra&s&n 'a2e w&t" ra&s&n e%es4 and a m&str1st'1l e73ress&on(
#Pa2kage 'or +ogelsang4) /a7 anno1n2ed(
#I take()
#I k&nda don$t t"&nk %o1$re .an&el +ogelsang()
#I take()
#/r( +ogelsang "as to s&gn &t$s marked 2on'&dent&al4 and onl% /r( +ogelsang 2an s&gn 'or &t()
#I take()
/a7 glan2ed at t"e 2e&l&ng4 rolled "er e%es4 and t"o1g"t the hell with it. #Look4 &' /r( +ogelsang &sn$t
"ere4 I$ll 61st "a!e to 2ome ba2k anot"er t&me()
#I take()
#Yo1 can"t take4 %o1 aren$t "&m and %o1 2an$t s&gn() /a7 t1rned on "er "eels and "eaded 'or t"e door4
t"e woman$s lang1age o' 2"o&2e mo!&ng 'rom Engl&s" to ,"&nese4 "er !o2ab1lar% e73and&ng
2ons&derabl% 'rom t"e two words /a7 "ad 3re!&o1sl% "eard(
/a7 "ad eno1g" ,"&nese tra&n&ng to know t"at some o' t"e names s"e was be&ng 2alled s"o1ld earn t"e
woman a 2"an2e to "a!e "er mo1t" was"ed o1t w&t" soa34 and e!en &n t"&s s"&t"ole la1ndr%4 soa3
wasn$t &n s"ort s133l%
B1t /a7 was learn&ng to 2"oose "er battles more w&sel%4 t"ese da%s attra2t&ng attent&on &n Seattle
was not on t"e &t&nerar%(
As s"e rea2"ed t"e door4 a male !o&2e be"&nd "er boomedH #A"m We&4 w"at t"e "ell$s go&ng on o1t
"ereF)
/a7 t1rned to see a "ea!%set man w&t" blond 2rew521t "a&r4 m&ld 'eat1res4 and a goatee on a droo3%5
e%ed b12ket "ead4 wear&ng bagg% sla2ks and a <awa&&an sle3t5&n s"&rt(
#S"e got 3a2kage4) A"m We& sa&d( #S"e no lea!e()
#A"m We&4 %o1 know w"en t"e% need m% s&gnat1re4 %o1$re s133osed to 2ome get me Yo1ng lad%G
<old 13 t"ere()
/a7 s&g"ed and sw&!eled( #Yo1 +ogelsangF)
#,o1ld be()
#Yo1 takeF) /a7 m&m&2ked4 "er 3at&en2e grow&ng t"&n4 "old&ng o1t t"e 3a2kage( #I' %o1$re +ogelsang4
t"&s 3a2kage &s marked 2on'&dent&al4 w"&2" means &t "as to be s&gned 'or 3ersonall%( No t&2kee4 no
la1ndr%4 get &tF)
#P1nk5ass mo1t" on %o14) t"e g1% m1ttered( #Yea"4 %ea"4 %ea"4 I$m +ogelsang( ,ome on &n ba2k I
don$t do m% b1s&ness o1t "ere()
Alread% t&red o' t"&s r&gmarole4 b1t not want&ng to "a!e to deal w&t" Normal abo1t t"e re6e2ted
3a2kage4 /a7 let o1t anot"er world5wear% s&g" and 'ollowed +ogelsang t"ro1g" do1ble doors &nto a
2ram3ed o''&2e( /a7$s tra&ned e%es a1tomat&2all% took &t all &nH was"er 3arts4 61gs o' dr%52lean&ng
2"em&2als4 1n&dent&'&ed sta2ks o' bo7es4 t%3&2al ba2kroom st1''(
B1t 2entrall%4 &n 'ront o' a wall o' battered '&le 2ab&nets sta2ked w&t" more bo7es and 3a3ers4 a ma3le
desk s01atted4 arra%ed w&t" 3&les o' 3a3ers4 t"e o22as&onal Tw&nk&e bo74 and em3t% ,"&nese takeo1t
2onta&ners a sw&!el 2"a&r be"&nd t"e desk4 a 2om'ortable 2l&ent$s 2"a&r o33os&te4 be&ge walls adorned
w&t" b1llet&n boards bear&ng 3ol&2e 2&r21lars and s12" what was this place;
/a7 "anded t"e 'r1m3% bear o' a man t"e s&gnat1re 3ad4 "e 31t on read&ng glasses and s&gned w"ere
"e$d been told4 and s"e asked4 #W"at t"e "ell do %o1 do ba2k "ereF)
#Pr&!ate &n!est&gat&ons()
<er e%es w&dened a l&ttle( #Yo1$re a dete2t&!e4 "1"F W"at kind o' &n!est&gat&onsF)
<e "anded "er t"e 2l&3board4 s"e "anded "&m t"e 3a2kage4 wra33ed &n brown 3a3er8 &t was a l&ttle
smaller t"an a s"oe bo7(
#Yo1 know4 d&!or2es4 r1nawa%s4 sk&3 tra2e4 st1'' l&ke t"at() <e '&nall% tore "&s e%es 'rom t"e 3a2kage
and looked 13 at "er &n "&s b1s&ness4 e!en &n!&s&ble 3eo3le l&ke messengers rated a on2e5o!er(
#W"%F)
#I' I was look&ng 'or someone4 %o1 2o1ld '&nd t"em()
#I 2o1ld tr%()
W&t"o1t an &n!&tat&on4 s"e eased &nto t"e 2"a&r o33os&te +ogelsang4 "ooked a leg o!er &ts arm( #So
w"at$s somet"&ng l&ke t"at 2ostF)
+ogelsang stroked "&s bearded 2"&n4 t"e 3a2kage all b1t 'orgotten8 tossed "&s glasses on t"e desk and
took t"e 2"a&r ba2k t"ere( #.e3ends()
#T"at$s a great answer()
#.e3ends on w"o we$re look&ng 'or and "ow m12" t"e% don$t want to be 'o1nd()
A so1r 'eel&ng blossomed &n /a7$s stoma2"( Alread%4 s"e 2o1ld see w"ere t"&s was "ead&ngH mone%(
S"e$d been l&!&ng t"e stra&g"t l&'e s&n2e s"e and Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad landed &n Seattle4 "adn$t 31lled a
s&ngle s2ore8 and to tell t"e tr1t"4 s"e sort o' l&ked &t( B1t s"e "ad to '&nd "er s&bs(
#All r&g"t4 /r( +ogelsang g&!e me an est&mate()
B&g s"o1lders made a t&n% s"r1g( #T"o1sand5dollar reta&ner aga&nst two "1ndred a da% 3l1s
e73enses()
S"e rolled "er e%es( #Yo1 "&g"F I$m a 'reak&n$ b&ke messengerG)
<e s"r1gged4 31tt&ng t"e read&ng glasses ba2k on4 "&s attent&on ret1rn&ng to t"e 3a2kage(
#T"&s o''&2e &sn$t e7a2tl% 13town4) /a7 3o&nted o1t( #<ow 2an %o1 2"arge rates l&ke t"atF)
#T"e 13town o''&2es don$t "a!e m% downtown 2onne2t&ons T"e 3r&!ate e%e game &s a d&rt% one()
#So %o1 set 13 s"o3 be"&nd a la1ndr%()
<e 3eered at "er o!er t"e read&ng glasses( #Are we done "ereF)
#Oka%4 /r( +ogelsang let$s sa% I get %o1 t"e mone% )
<e t"rew t"e glasses on t"e desk aga&n( #Yo1 got t"at k&nd o' 2as"F)
#I 2an get &t()
#L&ttle g&rl l&ke %o1()
#.on$t 3r% &nto my b1s&ness4 /r( +ogelsang()
#I won$t() <e gr&nned at "er8 "e was l&ke a b&g na1g"t% "o1nd dog( #-nless somebod% 3a%s me to )
#I' t"e% do4 I$ll do1ble w"ate!er t"e% g&!e %o1( I$d be b1%&ng lo%alt%4 as well as d&s2ret&on()
T"e dete2t&!e was st1d%&ng "er4 tak&ng &n "er 2on'&dent manner4 "er %o1t" ob!&o1sl% tro1bl&ng "&m(
S"e br1s"ed b% t"at4 ask&ng4 #<ow long to get res1ltsF)
#T"&s &s a m&ss&ng 3ersonF)
#Yes()
#W&t"o1t m12" &n'ormat&on to go onF)
#I' I "ad &n'ormat&on4 I wo1ldn$t need %o14 wo1ld IF)
Anot"er t&n% s"r1g 'rom t"e b&g s"o1lders( #Sear2"&ng 'or 3eo3le &s not an e7a2t s2&en2e4 1" w"at$s
%o1r nameF)
#/a7()
#*1st /a7F)
#T"at a 3roblemF)
#Not &' %o1 3a% &n 2as"()
#,o1nt on &t()
T"e 3r&!ate e%e s"r1gged( #,o1ld be a da%4 2o1ld be ne!er( W"en %o1r reta&ner &s e7"a1sted4 we$ll talk(
.e2&de &' %o1$re t"row&ng good mone% a'ter bad( I$m not a t"&e'4 /a7()
S"e m1lled t"at o!er 'or a moment( #All r&g"t4) s"e sa&d '&nall%( #W"en 2an %o1 startF)
<e ga!e "er anot"er s"r1g( #W"en 2an %o1 "a!e t"e mone%F)
S"e ga!e "&m one ba2k( #Tomorrow4 t"e ne7t da% at t"e latest()
W&t" a nod4 "e sa&d4 #W"&2" &s e7a2tl% w"en I 2an start( N&2e "ow t"at worked o1t()
#Yea" &t$s all good() S"e rose and mo!ed toward t"e door( #I$ll be ba2k w&t" a grand( F&ll %o1 &n
t"en()
+ogelsang sm&led a b&g tedd% bear o' a man w"o was not at all lo!able( <e to12"ed "&s tem3le w&t" a
t"&2k '&nger( #;ot %a mentall% 3en2&led &n()
S"e went stra&g"t 'rom +ogelsang$s to ,ras"4 w"ere Sket2"%4 <erbal4 and Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad alread%
2ommandeered a table and were on a se2ond 3&t2"er o' beer(
An old br&2k ware"o1se not 1nl&ke *am Pon%4 t"e 3la2e "ad been 2on!erted to a bar %ears ago4 3re5
P1lse( Ro1nd br&2k ar2"wa%s d&!&ded t"e t"ree se2t&ons and !&deo mon&tors4 &n2l1d&ng a mass&!e b&g
s2reen4 d&s3la%ed 'ootage o' sto2k 2ar ra2es4 d&rt b&ke e!ents4 and skateboard&ng4 all 'eat1r&ng t"e w&ld
2ras"es t"at ga!e t"e bar &ts name(
Small tables 'as"&oned 'rom man"ole 2o!ers were s2attered aro1nd w&t" 'o1r or '&!e 2"a&rs "a3"aEardl%
s1rro1nd&ng ea2"( A 61kebo7 2rank&ng o1t metal5t&nged ro2k "1nkered aga&nst one wall4 and t"ro1g"
t"e nearest ar2"wa% la% t"e 3ool and 'oosball tables( T"e ent&re wall be"&nd t"e bar was a ba2kl&t
Ple7&glas s21l3t1re o' b&2%2le 'rames(
#<e%4 Boo4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d as /a7 2ame 13(
W&t" a t&red5ass sm&le4 /a7 took a seat and Sket2"% 3o1red "er a beer(
<erbal sa&d4 #A"4 "ow goes t"e battle4 m% s&sterF)
/a7 'or2ed t"e sm&le to br&g"ten( #W"% &t$s all good4 m% brot"er()
<erbal sm&led and nodded4 2on!&n2ed "e "ad a 2on!ert8 Sket2"% "anded /a7 t"e beer w&t" "&s
trademark st1nned5bab%5seal e73ress&on(
#Yo1 13 'or some 3ool4 "ome g&rlF) Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked /a74 g&!&ng "er a s&dewa%s look(
Sket2"% s"ook "&s "ead and e!en <erbal$s e%es narrowed &n warn&ng(
#O( ,($s a s"ark4 /a74) Sket2"% sa&d( #Wat2" %o1r ass()
#/% brot"er s3eaks t"e tr1t"4) <erbal sa&d( #O1r s&ster "as alread% made 3oor men o' 1s bot"()
#Yea"4 b1t &t$s st&ll all good4 r&g"tF) /a7 glan2ed toward Or&g&nal ,&nd%(
W&t" a s"r1g and no 2"agr&n4 s"e sa&d4 #W"at 2an I sa%F Or&g&nal ,&nd%$s better w&t" balls t"an t"ese
bo%s()
Sket2"% t"o1g"t abo1t t"at4 w"&le /a7 gr&nned and sa&d4 #Well4 br&ng &t on4 g&rl'r&end4 br&ng &t on()
Lea!&ng t"e g1%s at t"e table4 t"e two %o1ng women t"o1g" 'am&l&ar s&g"ts aro1nd "ere4 t"e% were
'ollowed b% e!er% male e%e &n t"e bar4 and a 'ew 'emale4 too sas"a%ed o!er to an em3t% table(
T"o1g" "er anal%t&2al ab&l&t% and en"an2ed e%es&g"t ga!e "er an ad!antage4 /a7 st&ll lost t"ree stra&g"t
games to ,&nd%(
T"e en2o1nter w&t" t"e 3r&!ate dete2t&!e "ad been re3la%&ng &n "er m&nd e!er s&n2e lea!&ng t"e
La1ndromat( *am Pon% 3a&d 3ean1ts4 and "er bankroll 'rom /ood% "ad been eaten 13 b% tra!el
e73enses and t"e 2ost o' l&!&ng4 not t"e least o' w"&2" was 3a%&ng o'' t"at 2o3 at s01atter$s row( Now
s"e needed a 2ool k4 &n less t"an twent%5'o1r "o1rs and s"e "ad no &dea w"ere s"e was go&ng to get
&t(
#<ad eno1g"4 g&rlF) Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked4 lean&ng on "er 21e(
/a7 nodded slowl% and t"e% "eaded ba2k to t"e table(
#Yo1 oka%4 BooF Yo1r m&nd$s on some ot"er 3lanet()
#*1st a l&ttle d&stra2ted()
T"e% rea2"ed t"e table4 w"ere Sket2"% and <erbal sat be'ore an em3t% 3&t2"er4 w&t" t"e sl&g"tl% b1EEed
e73ress&ons to mat2"(
#Somet"&n$ Or&g&nal ,&nd% 2an doF)
#*1st work&n$ o1t some 3r&!ate st1''()
#Well4 %o1 2all me &n o'' t"e ben2"4 g&rl4 w"en t"e game goes &nto s1dden deat"()
/a7 sm&led at "er 'r&end ma%be "er best 'r&end( #Yea"F)
#<ell %ea"G)
Snat2"&ng 13 t"e 3&t2"er4 /a7 sa&d4 #/% t1rn to b1%4) and mo!ed o'' toward t"e bar( S"e was almost
t"ere w"en two g1%s &n t"e 'ar 2orner tr&ggered "er 3er&3"eral !&s&on( ,ras" wasn$t 2rowded at t"&s
"o1r4 and two g1%s 2on'abb&ng so 'ar 'rom e!er%bod% else &n t"e 3la2e 31t t"em on /a7$s radar(
W&t" a seem&ngl% 2as1al s&dewa%s glan2e4 s"e 'o21sed &n and wat2"ed as a wad o' 2as" 3assed between
t"em also a 3a2kage t"e s&Ee o' a '&st4 wra33ed &n brown 3a3er4 3ass&ng t"e ot"er wa%(
Drug deal.
/a7 "ad an &nst&n2t&!e d&sl&ke o' "ard dr1gs 3oss&bl% l&nked to t"e med&2al tam3er&ng s"e$d been
s1b6e2ted to and s1ddenl%4 an &nner sm&le 'orm&ng4 s"e knew e7a2tl% w"ere t"e mone% 'or +ogelsang
was go&ng to 2ome 'rom
S"e "ad alwa%s been t"at k&nd o' t"&e'( /ood% "ad made s1re to send "er a'ter 1nsa!or% t%3es8
somet"&ng abo1t 2rook&ng a 2rook 61st sat better w&t" /a7( T"&s wo1ld be l&ke r&33&ng o'' t"e Brood4
onl% m&n1s t"e a2robat&2s eas%4 3ro'&table4 and steal&ng 'rom g1%s w"o weren$t e7a2tl% model
2&t&Eens4 an%wa%(
T"e bartender ga!e "er t"e 3&t2"er4 s"e 3a&d4 and "1stled ba2k to t"e table4 "er sm&le w&de and gen1&ne(
#Ne2tar4) Sket2"% sa&d4 a22e3t&ng t"e 3&t2"er as &' an award 'or Best B&ke /essenger 9:L>4 and started
slos"&ngl% '&ll&ng glasses(
#*1st sa% no4) /a7 sa&d4 "old&ng 13 a "and to blo2k Sket2"% 'rom 3o1r&ng "er anot"er glass8 "er
3er&3"eral !&s&on st&ll tra&led t"e dr1g dealers4 w"o were on t"e mo!e(
So was s"e(
#;otta 6et4) s"e sa&d(
Or&g&nal ,&nd% looked at "er w&t" onl% 3artl% 'e&gned o1trage( #Yo4 Boo4 %o1 61st got "ereG W"at 2an
be more &m3ortant t"an k&2k&n$ &t w&t" %o1r "ome%sF)
#*1st remembered an errand I$!e got to r1n 'or me4 not Normal()
#Take 2are4 m% s&ster4) <erbal sa&d4 &n bened&2t&on(
#,at2" %a &n t"e morn&n$4 g&rl4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 3&2k&ng 13 on /a7$s d&stra2ted gaEe b1t 1nable to
lat2" onto w"ate!er /a7 was tra&ned on(
Sket2"% sal1ted "er w&t" a beer glass b1t sa&d not"&ng4 "a!&ng 61st mo!ed &nto a non!erbal state(
T"e two dr1g dealers s3l&t o1t d&''erent e7&ts( /a7 ta&led a'ter t"e one w&t" t"e 2as" deal&ng t"e dr1gs
was a l&ne s"e 2o1ldn$t 2ross(
O1ts&de4 t"e l&g"t was l&ttle better t"an &n t"e bar4 and /a7 2o1ldn$t tell m12" abo1t t"e g1% e72e3t "e
was tall4 and so sk&nn% "e seemed lost &n t"at e73ens&!e brown leat"er 6a2ket8 also4 "e "ad s"ort brown
"a&r4 b&g ears4 and walked w&t" a de'&n&te slo12"( E72e3t 'or t"e s"ort "a&r4 'rom t"&s d&stan2e4 "e
2o1ld$!e been Sket2"%(
S"e sta%ed w&t" "&m 'or se!eral blo2ks4 on 'oot4 on t"e o33os&te s&de o' t"e street4 "ang&ng ba2k eno1g"
to kee3 t"e g1% 'rom mak&ng "er( T"e brown leat"er 6a2ket ke3t mo!&ng4 and "al' a doEen blo2ks
melted awa%4 as "e led "er &nto a seed&er s&de o' t"e 2&t% t"an s"e$d %et seen as a messenger( /a7 was
st&ll more t"an a blo2k be"&nd "&m w"en t"ree '&g1res emerged 'rom t"e s"adows and 3lanted
t"emsel!es &n 'ront o' t"e g1%(
T"e% ob!&o1sl% 3lanned to r&3 "&m be'ore she d&d and t"at 3&ssed "er o''G
As s"e 2re3t 'orward4 s"e wat2"ed two o' t"e &nterlo3ers mo!e to e&t"er s&de o' t"e dealer4 lea!&ng t"e
t"&rd 'a2&ng t"e&r mark( T"ese were w&de4 to1g" men4 b1EE521t w"&te g1%s &n m1s2le s"&rts w"o$d
31m3ed t"emsel!es &nto brawn% an&mals blo2k% torsos w&t" arms4 legs4 and no ne2ks4 3oss&bl% 3art
o' a lo2al neo5NaE& gro134 t"e SwatE&s4 known to loot dealers and t"en 3eddle t"e&r own s"&t t"ro1g"
&ntermed&ar&es to m&nor&t&es mak&ng mone% o'' t"e&r &dea o' "omegrown geno2&de(
T"e a33arent leader4 3os&t&oned &n 'ront o' t"e dealer4 ste33ed 'orward( Tr&ml% Satan5bearded4 "e was
smaller4 st&ll m1s21lar4 t"o1g" "e 3robabl% de3ended more on "&s bra&n t"an "&s brawn( Pl1s4 t"ere was
t"at n&ne5m&ll&meter a1to &n "&s "and
#;&!e 13 t"e mone%4 lowl&'e4 and %o1 61st m&g"t l&m3 awa%()
Tra''&2 was n&l8 /a7 d&dn$t e!en "a!e to look bot" wa%s w"en s"e ra2ed a2ross t"e street &n an
e%ebl&nk4 and s3rang "&g"8 s"e 2ame down &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e 'o1r men as &' s"e$d 'allen 'rom o1ter
s3a2e4 3o&sed w&t" 2atl&ke gra2e &n a battle stan2e(
T"e&r mo1t"s all dro33ed o3en at on2e(
One at a t&me4 s"e 2losed t"em(
Start&ng w&t" t"e de!&l5bearded g1nmanH s"e de2ked "&m w&t" a le't4 t"e a1tomat&2 'l%&ng o1t o' "&s
"and and 2latter&ng to t"e street8 t"en s"e s31n4 tak&ng o1t t"e nearest wo1ld5be NaE& w&t" a swee3&ng
k&2k( .own low4 s"e sw1ng an 133er21t to t"e dealer$s gro&n4 and4 2om&ng 134 "eadb1tted t"e last NaE&
and wat2"ed "&m teeter4 t"en t1mble to t"e s&dewalk4 as 1n2ons2&o1s as t"e 2ement t"at re2e&!ed "&m(
T"e s2rawn%4 b&g5eared dealer rolled on t"e gro1nd4 "&s "ands 2l1t2"&ng "&s 6ewels( T"e NaE& s"e$d
k&2ked to t"e 3a!ement str1ggled to "&s knees &n t&me 'or "&s 'a2e to "alt a 'l%&ng k&2k 'rom /a7( <e4
too4 'ell 1n2ons2&o1s4 "&s 'a2e a bleed&ng4 broken mess( S2rabbl&ng &n t"e street to '&nd and snat2" 13
"&s 3&t2"ed 3&stol4 w"&2" "e managed4 t"e g1nman t1rned4 gr&nn&ng4 ra&s&ng t"e a1tomat&2 as "e 2ame(
*1st as "e le!eled t"e g1n4 /a7 dro33ed and rolled toward "&m4 e73lod&ng o1t o' t"e roll w&t" a !&2&o1s
blade o' a le't "and t"at 2"o33ed t"e g1n 'rom t"e man$s "and4 t"en sent a 2"o3 a2ross t"e br&dge o' "&s
nose4 w"&2" broke &t4 lea!&ng "&m blood% and 1n2ons2&o1s on t"e s&dewalk near "&s b1EE521t
2om3an&ons(
#I "ate g1ns4) /a7 sa&d4 not w&nded(
S12k&ng a&r l&ke a two53a2k5a5da% smoker4 t"e dealer "&s "ands st&ll 3rote2t&ng "&s 2rot2" made &t
to "&s knees( #Yo1 %o1 sa!ed m% l&'e4) "e managed(
#T"at$s r&g"t()
#B1t I t"&nk %o1 broke m% balls )
Look&ng down at "&m4 s"e sa&d4 #I2e 3a2k ma% "el3( *1st wanted to make s1re %o1 d&dn$t book()
<&s e%es were as w&de as a 3133% begg&ng a bone( #B1t w"%F I' %o1 were gonna res21e me w"%F
)
Arms 'olded4 /a7 stood am&d t"e 'allen NaE&s4 all o' w"om were sl1mber&ng4 and sa&d4 #*1st d&dn$t
want %o1 to lea!e w&t"o1t 3a%&ng()
T"e .1mbo5eared dealer$s 'a2e went blank( #<1"F)
#Yo1 t"&nk I sa!ed %o1r l&'e o1t o' t"e goodness o' m% "eartF)
#I was k&nda "o3&ng )
/a7 s"ook "er "ead4 dark lo2ks bo1n2&ng( #W"at world do %o1 l&!e &nF <and o!er t"e wad()
T"e dealer$s !o&2e 2ame o1t a s01eakH #Yo1$re muggin" meF)
#T"at$s s12" an 1gl% term( Let$s 61st sa% I$m 2la&m&ng m% reward 'or sa!&n$ %o1r s2rawn% ass()
#B1t I don$t "a!e an% mone%()
#Aw4 %o1 61st want me to 31t m% "ands on %o14) /a7 sa&d( #I$m 'lattered le't 'ront 3o2ket( T"e
mone% %o1 made ton&g"t at ,ras"F Sell&ng w"ate!er dr1gs were &n t"e brown 3a3er wra33er()
<e w&n2ed( #Yo1 saw t"atF)
#I re2ommend a dark alle% ne7t t&me( T&me5"onored t"&ng4 %$know( ;&!e()
<&s "ands 2ame o'' "&s 3r&!ates and 'olded 3ra%er'1ll%8 begg&ng( #Please 3lease %o1 can"t take t"e
mone% &' I don$t 3a% m% 2onne2t&on4 "e$ll k&ll m% assG)
#<ere$s "ow t"&s works I 61st ga!e %o1 a re3r&e!e( Ne7t deat" senten2e4 %o1$re on %o1r own( Yo1
rat"er I kno2k %o1r l&g"ts o1t4 so %o1 2an wake 13 abo1t t"e same t&me as t"e master ra2e4 "ereF)
#I$m not k&dd&ng4 lad% reall%4 "e$s a badass "e$ll k&ll me real slow()
/a7 s&g"ed4 s"ook "er "ead( #Yo1 r1n w&t" a ro1g" 2rowd4 son4 %o1 break a toena&l now and t"en()
#*es1sG T"&s &s serious shit/)
T"e g1nman seemed to be ro1s&ng4 and /a7 k&2ked "&m &n t"e "ead4 t"en sa&d to t"e 61g5eared beggar4
#I' %o1 r1n %o1 m&g"t get awa% %o1 2an start o!er( F&nd a new l&'e4 or sta% a lowl&'e4 down &n
Portland or Fr&s2o()
<e got "&msel' to "&s 'eet( #W"at t"e "ell w&t"F)
#W&t" %o1r sk&n 'or starters( <o2k t"e 6a2ket() S"e 31lled ba2k4 read% to "&t "&m aga&n( #Or l&g"ts5o1t
)
#All right, all right/& <e rea2"ed &nto "&s 3o2ket and 31lled o1t t"e wad(
Tak&ng &t4 /a7 asked4 #<ow m12"F)
#F&'teen "1ndred /a%be %o1 2o1ld steer %o1r wa% 2lear to )
S"e glared at "&m( #.&sa33ear()
T"e dealer took "er ad!&2e(
S"e trotted o'' toward ,ras"4 w"ere "er b&ke wa&ted4 e!en as t"e dealer$s s"oes "ammered t"e 2on2rete
as "e ran5l&m3ed as 'ar awa% 'rom "er as 3oss&ble4 mak&ng "ollow e2"oes &n t"e n&g"t(
T"e ne7t a'ternoon /a7 'o1nd +ogelsang 2am3ed be"&nd "&s desk4 st1''&ng an Oreo &nto "&s mo1t"(
#<ealt" 'oodF) s"e sa&d4 ste33&ng 'rom t"e s"adows(
T"e b&g man 61m3ed "e "adn$t "eard "er 2ome &n( <&s e%es s"ot 'rom "er toward t"e do1ble doors
and t"e 'ront o' t"e la1ndr% w"ere t"e As&an woman was s133osed to s2reen "&s !&s&tors(
#I 'o1nd anot"er wa% &n4) s"e sa&d(
#W"at t"e "ell w"at t"e "ell %o1 do&ng "ereF)
#.&dn$t %o1 3en2&l me &nF) s"e asked4 ste33&ng 13 to t"e desk4 ar2"&ng an e%ebrow( #Yo1 d&d sa% a
t"o1sand()
#Yea"4 soF)
S"e tossed a t"&2k en!elo3e onto "&s desk( <e looked at &t as &' &t m&g"t b&te4 t"en 3&2ked &t 134 61ggled
&t on2e4 tw&2e( <e looked &n t"e en!elo3e &t wasn$t sealed and st1d&ed t"e t"&2kness o' green
adm&r&ngl%(
#T"at$s a t"o1sand4) s"e sa&d(
#It wo1ld seem to be()
#;o a"ead and 2o1nt &t()
#Naw I wo1ldn$t &ns1lt %o1() <e set t"e 3a2kage o' Oreos as&de4 w&3ed "&s mo1t" w&t" t"e ba2k o' a
"and4 and sat ba2k &n "&s 2"a&r( #Now w"o &s &t %o1 want me to '&ndF)
#Two 3eo3le()
#B1t t"&s &s one t"o1sand( W"at4 are t"e% toget"erF)
S"e s"ook "er "ead(
<e 2o2ked "&s b12ket "ead and made t"e 3ea2e s&gn( #/a74 t"at$s two 2ases one4 two()
#Be t"at wa%4) s"e m1ttered4 and rea2"ed 'or t"e wad o' b&lls( #I$ll '&nd somebod% w"o l&kes m%
mone%()
#W"oa4 w"oa no need to go o'' l&ke a l&ttle '&re2ra2ker I l&ke %o1r mone% 61st '&ne( I$ll take t"&s as a
down 3a%ment4 &' %o1 1nderstand w&t" two 2ases4 more t&me &s ob!&o1sl% gonna be &n!ol!ed and
we$ll go 'rom t"ere()
/a7 d&dn$t mo!e 'or a long moment4 t"en slowl% rela7ed and dro33ed &nto t"e 2"a&r be"&nd "er(
#Tell me abo1t %o1r two 3eo3le4) +ogelsang sa&d4 t"e mone% d&sa33ear&ng &nto a desk drawer(
#F&rst one &s male w"&te4 abo1t m% age4 at"let&24 badass()
#.&st&ng1&s"&ng marksF)
S"e 3a1sed( #A bar2ode on t"e ba2k o' "&s ne2k()
+ogelsang looked 13( #A w"atF)
S"e re3eated w"at s"e$d sa&d4 add&ng4 #*1st a '1nk% tattoo %o1 know "ow &t goes w&t" 1s we&rd5ass
k&ds()
T"at seemed to answer &t 'or +ogelsang4 w"o began s2rawl&ng some notes( #An% &dea w"ere "e &sF)
#<ere( Seattle()
#It$s a b&g 2&t%()
#And &t$s %o1r 2&t%4 /r( +ogelsang( T"at$s w"% I$m "&r&ng %o1( I' &t was eas%4 I$d "a!e 'o1nd "&m b%
now()
#;&!e me a more deta&led des2r&3t&on( /ore t"an 61st a badass w&t" a bar2ode()
S"e t"o1g"t abo1t t"at4 t"en sa&d4 #S&75one4 one5n&net% ma%be4 dark "a&r I t"&nk()
+ogelsang$s e%es !an&s"ed &nto sl&ts( #Yo1 t"&nkF)
#Saw "&m 'or ten se2onds on a 2ra33% !&deo 'eed()
S"e e73la&ned abo1t w"at s"e$d seen on t"e news s"ow4 and t"at s"e t"o1g"t s"e$d re2ogn&Eed a long5
lost #relat&!e()
#/&g"t be able to get t"at 2l&3 'rom somebod% I know at SNN4) +ogelsang sa&d4 almost to "&msel'( #<e
got a name4 t"&s long5lost relat&onF)
#Set"()
#Last nameF)
S"e s"ook "er "ead( #.on$t know( <e$d be 1s&ng d&''erent ones( /a%be e!en d&''erent '&rst names()
+ogelsang st1d&ed t"e 3ad4 t"en looked 13 at "er( #An%t"&ng elseF T"&s &s 3rett% sl&m()
#T"e news stor% sa&d "e m&g"t be work&ng w&t" an 1ndergro1nd 6o1rnal&st E%es Onl%F)
T"e dete2t&!e$s e%es w&dened4 and one o' t"em tw&t2"ed at t"e 2orner8 "e seemed to t1rn a w"&ter s"ade
o' 3ale( #Is t"at r&g"t )
#W"%F Is t"at gonna be a 3roblemF)
T"e b&g man s"r1gged( #,o1ld be( T"&s E%es Onl% g1%4 "e$s on t"e g$s s"&t l&st( Pol&t&2s make me
ner!o1s( Pl1s4 t"&s E%es Onl% d1de4 "e$s messed some 3eo3le 13 doesn$t l&ke to be &nter'ered w&t"(
Takes "&msel' way too ser&o1s )
/a7 o''ered t"e &n!est&gator a reass1r&ng sm&le( #Yo1 '&nd Set"4 I$ll take 2are o' E%es Onl% I$ll take
t"e "eat if t"ere$s a 3roblem()
Fl&33&ng a 3age &n t"e notebook4 +ogelsang sa&d4 #Oka% w"o$s m&ss&ng 3erson n1mber twoF)
/a7 s&g"ed( #A'ra&d t"&s &s gonna be to1g"4 too ma%be e!en to1g"erH a woman4 <anna"4 and t"at$s
all t"e name I$!e got()
#W"at does s"e look l&keF)
/a7 2ons&dered t"e 3r&!ate e%e$s 01est&on4 re3la%ed t"at '&rst n&g"t o' 'reedom &n "er "ead( In "er
m&nd$s e%e a33eared a woman &n "er t"&rt&es w&t" d&s"water blond "a&r to "er s"o1lders and w&de5set
bl1e e%es t"e 2olor o' a mo1nta&n stream star&ng down at /a7 &n "er memor%4 as &' t"e n&ne5%ear5old
were st&ll on t"at 2ar 'loor(
S"e ga!e +ogelsang t"e des2r&3t&on(
#An%t"&ng elseF)
#he #ahoe dived into a valley, then roared up beside Max, the tires sliding a little as the driver stomped
on the brakes and locked them up. Max glimpsed the 5yoming plate, A7# @AB, then the driver finally
got control of the vehicle and pulled to a stop.
/a7 told "&m t"e l&2ense n1mber(
#T"at$s &tF)
#S"e ma% "a!e been a n1rse4 or some ot"er k&nd o' med&2al 3ersonnel( /a%be 'or t"e 'ederal
go!ernment()
+ogelsang wrote t"at down( <e looked 134 "&s sm&le 'r&endl%( #Oka% g&!e me a week( Yo1 got a
n1mberF)
#Pager() S"e ga!e "&m t"e n1mber(
#Oka%4 /a7 I$ll 2all w"en I$!e got somet"&ng()
#For a grand %o1 better()
O1ts&de t"e S1bl&me La1ndr%4 /a7 "o33ed on t"e N&n6a and "eaded 'or "er 2r&b( S"e 'elt bot" 2loser
and 'art"er 'rom "er s&bs t"an s"e e!er "ad(
-nless t"e med&a attent&on "ad s3ooked "&m4 Set" was somew"ere &n t"&s 2&t%4 right now
In t"e meant&me4 w"&le +ogelsang d&d "&s t"&ng4 s"e$d be do&ng "ers4 61st '&tt&ng &n w&t" "er new *am
Pon% 'am&l%(
F1nn% &n "er br&e' t&me on t"e 3lanet4 /a7 "ad been 3art o' and lost t"ree d&''erent 'am&l&es(
F&rst t"e /ant&2ore s&bs4 t"en t"e Barretts4 and '&nall% t"e ,"&nese ,lan(
S"e$d been se3arated 'rom "er s&bl&ngs b% a strange 2on'l1en2e o' 'or2e and 2&r21mstan2e8 and 'lee&ng
/r( Barrett "ad been sel'5de'ense(
St&ll4 somet&mes late at n&g"t and ton&g"t wo1ld be one o' t"ose s"e 'elt a tw&nge o' g1&lt 'or
abandon&ng L12%4 and 'or r1nn&ng o1t on /ood% and Fres2a and t"e ot"ers(
S"e wondered &' t"e *am Pon% b1n2" wo1ld be 61st as &m3ermanent(
Chapter Se"en
THEATER PART#
T<E ,<INESE T<EATRE
LOS AN;ELES4 ,ALIFORNIA4 9:L>
Two da%s ago4 &t "ad beg1n(
A 01artet o' /ood%$s k&ds rang&ng &n age between 'o1rteen and e&g"teen "ad been 21t down b%
sn&3er '&re 'rom t"e "al'5stand&ng str12t1re o' t"e 'ormer Roose!elt <otel( Two bo%s4 two g&rls4 s"aken
l&ke t"e na1g"t% 2"&ldren t"e% were4 were dro33ed &n a m&st o' blood to t"e 2ra2ked 2ement s01ares
w"ere "ands and 'eet o' 'orgotten 2elebr&t&es rema&ned on 3o&ntless d&s3la%(
E!er% attem3t to lea!e t"e b1&ld&ng4 t"ro1g" w"ate!er e7&t4 "ad res1lted &n a "a&l o' sl1gs 'l&ng&ng
/ood%$s 3eo3le to t"e 3a!ement &n a s3rawl o' deat"( P&nned down l&ke t"&s based 13on t"e 'ood and
amm1n&t&on on "and /ood% and "&s 2rew 2o1ldn$t last longer t"an a week( B1t s"o1ld be t&me
eno1g" to 3lan4 to rea2t e''e2t&!el%4 e!en to wa&t 'or s133ort 'rom t"e 2&t% or t"e 'eds(
T"e %o1t" o' "&s 2lan4 "owe!er4 was a 3roblem e!en &n a 2a!erno1s a1d&tor&1m l&ke t"at o' t"e
,"&nese T"eatre4 a sense o' 2la1stro3"ob&a 2o1ld des2end t"at &s4 w"en %o1 knew t"at ste33&ng
o1ts&de t"e b1&ld&ng wo1ld end %o1r l&'e &n e2"o&ng g1n'&re( Sandbags4 '1rn&t1re4 2rates4 old t"eater
seats4 and an%t"&ng else not na&led down "ad been arranged t"ro1g"o1t t"e t"eater as l&ttle abo!egro1nd
b1nkers( /ood% wo1ld mo!e among t"em 'loat&ng l&ke a s&l!er53on%ta&led s"adow4 a 'low&ng bla2k
bat"robe loose o!er bla2k T5s"&rt and 6eans4 'or melodramat&2 e''e2t 2alm&ng t"em w&t" words and
gest1res4 ass1r&ng t"em t"e&r 'ortress was &m3regnable(
#T"e world be%ond w&ll take note o' o1r 3l&g"t4) "e wo1ld tell t"em( #We are not 'orgotten be strong
t&ll "el3 arr&!es()
And "&s k&ds bel&e!ed "&m8 &' onl% /ood% 2o1ld bel&e!e "&msel'
R&g"t now4 as "e looked t"ro1g" t"e glass doors o' t"e lobb%4 toward t"e n&g"tt&me street w"ere t"ose
'o1r bod&es were st&ll as3rawl on t"e 3at&o4 3ools o' blood dr&ed &nto terr&ble brown s2abs on t"e
2ement4 t"e bod&es grotes01el% attra2t&ng 'l&es a'ter '&'t%5some "o1rs4 t"e 2"ar&smat&2 leader o' t"e
,"&nese ,lan 'eared "el3 wo1ld ne!er 2ome(
O1ts&de4 st&ll 1nseen4 t"e&r enem% "ad t"em 3aral%Eed4 as &' t"e ,lan were bl1e2oat sold&ers &n a 'ront&er
'ort4 'a2&ng endless Ind&an "ordes( B1t as o' %et t"e&r atta2kers "adn$t s"own t"e 2olors o' t"e&r war
3a&nt( Attem3ts to send o1t "ea!&l% armed s2o1t&ng teams no matter w"&2" e7&t "ad res1lted &n t"e
gro13s gett&ng g1nned down w&t"&n '&!e 'eet(
T"e enem% knew abo1t t"e b1&ld&ng$s se2ret e7&ts4 too4 t"e basement 2ata2ombs t"at led to t"e sewer
s%stem4 and t"e t1nnel 1nder t"e blo2k 13 &nto t"e ad6a2ent b1&ld&ng( Pa&rs o' k&ds "ad been d&re2ted to
sl&3 o1t t"ose 3assages4 and were el&m&nated to a man( T"at &s4 to a bo%
/ood% knew w"o "ad to be do&ng t"&sH t"e Brood4 o' 2o1rse( <e "ad e73e2ted retal&at&on 'or t"e t"e't
o' t"e m1se1m 3lans4 and 'or snat2"&ng t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean 'rom t"e&r R1ss&an leader$s '&ngers( S12"
a !&2&o1s4 all5o1t assa1lt4 "owe!er4 was a s1r3r&se "e wo1ld ne!er "ad g1essed t"e Brood wo1ld
attem3t a '1ll5on s&ege
A'ter all4 des3&te t"e&r %o1t"4 t"e ,"&nese ,lan "ad t"e Brood Jw"ose members were adm&ttedl% olderK
o1tn1mbered b% 3er"a3s a t"&rd4 and t"e% were 3ossessed o' s13er&or '&re3ower4 2"&e'l% "andg1ns and
r&'les 'rom t"at Orange ,o1nt% armor% t"e%$d looted last %ear8 '1rt"er4 t"e&r r&!als wo1ld 3robabl% not
be aware t"at t"e awesome '&g"t&ng ma2"&ne4 /a74 was no longer a 3art o' t"e ,lan
B1t t"e k&nd o' armament t"e Brood "ad de3lo%ed &n t"e last two da%s sn&3ers2o3es4 a1tomat&2
wea3ons made /ood% wonder g1ns l&ke t"at weren$t eas&l% 2ome b%
For all "&s ta2t&2al sk&lls 2ommando tra&n&ng &n "&s d&stant 3ast "ad sta%ed w&t" "&m /ood% s&m3l%
d&d not know "ow to sto3 t"&s sla1g"ter(
And as 'or t"e #"el3) "e ass1red "&s k&ds wo1ld be on t"e wa%4 /ood% 2o1ld gat"er 'rom t"e la2k o'
3ol&2e res3onse so 'ar t"at t"e Brood "ad br&bed t"e 2o3s to kee3 t"e&r bl1e noses o1t o' t"e 2on'l&2t(
S12" was not 1n2ommon &n LA gang warsH t"e 3ol&2e 2olle2ted mone%4 somet&mes 'rom bot" s&des4 and
let t"e #real) bad g1%s t"e street gangs '&g"t &t o1t( It was an old re'ra&nH w"o t"e "ell 2ared &' t"&s
rabble k&lled ea2" ot"erF
B1t w"at reall% str12k /ood% as d&st1rb&ng4 and dangero1s be%ond 2om3re"ens&on4 was t"e la2k o' an%
'ederal res3onse( In a 2ase o' 2arnage l&ke t"&s4 1n2ontrolled b% t"e lo2al 2o3s4 t"e Nat&onal ;1ard
s"o1ld be ste33&ng &n(
<ow 2o1ld t"e Brood "a!e &n'l1en2e on a 'ederal le!elF S12" a t"&ng took more br&be mone% and
better 2onne2t&ons t"an t"at R1ss&an s21mbag Ka'eln&ko! wo1ld e!er "a!e a22ess to( And 1nless t"e
LAP. was d&re2tl% &n!ol!ed 2ordon&ng o'' t"e area 'or t"e Brood4 e''e2t&ng a 3ress bla2ko1t4
a2t&!el% 2oo3erat&ng w&t" t"e R1ss&an t"e 'eds had to be aware t"at blood was r1nn&ng on <oll%wood
Bo1le!ard(
5hat the "ell was going on;
In a gra% T5s"&rt and 2"&nos4 t"e lank% %et l&t"el% m1s21lar ;abr&el an -E& &n "&s "ands4 an ammo belt
aro1nd "&s wa&st wat2"ed /ood%$s ba2k as t"e ,lan leader 3eered o1t &nto t"e street(
<ea!&l% armed ,lan members older4 more seasoned ones4 mostl% male took 13 t"e&r 3os&t&on to
e&t"er s&de o' t"e glass doors4 as /ood% nodded to ;abr&el4 mot&on&ng "&m to t"e 2on2ess&on stand4
w"ere t"e% s3oke 01&etl%4 so t"e nearb% sentr&es wo1ld not "ear(
#-nless t"e% 3lan to star!e 1s o1t4) /ood% told "&s se2ond5&n52ommand4 #t"e%$ll str&ke &n 'or2e
storm o1r battlements()
#We lost a 'ew 3eo3le4) ;abr&el sa&d4 and s"ook "&s "ead( #I seen better morale()
#O1r troo3s w&ll 2ome t"ro1g" 'or 1s4 and t"emsel!es()
/ood% glan2ed at t"e "al' a doEen k&ds none older t"an e&g"teen &n T5s"&rts and 6eans and tenn&es4
2a3s on ba2kward4 sem&a1tomat&2 wea3ons &n "and( Fre2kle5'a2ed Fres2a4 w&t" t"e new g&rl N&ner at "&s
s&de4 stood w&t" t"e gro13 nearest /ood% and ;abe(
#E!en w&t" t"e "&ts we$!e taken4) /ood% sa&d4 a "and on ;abr&el$s s"o1lder4 #we o1tn1mber t"ese
bastards()
#T"e&r a!erage age &s twent%5two o1rs &s s&7teen()
#We st&ll "a!e t"e n1mbers( And t"at g&!es t"em onl% two 2"o&2es mo1nt a 2ommando ra&d4 send &n
t"e&r best 3eo3le4 armed to t"e teet" and "o3e to o1t'&g"t 1s( Or )
#Or4) ;abe '&n&s"ed4 #t"e% 2ome &n &n 'or2e()
#In w"&2" 2ase4) /ood% sa&d4 #t"e% 2an$t "a!e e!er% e7&t 3&nned down to t"e degree we$!e been
s1''er&ng t"ese last two da%s( W&t" a b1&ld&ng t"&s s&Ee4 2o!er&ng e!er% wa% o1t wo1ld dra&n a t"&rd o'
t"e&r man3ower()
#So4) ;abe sa&d4 t"&nk&ng &t t"ro1g"4 #&' we see a damn "orde o' t"ese s12kers storm&n$ &n4 we "ead 'or
t"e e7&ts()
#F&g"t&ng e!en as we retreat4) /ood% sa&d w&t" a nod( #And we beat t"em at t"e&r own game()
#<ow$s t"atF)
/ood% gr&nned wol'&s"l%( #We "ead 'or t"e ,a3 we$ll trade "ead01arters w&t" t"e sons o' b&t2"esG)
;abe gr&nned w&de4 "ead s"ak&ng on t"at ostr&2" ne2k( #T"e /oodman st&ll "as mo!es4 I see()
#Alwa%s( Now I$ll "el3 %o1 s3read t"e word()
In t"e a1d&tor&1m4 /ood% and ;abr&el d&d 61st t"at4 and 'a2es br&g"tened4 morale !&s&bl% l&'t&ng4 and %et
t"e 'ear rema&ned( T"o1g" "e 'elt "&s 3lan was a good one4 /ood% rema&ned 1neas%4 st&ll tro1bled b%
t"e absen2e o' bot" t"e lo2al and 'ederal a1t"or&t&es( <ow "e w&s"ed /a7 was st&ll "ere S"e alone
m&g"t t1rn t"e t&de 'or t"em4 and 2erta&nl% e!en 13 t"e '&g"t(
<&s bod%g1ard4 T&33ett4 looked as sto&2 as e!er &n b&ker leat"ers4 "&s tattooed arms bared as t"reats4 b1t
t"e "1lk&ng man "ad remo!ed all "&s 3&er2&ngs "e ne!er went &nto battle g&!&ng o33onents an%t"&ng
to r&3 'rom "&s 'les"(
#Yo1 want me &n t"e "allF) T&33ett asked(
#No let t"em "a!e t"e "all t"e%$ll tr% m% Mo''&2e$ door and t"at$ll tell 1s w"at t"e%$re 13 to( Yo1 take
t"e ba2k e7&t4 o!er t"ere ) /ood% 3o&nted( #T"e% ma% st&ll "a!e somebod% 3os&t&oned4 so ser3ent&ne
%o1r ass()
#No 3rob I a&n$t "ad so m12" '1n s&n2e t"e 3&gs ate m% 2o1s&n Fred()
/ood% 'o1nd "&msel' sm&l&ng at t"at( #We s"o1ld "a!e at least t"at m12" '1n4 t"&s e!en&ng )
<&s bla2k robe tra&l&ng l&ke a 2a3e4 /ood% t"readed t"ro1g" t"e a1d&tor&1m4 3ass&ng along t"e strateg%4
2ont&n1&ng to b1&ld morale( T"en "e went 13sta&rs to t"e old 3ro6e2t&on boot"4 w"ere /a7 "ad ke3t "er
01arters4 and kno2ked(
Fre2kle5'a2ed Fres2a answered( #Yes4 s&rF W"at 2an I do4 s&rF)
#T"e g&rl N&ner &n t"ere w&t" %o1F)
#Yes4 s&r( *1st k&nda 2ool&ng "er o1t4 s&r()
#I "o3e %o1 "a!en$t been do&ng an%t"&ng I wo1ldn$t do()
#K&nda do1bt t"at4 s&r() And Fres2a gr&nned(
O' all t"ese k&ds4 onl% Fres seemed 1na'ra&d 1nder t"ese s&ege 2&r21mstan2es w"et"er t"&s was
2o1rage or naR!etQ4 /ood% wo1ld not "aEard a g1ess(
#Yo1 and N&ner go down and blo2k t"e doors()
#W"at w&t"F)
#-se t"ose sandbags we sta2ked 13 aga&nst t"e wall4 b% t"e sta&rs4 last n&g"t( I want t"em 3&led d&re2tl%
aga&nst t"e 'ront entr%()
#Yo1 got &tG)
F&'teen m&n1tes later4 w"en /ood% was aga&n mo!&ng t"ro1g" t"e lobb%4 "e saw t"at t"e 're2kle5'a2ed
bo% and "&s new g&rl'r&end "ad set to work(
#.on$t worr%4 N&ner4) t"e bo% was sa%&ng( T"o1g" "e was se!eral %ears %o1nger t"an t"e sk&nn%5
look&ng newb&e4 Fres2a s3oke w&t" t"e a1t"or&t% o' e73er&en2e( #Yo1$ll see()
#Yo1 reall% t"&nk /a7$ll be ba2kF) N&ner asked(
#O" %ea" s"e$s 61st o'' on some errand or somet"&ng( S"e r&de &n on t"at b&ke o' "ers4 and k&2k Brood
assG)
Ea!esdro33&ng4 /ood% 2o1ld onl% w&s" Fres2a were r&g"t(
;abr&el seemed to mater&al&Ee at "&s s&de( #T"em know&n$ abo1t o1r se2ret e7&ts4) ;abe sa&d 01&etl%4
#%o1 don$t t"&nk /a7 sold 1s o1t4 do %aF)
#.on$t let Fres2a "ear %o1 sa% t"at()
#W"at do %o1 t"&nkF)
#I t"&nk4 no( No wa% &n "ell()
/ood% walked ;abr&el o'' to one s&de4 to make e!en more s1re t"&s 2on'&dent&al 2on!ersat&on was not
o!er"eard(
;abr&el4 -E& read%4 was sa%&ng4 #T"e% 2o1ld "a!e grabbed "er tort1red &t o1t o' "er )
/ood% 61st looked at ;abe( #.o %o1 reall% t"&nk t"e% 2o1ld get an%t"&ng o1t o' t"at g&rlF)
;abe$s 2on2erned e73ress&on d&ssol!ed &nto an embarrassed sm&rk( #L&sten to t"e st13&d s"&t$s 2om&n$
o1ta me ;1ess I$m gett&ng st&r 2raE%()
#Yo1$ll l&ke &t at t"e ,a34) /ood% sa&d( #End o' t"e da%4 we$ll 2ome o1t o' t"&s w&t" better d&gs %o1$ll
see()
T"e e73los&on er13ted t"ro1g" t"e doors &n a bel2" o' orange 'lame and gra% smoke4 "1rl&ng Fres2a and
"&s g&rl'r&end a2ross t"e room4 slamm&ng t"em &nto t"e 2on2ess&on stand &n a s"ower o' glass 'ragments(
T"e g&rl4 N&ner4 la% de2a3&tated b% one o!ers&Eed glass s"ard4 "er "ead now"ere &n s&g"t4 3er"a3s
&n2&nerated8 and Fres2a rested at "er s&de4 a tw&sted 2"arred blood% "1sk w&t" &ts g1ts tra&l&ng o1t4 and
t"e onl% mer2% t"at ne&t"er "ad to w&tness t"e "orror o' w"at "ad taken t"e ot"er 'rom t"&s l&'e(
T"e k&ds w"o$d been stand&ng g1ard d1t% at e&t"er end4 alongs&de t"ose doors4 "ad t"e&r own s"are o'
n&2ks 'rom 'l%&ng glass4 t"o1g" none seemed to "a!e ser&o1s &n61r&es( B1t &t was a b&t "ard to tell4 s&n2e
be'ore t"e smoke "ad e!en beg1n to 2lear t"e%$d started r1nn&ng 3ell5mell toward t"e a1d&tor&1m
1nt&l ma2"&ne5g1n '&re 21t t"em down l&ke tall grass 1nder a sw&ng&ng s2%t"e(
Blast&ng awa% as t"e% 2ame4 s2ream&ng 1n&ntell&g&ble war 2r&es4 Broodsters 2"arged 13 t"e 3at&o toward
w"ere t"e doors "ad been4 a1tomat&2 wea3ons &n "and4 e%es w&ld4 3&l&ng &n o!er t"e broken glass and
t"e small barr&er o' sandbags t"at Fres2a and N&ner "ad managed to 3&le t"ere be'ore t"e% d&ed
/ood% and ;abr&el sta%ed a"ead o' t"e &n!aders4 and das"ed &nto t"e a1d&tor&1m( T"e ,lan k&ds w&t"
"andg1ns4 mostl%4 a 'ew w&t" r&'les "ad taken re'1ge be"&nd t"e&r sandbag and t"eater52"a&r
battlements( T"e two leaders 2&r21lated 01&2kl%4 d&s3at2"&ng k&ds to sandbag t"e a1d&tor&1m doors s"1t8
t"en t"e% sent small gro13s to tr% !ar&o1s e7&ts4 now t"at t"e Brood was atta2k&ng &n '1ll 'or2e4 w"&2"
wo1ld 3res1mabl% o3en 13 some o1tlets 'or es2a3e(
Ea2" gro13 t"at "eaded 'or an e7&t4 "owe!er4 o3ened doors onto '&g1res sold&ers &n bla2k 2ombat
gear4 "ea!&l% armed4 blo2k&ng t"e wa%(
T&33ett was t"e '&rst to d&s2o!er t"&s4 and re3orted &t to /ood%(
#T"at doesn$t so1nd l&ke t"e Brood4) /ood% sa&d(
#Not "ardl%G Some k&nd o' damn m&l&tar% SWAT team )
#An% 2as1alt&esF)
#No t"e% d&dn$t '&re on 1s We got ba2k &ns&de be'ore t"e% 2o1ld )
Fo1r more older ,lan k&ds s2rambled 134 and re3orted t"e&r e7&ts s&m&larl% blo2ked(
;abr&el sa&d4 #Bastards "a!e t"e b1&ld&ng s1rro1ndedG We$re blo2ked &n b% t"ese g1%s4 w"&le t"e Brood
2omes &n to 3art%G)
It made an aw'1l4 2raE% sense to /ood%H t"&s e73la&ned t"e s&ege4 t"e s1ddenl% s13er&or Brood
'&re3ower t"e R1ss&an "ad "&g"5le!el s133ort &n t"&s e''ort4 e!en 'ederal go!ernment san2t&on
/ood% looked toward t"e a1d&tor&1m doors4 w"ere sandbags were 3&led wa&st5"&g"( T"e enem% "ad
brea2"ed t"e lobb% ma%be '&!e m&n1tes ago4 and "ad not %et made a mo!e to r1s" t"e t"eater &tsel'(
5here the hell were they;
A nearb% blast4 se3arated 'rom t"e a1d&tor&1m b% t"e le't5s&de wall a22om3an&ed b% s2reams
3ro!&ded an answerH t"e e73los&on 2ame 'rom t"e 2orr&dor along w"&2" /ood% ke3t bot" "&s real o''&2e
and t"e ,D5r&gged door to "&s nono''&2e( T"&s told "&m two t"&ngsH t"e enem% was '&lter&ng &nto t"e
b1&ld&ng4 to 2ome at t"em not 61st t"ro1g" t"e ma&n a1d&tor&1m doors( B1t &t also sa&d t"at "&s boob%
tra3 "ad been s3r1ng(
<e onl% "o3ed t"e ,D "ad taken a good n1mber o' t"em o1t(
E!en so4 &n t"at moment4 &t be2ame 2r%stal 2lear to /ood% t"at t"ere wo1ld be no es2a3e( T"e% wo1ld
e&t"er w&n or lose4 l&!e or d&e4 r&g"t "ere &n t"&s a1d&tor&1m and /ood% d&dn$t l&ke t"e odds one l&ttle
b&t
R&g"t now ;abr&el was s"o1t&ng orders4 b1t t"ese 2"&ldren seemed s2ared4 barel% l&sten&ng( <ell was
kno2k&ng at t"e door4 and 3e3 talks weren$t go&ng to 21t &t(
T1rn&ng t"ese k&ds &nto sel'5rel&ant t"&e!es was one t"&ngH t1rn&ng t"em &nto sold&ers was anot"er(
/ood% "ad ne!er tr&ed to do t"e latter4 reall% k&ds weren$t 21t o1t 'or t"at(
T"e "ars" metall&2 rattle o' ma2"&ne5g1n '&re ra&ned down on t"em 'rom t"e bal2on% t"at was w"ere
t"e Brood made t"e&r '&rst a33earan2e &n t"e a1d&tor&1m And t"en t"e doors blew o3en w&t" 3last&2
e73los&!e 2"arges4 and members o' t"e Brood streamed &nto t"e room4 13 and o!er t"e sandbag
barr&2ades4 a1tomat&2 wea3ons blaE&ng4 e%es w&ld w&t" s3eed4 s2ream&ng l&ke t"e m1rdero1s man&a2s
t"e%$d be2ome(
/ood%4 &n "&s wa%4 lo!ed "&s k&ds b1t t"&s was a lost 2a1se( <e now began to wonder &' "e "&msel'
2o1ld s1r!&!e4 and get to t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean4 &n &ts "&d&ng 3la2e4 and some"ow sl&3 o1t &nto t"e
n&g"t(
T"en T&33ett a&ded "&m &n t"&s sel'5ser!&ng e''ortH t"e bod%g1ard t"rew "&msel' on /ood% and took
t"em bot" down to t"e 'loor4 s"&eld&ng t"e leader w&t" "&s own bod%( Wedged to t"e 'loor4 l&ke t"at4
/ood% b&tterl% wat2"ed t"e massa2re 1n'old
All aro1nd "&m4 b1llets were s"ak&ng %o1ng bod&es l&ke rag dolls and t"en d&s2ard&ng t"em4 'l&ng&ng
t"em dead to t"e 'loor( T"e Brood 'anned o1t &n m1rdero1s wa!es4 g1nn&ng down an%one w"o mo!ed4
&n2l1d&ng t"ose w"o "ad ra&sed t"e&r "ands &n s1rrender( O!er t"e g1n'&re4 /ood% 2o1ld make o1t
s2reams and 3leas 'or mer2% and4 worst o' all4 2r%&ng( T"e a2r&d odor o' 2ord&te seemed to s&nge t"e a&r4
t"e g1n smoke 2reat&ng a 'og t"ro1g" w"&2" t"e Brood roamed l&ke well5armed "om&2&dal Eomb&es(
L&ke a 2raEed .a!% ,ro2kett &n "&s last Alamo moments4 ;abr&el sw1ng a 2"a&r ba2k and 'ort"8 b1t
'1rn&t1re was no mat2" 'or ma2"&ne g1ns4 and /ood% wat2"ed "el3lessl% as at least t"&rt% sl1gs
slammed &nto ;abe4 mak&ng "&m do a terr&ble dan2e4 l&'t&ng "&m o'' t"e 'loor to de3os&t "&m &n a blood%
"ea3 not 'ar 'rom /ood%$s 'a2e(
;abe$s blank e%es stared at /ood% a221s&ngl%
T"e g1n'&re was s1bs&d&ng4 onl% an o22as&onal pop now4 as an o22as&onal l&!&ng ,lan member was
s3otted4 l&ke t"e last 'ew '&re2ra2kers on t"e Fo1rt" o' *1l%(
In "&s knee5lengt" brown leat"er 2oat and snakesk&n boots4 /&k"a&l Ka'eln&ko! "&s "&g"52"eekboned
'eat1res look&ng 2ar!ed and 2r1el seemed to gl&de down t"e &n2l&ne o' t"e a1d&tor&1m 'loor4 a wra&t"
&n a %ellow s&lk s"&rt emerg&ng 'rom t"e g1n5smoke 'og( <e s1r!e%ed t"e 2arnage t"e% were all dead
now4 t"e ,"&nese ,lan almost all4 an%wa%
One o' t"e Brood4 a sk&nn% 2lear5e%ed l&e1tenant4 2ame 13 to t"e&r leader4 w"o batted t"e sno1t o' t"e
a1tomat&2 wea3on awa%(
#Sorr%4) t"e l&e1tenant sa&d( #No s&gn o' t"e g&rl()
#,"e2k all t"e 2or3ses 2are'1lG I' s"e$s al&!e4 and 3la%&ng dead4 %o1$ll "a!e a w&ld2at on %o1r "ands(
Remember t"e br&e'&ngG)
T"e ment&on o' /a7 &ns3&r&ng "&m4 /ood% s1ddenl% re!ealed "&msel'4 b% 31s"&ng "&s bod%g1ard o''
and gett&ng to "&s 'eet4 Jw"&le s1rre3t&t&o1sl% sl&33&ng a kn&'e 'rom "&s boot4 kee3&ng &t t12ked &n "&s
3alm and "al' 13 "&s slee!eK(
Se!eral Broodsters4 e%es gl&tter&ng w&t" gore and dr1gs4 mo!ed &n 01&2kl%4 ra&s&ng t"e&r g1ns4 b1t
Ka'eln&ko! s"o1ted4 #NoG Yo1 were toldG)
Two b1rl% Brood bo%s lat2"ed onto T&33ett$s arms and "a1led "&m to "&s 'eet( T"e b&g 'ormer
l&neba2ker "ad no '&g"t le't &n "&m "&s e%es were on t"e 'loor t"e s&g"t o' t"e sla1g"tered k&ds4 all
$ro1nd4 a33eared too m12" 'or "&m(
Slowl%4 /ood% a33roa2"ed t"e R1ss&an4 3lanted "&msel' a 'ew 'eet awa%4 'olded "&s arms4 t"e kn&'e o1t
o' s&g"t( <e sa&d4 #Yo1 told t"em not to k&ll me( I$m not s1r3r&sed()
#And w"% &s t"at4 /ood%F)
T"e ,lan leader &gnored t"e 01est&on4 sa%&ng4 #I alwa%s s1s3e2ted %o1 were a barbar&an() <e glan2ed
aro1nd t"e room at t"e doEens o' dead k&ds4 t"e&r blood stream&ng down t"e slo3e o' t"e t"eater 'loor
l&ke s3&lled so't dr&nks( #Yo1$!e 2on'&rmed &t()
T"e Brood leader let o1t a small 2"12kle( #Bra!ado to t"e last I a33re2&ate t"at4 /ood%( I$d almost
sa% %o1$!e earned a 01&2k deat"()
A b&tter sm&le et2"ed &tsel' on t"e well5groo!ed 'a2e( #Yo1$re not abo1t to k&ll me4 /&k"a&l not %et()
An e%ebrow ar2"ed4 an am1sed "al' sm&le 'ormed( #Yo1$re r&g"t( A'ter all we "a!e b1s&ness()
Look&ng aro1nd at "&s sla1g"tered 'am&l%4 /ood% asked4 #Reall%F And w"% wo1ld I bot"er do&ng
b1s&ness w&t" a b1t2"erF)
#Be2a1se %o1 are at "eart a man o' sel'5&nterest4 /ood% des3&te t"e t"e Mlo%alt%$ dr&!el %o1 'ed %o1r
M'am&l%($ And %o1 "a!e two t"&ngs t"at &nterest me()
#T"e ne2kla2e4) /ood% sa&d(
#Yes4 and )
#T"e g&rl( /a7( I "eard w"%F) /ood%$s e%es narrowed and "e st1d&ed t"e R1ss&an$s narrow4
"andsome 'a2e( #Re!engeF .&d s"e embarrass %o1 on %o1r "ome t1r'F <ow sad 'or %o1()
Ka'eln&ko! sna33ed "&s '&ngers( A 2&r2le o' Broodsters 'ormed aro1nd t"em a1tomat&2 wea3ons
e!er%w"ere /ood% looked( Not m12" "e 2o1ld do w&t" t"e kn&'e 3er"a3s slas" t"e R1ss&an$s t"roat4
and ma%be tr% to 2la&m leaders"&3
Some"ow "e d&dn$t t"&nk t"at wo1ld 3la%4 e!en &n a mo!&e t"eater(
#W"ere4) t"e R1ss&an asked4 #&s t"e ne2kla2eF)
#I$m sorr% to d&sa33o&nt %o1 b1t I$!e alread% sold &t( T"at deal &s done( And t"e mone% &s not on t"e
3rem&ses( It was a Sw&ss bank trans'er4 and)
Ka'eln&ko! nodded on2e and t"e two b1rl% Broodsters "old&ng on to T&33ett released "&m4 ste33&ng
awa% 'rom t"e bod%g1ard( /ood% 'rowned4 wonder&ng w"at t"at was abo1t
T"e R1ss&an$s "and 2ame 13 and an a1tomat&2 was &n &t8 "e '&red4 to t"e le't o' /ood%4 w"ere T&33ett
stood(
T"e bod%g1ard$s s2ream e2"oed e!en as t"e s"ot rang &n t"e a1d&tor&1m4 as T&33ett grabbed 'or "&s leg4
a red 'lower blossom&ng between t"e '&ngers t"at 2l1t2"ed at "&s r&g"t knee(
/ood%$s '&ngers t&g"tened4 now w"&te aro1nd t"e "andle o' t"e "&dden kn&'e( <e took a tentat&!e ste3
b1t 'roEe w"en "e "eard se!eral g1ns 2o2k( T&33ett was 01&et now4 "&s "ands st&ll "old&ng "&s s"attered
6o&nt(
#I$m oka%4 /ood%4) t"e bod%g1ard managed( #.on$t %o1 worr% $bo1t me()
#Yo1 were sa%&ngF) t"e R1ss&an sa&d to /ood%(
#I was sa%&ng I alread% dealt t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean b1t I 2an lead %o1 to t"e b1%er( Yo1 2an get &t
ba2k 'rom "&m k&ll "&s ass4 'or all I 2are()
Aga&n Ka'eln&ko! ra&sed t"e g1n4 '&red4 and T&33ett s2reamed as anot"er re3ort re!erberated &n t"e
a1d&tor&1m and 2r&mson 3etals bloomed 'rom t"e ot"er knee( T&33ett went down "ard on t"e 2ement4
and "e w"&m3ered t"ere4 l&ke a w"&33ed dog(
#/ood%4) t"e R1ss&an s&g"ed4 #I don$t 1nderest&mate %o1r &ntell&gen2e w"% do %o1 do me t"e
d&sser!&2e o' &ns1lt&ng m&neF I know w"o %o1r potential b1%er was "e negot&ated a better 3r&2e w&t"
me4 at t"e same t&me "e was negot&at&ng more t&me 'rom %o14 s133osedl% to ra&se s1''&2&ent '1nds to
meet %o1r o1trageo1s 'ee( So I need to del&!er t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean to "&m w"ere &s t"e
d&amond4 /ood%F)
#Tell me4 /&k"a&l4) /ood% asked( #.on$t %o1r men '&nd t"at %ellow s"&rt a b&t e''em&nateF)
T"e R1ss&an 'rowned and '&red4 b1llets st&t2"&ng a2ross T&33ett$s gro&n and t"&g"s and t"e bod%g1ard
now rolled aro1nd &n agon%4 s2ream&ng 'or t"em to k&ll "&m4 go a"ead4 k&ll "&m8 b1t no one mo!ed(
#W"ere &s t"e necklace;) Ka'eln&ko! asked o!er t"e s2reams4 "&s !o&2e more br&ttle now(
B% wa% o' an answer4 /ood% s31n and "1rled t"e kn&'e
&nto "&s bod%g1ard$s 2"est(
T&33ett w"&s3ered4 #;ot some mo!es4 /ood%4) 2losed "&s e%es4 and sl&33ed awa%(
Ka'eln&ko! lea3t 'orward4 and sla33ed /ood% w&t" t"e a1tomat&2(
A gas" r&33ed &n "&s 2"eek4 /ood% went down on one knee4 as &' abo1t to be kn&g"ted b% t"e R1ss&an4
w"o &nstead grabbed /ood%$s s&l!er 3on%ta&l and %anked "&m down4 smas"&ng t"e older man$s 'a2e &nto
t"e 2on2rete 'loor( /ood% made onl% a t&n% moan as "e 31s"ed "&msel' 134 "&s nose broken4 blood
stream&ng down t"e 'ront o' "&s bla2k s"&rt(
#I' %o1 won$t tell me w"ere t"e ne2kla2e &s4) Ka'eln&ko! sa&d4 #at least tell me w"ere t"e g&rl &s()
#W"o w"o t"e fuck &s "el3&ng %o1F)
#6 ask t"e 01est&ons( Tell me4 and I$ll let %o1 l&!e4 and we$ll go 3artners on t"e ne2kla2e( Yo1 2an be m%
se2ond5&n52ommand4 /ood% )
/ood%$s m&nd4 2lo1ded b% 3a&n4 tr&ed to 3arse t"atH what made Max suddenly more valuable than the
?eart of the 9cean;
#W"ere &s s"e4 /ood%F Or do %o1 start los&ng knee2a3sF)
/ood% swallowed blood4 t"en s31ttered4 #;one( T"e g&rl$s gone()
#.on$t l&e to me4 goddamn &tG)
#.o %o1 see "erF S"e$s gone4 I tell %o1 )
#W"ereF)
#S"e s"e d&dn$t sa%( =1&et4 t"at one )
Ka'eln&ko! aga&n slammed t"e man$s "ead &nto t"e 'loor( Blood e73loded &n an ar2 aro1nd /ood%$s
'a2e(
T"at was w"en /ood%4 barel% "ang&ng on to 2ons2&o1sness "eard 'ootste3s "ard soles on t"e 2ement
'loor( Someone new "ad entered8 someone was on t"e 3er&3"er% wat2"&ng
#Yo1r last 2"an2e4 /ood%where is she;)
T"ro1g" broken teet" and bleed&ng l&3s4 /ood% managed to sa%4 #.on$t worr%4 Ka'eln&ko! on2e s"e
'&nds o1t w"at %o1$!e done to "er 'am&l% %o1 won$t "a!e to look !er% "ard S"e$ll t1rn 13()
T"e boot5"eel 'ootste3s started 13 aga&n mo!&ng 2loser(
/ood% t1rned "&s "ead s&dewa%s and saw a man &n bla2k 2ombat gear a33roa2" blond4 late 'ort&es4
w&t" a 'a2e t"at m&g"t "a!e seemed bo%&s" &' t"e sl&tted e%es weren$t t"ose o' a snake(
And /ood% knew4 61st knew1 "e 2o1ld smell t"e bla2k5o3s m&l&tar% on t"e man8 no do1bt at allthis
was the devil 4afelnikov had made his deal with.
#T"&s &s t"e leaderF) t"e blond man asked( #T"&s &s /ood%F)
Ka'eln&ko! rose4 lea!&ng /ood% &n "&s blood% s3rawl(
#Yes4 ,olonel L%de2ker4) Ka'eln&ko! w"&s3ered( #W"at$s le't o' "&m4 an%wa%( B1t "e sa%s)
T"e blonde and t"e R1ss&an stood near /ood%8 no one else "eard t"e sotto !o2e 2on!ersat&on
L%de2ker$s mo1t" tw&t2"ed &n an ot"erw&se &m3ass&!e 'a2e( #I "eard w"at "e "ad to sa%4 /&k"a&l()
Look&ng 13 s&dewa%s4 /ood% saw t"e blond &n bla2k( sm&l&ng &nno21o1sl% down on "&m( #I' %o1 know
w"ere t"e g&rl &s4 and tell 1s I$ll see t"at %o1 l&!e4 and e!en let %o1 kee3 %o1r ne2kla2e()
/ood% 'elt 1n2ons2&o1sness tr%&ng to mo!e &n and take "&m( <e managed4 #I' I knew I$d tell %o1 )
L%de2ker st1d&ed "&m l&ke a lab s3e2&men( #B1t %o1 don$tF)
/ood% s"ook "&s "ead4 and 'le2ks o' blood s3attered t"e 2ement( #No m12" as I$d lo!e to see
"er k&2k all %o1r sorr% asses )
<old&ng o1t an o3en 3alm4 L%de2ker knelt o!er /ood%4 and sa&d to t"e R1ss&an4 #Yo1r g1n4 3lease()
Ka'eln&ko! '&lled t"e 2olonel$s 3alm w&t" t"e a1tomat&2(
L%de2ker asked /ood%4 #Are %o1 a rel&g&o1s manF)
#No()
#T"en %o1 won$t need t&me 'or a 3ra%er()
B1t /ood% sent 13 a 01&2k one4 an%wa%4 'or /a7$s sa'et%4 &n t"e moment be'ore t"e 2olonel '&red t"e
a1tomat&24 send&ng a b1llet t"ro1g" /ood%$s le't tem3le4 2ras"&ng t"ro1g" "&s r&g"t4 b1r%&ng &tsel' &n
t"e 'loor(
#;oddamn &tG) t"e R1ss&an bl1rted4 r1s"&ng o!er( #W"at$s wrong w&t" %o1G)
L%de2ker took Ka'eln&ko! b% t"e arm and w"&s3ered4 as &' to a lo!er4 &n t"e man$s earH #W"at$s wrong
w&t" you, /&k"a&lF Yo1 made me d&s3at2" "&mH ?e heard you call me by name. I wasn$t "ere
rememberF)
T"en4 l&3 tw&t2"&ng w&t" d&sg1st4 L%de2ker 3la2ed t"e a1tomat&2 ba2k &n t"e R1ss&an$s "and and s"o!ed
t"e man awa% 'rom "&m(
Brood members4 look&ng on4 e72"anged glan2es4 s1r3r&sed to see t"e&r leader take s12" ab1se w&t"o1t
3rotest(
As L%de2ker walked toward t"e e7&t4 t"e R1ss&an 2alled4 #W&t" "&m dead4 "ow t"e "ell am I s133osed
to '&nd t"e stoneF)
W&t"o1t t1rn&ng4 L%de2ker sa&d4 #It$s 3robabl% somew"ere &n t"e b1&ld&ng( Look 'or &t %o1rsel' Yo1
"a!e se!eral "o1rs be'ore an% 3ol&2e s"ow I$!e seen to t"at()
T"e R1ss&an sa&d4 #:ou"ve got man3owerG At least 3&t2" &n)
From t"e doorwa%4 L%de2ker bestowed a m&ld sm&le on t"e R1ss&an( #Yo1$!e got all t"e "el3 'rom me
%o1$re go&ng to get toda% Let me know &' %o1 get a lead on t"e g&rl()
T"en t"e blond man &n bla2k glan2ed aro1nd at t"e doEens o' dead ,lan members4 w"o la% l&ke
d&s2arded 2and% wra33ers on t"e t"eater 'loor(
#Terr&ble t"&ng to do to a b1n2" o' k&ds4) L%de2ker m1ttered(
And was gone(
Chapter E!%ht
ART ATTACK
STERLIN; ESTATE
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
-nder t"e 2o!er o' a dense 'og4 /a7 made "er wa% a2ross P1get So1nd &n a small battered motorboat4
t"e o1tboard 2"1gg&ng l&ke a t&red !a211m 2leaner s"e "ad #borrowed) &t 'rom a nearb% gro13 o'
s&m&lar 2ra't des&gnated 'or to1r&st rental4 and a sleeker4 'aster n1mber wo1ld "a!e been 3re'erable4 o'
2o1rse b1t t"e absen2e o' s12" a boat m&g"t "a!e ra&sed too m12" attent&on(
S12" ta2t&2s were se2ond5nat1re to t"e ?@5-n&t( T"e n&g"t a&r was w&ndless b1t 2ool4 almost 2old(
+as"on Island4 "er dest&nat&on "ome o' "er target la% somew"ere &n t"e m&st o'' t"e 3ort bow( In
"er bla2k t1rtlene2k4 bla2k sla2ks4 and r1bber5soled boots and t"e new bla2k leat"er !est w&t"
3o2kets 'or all "er to%s s"e m&g"t "a!e been Jb1t was notK a 2ommando mo1nt&ng a one5woman ra&d(
T"e ensemble "ad been e73ens&!e4 b1t e!en a band&t 2o1ld be st%l&n$4 r&g"tF
T"at br&ttle 2"&ll &n t"e a&r 3rom&sed a dee3er 2old to 2ome4 and /a7 was glad s"e "adn$t "ad to sw&m(
*1st be2a1se s"e$d been genet&2all% eng&neered to &gnore s12" tr&!&al&t&es as 'reeE&ng "er b1ns o''4 s"e
saw no reason to embra2e "ards"&3(
As t"e boat 31tt531tted &nto t"e 'og4 /a7 ke3t t"e t"rottle down on t"e motor4 bot" 'or sa'et%$s sake4 on
t"&s 3ea5so13% n&g"t4 and so as not to ad!ert&se "er a33roa2"( It was 3oss&ble t"ere was se21r&t%4 &n t"&s
wealt"% 3art o' t"e world4 t"at s"e "ad not ant&2&3ated(
Some se21r&t% s"e could ant&2&3ate( T"e Sterl&ng "ome4 a se2l1ded m1lt&m&ll&on5dollar 2astle on +as"on
Island4 sat on So1t"west S"awnee Road be"&nd a tall br&2k5and52on2rete wall and wo1ld 1ndo1btedl%
boast a state5o'5t"e5art s%stem( /a&n a22ess to t"e &sland was 3ro!&ded b% toll 'err&es one r1nn&ng to
t"e nort"ern end4 one to t"e so1t"ern t&3 t"o1g" /a7 knew t"e% were not t"e onl% a!en1es o'
a33roa2"(
T"e 3re2&o1s ob6e2t s"e so1g"t m&g"t be 2o!ered b% !&deo4 &n'rared4 3ress1re alarms4 and ;od onl%
knew w"at else8 b1t /a7 st&ll "ad to sm&le( W&t" no m&nes and no lasers tr%&ng to d&ss1ade "er4 t"&s
t&me aro1nd4 a s&m3le "ome &n!as&on wo1ld be a walk &n t"e 3ark or an%wa%4 2r1&se on t"e lake(
E!en now4 as s"e mo!ed t"ro1g" t"e 'og w&t" s&ngle5m&nded 31r3ose4 /a7 rema&ned &n somet"&ng o' a
3ersonal 'og( S"e was d&sa33o&nted t"at "er stra&g"t l&'e "ad re01&red t"&s 2rooked s&de tr&38 s"e w&s"ed
t"at t"e stra&g"t5and5narrow 3at" 2o1ld "a!e stret2"ed endlessl% on 'or "er
S"e l&ked t"e &dea o' not be&ng a b1rglar8 e!en rel&s"ed t"e not&on o' be2om&ng 61st anot"er stra&g"t &n a
world o' stra&g"ts( B1t s"e 2o1ld onl% k&d "ersel' so longH s"e was not normal4 not stra&g"t4 merel%
"&d&ng &n t"at world4 be"&nd t"at 'a2ade(
Kee3&ng gas &n "er N&n6a4 w"en '1el was o!er e&g"t b12ks a gallon4 "a!&ng t"e o22as&onal meal and
now and t"en a beer and 3a%&ng o''5t"e5books rent4 e!en w&t" Kendra$s "el3 was abo1t all "er
3&t&'1l messenger wages 2o!ered( And a normal 3erson a stra&g"t 3erson 2o1ld 31t 13 w&t" t"at4
make do w&t" ek&ng o1t an e7&sten2e(
B1t w"en %o1 added &n b1%&ng tr%3to3"an o'' t"e street4 to 2ontrol "er se&E1res one o' t"e genet&2
drawba2ks o' "er /ant&2ore breed&ng and &n 3art&21lar 'a2tored &n '1nd&ng "er e''orts to '&nd Set"
and "er ot"er s&bl&ngs well4 ma%be /a7 "ad known all along &t was onl% a matter o' t&me be'ore
s"e$d "a!e to t1rn ba2k to w"at /ood% "ad ta1g"t "er ma%be 2r&me was "er tr1e 2all&ng(
S"e 61st w&s"ed &t "adn$t 2ome ba2k aro1nd so soon(
In 3art&21lar4 kee3&ng t"at 3r&!ate e%e on t"e tra&l o' Set" Jand <anna"K wo1ld soon re01&re more 2as"(
S1re4 +ogelsang ma% "a!e been a tr&'le seed%4 b1t /a7 needed t"at( An &n!est&gat&!e agen2% "&g"er 13
t"e 'ood 2"a&n wo1ld "a!e 2ost e!en more4 m&g"t "a!e la2ked t"e P(I($s 1se'1ll% s"ad% 2onne2t&ons4 and
m&g"t be too t&ed &n w&t" t"e 133er5e2"elon o' t"e 2&t%4 t"e !er% radar s"e was tr%&ng to 'l% 1nder(
S&n2e arr&!&ng &n Seattle4 /a7 "ad been read&ng t"e lo2al 3a3ers on l&ne4 borrow&ng Kendra$s la3to34 &n
an attem3t to '&nd o1t more abo1t E%es Onl% and4 s"e "o3ed4 Set"( B1t &n more re2ent da%s4 s"e "ad
t1rned "er /ood%5tra&ned e%e toward 3otent&al s2ores4 as well(
Fr1strat&ngl%4 s"e "adn$t learned an%t"&ng s1bstant&al abo1t E%es Onl% "e was a #mena2e4) a22ord&ng
to t"e ma%or4 and #awards 'or &n'ormat&on lead&ng to %ada %ada %ada) and "ad 2ome 13 w&t" E&3 on
Set"4 also no 2o!erage s&n2e t"at s2ra3 w&t" t"e 2o3s t"at SNN "ad 2o!ered(
B1t s"e had st1mbled a2ross a stor% abo1t a b&ll&ona&re art 2olle2tor and 3ol&t&2al 2ontr&b1tor
named *ared Sterl&ng(
T"e 'o21s o' t"e re2ent 3ress attent&on was Sterl&ng$s latest #ma6or) a201&s&t&on4 an or&g&nal ;rant Wood
3a&nt&ng 2alled Death on the 8idge 8oad. ,olor 3"otos s"owed Sterl&ng &n "&s late twent&es4 not bad
look&ng t"&2k blond w&dow$s 3eaked "a&r w&t" a well5tr&mmed beard4 and 3&er2&ng bl1e e%es4 s"ort4
stra&g"t nose4 t"&n de2&s&!e l&ne o' a mo1t"4 t1rn&ng 13 &n a sl% sm&le4 &n t"&s 3"oto4 an%wa%(
7ood looking and loaded, s"e$d t"o1g"t as s"e stared t"e L,. s2reen8 maybe 6 oughta give up
burglary and go on the sugar=daddy hunt-
In se!eral o' t"e 3"otos s"own ne7t to Sterl&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng was a !ag1el% 2artoon% &ll1strat&on o'
an ant&01e red tr12k bear&ng down on a bla2k 2ar t1rned s&dewa%s on a tw&st&ng road 3a&nted &n L>A@4
t"e 21tl&ne &nd&2ated(
/a7 d&dn$t know t"e 3a&nt&ng4 b1t t"anks to /ood%$s s2"ool&ng s"e 2erta&nl% knew ;rant Wood4
and re2ogn&Eed t"e d&st&n2t&!e st%le( And s"e knew as well t"at Wood works were 'et2"&ng as m12" as
n&net% to a "1ndred t"o1sand4 now t"at so m12" Amer&2ana was be&ng sold o''(
.1e to "er 3art&21larl% war3ed 13br&ng&ng4 /a7 "ad l&ttle sense o' w"at Amer&2a "ad on2e meant8 b1t
s"e knew /ood% "ad been d&st1rbed b% s12" t"&ngs( W&t" t"e Baseball <all o' Fame sold and mo!ed to
K%oto4 *a3an not to ment&on t"e Stat1e o' L&bert%4 31r2"ased b% t"e S1ltan o' Br1ne& &t was
ob!&o1s t"at Amer&2a J/ood% wo1ld rantK4 and all "er 3ossess&ons4 were 'or sale #to t"e "&g"est
goddamn b&dder()
To /a74 "owe!er4 w"at t"&s 3a&nt&ng meant was one t"&ngH w&t" 3ro3er 'en2&ng4 &t wo1ld 2o!er
+ogelsang$s e73enses 'or a good4 long w"&le
/a7 knew a great deal abo1t art4 art&sts4 6ewelr%4 ant&01es4 2olle2t&bles "ell4 s"e e!en knew t"e !al1e
o' baseball 2ards( /ood% "ad ta1g"t "er well not 'or altr1&st&2 reasons4 or to broaden "er "1man
"or&Eons Jat least t"at "ad not been t"e ma&n 31r3oseK(
Rat"er4 "er Fag&n5l&ke mentor knew t"at LA was a 2&t% o' 2olle2tors4 t"at e!en a'ter t"e P1lse4 and a'ter
t"e B&g =1ake4 t"e town br&mmed w&t" !al1able art&'a2ts( Ant&2&3at&ng t"&s know&ng t"e ,"&nese
,lan m&g"t 'rom t&me to t&me en2o1nter an% n1mber o' 3r&2eless ob6e2ts on t"e&r !ar&o1s lar2eno1s
'ora%s /ood% "ad made s1re "e was tra&ned to re2ogn&Ee t"e '&ner t"&ngs4 and as "e was more and
more not a22om3an%&ng "&s k&ds on t"e&r 2a3ers "ad met"od&2all% 3assed t"&s knowledge along to
/a7(
A 01&2k st1d%4 /a7 "ad de!o1red t"e mater&al g&!en "er b% /ood% and so1g"t o1t e!en more8 s"e told
"ersel' "er mot&!at&on was 3ra2t&2al4 b1t art nonet"eless st&rred somet"&ng w&t"&n "er(
And &t got to w"ere s"e 2o1ld walk &nto an% ant&01e s"o3 &n LaLa5land and know4 &n a glan2e4 w"at was
wort" steal&ng and w"at wasn$t( S"e "ad known4 61st look&ng at &t4 t"at t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean was no
'ake8 t"e le!el o' se21r&t% alone wo1ld "a!e been a t&35o''4 b1t t"e stone &tsel' "ad s3oken to /a74
tell&ng "er &t was t"e real deal(
S"e$d done "er on5l&ne "omework on *ared Sterl&ng4 t"e 3a&nt&ng4 and t"e 3la2e w"ere Sterl&ng now
ke3t &t8 m12" o' t"e &n'ormat&on 2o1ld "a!e been d&s2o!ered b% an%one w&t" a ,omsat l&nk( B1t to a
/ant&2ore5tra&ned "a2ker l&ke /a74 t"e 2%berworld was an o%ster 2o1g"&ng 13 one Internetted 3earl
a'ter anot"er
F&tt&ngl% eno1g"4 &t seemed Sterl&ng "ad made "&s mone% &n res1rre2t&ng t"e 3ost5P1lse 2om31ter
&n'rastr12t1re( Almost s&ngle"andedl%4 ol$ *ared "ad gotten t"e Internet 13 and r1nn&ng aga&n4 on t"e
West ,oast( Onl% a s"adow o' &ts 'ormer sel' &n man% areas at '&rst4 t"e Net was 134 t"anks to Sterl&ng4
and 3rogress was 01&2kl% made(
Be&ng &n t"e r&g"t 3la2e4 at t"e r&g"t t&me4 w&t" t"e r&g"t te2"nolog%4 "ad g&!en *ared Sterl&ng wealt"
2om3arable to t"e B&ll ;ates J3re5P1lse4 be'ore ;ates went 'amo1sl% broke4 o' 2o1rseK( T"e "ard5"&t
East ,oast states "ad 2ome sn&''&ng aro1nd Sterl&ng4 tr%&ng to 2on!&n2e "&m to "el3 t"em get ba2k &nto
t"e on5l&ne world8 b1t w"en t"e% wo1ldn$t Jor 3er"a3s 2o1ldn$tK meet "&s 3r&2e4 and "&s terms4 "e$d le't
t"em on t"e o1ts&de look&ng &n(
Sterl&ng$s "ard5nosed wa% o' do&ng b1s&ness "e was o'ten a !&2&o1s target o' l&beral o35ed wr&ters
meant t"at on2e t"e eastern states did 2ome 2rawl&ng ba2k4 to a!a&l t"emsel!es o' "&s 3rod12t and "&s
ser!&2es4 t"e 3r&2e wo1ld do1ble4 &' not tr&3le( Sterl&ng "ad a legendar% mean streak4 and t"e 2o1ntr%$s
ma6or le't5w&ng 3ol&t&2al magaE&ne4 ?ustler, "ad not long ago made "&m t"e&r #Post5P1lse Predator o'
t"e /ont"4) a221s&ng "&m o' "a!&ng no 2ons2&en2e(
#A lot o' b1s&nessmen "a!e been 2alled s"arks4) 31bl&s"er La1ren2e Fl%nt III o3&ned4 #b1t Sterl&ng &s
t"e real t"&ng( R1mor "as &t4 "e e!en "as sl&ts ta&lored &nto &n t"e ba2k o' "&s t"o1sand5dollar s1&ts4 to
a22ommodate "&s dorsal '&n()
Pol&t&2s were a bl1r to /a74 o' 2o1rse all s"e knew was4 /ant&2ore was t&ed to t"e 'ederal
go!ernment8 t"ere'ore4 'ederal go!ernment bad(
As 'or t"e 3a&nt&ng4 /a7 alread% knew Death on the 8idge 8oad "ad been 2reated b% Wood &n L>A@(
W"at s"e 'o1nd o1t onl&ne was t"at t"e work was o&l on a /ason&te 3anel4 t"&rt%5two b% t"&rt%5n&ne
&n2"es w"&2" made &t k&nd o' b&g and 1nw&eld%4 'or a 2at b1rglar( B1t t"e 3a%2"e2k wo1ld more t"an
make 13 'or t"e "assle 'a2tor(
In L>DC4 ,ole Porter4 a twent&et"52ent1r% songwr&ter4 Jt"e onl&ne &n'o l&sted se!eral #'amo1s) song
t&tles4 none o' w"&2" rang a bell 'or /a7K "ad g&!en t"e 3a&nt&ng as a g&'t to t"e W&ll&ams ,ollege
/1se1m o' Art &n /assa2"1setts( A'ter t"e P1lse4 "owe!er4 Death "ad d&sa33eared 'or ten %ears be'ore
t1rn&ng 134 1n"armed4 on t"at easel ne7t to Sterl&ng(
T"e Net magnate onl% la1g"ed w"en t"e med&a asked w"ere "e$d 31r2"ased t"e 3a&nt&ng4 and wa!ed o''
an% s1ggest&on t"at &t m&g"t be stolen 3ro3ert%( S12" owners"&3 &ss1es "ad be2ome somet"&ng o' a
moot 3o&nt4 a'ter t"e P1lse4 o' 2o1rse(
#I a201&red &t 'rom a 3r&!ate 2olle2tor4) was all "e wo1ld sa%(
Alt"o1g" none o' t"e med&a "ad made a t"&ng o1t o' &t4 two da%s a'ter Sterl&ng$s 3&2t1re "ad a33eared
w&t" t"e ;rant Wood4 a /&am& 2olle2tor named *o"nson was"ed as"ore &n t"e ;1l' o' /e7&2o4 t"e
!&2t&m o' an a33arent boat&ng a22&dent(
T"&s /a7 "ad not d&s2o!ered onl&ne( In 'a2t4 t"at 3art&21lar 3&e2e o' &n'ormat&on 2ame 2o1rtes% o' one
o' "er other &nterests w"en4 at *am Pon%4 as s"e and Or&g&nal ,&nd% were wa&t&ng 'or t"e&r ne7t
ass&gnment4 an E%es Onl% broad2ast "ad &nterr13ted SNN "eadl&ne news on t"e break5area T+
##his cable hack will last exactly sixty seconds,& t"e 2om3ell&ng !o&2e sa&d4 as strong4 2lear e%es stared
o1t 'rom between bands o' red and bl1e at t"e s2reen$s to3 and bottom4 o!er w"&2" mo!&ng w"&te letters
JSTREA/IN; FREE.O/ +I.EOK were s13er&m3osed( #6t cannot be traced, it cannot be stopped,
and it is the only free voice left in this city.&
#$,e3t 'or Or&g&nal ,&nd%4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d(
Sket2"% leaned &n( #I d&g t"&s g1% "e$s &ntense()
#<e$s 61st anot"er s2am art&st4) /a7 sa&d4 3retend&ng to be 1n&m3ressed(
##he mainstream media considers this small news. But (yes 9nly wonders if there is a connection
between the death of art dealer ?arold .ohnson and the very much alive=and=well art collector, .ared
Sterling- &
A'ter dr&!&ng t"e boat onto t"e sand4 sl&d&ng &t 13 &nto some b1s"es4 and se21r&ng &t4 t"e %o1ng woman
&n bla2k made "er 2atl&ke wa% 13 a roll&ng lands2a3ed lawn to t"e wall o' *ared Sterl&ng$s estate( T"e
'og "adn$t d&ss&3ated an%4 &n 'a2t was 2l&ng&ng to t"e eart" l&ke a 2lo1d t"at lost &ts wa%8 t"&s wo1ld
make /a7 "arder to dete2t on !&deo(
T"e wall se!en 'eet o' br&2k to33ed w&t" !&deo 2ameras at e!er% 2orner 3ro!ed to be l&ttle
2"allenge to /a7( S"e 61m3ed to t"e to34 eas&l% got "er 'oot&ng4 "o33ed down4 and landed gentl% on
more grass( L&sten&ng 2losel%4 s"e "eard onl% s&len2e4 saw merel% t"e general s"a3e o' t"e 2astlel&ke
"o1se &n t"e 'og(
Edg&ng low along t"e wall4 s"e a!o&ded t"e 2ameras e!en t"o1g" s"e 'elt s1re t"e% 2o1ldn$t 2at2" "er &n
t"&s so13 1nless s"e was on to3 o' one( It was a "1ndred %ards a2ross a 3ool5table green lawn no
slo3e4 now4 n&2e and 'lat to t"e loom&ng tan5br&2k "o1se4 and /a7 2o!ered t"e t1r' 01&2kl%4 mak&ng
t&me an Ol%m3&2 r1nner wo1ld "a!e en!&ed(
S"e "ad "al' e73e2ted dogs4 b1t s"e sensed no an&mal 3resen2eH 2an&nes wo1ld "a!e made "er 2at$s
nose tw&t2"( <er onl% ot"er real 'ear make t"at4 a33re"ens&on wo1ld be mot&on dete2tors t"at
m&g"t tr&gger %ard l&g"ts( Not"&ng( And t"e onl% l&g"ts on &n t"e ent&re &mmense "o1se were &n two
w&ndows on t"e '&rst 'loor &n t"e ba2k(
Security room, /a7 t"o1g"t(
-3 2lose4 t"e t"ree5stor% "o1se seemed "1ge( An art&2le &n t"e on5l&ne Architectural Digest sa&d t"e
3la2e "ad se!en bedrooms4 two k&t2"ens4 and 'o1r bat"rooms8 a 2arr&age "o1se on t"e o33os&te s&de o'
t"e estate "o1sed Sterl&ng$s '1ll5t&me ten5man se21r&t% team Jt"&s 'a2t s"e "ad "a2ked 'rom t"e se21r&t%
2om3an%$s Web s&te4 "a!&ng learned t"e&r I(.( 'rom &n'o l&'ted 'rom t"e Sterl&ng Enter3r&ses o''&2&al
Web s&teK( E&g"t5'oot e!ergreens stood between t"e w&ndows l&ke g&ant green sent&nels( ,entered on t"e
near s&de o' t"e "o1se were Fren2" doors w&t" two w&ndows on e&t"er s&de4 t"e w"ole t"&ng w&red to
t"at se21r&t% room &n t"e ba2k o' t"e mans&on(
S"e wo1ldn$t be go&ng &n t"&s wa%(
/ost "ome &n!aders a!o&ded t"e one 3o&nt o' entr% t"at wo1ldn$t start s&rens s2ream&ng and or bells
2lang&ng4 t"e moment &t got 3o33edH t"e 'ront door(
T"at was onl% be2a1se most "ome &n!aders la2ked /a7$s s&ng1lar sk&lls(
E!en "ere4 be"&nd t"e se21r&t%5135t"e5waEooed walls o' a 3arano&d ka5E&ll&ona&re l&ke *ared Sterl&ng4
/a7 wo1ld "a!e a good t"&rt% se2onds to 31n2" &n t"e 2orre2t se21r&t% 2ode4 be'ore t"e ten5man team
2ame s2rambl&ng a'ter "er( T"e ke%3ad and &ts 3&n d&d make t"&s a l&ttle to1g"er t"an tak&ng 2and% 'rom
bab&es(
A l&ttle(
Fo1r w&de 2on2rete sta&rs4 w&t" a "1ge 2on2rete l&on 3res&d&ng o!er e&t"er s&de4 led to a small land&ng &n
'ront o' a 'orm&dable green door J&t looked to /a7 l&ke a b&g dollar b&llK w&t" a 'an2% brass knob and
abo!e t"at a 2entered4 ornate brass kno2ker( T"ank'1ll%4 t"e 3or2" l&g"t was not on(
Large dark521rta&ned w&ndows4 ea2" abo1t t"&rt% &n2"es w&de4 bookended t"e door4 and 'or a br&e'
se2ond /a7 2ons&dered 61st break&ng one4 2l&mb&ng &n4 and k&2k&ng t"e s"&t o1t o' t"ose se21r&t% bo%s
61st 'or 3ra2t&2e 61st 'or '1n
Pleas&ng t"o1g" t"e not&on was4 /a7 t"o1g"t o' /ood% J#Onl% amate1rs take 1nne2essar% 2"an2es on
a s2ore)K4 and s"e w&t"drew "er sw&t2"blade 'rom "er 6a2ket 3o2ket and eased &ts t&3 &nto t"e lat2" o'
t"e b&g green door( Less t"an ten se2onds later4 t"at o!ers&Eed dollar b&ll %awned o3en4 and /a7 s&lentl%
started to 2o1nt(
#hirty, twenty=nine, twenty=eight-
S"e ste33ed &ns&de t"e entr%wa%4 and was swallowed b% t"e darkness o' t"e sl1mber&ng "o1se8 "er
n&g"t !&s&on wo1ld k&2k &n soon( S"e 'olded t"e kn&'e4 sl&33ed &t awa%4 t"e world &n "ere so s&lent s"e
"eard onl% t"e t&2k&ng o' a 'ew 2lo2ks4 "er own breat"&ng4 and t"e 2o1nt&ng &n "er "ead(
#wenty=five, twenty=four-
T"e ke%3ad was on t"e wall to "er r&g"t4 ea2" to12"3ad 2on!en&entl% aglow4 a red l&g"t s"&n&ng &n t"e
r&g"t bottom 2orner4 a green l&g"t &n t"e le't4 w&t" a 2o33er52olored w&ndow to d&s3la% t"e 2ode abo!e
t"e n1mbered 3ad( S"e$d been 2orre2tH ten d&g&ts( T%3&2all%4 a 'o1r5n1mber 2ode(
#wenty=two, twenty=one-
<er e7traord&nar% e%es&g"t determ&ned w"&2" o' t"ese ke%s 'o1r o' t"emH L4 A4 C4 O "ad wear8 t"e
2ode wo1ld be twent%5'o1r 2omb&nat&ons t"ereo'
Sixteen, fifteen, fourteen-
<er "ands 'lew o!er t"e ke%board4 "er e%es4 ears4 and bra&n work&ng &n 2on2ert at a 3a2e onl%
nanose2onds slower t"an a 2om31ter(
#en, nine-
Ele!en 2omb&nat&ons tr&ed(
(ight, seven-
Se!enteen tr&ed(
Six, five, four-
F&nall% t"e 2orre2t 2ombo k&2ked &n and t"e red l&g"t bl&nked green( T"&nk&ng4 6t would have been more
fun to *ust break a window, s"e sm&led nonet"eless w&t" sat&s'a2t&on4 to12"ed a b1tton marked IN4 and
t"e l&g"t bl&nked ba2k red(
T"e "o1se was se21re
at least t"at$s w"at *ared Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% sta'' wo1ld be t"&nk&ng(
/a7$s n&g"t !&s&on was &n '1ll 'or2e now( S"e was &n a 'o%er larger t"an most "omes( T"e 'loor was
marble J3ale %ellow &n t"e 3"otos on5l&neK4 t"e walls 3laster4 and t"e '1rn&s"&ngs "ere4 and elsew"ere &n
t"e "o1se4 were /&ss&on5st%le4 some o' t"em !&ntage 3&e2es4 &n2l1d&ng some Frank Llo%d Wr&g"t
or&g&nals( S"e "ad entered a starkl% bea1t&'1l4 mas21l&ne world w"ere e!er% &tem4 "owe!er m1ndane4
m&g"t be a !al1able ob6et d$art(
Stra&g"t a"ead a sta&r2ase w&de eno1g" to a22ommodate ten 3eo3le abreast led to an 133er 'loor w"ere
a long "allwa% wo1ld e7tend to e&t"er end o' t"e "o1se( ;lan2&ng 13 at t"e land&ng4 /a7 2o1ld make
o1t a 2o13le o' dark wood doors4 &ron&2all% mak&ng t"e se2ond 'loor4 w&t" &ts 3laster walls4 look l&ke a
"allwa% &n an &ne73ens&!e "otel(
On t"e le't s&de o' t"e sta&r2ase4 ma%be "al'wa% 134 was a small wall5mo1nted !&deo 2amera tra&ned on
t"e entr%wa%(
To /a7$s le't and r&g"t4 2losed doors led to l&!&ng rooms and b&ll&ards rooms4 dens4 and a 'ew ot"er
rooms w"ose '1n2t&ons were not s3elled o1t &n "er onl&ne resear2"( S"e "ad tr&ed to '&nd 3lans 'or t"e
"o1se4 b1t e!en w&t" "er "a2k&ng o' bot" t"e se21r&t% 2om3an% and Sterl&ng$s own '&rm4 3l1s t"e web
s&te o' t"e ar2"&te2t w"o$d b1&lt t"e 2astle4 t"e 3lans 'or Sterl&ng$s "ome rema&ned el1s&!e4 a33arentl%
g1arded as &' t"e% were a go!ernment se2ret( W"at s"e d&d know4 /a7 owed Architectural Digest
T"e 21rta&ns on t"e w&ndows border&ng t"e 'ront door were "ea!% mas21l&ne maroon bro2ade( 2retty
fancy, /a7 t"o1g"t4 but then my digs run more to taped drywall and sheet plastic. Sterl&ng 2o1ld a''ord
to l&!e well4 and "&s 01al&t% o' l&'e was re'le2ted &n t"e 01al&t% o' "&s t"&ngs( I' s"e$d been able to4 /a7
wo1ld "a!e ba2ked a mo!&ng !an to t"at 'ront door4 and s3ent t"e rest o' t"e n&g"t "a1l&ng eno1g" swag
o1t o' t"&s 6o&nt to ret&re at n&neteen(
<1gg&ng t"e walls4 s"e worked "er wa% aro1nd t"e 'o%er t&ll s"e was on t"e le't s&de o' t"e sta&r2ase4
near t"e 2amera( Sta%&ng low4 s"e 2l&mbed t"e sta&rs to t"e 2amera4 got be"&nd &t and 2are'1ll%
1ns2rewed &t 'rom &ts mo1nt4 t"en 1ns2rewed t"e 2oa7&al 2able 'rom t"e ba2k4 all t"e w"&le l&sten&ng 'or
t"e so1nd o' 3o1nd&ng 'eet4 a s1re s&gn s"e$d been s3otted(
S"e "eard not"&ng( *1st t"ose same 'ew 2lo2ks and o' 2o1rse t"e stead% beat o' "er "eart(
Ne7t4 'rom a !est 3o2ket4 s"e took o1t a de!&2e m12" l&ke a small TaEer4 to12"ed &t to t"e 2able4 '&red &t4
send&ng a "&g"5!oltage b1rst t"ro1g" t"e 2able( T"&s s"o1ld s"ort o1t t"e ent&re !&deo s%stem(
'ow s"e "eard 'eet 3o1nd&ng t"ro1g" t"e "o1se4 !o&2es4 too4 w"&s3ers so as not to alert an% &ntr1der too
01&2kl%( S"e re3la2ed t"e 2amera on &ts wall mo1nt and "o3ed t"e se21r&t% 2am wo1ld look normal
eno1g" to 3ass a ra3&d &ns3e2t&on( /elt&ng &nto t"e s"adows be"&nd one o' t"e bro2ade 21rta&ns4 s"e
wat2"ed as 'o1r men4 all &n s"&rts and t&es4 2on!erged &n t"e 'o%er(
Two o' t"ese s3&''% se21r&t% g1ards "ad 3&stols drawn4 (AO ,olt S3e2&als4 w"&le t"e ot"er two 2arr&ed
a1tomat&2 wea3ons4 <e2kler S Ko2" /PCA s1bma2"&ne g1ns( A negat&!e wa!e o' emot&on ran t"ro1g"
/a74 momentar&l% break&ng "er remarkable sel'52ontrol(
;1ns made "er rea2t l&ke t"at b1t &t was not 'ear
and s"e knew "ow to 1se s12" wea3ons "ersel'4 3ro'&2&entl% &n 'a2t8 onl%4 s&n2e "er s&b E!a$s deat"4
s"e 2o1ld "ardl% stand to to12" t"e damn t"&ngs(
Ea2" man wore an ear3"one and was t"atF S"e looked 2loser4 t"e 2at$s e%es work&ng t"e&r mag&2
%es4 ea2" also "ad a t&n% m&2ro3"one 3eek&ng o1t 'rom t"e end o' "&s slee!e( Sterl&ng wo1ld seem to be
ser&o1s abo1t 3rote2t&ng "&s 3ossess&onsH s1&ts and t&es as&de4 t"ese bo%s were s&7 'eet tall or better4
rang&ng 'rom m&dtwent&es to earl% 'ort&es4 two w"&te4 one bla2k4 one <&s3an&24 a33arentl% all &n s"a3e4
t"e&r manner 3ro'ess&onal4 t"e&r look "ard52ore4 t"at 2"&seled emot&onless 01al&t% %o1 'o1nd onl% &n
2areer sold&ers or mer2enar&es(
/a7 sm&led8 s"e 'elt a t&ngle o' e72&tement
Not t"at look&ng at t"e men 'r&g"tened "er4 or &nt&m&dated "er &n an% wa%( B1t s"e knew t"at &' t"e
master o' t"e "o1se "ad gone to t"&s m12" tro1ble to 3rote2t somet"&ng4 t"at somet"&ng m1st reall% be
wort" 3rote2t&ng somet"&ng more4 e!en4 t"an a "&g"l% !al1able 3a&nt&ng l&ke t"e ;rant Wood( /a%be4
61st ma%be4 s"e wo1ld make an e!en b&gger "a1l "ere t"an s"e "ad &mag&ned(
And4 too4 s"e k&nd o' l&ked t"e 2"allenge o' be&ng 13 aga&nst wort"% o33onents
Tall4 w&t" a gra%&ng 2rew 21t4 t"e oldest o' t"e 01artet took 2"arge8 "e "ad narrow 2olorless l&3s4 d&me5
s&Eed s2ars on e&t"er 2"eek4 and l&ke /a7 "e wore bla2k 'rom "ead to toe "&s s"&rt and t&e
&n2l1ded(
#/a1rer4) t"e leader sa&d4 #13sta&rs()
One o' t"e g1%s 2arr%&ng t"e /PCAs bla2k4 broad5s"o1ldered4 2lean521t4 wear&ng a gold s"&rt w&t" a
str&3ed t&e ran 13 t"e sta&rs r&g"t 3ast t"e 2amera /a7 "ad 1sed to d&sable t"e !&deo s%stem(
#*a2kson4) t"e leader barked(
Also 2arr%&ng an /PCA4 *a2kson &dent&'&ed "&msel' to /a7 b% ste33&ng 'orward( B1rl%4 w"&te4 t"e
%o1ngest o' t"em4 "e looked l&ke a 2ollege at"lete attend&ng an awards d&nner &n "&s too5t&g"t w"&te s"&rt
and gra% sla2ks w&t" a red5and5bl1e5str&3ed t&e(
T"e leader sa&d4 #Yo1 start work&ng t"e gro1nds()
*a2kson sa&d4 #Yes s&r4) 2r&s3l% m&l&tar%4 and mo!ed o!er to t"e ke%board4 w"ere "e 31n2"ed se!eral
b1ttons4 t"e alarm l&g"t t1rn&ng green( On2e *a2kson "ad gone o1ts&de4 t"e 'o1rt" member o' t"e team
a m1s21lar %o1ng <&s3an&2 &n a l&g"t bl1e s"&rt4 na!% sla2ks4 and na!% t&e 31n2"ed t"e IN b1tton4
on2e aga&n sett&ng t"e alarm(
/a7 t1rned "er "ead to wat2" *a2kson "ead&ng awa% 'rom t"e "o1se4 "old&ng "er breat"4 61st wa&t&ng
'or "&m to t1rn and look r&g"t at "er4 stand&ng t"ere &n t"e w&ndow b1t "e d&d not( Soon t"e 'ogg%
'ront %ard "ad swallowed "&m(
#/orales4) t"e leader sa&d4 "&s !o&2e so't4 #%o1 go r&g"t4 I$ll go le't()
W"&le t"e leader o3ened t"e door and entered t"e room on t"e le't4 /orales entered t"e room on t"e
r&g"t( T"ro1g" t"e se2ond o' t"e o3en doors4 61st be'ore /orales 2losed &t be"&nd "&m4 /a7 gl&m3sed a
3a&nt&ng &n a gold5lea' 'rame on t"e 'ar wall(
S"e de2&ded t"at was as good a 3la2e as an% to start(
A m&n1te t&2ked b%( Steal&ng a look &n t"e d&re2t&on t"e leader "ad gone4 t"en glan2&ng 13 t"e sta&rs4
/a7 sat&s'&ed "ersel' ne&t"er man was "eaded ba2k "er wa%4 not &mmed&atel% an%wa%(
So s"e made "er mo!e(
S"e sl&33ed 'rom "er "&d&ng 3la2e and 2re3t a2ross t"e 'o%er8 s"e o3ened t"e door slowl%4 2are'1ll%4
01&etl%4 3eeked &nto t"e room
and d&dn$t see /orales(
S"e eased &n(
T"e room was large4 almost "1ge4 more l&ke somet"&ng o1t o' a m1se1m t"an a "o1se( <&g"5
2e&l&nged4 w&t" a bea1t&'1ll% 3ol&s"ed "ardwood 'loor and dark ma"ogan% 3anel&ng4 t"&s was "ome to
3a&nt&ng a'ter 3a&nt&ng4 'ramed 2an!ases 2o!er&ng all 'o1r walls o' t"e w&ndowless 2"amber4 t"ree and
somet&mes 'o1r rows o' t"em4 l&ke 'ab1lo1sl% e73ens&!e wall3a3er( A 'ew /&ss&on5st%le 2"a&rs were
3os&t&oned aro1nd t"e 'loor4 b1t &t was essent&all% bare4 and more &m3ortant to /a7 !a2ant(
Ste33&ng 'art"er &nto t"e galler%4 s"e noted anot"er door on t"e o33os&te wall at t"e 'ar end( /orales
"ad ob!&o1sl% entered4 not seen an%one4 and e7&ted r&g"t o1t t"e ot"er s&de4 to 2"e2k rooms be%ond(
/a7 strolled 13 t"e m&ddle o' t"e room4 gaE&ng at t"e 3a&nt&ngs on e&t"er s&de( Some s"e$d seen be'ore
&n /ood%$s books4 and &n magaE&nes and onl&ne8 b1t ot"ers were strangers to "er4 t"o1g" t"e st%les were
'am&l&ar and s"e 2o1ld 3robabl% 3la% 3&n5t"e5art&st5on5t"e53a&nt&ng
T"&s was more t"an s"e 2o1ld e!er "a!e &mag&ned(
Aga&n t"e t"o1g"t o' steal&ng eno1g" to ret&re s1r'a2ed4 b1t s"e wo1ldn$t need a mo!&ng !an to do &t8
s"e 2o1ld 21t 2an!as a'ter 2an!as o1t o' t"e&r 'rames4 roll t"em 134 and take t"e w"ole lot( I' /ood%$s
lessons on 01al&t% "ad ser!ed "er well4 t"en "er e%es told "er s"e wo1ldn$t need +ogelsang to '&nd Set"(
S"e 2o1ld buy an 13town dete2t&!e agen2%8 "ell4 s"e 2o1ld b1% Manticore/-
T"&s 'antas% bl&33ed a2ross "er m&nd4 and t"en s"e ban&s"ed &t too m12" t&me4 too man% r&sks8 &n t"&s
"o1se4 w&t" t"ose 'o1r armed se21r&t% sold&ers roam&ng4 s"e 2o1ld s3end no longer t"&nk&ng abo1t s12"
t"&ngs( S"e needed to get "er damn 3a&nt&ng and ma%be one or two more and get t"e "ell o1t o'
.odge(
T"e t"&e' 'o1nd "er ;rant Wood "al'wa% down t"e r&g"t5"and wall( S"e d&d not 'ool aro1nd4 61m3&ng
t"e alarm w&re4 31ll&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng down4 and 'ree&ng &t 'rom &ts ornate ant&01e gold 'rame w"&2"4
s"e momentar&l% lamented4 2o1ld "a!e been sold 'or a good 3r&2e4 as well8 b1t t"at wo1ld "a!e made
t"&s 3a2kage e!en more b1lk% t"an &t was now(
T"e t"&rt% &n2" b% t"&rt%5n&ne &n2" s"eet o' /ason&te was "ea!% and "ard4 and 3er"a3s s"e 61st s"o1ld
"a!e abandoned &t as "er goal4 and gambled on a 'ew 2an!ases8 b1t t"&s 3a&nt&ng was a s1re t"&ng4 an
ob6e2t&!e s"e$d resear2"ed well(
2lan and execute, /ood% wo1ld sa%8 improvise at your own risk-
/a7 2are'1ll% sl&d t"e Wood &nto a E&33ered water3roo' bag s"e$d 2arr&ed &n 'olded 1nder "er !est4 and
glan2ed aro1nd to see &' s"e dared snat2" one more 3r&Ee4 be'ore t"e se21r&t% bo%s 2ame ba2k(
As "er e%es 'l&2ked 'rom 'rame to 'rame4 somet"&ng &n a 2orner at t"e 'ar end o' t"e room 2a1g"t "er
attent&on a 3edestal on w"&2" 3er2"ed a Ple7&glas 2ase abo1t t"e s&Ee o' a basketball4 w&t" somet"&ng
rest&ng on bla2k !el!et &ns&de( T"e onl% s12" d&s3la% &n t"e room4 &t "ad a tem3orar% 'eel&ng4 as &' t"&s
"ad been arranged onl% 1nt&l a better s"ow2ase 2o1ld be 'o1nd(
As s"e got 2loser and '&nall% began to 2om3re"end 61st w"at &t was s"e was be"old&ng "er stoma2"
wren2"ed4 and s"e s1ddenl% "ad t"e 'eel&ng t"at a nest o' snakes was sl&t"er&ng down &ns&de "er
S&tt&ng sm1gl% on bla2k !el!et4 m12" as &t "ad ba2k at t"e <oll%wood <er&tage /1se1m4 was t"e <eart
o' t"e O2ean(
T"e a&r seemed some"ow t"&nner now4 and "er breat"&ng 2ame &n s"ort4 ra3&d gas3s( =1est&ons t1mbled
t"ro1g" "er m&nd4 l&ke dom&noes kno2k&ng &nto ea2" ot"er
?ow had it gotten here;
?ad Sterling been Moody"s buyer;
9r had some fence bought it from Moody and sold it to Sterling;
S1''&2&ent t&me "ad 3assed4 s&n2e t"e or&g&nal t"e't4 'or e&t"er o' t"ose transa2t&ons to "a!e taken 3la2e8
and %et some"ow /a7 2o1ldn$t 1nderstand "ow t"e ne2kla2e "ad gotten 'rom /ood%$s 3o2ket to t"&s
room4 &n t"&s "o1se( Somet"&ng seemed wrong(
+er% wrong(
<er 'a2e 'elt "ot4 "er stoma2" &2%4 and goose b1m3s o' 'ear ran 13 "er arms4 somet"&ng t"at "ad not
"a33ened s&n2e and she flashed on herself, in the woods, the night of the escape, fleeing Manticore,
fleeing 0ydecker
#Bea1t&'1l4 &sn$t &tF) a warm !o&2e asked 'rom be"&nd "er(
And %et t"ere was somet"&ng 2old abo1t &t(
In 'a2t4 t"e !o&2e 'roEe "er4 t"e E&33ered bag w&t" t"e ;rant Wood &ns&de st&ll dangl&ng 'rom "er r&g"t
"and4 l&ke an abs1rdl% o!ers&Eed 31rse(
It wasn$t a !o&2e belong&ng to an% "&red "el3H t"&s was *ared Sterl&ng$s !o&2e8 s"e "adn$t t1rned aro1nd
%et4 b1t s"e re2ogn&Eed &t4 'rom !&deo 2l&3s s"e$d 3la%ed on Kendra$s 2om31ter(
St&ll look&ng at t"e lo!el% bl1e stone4 s"e sa&d4 #Someone told me on2e d&amonds are a g&rl$s best
'r&end()
#Wrong mo!&e Yo1 want to 31t t"e 3a&nt&ng downF)
/a7 s"ook "er "ead slowl%( #Not reall%( I worked 3rett% "ard to get &t()
#As d&d I()
A door o3ened4 and anot"er !o&2e bl1rtedH #S&rG)
#A" /orales( Take o!er4 wo1ld %o1F I$m 61st "a!&ng a glass o' warm m&lk m% 1l2er aga&n()
Be"&nd "er4 s"e "eard a 3&stol 2o2k(
#Tr% not to k&ll "er4 /orales4) t"e warm !o&2e sa&d( #S"e "as a !er% n&2e ass()
T"en anot"er door o3ened4 and 'ootste3s e2"oed awa%(
T"e new !o&2e s3oke aga&n4 and &t was to12"ed w&t" a so1t"5o'5t"e5border l&ltH #T1rn aro1nd4 %o1
slowl%()
S"e d&d as s"e$d been told a good g&rl and /orales stood &n 'ront o' "er now4 "&s 3&stol a&med at
t"e m&ddle o' "er 2"est(
#N&2e and eas% now4) "e sa&d( #I want %o1 to set t"at bag on t"e 'loor4 l&ke &t$s %o1r 3oor sweet
gran$ma()
Aga&n s"e d&d as told e!en t"o1g" s"e "ad no #sweet gran$ma) t"at s"e knew o'(
/orales$s ot"er "and went 13 to "&s mo1t" and "e s3oke &nto "&s slee!e( #Intr1der 2onta&ned &n t"e
galler%4 re3eat4 t"e galler%()
R&s&ng slowl%4 s"e "eard a 2ra2k&l% #ten5'o1r) 'rom /orales$s ear3&e2e(
T"en t"e se21r&t% man 2rossed slowl% toward "er and4 t"o1g" "&s 'a2e rema&ned &m3ass&!e and
3ro'ess&onal4 somet"&ng se71al 'l&2kered &n "&s e%es w"en "e sa&d4 #I$m go&ng to "a!e to 3at %o1 down()
#I don$t t"&nk so()
#P1t %o1r "ands be"&nd %o1r "ead4 l&ttle g&rl8 w&ng t"ose elbows()
/orales 2ro12"ed4 kee3&ng "&s "andg1n and "&s e%es on "&s 2a3t&!e e!en as "&s 'ree "and rea2"ed 'or
t"e E&33ered bag( <e "ad beg1n to r&se4 slowl%4 w"en 'ootste3s &n t"e 'o%er drew "&s e%es toward t"e
door4 61st long eno1g" to g&!e /a7 t"e o3en&ng s"e needed(
S"e sw1ng at t"e wa&st4 tw&st&ng "er bod% as &' e7er2&s&ng4 and one o' t"ose elbows "e$d re01ested
2a1g"t /orales on t"e s&de o' t"e "ead(
P&t2"&ng s&dewa%s 'rom t"e blow4 "e got o'' one w&ld s"ot t"at b1r&ed &tsel' &n t"e wall4 between two o'
t"ose !al1able 3&2t1res( S"e t"r1st "er r&g"t 'oot &nto "&s t"roat4 and alread% o''5balan2e "e
t1mbled ba2kward4 gas3&ng 'or breat"( Be'ore "e "&t t"e 'loor4 /a7 "ad k&2ked t"e g1n 'rom "&s '&ngers
and &t went s3&nn&ng a2ross t"e wa7ed wood 'loor4 2latter&ng aga&nst t"e 'loorboards 2lear a2ross t"e
room(
/orales g1rgled and seemed !ag1el% 2ons2&o1s4 b1t s"owed no s&gn o' gett&ng 13(
Be"&nd "er4 &n t"at doorwa% Sterl&ng "ad sl&33ed o1t4 a dee3 !o&2e growled4 #FreeEeG)
Instead4 /a7 d&d two 2artw"eels4 and was &nto "er ba2k 'l&3 w"en t"e tall 2rew521t leader$s 3&stol
2o1g"ed "ars"l%4 tw&2e4 bot" ro1nds m&ss&ng t"e bl1r t"at was /a7 and b1r%&ng t"emsel!es &n a wall
and a 3a&nt&ng4 res3e2t&!el%(
T"e 2atl&ke "ome &n!ader landed &n 'ront o' "&m4 3er"a3s a %ard se3arat&ng t"em4 eno1g" room 'or "er
to k&2k t"e 3&stol 'rom "&s "and( T"en s"e 3&ro1etted4 ba2k5k&2ked t"e estate$s to3 se21r&t% man &n t"e
bell%4 'old&ng "&m 134 and sent "&m 'l%&ng a2ross t"e room4 w"ere "e sma2ked &nto a wall "ard eno1g"
to make se!eral 3&2t1res "ang 2rooked(
<e st&ll "ad t"at g1n4 so s"e went to "&m4 &n2red&bl% 'ast4 and w"en "e tr&ed to r&se4 and looked at w"ere
s"e$d been4 t"e &ntr1der was gone and "e t"en glan2ed to "&s r&g"t4 w"ere s"e was now stand&ng(
#,an$t 3la% w&t" %o14) s"e sa&d( #Sorr% )
<er le't 'oot 2a1g"t "&m &n t"e gro&n and "e 2r&ed o1t s"r&ll% and sagged to t"e 'loor aga&n( /a7 was
tak&ng no 2"an2es4 "owe!er4 and as soon as "er le't 'oot to12"ed t"e 'loor4 "er r&g"t 'oot 2ame 13 and
2a1g"t t"e leader 1nder t"e 2"&n4 kno2k&ng "&m 1n2ons2&o1s and send&ng "&m sl&d&ng a2ross t"e wa7ed
s1r'a2e4 l&ke a k&d on a sled(
S"e s3r&nted ba2k to w"ere /orales la% b1bbl&ng "e was 1n2ons2&o1s now and snat2"ed 13 t"e
water3roo' bag( T"en s"e smas"ed t"e Ple7&glas 2ase w&t" a k&2k4 and 'or t"e se2ond t&meG
grabbed t"e 3re2&o1s <eart o' t"e O2ean4 tr&gger&ng an alarmH a b1EEerl&ke bawl&ng(
/a7 sl&33ed t"e ne2kla2e &nto a !est 3o2ket4 w"&2" s"e E&33ed s"1t4 and 2arr&ed t"e bag w&t" t"e
3a&nt&ng &n "er le't "and as s"e mo!ed toward t"e door t"at wo1ld take "er ba2k to t"e 'o%er s"e "ad
2ome &n t"e 'ront wa%4 s"e$d go o1t t"e same(
S"e was "ead&ng 'or t"e se21r&t% ke%3ad w"en s"e all b1t b1m3ed &nto t"e bla2k g1%4 /a1rer4 '&nall%
down 'rom 13sta&rs4 look&ng a l&ttle d&s"e!eled4 and sweat%4 'rom an a33arentl% t"oro1g" and 'r1&tless
sear2" o' t"e !ast 133er 'loors( T"e /PCA was &n "&s "ands4 and "e sw1ng &t 134 le!el&ng t"e wea3on at
"er
b1t /a7 lea3t "&g" and w&t" a mart&al5arts k&2k sent t"e wea3on 'l%&ng8 w"en t"e /PCA landed on
t"e marble 'loor4 "&tt&ng "ard4 &t '&red o'' &ts own b1rst and s"attered a 3r&2eless Frank Llo%d Wr&g"t
2"a&r &nto k&ndl&ng(
/a1rer was no 31s"o!er4 "owe!er4 and "e 2ame roar&ng at "er w&t" "&s '&sts ra&sed(
#Wanna bo7F) s"e asked(
A stra&g"t r&g"t broke "&s nose and anot"er landed s01arel% on "&s 6aw w&t" a sat&s'%&ng 2r1n2"( /a1rer
'ell ba2kward4 st&''5legged4 and d&d a ba2kward 3rat'all4 "&s "ead sma2k&ng on t"e marble( T"e onl%
01est&on /a7 "ad was w"et"er "e was o1t 'rom "er 31n2"4 or 'rom los&ng t"at battle w&t" t"e 'loor
S"e d&dn$t bot"er to ;amebo% t"e ke%3ad8 &t wasn$t l&ke t"e% d&dn$t know s"e was t"ere( S"e t"rew o3en
t"e 'ront door4 tr&gger&ng t"e alarm t"&s one an anno%&ng "onk&ng4 w"&2" made an o''5ke%
2o1nter3o&nt to t"e galler% b1EEer Jd&''erent so1nds a33arentl% &nd&2ated d&''erent se21r&t% brea2"
3o&nts /a7 adm&red t"e strateg%K(
Bad move, s"e t"o1g"t4 real&E&ng s"e s"o1ld "a!e taken t"e t&me to 31n2" &n t"e ke%2ode8 mentall%4 s"e
3&2t1red /ood% 'rown&ng and s"ak&ng "&s "ead at "er(
T"ose d1el&ng alarms wo1ld4 w&t" "onk&ng and s2ree2"&ng4 draw t"e attent&on not onl% o' t"e rest o' t"e
se21r&t% team4 b1t 2o3s and ne&g"bors and an%bod% 'or at least a s01are m&le w"o wasn$t stone52old
dea'(
<al'wa% a2ross t"e %ard4 sl&33&ng ba2k &nto t"e 'og4 s"e s1ddenl% saw *a2kson emerg&ng 'rom t"e
sw&rl&ng m&st4 2ross&ng toward "er4 "&s /PCA ra&sed(
Not wa&t&ng 'or "&m to a2t4 /a7 la1n2"ed "ersel' to one s&de4 d&!&ng4 roll&ng4 d&sa33ear&ng &nto t"e
smokel&ke 'og(
T"e g1ard knew eno1g" not to '&re &nto t"e 'og "e m&g"t s"oot one o' "&s own team and w"en "e
31rs1ed "er4 ass1m&ng s"e was on t"e mo!e4 almost ran &nto "er(
Startled4 "&s e%es 3o33ed o3en4 and be'ore "e 2o1ld '&re4 s"e k&2ked "&m &n t"e s&de o' t"e "ead4
dro33&ng "&m o1t52old to t"e lawn l&ke a to33led garden gnome(
W&t" t"ose alarms st&ll blar&ng l&ke d&ssonant "orror5s"ow m1s&24 water3roo' bag t12ked 1nder an arm4
/a7 2&r2led t"e "o1se4 lea3t t"e wall4 and a33roa2"ed "er "&dden boat 2are'1ll%4 &n 2ase an% o'
Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% team "ad s2o1ted a"ead(
B1t onl% "er boat was wa&t&ng4 and s"e eased &t o1t onto t"e la33&ng water and s"e4 t"e ;rant Wood4 t"e
<eart o' t"e O2ean4 and t"e 1nga&nl% to1r&st 2ra't d&sa33eared onto t"e 'og5'l1ng lake(
Not e7a2tl% a 3er'e2t "e&st4 b1t t"e "a1l was good4 and e!en w&t" a 'ew 'l1bs4 s"e knew /ood% wo1ld
be 3ro1d o' "&s g&rl( T"&s was a se!en5'&g1re e!en&ng4 eas%4 eno1g" to '&nan2e t"e sear2" 'or Set" and
allow "er to sl&3 ba2k &nto t"e anon%m&t% o' t"e stra&g"t l&'e 'or a w"&le an%wa%(
A 'ew "o1rs later4 w&t" t"e glow o' t"e 2om&ng da% alread% l&g"ten&ng t"e easterl% sk%4 /a7 sat on t"e
2o12" &n "er s01atter$s 'lat4 star&ng at t"e ne2kla2e(
S"e st&ll "ad no &dea "ow Sterl&ng "ad ended 13 w&t" &t4 and now s"e wondered w"at s"e was go&ng to
do w&t" &t( T"e 3a&nt&ng needed to be 'en2ed4 w"&2" wo1ld 2o!er &mmed&ate e73enses8 1n'ort1natel%4
s"e "ad no s12" 2onne2t&ons &n Seattle %et(
S"e "ad not 2alled /ood% &n LA4 s&n2e gett&ng to town and settl&ng &nto t"&s new l&'e8 s"e$d wanted a
2lean break b1t now s"e had to talk to "&m( T"&s t&me o' n&g"t or morn&ng s"e d&dn$t dare bot"er
"&m( B1t &n a 'ew "o1rs4 s"e$d '&nd o1t w"at t"e "ell was go&ng on w&t" t"e real 3ro3 o' t"e ne2kla2e(
.ro33&ng t"e stone &nto a bla2k !el!et bag4 s"e "&d &t &n "er bedroom4 and ambled ba2k o1t to t"e l&!&ng
room to tr% to rela7 so "ard 'or "er to get to slee3 a'ter a s2ore
To /a7$s s1r3r&se4 Kendra was s&tt&ng on t"e 2o12" now4 wat2"&ng T+(
#W"at$s 13F) /a7 asked(
Kendra ga!e "er roommate a 2o% sm&le( #*1st got "ome( <ad a date()
#Reall%F) /a7 sat bes&de "er4 ga!e "er sl% look( #N&2e g1%F)
Kendra$s sm&le w&dened( #No4 "e was a bad4 bad bo% &n a n&2e4 n&2e wa%()
T"e% la1g"ed at t"at4 3er"a3s a l&ttle too m12" w"at w&t" Kendra a l&ttle dr1nk4 and /a7 tra33ed &n
w&de5awake e7"a1st&on(
#.eta&ls4) ordered /a74 #deta&ls()
#No wa%()
#I wo1ld tell you.)
<er mo1t" o3en w&de &n mo2k aston&s"ment4 Kendra sa&d4 #Yo1 wo1ld not4 and we bot" know &t %o1
are t"e most se2ret&!e l&ttle bee5at2" on t"e 3lanet and %o1$re 31m3&ng me 'or deta&lsF)
#6 wasn$t 31m3&ng %o14) /a7 sa&d w&t" a la1g"( #W"at I want to know &s4 who was 31m3&ng %o1F)
#O"4 %o1$re w&2ked )
T"e% were &nterr13ted b% t"e d&stra2t&ng w"&te no&se o' T+ stat&28 bot" %o1ng women 01&2kl%
re2ogn&Eed w"at t"&s s&gnaled4 and t"e&r 2on!ersat&on 2eased as t"e% ga!e t"e&r attent&on to t"e 2ool %et
&ntense e%es on t"e s2reen4 e%es bordered abo!e and below b% bl1e4 w&t" t"e words STREA/IN;
FREE.O/ +I.EO gl&d&ng &n w"&te letters aga&nst a red ba2kgro1nd(
#Do not attempt to ad*ust your set,& t"e 2alm %et &ntense !o&2e &ntoned4 mak&ng t"e same &ntrod12t&on
as be'ore4 a s&7t%5se2ond 1ntra2eable 2able "a2k 'rom t"e onl% 'ree !o&2e &n t"e 2&t%(
#Look at t"ose e%es4) Kendra sa&d(
#S""""4) /a7 sa&d(
#<e 2an "a2k m% 2able an% ol$ t&me )
#=1&et4 Kendra()
##his bulletin contains graphic violence, and we are broadcasting at this hour to avoid young viewers.
#his footage, banned from the media in 0os Angeles where the slaughter occurred two days ago, is
sobering evidence of what happens to people who stand up for freedom.&
/a7$s e%es w&dened &n dread as s"e saw t"e "and"eld 'ootage o' t"e o1ts&de o' t"e ,"&nese T"eatre(
#9fficial documents indicate that the gangster group the Brood was responsible,& t"e ele2tron&2all%
altered !o&2e 2ont&n1ed4 #but the media clampdown, and reports of black=uniformed, heavily armed
soldiers at the scene, indicate government involvement, even collusion.&
T"e 2amera mo!ed 2loser to t"e t"eater and re!ealed 'o1r bod&es s3rawled on t"e 3at&o &n 3ost1res o'
b1llet5r&ddled deat"( /a7$s '&ngers 2l1t2"ed t"e 2lot" o' t"e 2o12"(
##he +hinese +lan, freedom fighters in the 0os Angeles area- &
3reedom fighters; /a7 t"o1g"t b&tterl%( 'ot hardly-
T"e 2amera mo!ed &nto t"e lobb% w"ere more bod&es were 'l1ng4 some o' t"em Brood members4 and
s"e wondered &' /ood%$s 2rew "ad been able to '&g"t ba2k4 to "old o'' t"e onsla1g"t4 to l&m&t t"e
2arnage
# were gunned down by the Brood in a dispute, allegedly over stolen goods.&
And /a7 saw Fres2a4 &n "&s worn .odgers 6a2ket4 l%&ng &n r1bble ne7t to a "eadless g&rl N&nerF
Fres2a$s 6a2ket4 or&g&nall% .odger bl1e4 was now an 1gl%4 blood5soaked 31r3le(
#'one of this group of freedom fighters escaped the wrath of the Brood.&
T"e "and"eld was &n t"e a1d&tor&1m now( Bod&es la% strewn abo1t l&ke abandoned4 broken to%s(
#;ross4) Kendra sa&d8 b1t "er e%es were gl1ed to t"e s2reen(
Aga&n /a7 'elt warm wetness tra&l&ng down "er 2"eeks4 b1t s"e ot"erw&se rema&ned 3ass&!e4 s&m3l%
s&tt&ng wat2"&ng t"e !&deo 'ootage o' "er dead ,lan 'am&l%(
#(yes 9nly sources indicate the Brood may be expanding into Seattle,& t"e !o&2e 2ont&n1ed( #6f this
criminal gang truly has government sanction, our city will be further enslaved.&
T"e 2amera sw1ng aro1nd &n t"e t"eater$s a1d&tor&1m 'or t"e &mage E%es Onl% "ad 2"osen to make "&s
'&nal 3o&ntH Moody"s head impaled on a spike. On s3&kes on e&t"er s&de o' "&m were t"e "eads o' T&33ett
and ;abr&el
#S"1t &t o''G) /a7 gas3ed4 and t1rned awa%(
Kendra 1sed t"e remote4 b1t t"e b1llet&n was alread% o!er4 SNN ba2k on8 t"e tears on /a7$s 2"eeks
s1r3r&sed "er roommate &nto sobr&et%(
#W"at$s wrong4 /a7F Yo1$re not t"e s01eam&s" t%3e()
#I know t"em knew t"em()
#W"atF)
#I was one o' t"em t"e ,"&nese ,lan( T"e% were 'am&l%( L&ke 'am&l% )
Kendra sl&33ed an arm aro1nd /a7$s s"o1lders( #O"4 ;od4 /a74 I$m so sorr%( W"at 2an I do to "el3F)
/a7 s"1t t"e gr&e' o''4 as &' s"e$d t"rown a sw&t2"( #Yo1 2an "el3 me '&nd E%es Onl%4 I$!e got to talk to
"&m( I$!e got to '&nd o1t more abo1t w"at "a33ened at t"at t"eater()
Kendra$s e%es were b&g4 and s"e was s"ak&ng "er "ead( #<one%4 I don$t know anything abo1t "&m
nobod% does( <e 2omes on t"e t1be at w&ll4 "e does "&s t"&ng4 "e s3l&ts()
/a7 s"ook "er "ead( #T"ere$s got to be more to &t t"an t"at t"ere m1st be an 1ndergro1nd mo!ement
&n t"&s 2&t%()
#Well4 &' so4 I don$t know an%t"&ng abo1t &t( And I don$t know an%bod% w"o knows an%t"&ng abo1t E%es
Onl% %o1 gonna be all r&g"tF)
Nodd&ng4 /a7 sa&d4 #I$m '&ne()
#No %o1$re not( Yo1$re "old&ng &t &n t"at$s not "ealt"%( I' %o1 don$t let &t o1t )
#T"ere$s not"&ng to be done 'or t"em now()
Kendra 'rowned &n 2on2ern( #Yo1 s1re %o1 don$t want to talk &t o1tF)
#Yea"4 I$m s1re()
#Well ) /a7$s roommate rose4 %awned4 and sa&d4 #I g1ess I better 2at2" some E$s t"at &s4 &' %o1$re
sure)
#Kendra4 go a"ead and 2ras" I$ll be '&ne()
A'ter Kendra st1mbled o'' to bed4 /a7 went to "er own room4 w"ere s"e took 'rom &ts "&d&ng 3la2e t"e
bla2k !el!et bag w&t" t"e ne2kla2e(
T"&s stone "ad 2ost /ood% and t"e ot"ers t"e&r l&!es and s"e "adn$t been t"ere 'or t"em
S"e we3t4 01&etl%4 "er 'a2e &n a "and4 'or se!eral m&n1tes8 t"en t"e t"o1g"ts4 t"e 01est&ons4 began to
2r%stall&Ee(
E%es Onl%4 Set"4 t"&s ne2kla2e4 t"e Brood4 t"e art 2olle2tor *ared Sterl&ng4 and ma%be e!en /ant&2ore
and L%de2ker "&msel' were &nterwo!en &n t"e traged% t"at "ad be'allen t"e ,lan(
B1t how;
S"e knew w"ere to start( Not E%es Onl% "&s w"ereabo1ts4 l&ke "&s &dent&t%4 were a m%ster%( Set" "ad
g&!en 13 no leads s&n2e t"e brawl w&t" t"e bo%s &n bl1e8 and t"e ne2kla2e was a m1te w&tness( T"e
Brood was &n LA4 and L%de2ker was at /ant&2ore(
T"at le't one o3t&on(
T"e ten5man se21r&t% team wo1ld be read% 'or "er ne7t t&me4 b1t s"e 2o1ld see no ot"er 2"o&2eH /a7
wo1ld "a!e to ret1rn to t"e s2ene o' t"e 2r&me(
Chapter N!ne
E#ES ONL#
LO;AN ,ALE$S APART/ENT
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
E!en &n t"e 3ost5P1lse world4 t"e r&ng&ng o' a doorbell was4 generall%4 an &nno21o1s t"&ng(
R&g"t now4 w&t" m&dn&g"t a33roa2"&ng4 t"e doorbell &n Logan ,ale$s 2ondom&n&1m was tr&ll&ng t"e
"ello o' an 1nanno1n2ed g1est( T"e b1&ld&ng was se21re4 and t"e lobb% g1ard wo1ld normall% 2all and
2"e2k be'ore send&ng an%one t"ro1g"(
B1t t"ere "ad been no 2all 61st t"e r&ng&ng o' t"e bell(
And &n t"e l&'e o' Logan ,ale4 answer&ng a doorbell 2o1ld mean "&s last a2t on eart"(
F&rst4 t"ere was t"e r&sk t"at someone w&t" t"e go!ernment or some #2&!&25m&nded) 2&t&Een look&ng
'or reward mone% wo1ld enter and d&s2o!er t"e not5terr&bl%5se2ret "ome st1d&o 'rom w"&2" Logan
broad2ast t"e 2%berb1llet&ns o' "&s !er% se2ret alter ego4 E%es Onl%(
Se2ond4 Logan was one o' a long l&ne o' Amer&2ans born to wealt" w"o de!elo3ed a sense o' s"ame
e!en g1&lt 'or "&s l&'e o' 3r&!&lege4 a sent&ment t"at "ad blossomed &nto gen1&ne so2&al 2on2ern( And4
w"&le "&s 1ndergro1nd &dent&t% as E%es Onl% seemed se21re4 "&s re31tat&on as an abo!egro1nd le't5
lean&ng 6o1rnal&st was well known(
T"&s o' 2o1rse d&d not 3re!ent Logan 'rom be&ng 3er2e&!ed as 61st anot"er 'at52at target( T"e ,ale
'am&l% "ad t"e k&nd o' a''l1en2e t"at "ad eas&l% weat"ered t"e P1lse and &ts !ar&o1s 13"ea!als and
3roblems one o' w"&2" was k&dna33&ng t"e r&2" 'or ransom(
As &n t"e ;reat Twent&et"5,ent1r% .e3ress&on4 t"&s le't5"anded entre3rene1r&al 31rs1&t "ad be2ome t"e
#ra2ket o' 2"o&2e) o' man% 2r&m&nals4 'rom down5on5t"e&r5o1ters to so3"&st&2ated 2areer 2r&m&nals( And
as &n t"e L&ndberg" era o' #snat2"es4) t"e !&2t&ms 1s1all% t1rned 13 dead4 e!en a'ter '1ll 3a%ment "ad
been made(
So &' t"&s 2aller wasn$t w"o Logan t"o1g"t &t was4 "e 61st m&g"t ne!er get to o3en t"e door aga&n(
Logan 2o1ld &gnore t"e bell( <&s two5"1ndred5'&'t%53o1nd e752o3 bod%g1ard4 Peter4 "ad t"e n&g"t o''4
and 1nless t"&s was a '1ll5s2ale ra&d4 &n w"&2" t"e door wo1ld be battered down4 an%wa% Logan
2o1ld 61st 2ont&n1e w&t" "&s resear2" and wa&t 'or w"oe!er5&t5was to go awa%(
B1t &' t"&s 2aller was w"o Logan s1s3e2ted &t m&g"t be4 "e wo1ld 3re'er to take t"e meet&ng d1r&ng
Peter$s absen2e( I' t"&s was someone else4 well4 t"at was w"% Peter !er% seldom got a n&g"t o''4 and on
t"e rare o22as&ons w"en Logan d&d answer "&s own door4 "e d&d so &n t"e 2om3an% o' a s"otg1n(
T"e bell rang aga&n(
2aranoia runs deep, Logan t"o1g"t w&t" a wr% l&ttle sm&le4 01ot&ng a !er% old song as "e rose 'rom "&s
mass&!e arra% o' ra2ked 2om31ter gear &n2l1d&ng "al' a doEen mon&tors and a networked la3to3
and strode 'rom "&s work s3a2e w&t" an eas% gra2e s1ggest&ng an a22e3tan2e o' w"ate!er m&g"t be'all
"&m &n "&s 01&7ot&2 b1t so5ne2essar% 2r1sade(
A s"ade o!er s&7 'eet tall4 dark blond and bl1e5e%ed be"&nd w&re5'rame glasses4 Logan ,ale "ad rowed
2rew at Yale4 and 2ont&n1ed to work o1t4 ma&nta&n&ng a slender %et m1s21lar 3"%s&01e wort"% o' a
2ollege at"lete8 "&s a33arel 6eans4 a 31llo!er gra% sweater4 and sneakers added to an eternal5
2ollege5bo% a&r o' w"&2" "e was w"oll% 1naware(
<&s s1rro1nd&ngs t"e s3rawl&ng4 modern 2ondo4 de2orated w&t" 01al&t% and taste Jor at least "e l&ked
to t"&nk soK were t"e one &nd1lgen2e o' wealt" Logan allowed "&msel'( W&t" "ardwood 'loors &n ea2"
room4 and t"e o22as&onal area r1g4 t"e 3la2e "ad a stark4 mas21l&ne 'eel8 transl12ent 3anels se3arated
t"e rooms4 tra2k l&g"t&ng bat"&ng "&s world &n 3ale orange4 3ea2"4 and %ellow(
In t"e l&!&ng room4 ea2" wall bore a d&''erent 2olor4 eart" tones or a 2omb&nat&on t"ereo'( Two walls
2ame toget"er to 'orm t"e 2orner o' t"e 3redom&nantl% glass "&g"5r&se4 allow&ng a great deal o' l&g"t
&nto t"e room b% da%( T"o1g" t"e '1rn&t1re was e73ens&!e "ard woods4 sleek l&nes4 des&gner st1''
t"e o!erall statement was m&n&mal&sm( A 3l1s" brown so'a dom&nated t"e 2enter o' t"e room w&t"
s&m3le w"&te and s&l!er end tables and a mat2"&ng 2o''ee table &n 'ront( ,"a&rs sat 3er3end&21lar to t"e
2o12"4 2om3let&ng t"e 'eng s"1& o' t"e room(
S"otg1n &n "&s "ands4 Logan a33roa2"ed t"e do1ble doors t"at were t"e 'ront entr% to t"e a3artment8 a
small !&deo s2reen to t"e r&g"t ser!ed as an ele2tron&2 3ee3"ole(
Abo1t Logan$s "e&g"t4 "&s !&s&tor was a s1llenl% "andsome %o1ng man o' ma%be twent% or twent%5one
s"ort brown "a&r4 green e%es4 and a long4 ang1lar 'a2e &n a bla2k leat"er 6a2ket4 dark bl1e T5s"&rt4
and bla2k 6eans(
Logan o3ened t"e door(
#Take %o1r goddamn t&me4 w"% don$t %o1F) t"e %o1ng man sa&d4 "&s !o&2e dee3er and older t"an "&s
%ears4 "&s barel% 2onta&ned rage e!&dent(
#W"% "ello4 Set"4) Logan sa&d( #Forg&!e me 'rom now on4 I$ll 61st s&t b% t"e door4 wa&t&ng 'or %o1 to
sto3 b%4 1nanno1n2ed()
Set" gr1nt&ng a "1morless la1g" was "&s onl% re3l%(
Logan tr&ed not to take Set"$s dark att&t1de 3ersonall%8 t"e bo% "ad t"&s k&nd o' 01&et 2ontem3t 'or 61st
abo1t e!er%bod% and e!er%t"&ng(
Logan gest1red 'or Set" to 2ome &n4 w"&2" "e d&d( W"&le Logan s"1t t"e door4 3a1s&ng 'or a moment to
look at t"e !&deo se21r&t% mon&tor4 61st &n 2ase someone "ad 'ollowed Set" 134 t"e %o1ng man 2rossed
to t"e 2o12" and 'ell onto &t w&t" t"e k&nd o' 2as1al 'am&l&ar&t% o' a 'am&l% member(
#/ake %o1rsel' at "ome4) Logan sa&d4 dr%l%4 ambl&ng &n a'ter "&s g1est(
#I$d 'eel more at "ome w&t" a dr&nk4) Set" sa&d4 a 2ondes2end&ng sm&le t&2kl&ng t"e t"&n l&3s(
Logan took a dee3 breat" and let &t o1t slow4 '&g"t&ng &rr&tat&on8 t"&s s2rewed513 k&d "ad a wa% o'
look&ng bot" "a33% and m&serable at t"e same t&me4 l&ke t"at old5t&me mo!&e a2tor w"at was "&s
nameF T"en Logan rememberedH *ames .ean(
.e2&d&ng not to sla3 t"e sm&rk o'' t"e %o1ng man$s 'a2e4 Logan asked4 #S2ot2"4 I s133oseF)
#I been o'' Bos2o 'or a w"&le()
5hat a charmer, Logan t"o1g"t4 went to t"e k&t2"en and 2ame ba2k w&t" a glass '&lled w&t" &2e and
2lear l&01&d( <e "anded Set" t"e glass(
#T"&s &s water4) t"e %o1ng man sa&d4 61st look&ng at &t(
#,an$t get an%t"&ng b% %o1()
#W"at are %o1 m% dadd% nowF I$d l&ke a goddamn S2ot2"()
#/a%be Mdadd%$ doesn$t 'eel %o1 need %o1r 61dgment &m3a&red an% worse t"an &t alread% &s()
Set" ob!&o1sl% knew &mmed&atel% w"at Logan meant4 and s&33ed t"e water4 31tt&ng t"e glass
t"o1g"t'1ll% on a 2oaster on t"e nearb% 2o''ee table(
T"e relat&ons"&3 between t"e two "ad been stra&ned 'rom t"e beg&nn&ng ne&t"er l&ked t"e ot"er$s st%le4
or manner( B1t t"e% needed ea2" ot"er Jcodependents, Logan t"o1g"tK4 ea2" o''er&ng ab&l&t&es and
knowledge t"e ot"er d&dn$t "a!e( It "ad made 'or a ro2k% r&de t"1s 'ar4 Set" w&t" "&s g&'t 'or al&enat&ng
almost an%bod% w"o 2ame &nto "&s l&'e 3art&21larl% an%one w"o got at all 2lose and Logan4 alwa%s
'o21sed on t"e str1ggle4 w&t" l&ttle 3at&en2e 'or t"ose w"o d&d not s"are "&s 3ass&on(
T"e 3a&r "ad been &ntrod12ed less t"an a mont" ago b% Ben .al%4 a mo1s% m&ddle5aged med te2" w"o
was a m1t1al a201a&ntan2e( Among Logan$s E%es Onl% e''orts was a sort o' -ndergro1nd Ra&lroad4 and
t"e 2%berP'reedom '&g"ter "ad been work&ng on se21r&ng sa'e 3assage to ,anada 'or .al%4 w"ere t"e
te2" "o3ed w&t" ,ale$s "el3 to d&sa33ear &nto a new &dent&t%(
.al% was on t"e r1n 'rom "&s 'ormer em3lo%er4 a 3r&!ate 2or3orat&on t"at "ad been taken o!er b% -(S(
go!ernment bla2k o3s( T"e med te2" and "&s 'ellow em3lo%ees "ad been e73er&ment&ng &n b&o5
en"an2ement te2"nolog%4 b1t t"e new 2o!ert 3ro6e2t Pro6e2t /ant&2ore mo!ed t"e e73er&ment &nto
1s&ng re2omb&nant .NA to 3rod12e a s13er&or 2ombat sold&er( W"en /ant&2ore started 1s&ng 2"&ldren
as g1&nea 3&gs4 .al% de2&ded "e$d "ad eno1g"(
Anot"er resear2" s2&ent&st at t"e 'a2&l&t% ga!e not&2e4 and t"&s en2o1raged .al% to make an a33o&ntment
to see "&s boss4 to tender "&s own res&gnat&on and t"e ne7t n&g"t4 sa&d resear2" s2&ent&st was a "&t5and5
r1n 'atal&t%( T"e "ead o' /ant&2ore4 t"e s3ook&l% so't5s3oken ,olonel .onald L%de2ker4 "ad sa&d to
.al%4 #A dangero1s world o1t t"ere w"at was &t %o1 wanted to talk to me abo1t4 /r( .al%F)
So Ben .al% settled &n4 d&d "&s 6ob4 and wa&ted 'or "&s 2"an2e( It wasn$t 1nt&l well a'ter t"e P1lse t"at
"e$d gotten awa% /ant&2ore was t"e k&nd o' 6ob %o1 2o1ldn$t 01&t %o1 "ad to escape 'rom &t4 l&ke
t"e 3r&son &t was and "e$d sta%ed "&dden 'or %ears4 t"e last t"ree &n Seattle4 work&ng as a lowl% Jb1t
al&!eK lab te2"(
And t"en .al% "ad been tra2ked down b% Set"( At '&rst .al% t"o1g"t t"e ?@ "ad been sent b%
/ant&2ore4 b1t &t 01&2kl% be2ame a33arent "e was s&m3l% look&ng 'or a sol1t&on to t"e se&E1res t"at "ad
a''l&2ted "&m4 and "&s s&bl&ngs4 s&n2e t"e&r %o1t"( A r1nawa%( St&ll4 Set"$s t1rn&ng 13 ga!e .al% a s1dden4
des3erate des&re to lea!e Seattle4 and '&nd some new ro2k to 2rawl 1nder( I' Set"4 a k&d on t"e r1n4
work&ng b% "&msel'4 2o1ld '&nd .al%4 &t was onl% a matter o' t&me 1nt&l organ&Eat&on5man L%de2ker
2ame 2all&ng(
T"o1g" "e "adn$t been able to sol!e Set"$s "ealt" 3roblem4 .al% "ad &n'ormed t"e renegade ?@ t"at
tr%3to3"an a "omeo3at"&2 ne1rotransm&tter 2o1ld "el3 2ontrol t"e s%m3toms( In an e''ort to kee3
'rom gett&ng "&s ass k&2ked b% Set" 'or 'a&l&ng to end t"e se&E1res4 .al% "ad &ntrod12ed t"e !olat&le
%o1ng man to Logan(
.al%4 o' 2o1rse4 was 1naware t"at Logan was E%es Onl%8 b1t "e d&d know t"at Logan was an ant&5
establ&s"ment 6o1rnal&st 'rom a !er% wealt"% 'am&l%(
#/a%be %o1 2an tra2k down some do2tor or resear2" s2&ent&st4) .al% "ad sa&d4 #w"o 2an address Set"$s
2ond&t&on ma%be %o1 2an network w&t" t"&s E%es Onl% 2"ara2ter( W"o knowsF)
#W"o knows4) Logan "ad sa&d(
Logan s1s3e2ted .al% d&dn$t 2are &' t"e ?@ got "el3 or not( L&kel% t"e med te2" onl% "o3ed t"at Set"
wo1ld lat2" onto Logan as a new target o' "&s dark moods( I' so4 .al%$s strateg% "ad 3ro!ed s122ess'1lH
t"e te2" was &n some l&ttle town on t"e edge o' t"e Ar2t&2 ,&r2le4 and Set" was st&ll &n Seattle4 3la%&ng a
dangero1s game w&t" Logan ,ale(
S3rawled on t"e 2o12"4 r1nn&ng s"oes 13 on &t4 Set" m&g"t "a!e been a 3at&ent &n a 3s%2"&atr&st$s o''&2e(
Re'err&ng to R%an .e!ane t"e 2orr13t se2tor 2"&e' w"o "ad been sell&ng e!er%t"&ng 'rom 1nder5t"e5
table se2tor 3asses to m&nor&t% teenagers &nto sla!er% o!erseas Set" sa&d4 #Problem sol!ed()
Few &n Seattle4 no matter t"e&r 3ol&t&2al 3ers1as&on4 "ad an% do1bt t"at .e!ane was a bad man man%
wo1ld "a!e 2alled "&m e!&l8 b1t "&s 3os&t&on "ad been so well &ns1lated4 "e 2o1ldn$t be to12"ed
e72e3t b% E%es Onl%(
#Sol!ed4) Logan e2"oed em3t&l%(
#.&d w"at %o1 wanted4) Set" sa&d(
#W"at I wanted4 and more()
#Yo1 wanted "&m sto33ed() Set" sm&led o!er &nno2entl% at Logan4 w"o "ad settled &nto a 2"a&r( #I
sto33ed "&m()
#Yo1 k&lled "&m()
Set" s"r1gged4 'olded "&s "ands on "&s t1mm%4 stared at t"e 2e&l&ng( #T"at$s 3rett% m12" t"e most
e''&2&ent wa% to sto3 somebod%()
S"ak&ng "&s "ead4 Logan sa&d4 #T"e most e''&2&ent wa% &sn$t alwa%s t"e best wa%()
#I agree b1t &n t"&s 2ase4 &t was( Yo1$re not go&ng to le2t1re me on t"at ends5don$t561st&'%5t"e5means
b(s( aga&n4 are %o1F T"e% ta1g"t 1s et"&2s at '12k&n$ /ant&2ore()
#I$ll 61st bet t"e% d&d( T"e% tea2" %o1 an%t"&ng abo1t 61st&2eF)
T"e %o1nger man t"o1g"t abo1t &t 'or a long moment( #*1st&2e was ser!ed W"at$s ne7tF)
#Ne!er m&nd w"at$s ne7t4) Logan sa&d4 r&s&ng4 3ro3elled b% rage( #<ow t"e "ell do %o1 '&g1re M61st&2e$
was ser!ed b% m1rderF)
Set" glan2ed o!er w&t" an e73ress&on o' mo2k &nno2en2e( #An% 2"&ldren sold &nto sla!er% latel%F)
#T"at doesn$t 61st&'%)
#S1re &t does( Bastard got w"at "e deser!ed()
Logan began to 3a2e4 "ands &n t"e 3o2kets o' "&s sla2ks( #Set" t"at$s not 61st&2e4 t"at$s re!enge()
#Same d&''eren2e4) Set" sa&d4 and sw1ng &nto a s&tt&ng 3os&t&on4 lean&ng ba2k4 arms o1tstret2"ed on t"e
ba2k o' t"e 2o12"(
Logan sa&d4 #I wanted to sto3 "&m e73ose "&m4 entra3 "&m)
#W"oa4 w"oa4 w"oa &sn$t entra3ment &llegalF I t"o1g"t t"e ends d&dn$t 61st&'% t"e meansF)
#W"en law en'or2ement &tsel' &s 2orr13t4 2erta&n e7treme meas1res "a!e to be taken( It$s a matter o'
degree4 Set" some laws go be%ond 3ol&t&2s( T"ese are laws t"at "a!e to do w&t" so2&et%4 w&t"
2&!&l&Eat&on4 e!en rel&g&on()
#O"4 s"&t4 %o1$re not gonna go religious on m% ass4 nowG)
#No no( B1t MT"o1 S"alt Not K&ll$ &s 3art o' t"e so2&al 2ontra2t4 Set"( Yo1 2an$t)
#B1lls"&tG T"e so2&al 2ontra2t got r&33ed 13 w"en t"e P1lse went down w"ere was t"e so2&al 2ontra2t
w"en /ant&2ore was mak&n$ me, l&ke &nstant so13 &n a damn test t1beF)
Logan sto33ed 3a2&ng( <e sat down ne7t to Set"( #.on$t make me regret tak&ng %o1 &nto m%
2on'&den2e()
Set"$s gr&n was a terr&ble t"&ng( #T"o1g"t %o1 "ad a s13ersold&er to 3la% w&t"4 d&dn$t2"aF And now
%o1$re a'ra&d all %o1 got &s a loose 2annon am I on to somet"&ng4 ME%es Onl%$F)
#Set" 3lease We "a!e t"e o33ort1n&t% to be a team( To make a d&''eren2e )
#We$re alread% mak&ng a d&''eren2eG) Set" s3rang to "&s 'eet8 now "e was t"e one 3a2&ng4 b1t t"ere was
a ra!&ng and rant&ng 01al&t% to t"e words t"at a22om3an&ed &t( #Logan4 %o1 were 1n"a33% w"en a
2orr13t o''&2&al was r1&n&ng l&!es and sell&ng 2"&ldren &nto sla!er% and now %o1$re tell&ng me %o1$re
still 1n"a33%4 e!en t"o1g" we sto33ed t"e mo'oG)
#I$m not 1n"a33% "e$s been sto33ed)
#B1t %o1 are 1n"a33% t"&s bl&g"t on so2&et% &s deadF Are %o1 '12k&n$ high;)
Logan s&g"ed( #Yo1 were a2t&ng as m% agent( I 'eel res3ons&ble 'or t"at man$s deat"( And I don$t l&ke
&t4 not one l&ttle b&t()
Set" sto33ed &n 'ront o' Logan and 31t "&s "ands toget"er &n a 3ra%er'1l gest1re( #<ow to12"&ng b1t
%o1r l&beral g1&lt doesn$t negate t"e 'a2t t"at t"e m&ss&on was a22om3l&s"ed and we sa!ed ma%be
"1ndreds4 w"o knows4 ma%be e!en t"o1sands o' k&ds 'rom be&ng sold &nto sla!er%()
Logan 2o1ld see "e wasn$t go&ng to 3re!a&l &n t"&s debate( And "e 'eared t"e moral 2om3le7&t&es wo1ld
2ont&n1e to el1de t"&s k&d t"e s13ersold&er genet&2 make13 3er"a3s "ad made Set" a l&teral k&ll&ng
ma2"&ne(
/a%be o!er t"e long "a1l4 Logan 2o1ld 2on!&n2e Set" t"at 61st&2e d&dn$t ne2essar&l% mean t"e s1mmar%
e7e21t&on o' e!er%one t"e% went a'ter( <e onl% "o3ed "e 2o1ld 2ontrol and s"a3e ,olonel L%de2ker$s
nast% lab rat &nto somet"&ng 3os&t&!e 'or so2&et%(
Now Set" 3lo33ed down &n a 2"a&r o33os&te t"e 2o12"( A t&n%4 almost na1g"t% sm&le 'ormed on t"e
s1llenl% "andsome 'a2e( #I t"&nk &t$s t&me()
#T&meF)
#T&me we went a'ter /ant&2ore()
Logan s&g"ed aga&n( #It &s not t&me()
#Well4 6 t"&nk &t &s()
T"at was t"e le!el o' t"e&r d&s2o1rse4 Logan t"o1g"tH 6s too, &s not4 is too, &s not
/eet&ng t"e %o1ng man$s 1nbl&nk&ng gaEe w&t" "&s own4 Logan sa&d4 #We don$t know eno1g"( Reall%4
we don$t know an%t"&ng( We st&ll don$t know w"ere t"e&r "ead01arters &s4 we don$t know w"ere %o1
were ra&sed4 ot"er t"an t"e W%om&ng mo1nta&ns somew"ere )
Set" e73loded o1t o' t"e 2"a&r( #W"at "a!e %o1 been do&ng w"&le I been r&sk&ng m% assF) Set" gest1red
w&t" bot" "ands4 "&s arms w&de &n 'r1strat&on( #W"at are %o1 do&n$ w&t" t"ose 'an2%5ass 2om31tersF
.ownload&ng 3ornF <&tt&ng t"e 2%ber2as&nosF)
#T"ese t"&ngs take t&me()
Bo1n2&ng on "&s "eels4 Set" sa&d4 #Yo1$!e "ad w"at t"ree4 'o1r weeksF Eno1g" t&me 'or me to take
o1t .e!ane4 and %o1 "a!en$t 'o1nd o1t anything;)
Seet"&ng &ns&de4 Logan res&sted t"e 1rge to tell Set" to 1se "&s ab&l&t&es to take a s3e2ta21lar 'l%&ng '12k4
and sa&d4 #I$!e started look&ng &nto old 'a2tor&es4 abandoned 3r&sons4 m&l&tar% bases( B1t t"ese 3eo3le
are smart4 and t"e%$re dangero1s4 and t"e% don$t want to be 'o1nd( I' t"e% d&d4 %o1 wo1ld "a!e 'o1nd
t"em alread%()
Set" seemed almost to 3o1t4 and sa&d4 somew"at 2"&ld&s"l%4 #B1t %o1$!e "ad t"ree weeks4 manG)
#Yo1$!e "ad "ow man% %earsF And %o1 "a!en$t 'o1nd t"em4 "a!e %o14 Set"F)
#I "a!en$t been look&ng I$!e been "&d&ng( B1t now I got you, and %o1r reso1r2es we 2an take $em
on4 LoganG We 2an take $em downG)
#And we$re go&ng to( We are. And I do "a!e a lead )
Set"$s e%es w&dened4 l&ke a 2"&ld ant&2&3at&ng ,"r&stmas( #W"at k&nd o' a leadF)
#I take &t %o1 d&dn$t see t"e b1llet&ns on t"e LA /assa2re I ran &t t"ree t&mes %esterda%()
#No I was b1s%()
#I g1ess %o1 were( ,ome w&t" me()
Logan walked Set" to t"e o''&2e521m5broad2ast52enter4 w"ere t"e ma&n monster 2om31ter was Jas
alwa%sK r1nn&ng and ea2" mon&tor "ad se!eral w&ndows o3en( T"e 2%ber6o1rnal&st 3la%ed t"e ?@ a
!&deo ,. o' t"e b1llet&n t"at &n2l1ded t"e gr&sl% 'ootage o' t"e ,"&nese T"eatre sla1g"ter( At t"e
ment&on o' t"e troo3s &n bla2k r1mored to "a!e s133orted t"e Brood &n t"e massa2re4 Set" 3erked 13(
#T"at$s /ant&2ore t"at$s got to be /ant&2ore()
Logan ran t"e +,. aga&n4 w&t" t"e so1nd down( #W"at wo1ld draw /ant&2ore &nto "el3&ng one s&de o'
a street gang warF)
#I$d l&ke to know t"e answer to t"at()
#;ood() Logan sm&led at Set"4 rat"er blandl%( #Be2a1se t"at$s w"ere we$re go&ng to start ass1m&ng
%o1 don$t k&ll o1r target4 be'ore we '&nd an%t"&ng o1t()
Set" sm&rked( #W"o &s "eF)
#Well4 &t &s a "&m b1t &t$s more t"an a "&m( It$s a Mt"em($ )
#T"e BroodF)
#T"e Brood &s 3art o' &t( Yo1 "eard t"e b1llet&nH t"e%$re e73and&ng to Seattle()
#W"o d&d t"e% send "ereF)
#T"e% d&dn$t Msend$ an%bod% t"e to3 man "&msel' 2ame /&k"a&l Ka'eln&ko!()
Logan bro1g"t 13 anot"er 3&2t1reH a m1s21lar blond man w"o "ad t"e good looks o' a 3re5P1lse ro2k
star4 and t"e ra3 s"eet o' a ser&al k&ller( #<e$s r1mored to "a!e ordered or taken 3art &n as man% as one
"1ndred m1rders &n Los Angeles()
T"e %o1ng man st1d&ed t"e 3&2t1re( #Yo1 made a good 3o&nt4 Logan /ant&2ore and a street gang &t
61st doesn$t 2om31te()
#Set"4 ba2k &n t"e earl% 3art o' t"e last 2ent1r%4 street gangs o' Ital&an k&ds e!ol!ed &nto t"e b&ggest4
most s122ess'1l organ&Eed 2r&me s%nd&2ate &n t"e "&stor% o' man()
#And t"&s "&stor% lesson &s be2a1seF )
#T"e Brood ma% e!ol!e &nto somet"&ng m12" b&gger t"an a street gang 3art&21larl% w&t" 2o!ert
s133ort 'rom /ant&2ore()
#So w"at &s t"&s <asel"o'' g1% up to4 &n o1r great 2&t%F)
#It$s Ka'eln&ko! )
#W"ate!er()
# and "e$s sell&ng art and Amer&2ana to 'ore&gners( An% 3re2&o1s remnant o' o1r 3ast t"at "e 2an get
"&s "ands on4 reall%4 "e$ll sell to w"oe!er o''ers t"e most()
Set" ar2"ed an e%ebrow( #And we 2are4 be2a1seF )
#Be2a1se "e$s sell&ng o'' 3r&2eless works o' Amer&2an art()
Set" was not 'ollow&ng t"&s( #T"e 3o&nt be&ng )
Logan knew "e 2o1ld ne!er make Set" 1nderstand "ow "e 'elt4 and w"% t"&s battle was &m3ortant(
No Amer&2ana wo1ld e!ent1all% mean no Amer&2a( <e$d wat2"ed ot"er 2o1ntr&es sell t"e "er&tage
t"at was t"e&r s%mbol&2 so1l4 d1r&ng '&nan2&al "ards"&3s s&n2e t"e P1lse( Peo3le needed t"at 21lt1ral
bedro2k to b1&ld t"e&r so2&et&es on4 and w"en t"at bedro2k was 3eddled to ot"er nat&ons4 &t took awa% a
2o1ntr%$s sense o' 3ermanen2e4 a 3eo3le$s sense o' "ome( ,&t&Eens began to 'eel l&ke renters &n t"e&r
own land(
#I 2an$t e73la&n t"&s eas&l%4) Logan sa&d( #Yo1 were /ant&2ore$s 3r&soner 'or "ow longF)
#Ten %ears( W"at$s t"at got to do w&t" &tF)
#E!en t"o1g" %o1 "ated &t4 e!en t"o1g" %o1 e!ent1all% ran 'rom &t4 /ant&2ore was %o1r "ome( W"en
%o1 es2a3ed4 d&dn$t 3art o' %o1 m&ss &tF)
#Yo1 are "&g"G) Set"$s e%es blaEed( #No4 hell, noG)
Logan 31t a "and on t"e bo%$s s"o1lder( #Yo1 mean to sa% %o1 d&dn$t %o1 don$t m&ss %o1r s&bl&ngsF
T"e sense o' belong&ng t"at 2omes 'rom be&ng w&t" a gro13 %o1 know %o1 2an tr1st to take 2are o'
%o1F T"at sense o' w"olenessF Yo1 d&dn$t m&ss an% o' t"atF)
Set" looked at "&m 'or a moment4 t"en t"e %o1ng man$s e%es 'ell awa% and "e 'o1nd somet"&ng on t"e
'loor to st1d%(
Logan sa&d4 #T"at$s w"at I$m talk&ng abo1t4 w&t" t"ese 3eo3le sell&ng o'' Amer&2an art( It destro%s4 one
3&e2e at a t&me4 w"o we are "ow we 'eel abo1t t"e Amer&2an 'am&l% mak&ng &t eas&er to d&!&de 1s(
We$re all ab1sed 2"&ldren4 now4 Set" and t"&s k&nd o' ab1se to o1r nat&onal s3&r&t well4 &t$s one
t"&ng we don$t need()
#R1n 'or '12k&n$ o''&2e4 w"% don$t %o1F Look4 t"&s art s2am &t$s t"e '&rst "1stle t"e Brood$s work&ng
on o1r t1r'F)
#Yes()
#Well4 Logan4 w"% d&dn$t %o1 sa% so( We got to sto3 t"e bastards()
Feel&ng a l&ttle embarrassed4 and a b&t l&ke a 3om3o1s ass4 Logan 2o1ldn$t kee3 "&msel' 'rom sm&l&ng(
#Ka'eln&ko! &sn$t mo!&ng t"e st1'' o1t o' LA some"ow "e$s mo!&ng &t o1t o' t"e 2o1ntr% t"ro1g"
Seattle()
#And %o1 want to know "ow "e$s do&ng t"atF)
#Yes w"o$s work&ng w&t" "&m4 and w"ere t"e deals go down ma%be we 2an res21e some
Amer&2ana()
#;roo!%4) Set" sa&d4 st&ll 1n&m3ressed b% t"e 21lt1ral 'lag5wa!&ng( #An% 2l1es at allF)
Logan leaned &n4 1sed a mo1se to o3en a w&ndow on one o' t"e man% glow&ng mon&tor s2reens( A
3&2t1re 3o33ed 13 o' a blond4 tr&ml% bearded man &n "&s late twent&es4 ne7t to a 3a&nt&ng 2alled Death
on the 8idge 8oad.
Po&nt&ng4 Logan sa&d4 #T"at$s *ared Sterl&ng()
#Looks l&ke an 13stand&ng 2&t&Een()
#As 13stand&ng as t"e% 2ome ma6or art 2olle2tor4 3"&lant"ro3&st4 and b&ll&ona&re 2om31ter magnate()
#Sterl&ng Sterl&ng t"e Internet g1%F)
#T"e Internet g1%()
Set" leaned &n4 tak&ng a 2loser look at t"e ;rant Wood 3a&nt&ng( #Looks l&ke "e$s &nto4 w"at$s5&t4
Amer&2ana4 too()
#O" %es() -s&ng t"e mo1se4 Logan bro1g"t 13 3&2t1res o' !ar&o1s Amer&2an art 3&e2es( #T"ese
3a&nt&ngsAmerican 7othic- 5histler"s Mother- *a2kson Pollo2k$s 4ey, works b% T"omas <art
Benton4 W&nslow <omer4 and se!eral ot"er ma6or Amer&2an 3a&nters "a!e 2ome &nto Sterl&ng$s
"ands legall% and t"en d&sa33eared()
#.&sa33earedF)
#Per"a3s t"at$s o!erstat&ng( <e a201&res t"ese 3&e2es somet&mes w&t" great 'an'are seems to "a!e
t"em 'or a w"&le4 loans t"em 'or a m1se1m s"ow&ng or two and t"en t"e% !an&s" &nto "&s M2olle2t&on($
As art 3&e2es t"e 31bl&2 2an a33re2&ate4 t"e% dro3 o1t o' s&g"t4 and are ne!er seen aga&n()
#I' "e owns t"em4 I g1ess "e$s got t"e r&g"t()
#Well I don$t want to !ent1re &nto et"&2al waters w&t" %o1 aga&n4 Set"( B1t %o1 s"o1ld know also t"at
*ared Sterl&ng &s 2ons&dered to be one o' t"e most r1t"less and4 %es4 1net"&2al b1s&nessmen to emerge &n
t"e 3ost5P1lse world()
#E!en &' "e$s sell&ng t"&s st1'' o!erseas4 Logan4 &t$s no 2r&me "e owns t"e s"&t4 r&g"tF)
#Yes "e owns t"e Ms"&t$ b1t &t is a 2r&me() A'ter t"e ,oo3erstown and Stat1e o' L&bert% deba2les4
t"ere "ad been a ba2klas"4 and a n1mber o' b&lls "ad been 3assed to 3rote2t w"at rema&ned o' Amer&2a$s
"er&tage( #T"e Amer&2an Art Prote2t&on A2t4 o' twent%5'&'teen4 makes &t !er% &llegal 'or an% 3a&nt&ngs on
t"e 3rote2ted l&st to be sold o1ts&de o' o1r s"ores()
Set" 'rowned( #T"ere$s a l&st o' 3a&nt&ngs l&ke4 w"atF Endangered s3e2&esF)
#/ore l&ke "&stor&2 landmarks4 &m3ortant b1&ld&ngs t"at 2an$t be torn down to make room 'or anot"er
detent&on 2enter( *ared Sterl&ng owns doEens o' 3a&nt&ngs on t"e Sm&t"son&an Amer&2an /aster3&e2es
l&st()
#So Sterl&ng 2an own t"ese 3a&nt&ngs4 b1t "e 2an$t sell t"emF)
#Not o!erseas t"e 3a&nt&ngs wo1ld be 2on'&s2ated4 and "e$d be a 'elon( In add&t&on4 I s1s3e2t "e$s
mo!&ng stolen art4 and some o' t"e Mlegal$ transa2t&ons &n2l1de s12" odds and ends as t"e or&g&nal owner
o' Sterl&ng$s latest a201&s&t&on was"&ng 13 dead on a bea2"()
/ent&on o' a m1rder seemed to "a!e '&nall% 2a1g"t Set"$s attent&on( #W"ere wo1ld we 2ome &nF)
#Well4 "e$s ob!&o1sl% mak&ng t"ese transa2t&ons d&s2reetl% and "e ma% be 1s&ng t"e same 2ond1&t to
mo!e "&s artwork as Ka'eln&ko!( In 'a2t4 Sterl&ng ma% be t"at 2ond1&t t"at ma% be w"at bro1g"t t"e
R1ss&an to Seattle()
#So Sterl&ng$s s2am w&ll lead 1s to t"e LA g1%$s s2am()
#/% &nst&n2t &s &t$s t"e same s2am() <e "anded Set" a sl&3 o' 3a3er w&t" an address on &t4 and some
se21r&t% &n'o Logan "ad "a2ked( #Yo1r ne7t sto3 )
Set" glan2ed at t"e 3a3er4 memor&Eed &n an &nstant4 and tossed &t on t"e nearb% 2om31ter stat&on(
#Yo1$re t"e boss4) Set" sa&d4 w&t" onl% t"e 'a&ntest sar2asm(
Logan walked "&m to t"e door( #And do me a 'a!or4 Set"F)
Set" sm&rked( #W"% notF)
#Please don$t k&ll t"&s one r&g"t awa%()
#W"&2" one %o1 talk&n$ abo1t Sterl&ng4 or t"&s R1ss&an g1%F)
#E&t"er( Ne&t"er()
Set" s"r1gged( #F&ne b1t take t"&s R1ss&an4 'or e7am3le( Look at all t"ose gang k&ds "e massa2red(
;1% &s an e!&l d1de and "e$s t&ed to damn Manticore/ Wo1ldn$t t"e world be better o'' w&t"o1t "&mF)
#*1st gat"er t"e &n'ormat&on4 Set"()
Set" was s"ak&ng "&s "ead4 tr1l% not gett&ng &t( #I' t"&s Kasselro2k &s t"e 3roblem )
#Ka'eln&ko!()
# t"en k&ll&ng "&s e!&l ass o1g"t to end t"e 3roblem "&s 3art &n &t4 an%wa%()
Logan gras3ed t"e ?@$s arm( #Set"4 &' %o1 k&ll "&m4 we$ll ne!er know w"at "a33ened to t"e 3a&nt&ngs
"e$s alread% sm1ggled ass1m&ng4 o' 2o1rse4 t"at "e$s t"e r&g"t g1% to beg&n w&t"()
#I' t"ese 3a&nt&ngs are gone4 t"e%$re gone( W"at$s t"e d&''eren2eF)
Logan wasn$t s1re w"et"er Set" was teas&ng "&m4 or reall% was t"&s bloodt"&rst%8 3robabl% t"e
'ormer4 b1t t"at "e 2o1ld e!en be 2ons&der&ng t"e latter was !er% d&st1rb&ng
#Set"4 we need to know &' Ka'eln&ko! &s t&ed to /ant&2ore and &' so4 "ow4 and w"%( #hat"s o1r best
lead4 at t"e moment()
#Yo1 don$t m&nd &' I let that mot&!ate me4) Set" sa&d4 #and not some sense o' 3reser!&ng MAmer&2ana($ )
#Not at all( B1t wat2" %o1r all5Amer&2an ass4 m% 'r&end( T"e R1ss&an4 w"ose name %o1 re'1se to learn
"ow to 3rono1n2e )
Pro!&ng "e$d been %ank&ng Logan$s 2"a&n all along4 Set" sa&d4 #Ka'eln&ko!()
#An% wa% %o1 sa% &t4 Set"4 "e$s a dangero1s man()
<al'wa% o1t t"e door4 t"e ?@ s"r1gged( #6"m a dangero1s man()
Logan 2o1ldn$t t"&nk o' an%t"&ng to sa% to t"at(
/ANTI,ORE <EA.=-ARTERS
;ILLETTE4 WYO/IN;4 9:L>
,olonel .onald L%de2ker sat at "&s desk4 dr1mm&ng "&s '&ngers on &ts L12&te52o!ered metal to3(
<ad /a7 been t"ere to see "&m4 s"e wo1ld "a!e noted t"at "e looked l&ttle d&''erent t"an "e "ad w"en
t"e ?@s broke o1t o' /ant&2ore ba2k &n $:>( T"e %ears "ad been k&nd to L%de2ker4 des3&te an
al2o"ol&sm 3roblem t"at "e "ad ke3t &n 2"e2k d1r&ng t"at same t&me s3an( <&s blond "a&r now 2onta&ned
a 'ew straggl&ng gra%s b1t was t"&2k as e!er( <&s &2% bl1e e%es "ad 2"anged onl% &n t"at "e now needed
glasses 'or read&ng4 and more #sm&le) l&nes "ad been et2"ed &n t"e 2orners( <&s bod% was st&ll t&g"t and
m1s21lar &t 61st took a l&ttle more e''ort t"ese da%s4 to kee3 &t t"at wa%(
<&s o''&2e was str&2tl% go!ernment &ss1e4 t"e walls and 2e&l&ng a 3astel m&nt green4 t"e '&le 2ab&nets4
2"a&rs4 desk4 and 2om31ter table all standard &nst&t1t&onal gra%( Not one 3ersonal &tem adorned t"e to3
o' "&s desk or an% ot"er 3art o' t"e anon%mo1s4 no5nonsense o''&2e( Onl% "&s bla2k s"&rt4 sla2ks4 and
leat"er 6a2ket were be2a1se o' "&s s1b5rosa stat1s not ;I(
A2ross t"e desk 'rom "&m were two s1bord&nates a k&d &n "&s earl% twent&es4 *ensen4 and an A'r&2an
Amer&2an &n "&s m&d5 to late t"&rt&es4 F&n2"( T"e two men stood at attent&on4 sold&ers &n 2&!&l&an s1&ts
and t&es4 and L%de2ker t"o1g"t "e dete2ted a sl&g"t trembl&ng &n bot"(
It 3leased "&m t"at t"e% 'eared "&m &n "&s le7&2on4 fear and respect were analogo1s( <e let "&s breat"
o1t slowl%4 2alm&ng "&msel'4 gett&ng 2entered4 61st as "e$d ta1g"t "&s k&ds(
#I$!e been wat2"&ng !&deo 'ootage o' one o' o1r ?@s a male()
#Yes4 s&r4) t"e% sa&d &n 1n&son(
#And w"ere do %o1 s133ose I got t"at 'ootageF)
T"e% glan2ed at ea2" ot"er 01&2kl%4 t"en t1rned t"e&r e%es 'ront( Ne&t"er man s3oke(
#Per"a3s I got &t 'rom o1r own &ntell&gen2e e''orts( .o %o1 t"&nk I got &t 'rom o1r own &ntell&gen2e
e''orts4 /r( *ensenF)
# no4 s&r()
#<ow abo1t %o14 /r( F&n2"F)
#Yes4 s&r I mean4 no s&r )
L%de2ker s&g"ed4 61st a l&ttle( #I got &t 'rom SNN()
T"e two men stared stra&g"t a"ead8 t"e% m&g"t "a!e been 2ar!ed 'rom stone &' stone trembled(
#Wo1ld someone 3lease tell me w"% t"e Satell&te News Network 2an '&nd one o' o1r k&ds4 and we
2an$tF)
F&n2" and *ensen "ad no answers(
#/r( F&n2"4 I want o1r 3eo3le at t"e o''&2es o' SNN w&t"&n t"e "o1r()
#Yes4 s&r4) F&n2" sa&d(
#/r( *ensen4 I want to know t"e so1r2e o' t"&s ta3e()
#Yes4 s&r()
#And I don$t want &t tomorrow( .&sm&ssed()
T"e two men sal1ted4 t1rned4 and le't(
L%de2ker t1rned to t"e T+ and +<S ma2"&ne on a 2art near "&s desk4 and 3la%ed t"e ta3e aga&n( <e
wat2"ed t"e gra&n% 3&2t1re as t"e %o1ng man lea3t a2ross t"e s2reen( <e knew &mmed&atel% &t was one
o' "&s ?@s( *1dg&ng b% t"e at"let&2&sm o' t"e bo%$s mo!es4 L%de2ker '&g1red t"e %o1ng man on t"e ta3e
was Ia2k4 or 3er"a3s Set"( T"e two oldest s1b6e2ts4 t"e% "ad alwa%s been t"e best at"letes o' t"e ?@
3rogram(
L%de2ker 2o1ld onl% a33re2&ate t"e at"let&2&sm o' t"e %o1ng man4 t"e bea1t% o' "&s d&s2&3l&ne( I' t"&s
one was an%t"&ng to 61dge b%4 t"ese k&ds were grow&ng 13 to be 61st w"at "e and t"e ot"ers "ad
dreamed t"e% 2o1ld be( Wat2"&ng "&s 2reat&on 2lean t"e 2lo2ks o' '&!e 3ol&2e o''&2ers &n less t"an 'ort%
se2onds4 L%de2ker 'elt a s1rge o' 3arental 3r&de
T"&rteen o' t"em "ad es2a3ed t"at n&g"t4 t"e gro13 o' twel!e and t"e&r leader4 Ia2k4 w&t" Set"
&mmed&atel% 2a3t1red b1t o!er2om&ng t"e two g1ards and sl&33&ng o1t &n t"e 2on'1s&on8 and t"e 2olonel
"ad s3ent m12" o' t"e last ten %ears tr%&ng to ro1nd 13 t"&s deadl% baker$s doEen(
<e knew t"e "&g"er513s 2ons&dered "&s re2a3t1re re2ord less t"an stellar8 t"e &ron% was4 "e "ad done "&s
6ob so well w&t" "&s %o1ng sold&ers t"at t"e% "ad made "&m look &n2om3etent( Two o1t o' t"&rteen &n a
de2ade d&d seem a s"ade 3altr% "e st&ll remembered t"e general star&ng at "&m &n 2ontem3t4 sa%&ng4
#Yo1 mean to sa% %o1 2an$t re2o!er a goddamn b1n2" o' l&ttle kids;)
L&ttle k&ds(
W"en t"e%$d es2a3ed4 t"e %o1ngest one "ad been se!en( T"at meant s&7 %ears o' '1ll5bore /ant&2ore
tra&n&ng Ka!& "ad been t"e '&rst to be re2a3t1red and t"at "ad taken o!er '&!e %ears( E!en t"en4 &t "ad
been l12k t"at t"e%$d st1mbled onto "&m &n Wol' Po&nt4 /ontana(
Ka!&4 t"en twel!e4 "ad been s3otted b% a /ant&2ore o3erat&!e F&n2"4 &n 'a2t w"o$d sto33ed to
wat2" some k&ds 3la%&ng baseball( Ka!& made a t"row on t"e 'l% 'rom t"e o1t'&eld 'en2e to "ome
3late a ma6or leag1er wo1ld "a!e en!&ed t"at t"row and F&n2" knew &mmed&atel% w"ere t"e k&d
"ad gotten t"e golden arm(
Two and a "al' %ears later4 +ada4 a 'emale ele!en at t"e t&me o' t"e es2a3e "ad been s1rro1nded &n
t"e desert o1ts&de Amargosa +alle%4 Ne!ada( S"e "ad grown &nto a s"a3el% %o1ng woman &n a T5s"&rt
and 6eans and r1nn&ng s"oes so't brown "a&r4 "1ge brown e%es4 '1ll sens1o1s l&3s(
Not&ng t"e se71al attra2t&!eness o' one o' "&s own k&ds4 L%de2ker 'elt a tw&nge o' somet"&ng g1&ltF
EmbarrassmentF B1t t"e 2olonel 2o1ld "ardl% 'a&l to not&2e t"at +ada$s blossom&ng 3"%s&01e looked
read% 'or a w"ole d&''erent set o' s&ns t"an t"ose s"e$d been des&gned 'or(
W"en s"e 'o1g"t ba2k4 dro33&ng t"ree members o' t"e TA, team w&t"o1t los&ng a dro3 o' sweat4
L%de2ker "ad drawn "&s 3&stol4 warned "er on2e(
S"e 21rsed "&m and 2ame r1nn&ng at "&m4 l&ke a w&ld beast4 "er '&sts t&n% "ard t"&ngs ra&sed to
31mmel
W"en "e 31t t"at b1llet between "er 3ert breasts4 L%de2ker s1r3r&sed "&msel' w&t" an &mmed&ate 'eel&ng
o' loss(
Self=defense, "&s m&nd ass1red "&m(
B1t &t wasn$t t"at eas%H +ada was4 a'ter all4 one o' "&s own( <e "ad rem&nded "&msel' t"at t"&s was "&s
6ob4 and &' an%one was go&ng to k&ll one o' "&s k&ds4 &t s"o1ld be "&m( A'ter all4 t"e ?@s were "&s
res3ons&b&l&t%(
And &t wasn$t l&ke s"e was t"e '&rst(
A'ter t"e 1n3leasantness &n Los Angeles "e$d 'o1nd deal&ng w&t" t"e R1ss&an and "&s rabble
e7tremel% d&staste'1l L%de2ker "ad ret1rned em3t%5"anded aga&n( T"e amaE&ng re3orts o' t"e dark5
"a&red %o1ng woman *ond%F /a74 ma%beF "ad all t"e earmarks o' an ?@(
B1t a'ter a&d&ng and abett&ng t"e sla1g"ter at t"e ,"&nese T"eatre4 L%de2ker "ad 2ome "ome w&t"
b13k1s4 t"e tra&l 2old4 &2e 2old
Now4 a re3r&e!e4 a real s"ot at gett&ng ba2k anot"er o' t"e ?@s4 a male4 and "e d&dn$t want to let t"at
2"an2e get awa% l&ke t"e g&rl &n LA(
<e 3&2ked 13 t"e 3"one to arrange trans3ort to Seattle( No matter w"at "&s men learned or d&d not learn
at SNN4 L%de2ker "ad a tr&3 to take(
One o' "&s k&ds "ad t1rned 13 &n Seattle
and #dadd%) longed 'or a re1n&on(
EN;I.YNE SOFTWARE
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
T"e 2"&ld L%de2ker so1g"t was 2ree3&ng down t"e "all o' t"e 133ermost 'loor o' Eng&d%ne So'tware4
t"e 2om31ter &n'rastr12t1re 2om3an% w"ose %o1t"'1l ,EO and owner was *ared Sterl&ng( Set" "ad
b%3assed t"e alarm4 o3ened a w&ndow &n a l1n2"room4 and gotten &ns&de(
T"&s was t"e e7e21t&!e le!el o' a steel5and5mostl%5glass s&75stor% s1b1rban bo7 t"at was ot"erw&se
3r&mar&l% rabb&t warrens o' 1nder3a&d 2om31ter geeks( T"&s 'loor4 1nner!&ngl% 01&et a'ter "o1rs4 ser!ed
t"e to3 e2"elon4 "al' a doEen wonks w"o "ad been w&t" Sterl&ng 'rom t"e start4 m&ll&ona&res t"anks to
Eng&d%ne sto2k o3t&ons( No one on t"&s 'loor "ad to sta% late to 3ro!e "&m5 or "ersel'4 and w"&le a
'ew geeks on t"e 'loors below labored &nto t"e n&g"t4 seek&ng ad!an2ement t"at wo1ld ne!er 2ome
t"at le't onl% a token se21r&t% sta''4 abo1t "al' a doEen w"o "ad 61st '&n&s"ed t"e&r "o1rl% ro1nds o'
t"e 'loor(
W&t" &ts dee3 3l1s" 2ar3et&ng4 e73ens&!e oak 3anel&ng4 and g&lt5'ramed e7am3les 'rom Sterl&ng$s art
2olle2t&on l&n&ng t"e walls4 t"e e7e21t&!e 'loor 'elt more l&ke t"e mans&on o' t"e 2om3an%$s owner t"an
"&s 2or3orate o''&2e( Set" mo!ed down t"e darkened "allwa%s4 s3&der&ng "&msel' to t"e wall4 a!o&d&ng
t"e b1&lt5&n !&deo 2ameras( Sl&2k and 1nobtr1s&!e4 t"e se21r&t% 2ams "ad a 'lawH t"e% were stat&onar%4
and 2o1ld be mane1!ered aro1nd(
W&t"o1t an% tro1ble and w&t" t"e "el3 o' Logan$s &n'o Set" eas&l% made "&s wa% to Sterl&ng$s
o''&2e( E!en w&t"o1t Logan4 Set" 2o1ld "ardl% "a!e m&ssed t"e egoman&a2al d&s3la% t"at was Sterl&ng$s
name4 embossed &n gold on a bla2k 3late on t"e r&2" wood door( <e 3&2ked t"e lo2k and went &n(
To t"e r&g"t sat t"e desk o' Sterl&ng$s e7e21t&!e ass&stant4 Al&son Sant&ago Jor so sa&d t"e name3lateK(
T"&s re2e3t&on area ga!e /s( Sant&ago a genero1s s3a2e t"at an% nerd downsta&rs wo1ld "a!e g&!en "&s
or "er 3o2ket53rote2tor 2olle2t&on 'or(
Ste33&ng to Sterl&ng$s door4 Set" 'o1nd t"&s &nner barr&er lo2ked as well4 1sed a 3a&r o' 3&2ks to o3en &t
&n A(@ se2onds4 and ste33ed &ns&de4 2los&ng and relo2k&ng &t( I' t"e se21r&t% g1ards 2"e2ked w"&le "e was
&ns&de4 t"e%$d '&nd t"&s door lo2ked and l&kel% mo!e onH all Set" wo1ld "a!e to do to 'a2&l&tate t"at was
2ond12t "&s sear2" &n t"e near dark( Between "&s s"ar3er5t"an5s"&t e%es&g"t4 and bl&nds "e ad61sted to
let &n moonl&g"t4 Set" knew t"at wo1ld be no 3rob(
<e settled &n 'or a t"oro1g" sear2"(
Set" d&dn$t e!en t1rn on a lam3 or 1se a 'las"l&g"t to take t"&s 1ng1&ded to1r o' Sterl&ng$s o''&2e( T"e
,EO$s desk was 2l1tter5'ree and not 01&te b&g eno1g" to a22ommodate an &2e5skat&ng 2om3et&t&on4 "&s
2om31ter stat&on a se2ond4 smaller desk be"&nd( An &mmense 3a&nt&ng took 13 t"e w"ole wall abo!e t"e
2om31ter
Set"$s w&de e%es tra!eled o!er se!ered arms4 b1ll$s "eads4 &mage 13on &mage4 s2ream&ng women4 dead
3eo3le &t was t"e strangest4 most b&Earre 3a&nt&ng "e "ad e!er seen and "e wondered w"at we&rd s"&t
"ad been go&ng on &n t"e m&nd t"at 2reated s12" a "orr&'&24 %et 1nden&abl% bea1t&'1l s2ene(
<e also wondered w"at sort o' a man wo1ld "a!e a 3a&nt&ng l&ke t"&s &n "&s o''&2e wo1ld want to l&!e
w&t" s12" a !&olent 2ollage o' &mages4 w"o m&g"t '&nd t"&s n&g"tmare &n o&ls soot"&ng4 or some"ow
&ns3&r&ng
Sl&33&ng be"&nd to t"e 2om31ter4 Set" sat down4 to12"ed a ke%4 and t"e mon&tor 2ame al&!e4 t"e 'lat
s2reen glow&ng br&g"tl% &n t"e dark room8 t"e 2om31ter &tsel' was alread% on(
5hat a thoughtful host, Set" t"o1g"t4 and started break&ng Sterl&ng$s se21r&t%(
,om&ng 'rom a 2om3an% so s133osedl% ade3t at 2om31ter te2"4 Sterl&ng$s s%stem 2a!ed 3rett% 01&2kl%8
on t"e ot"er "and4 ?@s "ad "a2ker tra&n&ng and 3"%s&2al ab&l&t&es t"at wo1ld 31t t"e best s%stem to t"e
test( On2e &n4 "owe!er4 Set" sear2"ed t"ro1g" t"o1sands o' 2om31ter '&les w&t" no l12k(
<e d&d '&nd one 3rom&s&ng 'older4 t"o1g" an en2r%3ted one w&t" &ts own 3assword( No matter w"at
"e tr&ed4 "e 2o1ldn$t o3en &t4 w"&2" was start&ng to 3&ss "&m o'' Jadm&ttedl%4 "&s rage t"res"old was
eas&l% 2rossedK(
F&nall%4 g&!&ng 134 Set" 2o3&ed t"e '&le onto a d&s24 2o!ered "&s 2om31ter tra2ks as best "e 2o1ld4 and
2re3t ba2k to t"e door( <e 1nlo2ked &t 01&etl%4 sl&33ed &nto t"e e7e21t&!e ass&stant$s s3a2e4 t"en o3ened
t"e "all door a 2ra2k to 3eer o1t and down4 bot" wa%s4 to see a wonder'1ll% em3t% 2orr&dor(
Set" was "al'wa% ba2k to "&s l1n2"room entr% 3o&nt4 on a 'loor w"ere no geeks labored4 w"en "e saw a
member o' t"e se21r&t% team4 a "ea!% g1% &n "&s m&d'&'t&es 3robabl% an e752o3 or ma%be somebod%$s
1n2le4 3ass&ng t"e da%s 1nt&l ret&rement( T"e g1ard "ad no '&rearm4 b1t "e d&d "a!e a TaEer and a
walk&e5talk&e on "&s belt(
Kee3&ng to t"e s"adows4 Set" 'ollowed t"e g1ard down t"e "all toward t"e entr% 3o&nt( All t"e g1ard
"ad to do was kee3 mo!&ng and Set" 2o1ld sl&3 o1t as eas&l% as "e$d sl&33ed &n(
B1t as t"e% 3assed t"e l1n2"room4 t"e se21r&t% man looked &n 2as1all% t"en sto33edcold.
Set" d&dn$t t"&nk t"e g1ard 2o1ld$!e s3otted t"e w&ndow 'rom t"at !antage 3o&nt4 b1t4 damn4 t"e g1%
must "a!eG <ere Set" was4 a lean %o1ng genet&2all% t1ned eng&neered sold&er4 less t"an twent% 'eet
'rom "&s a22ess o1t o' "ere and t"&s old 'at 'r&gg&n$ g1ard de2&ded to 3&2k now to be on to3 o' "&s 6ob(
Fatso rea2"ed 'or t"e rad&o on "&s "&34 "&s "ead sw&!el&ng as "e looked down t"e "all &n t"e ot"er
d&re2t&on4 a33arentl% 2"e2k&ng 'or more e!&den2e o' an &ntr1der(
Set" "ad "o3ed to get &n and get o1t w&t"o1t ra&s&ng an% s1s3&2&on8 b1t t"at seemed &m3oss&ble now(
T"e g1ard "ad l&'ted t"e rad&o 'rom "&s belt4 3o&sed to 31t &n "&s 2all a 2all t"at &' Set" let "&m make
meant t"e rest o' a J3res1mabl% sl&mmerK se21r&t% 'or2e wo1ld be on t"e wa% &n se2onds( B1t tak&ng t"e
g1ard o1t '&rst wo1ld tell Sterl&ng t"at "&s 2om3an%$s se21r&t% "ad been brea2"ed
/ant&2ore tra&n&ng4 and l&'e on t"e streets4 "ad ta1g"t Set" long ago to 3&2k t"e lesser o' e!&ls(
T"e g1ard "ad 61st 31s"ed &n t"e TALK b1tton4 and s12ked &n a breat" to 'orm t"e '&rst word4 w"en
Set" 2"o33ed "&m on t"e ba2k o' t"e ne2k4 and t"e g1ard 'olded 13 l&ke a 'at 2ard table4 3&t2"&ng
awkwardl% 'orward4 t"e walk&e5talk&e 2l1nk&ng to t"e 2ar3eted 'loor and bo1n2&ng awa% a 'ew 'eet( T"e
g1ard "ad barel% "&t t"e &ndoor5o1tdoor 2ar3et&ng w"en Set" "ad "&m b% "&s 2ollar4 to drag t"e man
awa%(
#?ey/&
T"e !o&2e 2ame 'rom be"&nd Set"4 o'' to one s&de(
#5hat the hell;&
Anot"er !o&2e(
#5hat"s going on;&
Anot"erG
S3&nn&ng toward t"e l1n2"room4 Set" saw 'o1r more g1ards s&tt&ng aro1nd a b&g table4 sandw&2"es
s3read o1t be'ore t"em4 two em3t% 2"a&rs4 t"e&r e%es all now t1rned toward t"e bo% &n s"o2k(
Shit, t"e ?@ t"o1g"t( Fatso "adn$t d&s2o!ered Set"$s entr% 3o&nt t"e g1ard "ad s&m3l% been 2all&ng to
t"e last member o' t"e se21r&t% team4 to &n!&te "&m to 6o&n t"e gro13 'or t"e&r m&dn&g"t l1n2"G
So much for getting away clean.
Set" d&dn$t wa&t 'or t"em to gat"er t"e&r w&ts8 "e$d been tra&ned to 1se s1r3r&se4 and t"e s1r3r&se on t"e&r
'a2es &n!&ted "&m to 6o&n t"em4 &n t"e l1n2"room
As t"e nearest g1ard rose 'rom t"e table4 Set" 6ammed a '&st 13 1nder t"e man$s nose4 t"e ?@ t"r1st&ng
"ard4 t"e g1ard 1n2ons2&o1s4 3oss&bl% dead8 as t"e g1% to33led4 Set" grabbed t"e man$s TaEer be'ore "e
landed4 tak&ng t"e 2"a&r w&t" "&m(
Set" a&med t"e TaEer at t"e g1ard a2ross t"e table4 o1t o' t"e ?@$s rea2" a k&d barel% "&s own age(
T"e two darts 'lew and str12k t"e %o1ng g1ard &n t"e 2"est4 t"e 2"arge dro33&ng t"e k&d to do a
tw&t2"&ng dan2e on "&s ba2k on t"e 'loor(
#F12k&n$ k&ll %o1G) anot"er o' t"e g1ards s3at4 a s01are56awed 3robabl% e75m&l&tar% bo%4 on "&s 'eet4
go&ng 'or "&s own TaEer8 b1t t"en4 l&ke a 61m3 21t &n a mo!&e4 Set" was s1ddenl% bes&de t"e g1ard4 and
tr&ggered t"e wea3on &n t"e man$s gras34 send&ng t"e s"o2k&ng darts sa&l&ng down4 s&nk&ng &nto t"e
g1ard$s own tro1sered leg4 to 2on!&n2e "&m to do "&s own 2on!1ls&ng R&!erdan2e be'ore "e dro33ed &n
a s3asmod&2 "ea34 to d1et w&t" "&s tw&t2"&ng b1dd%(
Set" allowed "&msel' a la1g" at t"at4 w"&2" ma% "a!e been w"at sent t"e '&nal g1ard$s s2are le!el &nto
o!erdr&!e4 &ns3&r&ng t"e g1% anot"er older4 o!erwe&g"t waste o' a se21r&t%5g1ard 1n&'orm to make
a r1n 'or &t(
T"e ?@ merel% walked 01&2kl% r1nn&ng was not ne2essar% and grabbed t"e g1% b% t"e "a&r on t"e
ba2k o' "&s "ead and g1&ded "&m4 'a2e '&rst4 &nto t"e door 'rame( T"e g1ard dro33ed to "&s knees4 a
gl&sten&ng red 2lown$s nose &n t"e m&dst o' a 3&t&'1l e73ress&on(
T"e red5nosed g1ard wasn$t 1n2ons2&o1s4 t"o1g"4 able to sa%4 #Please4) be'ore Set" 31t "&m to slee3
w&t" a r&g"t "ook t"at 2a1g"t t"e g1ard on t"e s&de o' t"e 6aw4 kno2k&ng "&m o!er l&ke a 3otted 3lant4
blo2k&ng t"e l1n2"room door(
Set" 2o1ld not 2o!er "&s break5&n4 b1t "e 2o1ld 2o!er t"e reason 'or &t4 and t1rn t"&s 'a&l1re &nto a
'&nan2&al s122ess4 an%wa%(
<e !a1lted o!er t"e sl1mber&ng 2lown5nosed g1ard4 lea!&ng "&s l1n2"room e7&t be"&nd8 "e s3r&nted
ba2k to t"e sta&rwell and ret1rned to t"e e7e21t&!e 'loor4 and t"at "allwa% w"ere "e$d seen t"e
3a&nt&ngs b1t 2om&ng t"ro1g" t"e '&re e7&t door4 on t"e r1n4 "e 2oll&ded w&t" t"e last g1ard(
T"e two o' t"em 2ras"ed to t"e 'loor &n a m1t1all% s1r3r&sed mo1nd o' wr&t"&ng 'les"4 ea2" %ell&ng
angr&l% as t"e% wrestled 'or 3os&t&on( Set" was stronger4 o' 2o1rse4 b1t t"e g1ard was w&r% and %o1ng
and ke3t "&s "ead(
T"e g1ard e!en managed to a!o&d most o' Set"$s blows4 and s1r3r&sed Set" w&t" an elbow to "&s gro&n4
w"&2" sent na1sea5t&nged agon% t"ro1g" "&s bell%4 and anot"er elbow 6ammed &nto Set"$s le't e%e4
w"&2" daEed t"e ?@ and sent t"e "allwa% s3&nn&ng(
Rea2"&ng 'or "&s TaEer4 t"e g1ard str1ggled to "&s 'eet4 and as "e 'reed t"e wea3on 'rom "&s belt
Set" swe3t "&s 'eet o1t 'rom 1nder "&m4 and t"e g1ard landed on "&s ass w&t" a "ard thunk, TaEer 'l%&ng(
Set"4 on "&s 'eet now4 n&mbl% lea3t o1t o' rea2" w"en t"e daEed g1ard tr&ed to re3eat t"e swee3&ng
mane1!er on "&m(
Look&ng down at t"e 'allen g1ard w&t" res3e2t4 Set" asked4 #N&2e work we '&n&s"ed "ereF)
T"e g1ard looked 134 "&s e%es bl&nk&ng ra3&dl% as "e tr&ed to 2lear "&s "ead and 1nderstand w"at was
"a33en&ng(
#Yo1 got 21''sF) Set" asked4 2on!ersat&onall%( #I$ll 21'' %o1 and t"en I$m o1ta "ere()
T"e g1ard s"ook "&s "ead4 w"et"er &n 3rotest or to 2lear t"e 2obwebs4 Set" 2o1ldn$t tell( T"en t"e g1ard
d&!ed at Set"4 and t"e ?@ t"rew a "ard r&g"t down4 2at2"&ng t"e man$s 2"&n4 break&ng "&s 6awbone4
dro33&ng t"e g1% &nto an 1n2ons2&o1s "ea3(
#T"at$s one wa% to get 21''ed4) Set" m1ttered to "&msel'(
Now t"at "e "ad t"e l171r% o' t&me4 Set" st1d&ed t"e 3a&nt&ngs8 t"ere "ad been no /ood% &n "&s l&'e4 and
/ant&2ore was rat"er l&g"t on arts tra&n&ng so t"&s ?@ took down "al' a doEen t"at 3leased "&s e%e4
1s&ng "&s sw&t2"blade to 21t t"e 2an!ases 'rom t"e&r "ea!% 'rames( <e rolled t"em 13 toget"er l&ke a
2ar3et and took t"e ele!ator downsta&rs(
In t"e l1n2"room4 t"e g1ards were all st&ll o1t one or two o' t"em m&g"t be &n 2omas4 or e!en dead
b1t Set" d&dn$t 2are one wa% or t"e ot"er( Feel&ng e7"&larated t"&s "ad been '1nG t"e bo% sl&33ed
o1t "&s w&ndow &nto t"e n&g"t(
LO;AN ,ALE$S APART/ENT
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
Logan ,ale took t"e 2om31ter d&s2 'rom Set"4 and loaded &t &nto "&s 2om31ter4 as t"e ?@ '&lled &n "&s
bene'a2tor on t"e n&g"t$s ad!ent1res(
#Yo1 d&d w"atF) Logan asked(
Set" gr&nned4 3ro1d o' "&msel'8 t"&s was t"e "a33&est Logan "ad e!er seen t"e bo%(
#I made &t look l&ke a robber%4) t"e ?@ sa&d( #W&t" an% l12k4 Sterl&ng won$t e!en not&2e t"e brea2" &n
"&s 2om31ter se21r&t%()
T"at was smart4 Logan knew8 and t"e last t&me "e$d d&s3at2"ed Set"4 "om&2&de "ad "a33ened t"&s
was merel% grand lar2en%4 w&t" assa1lt and batter% as a 2"aser( /a%be t"e team 2o1ld work t"e&r wa%
down to 6a%walk&ng(
S"ak&ng "&s "ead4 Logan asked4 #W"at d&d %o1 takeF)
#S&7 3a&nt&ngs()
#W"ere are t"e%4 Set"F)
#Tr1nk o' m% w"eels Know a good 'en2eF)
Logan stared at Set" l&ke t"e bo% "ad garden&as grow&ng o1t o' "&s ears( #Yo1$re k&dd&ng4 r&g"tF T"ese
3a&nt&ngs 2o1ld be e!&den2e &n a 2ase aga&nst Sterl&ng4 m&g"t e!en &m3l&2ate t"e R1ss&an()
Set" s"r1gged4 what the hell. #T"ere$s 3lent% more w"ere t"ese 2ame 'rom( An%wa%4 I t"o1g"t t"e%
m&g"t br&ng &n a l&ttle 3o2ket 2"ange()
2ocket change, Logan t"o1g"t( More like millions-
#;et t"em4) Logan sa&d(
#<e%4 t"e%$re mine/ I d&d %o1r damn 6ob4 'or 'ree t"&s &s4 w"add%a 2all&t4 a 3erkG)
#Set"4) Logan sa&d4 #t"&s &s more &m3ortant t"an mone%()
#Eas% 'or %o1 to sa%4 .onald Tr1m3G)
#Sterl&ng ma% be o1r l&nk to /ant&2ore()
Set" let o1t a long4 slow breat"( #Oka% I$ll let %o1 e%eball $em b1t t"at$s &t()
W"&le t"e bo% was gone4 Logan str1ggled to o3en t"e d&s2( T"&s was go&ng to take t&me4 and a lot o'
2on2entrat&on4 w"&2" wo1ldn$t be 3oss&ble w&t" t"e ?@ 1nder'oot( <e set &t as&de8 "e$d deal w&t" &t later(
Set" ret1rned w&t" t"e rolled513 3a&nt&ngs4 s3read t"em4 smoot"ed t"em o1t4 on t"e so'a and on t"e
nearb% 'loor(
#E%es Onl%) 2o1ldn$t bel&e!e "&s e%es(
<e$d known Sterl&ng "ad a mammot" 2olle2t&on4 b1t to t"&nk t"ese "ad been on d&s3la% at 2or3orate
"ead01arters N( ,( W%et"4 ,"arles R1ssell4 Norman Ro2kwell4 Freder&2 Rem&ngton4 *a2kson
Pollo2k4 and *o"n S&nger Sargent "e was staggered4 st1nned(
#Lea!e t"ese4) Logan sa&d4 #and I$ll "a!e an art e73ert go o!er t"em()
Set"$s "ead reared ba2k( #Yo1$re k&dd&ng4 r&g"tF I mean4 %o1$re not reall% t"&nk&ng I$m go&ng to lea!e
t"ese w&t" %o14 are %o1F)
#Yo1 need t"em a1t"ent&2ated4 Set"()
#.o I look t"at st13&dF)
#Is t"at a tr&2k 01est&onF It$ll "el3 %o1 sell t"em4 &' %o1 know w"at t"e%$re wort"()
Set" t"o1g"t abo1t t"at 'or a moment4 b1t t"en s"ook "&s "ead( #Yo1 get t"e art e73ert 2all m%
3ager and I$ll br&ng t"e 3a&nt&ngs ba2k()
#All r&g"t4) Logan s&g"ed4 3att&ng t"e a&r w&t" "&s "ands( #All r&g"t()
Roll&ng 13 t"e 3a&nt&ngs l&ke dorm room 3osters4 Set" sa&d4 #.o &t b% tomorrow n&g"t4 or I$ll take m%
own 2"an2es w&t" a 'en2e()
#W"at &' I 2an$t l&ne somebod% 13 b% t"enF)
#O" I got 'a&t" &n %o14 Logan4) Set" sa&d4 t"e rolled513 master3&e2es 1nder one arm( T"e *ames .ean
'a2e gr&nned &n all &ts aw'1l bo%&s"ness( #*1st l&ke %o1 got 'a&t" &n me4 r&g"tF)
Set" s"owed "&msel' o1t(
Chapter Ten
SCENE OF THE CRIME
STERLIN; ESTATE
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
T1rn&ng to Kendra and "er 2loset 'or "el34 /a7 dolled "ersel' 13 &n one o' t"ose sk&m3% se7% 'ro2ks
t"at s"e "ad so s2r131lo1sl% a!o&ded 1nt&l now( At least &t wasn$t 'r&ll% or tras"% t"e s&m3le bla2k
stra3less m&n&dress4 set o'' b% a r"&nestone belt4 d&s3la%ed m12" o' "er sleekl% m1s21lar legs4 3lent&'1l
2lea!age4 and 61st abo1t all o' "er 1nblem&s"ed4 bronEe s"o1lders( S&tt&ng on t"e ben2" &n 'ront o' "er
roommate$s make13 m&rror4 /a7 31t on some bla2k %o15know5w"at5me 31m3s t"at r&!aled an% tort1re
/ant&2ore "ad 2ome 13 w&t"(
#Yo1 look good4 g&rl4) Kendra sa&d w&t" an a33re2&at&!e4 almost en!&o1s gr&n( #Fo7% and '&ne()
Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 w"o "ad 2ome o!er to "el3 w&t" t"e makeo!er4 w&dened t"ose b&g bea1t&'1l brown e%es
and4 w&t" a "ead s"ake4 sa&d4 #Yo1 look an% better4 Boo4 Or&g&nal ,&nd%$d set o1t to re2r1&t %o1 'or her
team()
T"at took t"e edge o''4 mak&ng /a7 la1g"4 and t"e ot"er %o1ng women 6o&ned &n4 &n a ro1nd o' g&ggles(
T"en4 st1d%&ng "er re'le2t&on4 /a7 rose and t1rned &n a slow 2&r2le( #.amn4 %o1 two are reall% good at
t"&s %o1 o1g"ta do makeo!ers on t"e t1be I 2an$t '&nd t"e b1tt5k&2k&ng tombo% no matter "ow "ard
I look()
#O"4 s"e$s &n t"ere4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d( #S"e$ll 2ome o1t4 an%bod% s2rew aro1nd w&t2"oo()
#B1t t"ese s"oes ) /a7 w&n2ed4 work&ng to ma&nta&n "er balan2e( #T"e%$re t&g"ter t"an Normal$s
ass()
O( ,( la1g"ed at t"at4 and Kendra s"r1gged( #T"ose are t"e best I 2an do not m% 'a1lt4 m% 'eet are
61st a l&ttle smaller t"an %o1rs ,&n4 %o1 got an%t"&ng &n %o1r 2olle2t&onF)
#<ell4) Or&g&nal ,&nd% sa&d4 #m% dogs are b&gger t"an e&t"er o' %o1 B1t don$t %o1 t"e get t"e wrong
&deaH Or&g&nal ,&nd% &s still damn del&2ateG)
/ore s"ared la1g"ter(
#T"e 31m3s$re '&ne4) /a7 l&ed4 l&g"tl%( W"at was s"e go&ng to do4 3&2k "er best 3a&r o' r1nn&ng s"oesF
<ands on "&3s4 Or&g&nal ,&nd% asked4 #W"at$s %o1r se2ret4 BooF <ow$d %o1 get %o1rsel' an &n!&te to
some Fat .add% ;reenba2k$s boot% s"akeF)
;r&nn&ng4 almost embarrassed4 /a7 sa&d4 #A&n$t no boot% s"ake 61st a 2o2kta&l 3art%()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% ra&sed an e%ebrow( #T"e% gonna be t1nesF)
/a7 'elt t"e arg1ment sl&33&ng awa% 'rom "er( #Well4 %ea"4 I s133ose()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% ra&sed t"e ot"er e%ebrow( #;onna be all k&ndsa %o1ng4 '&rm "ott&es w&t" t"e&r talent
"ang&n$ o1tF)
/a7 sm&led and s&g"ed( #Yo1 know t"ere w&ll be()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% t1rned to Kendra and &n 1n&son4 t"e% b1m3ed "&3s and sa&d4 #Boot% s"akeG)
#Wo1ld I do1bt m% eldersF) /a7 asked &nno2entl%(
T"at got t"e e73e2ted 'e&gned &nd&gnat&on4 and a'ter some more g&ggl&ng4 Kendra went to "er beds&de
table4 o3ened t"e drawer4 sele2ted somet"&ng4 and ret1rned to "and &t to /a7H a two5&n2"5s01are 'o&l
3a2kage(
#W"en %o1 a22essor&Ee4) /a7 sa&d4 and now s"e was t"e one ar2"&ng an e%ebrow4 #%o1 don$t k&d
aro1nd()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% w"oo3ed &n del&g"t( #Aw5&&&g"t4) s"e sa&d4 sla33&ng '&!e w&t" Kendra( #S&ster g&rl
look&n$ o1t 'or %a4 BooG Yo1 gotta lo!e &t()
/a7 was am1sed and4 well4 to12"ed( #I do1bt I$ll need t"&s4) s"e sa&d4 #b1t be2a1se %o1$re t"e one
g&!&n$ me t"e makeo!er4 I$ll take &t w&t" me %o1 ne!er know w"at m&g"t 2ome 13()
T"e% all la1g"ed aga&n( In tr1t"4 t"at s3r&nkle o' 'el&ne .NA &n /a7$s make13 "ad reared &ts '1rr% l&ttle
"ead aga&n not so long ago4 and /a7 "ad aga&n 'o1nd "ersel' do&ng battle w&t" "er "ormones( For a
"1man be&ng to de!ol!e &nto a 2at &n "eat4 'rom t&me to t&me4 was one o' t"e more "1m&l&at&ng as3e2ts
o' "er test5t1be de!elo3ment( B1t s"e was on t"e downs&de o' &t now(
Earl&er4 Kendra and Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad 3en2&led /a7$s brows4 ta1g"t "er abo1t e%el&ner4 mas2ara4 e%e
s"adow4 bl1s"4 and l&3st&2k te2"n&01es o' war /ant&2ore "ad sk&33ed4 2r&m&nal met"ods /ood% "ad
3assed o!er
F&'teen m&n1tes &n4 "er 3at&en2e wear&ng t"&n4 /a7 "ad asked4 #Is t"&s 3orn5star tr&3 reall% ne2essar%F)
Kendra looked "1rt( #Yo1 want to make a good &m3ress&on4 don$t %o1F)
/a7 sm&rked( #W"at4 %o1 mean &n t"e g1%s$ 3antsF)
#Boo4) O( ,( sa&d4 #%o1 "a!e to 31t %o1r tr1st &n t"e "ands o' t"ose w&t" more e73er&en2e &n t"ese
matters( Or&g&nal ,&nd% and s&ster Kendra know t"e &ns and o1ts o' dress&n$ to k&ll()
T"e latter 3"rase was more to t"e 3o&nt4 b1t /a7 "ad o' 2o1rse om&tted "er real 31r3ose 'or attend&ng
t"e 3art%( All s"e "ad told "er 'r&ends was t"at s"e was go&ng to a 2o2kta&l 3art% w"&2" was tr1e( And
t"at a !er% r&2" man "ad &n!&ted "er w"&2" was a l&e(
O( ,( waggled a '&nger( #Yo1 2at2" %o1rsel' a r&2" '&s" ton&g"t4 Boo %o1 61st remember &t was %o1r
"ome g&rls "el3 3ro!&de t"e ba&t()
Adm&r&ng "ersel' &n t"e m&rror4 a "and to "er "a&r4 s1r3r&sed b% "ow m12" s"e l&ked look&ng t"&s
bea1t&'1l4 /a7 sa&d4 #B1t 6 3ro!&ded t"e l1re()
Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 rat"er w&st'1ll%4 sa&d4 #No arg1ment4 g&rl'r&end no arg1ment()
Kendra 31t "er "ands on e&t"er s&de o' /a7$s "ead( #<old st&ll or we$re never go&ng to t1rn t"&s
31m3k&n &nto ,&nderella()
Or&g&nal ,&nd% seemed to be t"&nk&ng o!er t"at remark somet"&ng d&dn$t seem r&g"t abo1t &t(
A'ter t"at4 /a7 sat 3a&n'1ll% st&ll t"ro1g"o1t a 'ort%5'&!e5m&n1te ordeal4 rat"er amaEed b% t"e
elaborateness o' t"e make13 a33l&2at&on w"en t"e end res1lt made &t look l&ke s"e wasn$t wear&ng an%(
It was at t"&s 3o&nt t"at s"e$d ste33ed &nto t"e l&ttle bla2k dress and now4 '&nall% a'ter tak&ng one last
tw&rl &n t"e m&rror4 del&g"ted b% t"e s"&mmer o' "er dark 21rls4 and t"e wa% t"e dress 2l1ng to "er4 l&ke
an attent&!e lo!er s"e was read% dressed to go to work(
A'ter "er last !&s&t to t"e Sterl&ng estate as a 2at b1rglar &n t"e m&ddle o' t"e n&g"t /a7 "ad de2&ded
on a new strateg% to ga&n entr% &nto t"e mans&on and get &n'ormat&on 'rom t"e k&ng o' t"e 2astle( S"e$d
'o1nd o1t a lot more abo1t *ared Sterl&ng &n t"e meant&me(
For one t"&ng4 Sterl&ng was not t"e 13stand&ng4 model 2&t&Een t"e ma&nstream med&a l&ked to 3resent to
t"e 31bl&28 "owe!er "ard "e tr&ed to 3ass "&msel' o'' as t"e 3ost5P1lse 3oster 2"&ld o' res3ons&ble
wealt"4 "e was no 3"&lant"ro3&2 3atron o' t"e arts(
Ot"erw&se4 /a7$s l&ttle "ome &n!as&on wo1ld "a!e made t"e news b&gt&me( <er es2a3ade wo1ld "a!e
been on SNN and 'ront 3ages and all o!er t"e Net4 and e!er% ot"er 3la2e &n t"e so52alled 'ree world(
B1t t"ere "ad been no ment&on o' &t an%w"ere(
T"e 3a3er$s 3ol&2e beat "adn$t e!en r1n t"e 1s1al one l&ner abo1t #O''&2ers res3onded to an alarm at )
No matter "ow 3r&!ate a 3erson Sterl&ng m&g"t be4 t"e break5&n s"o1ld "a!e made some k&nd o' no&se
2erta&nl% t"ose alarms "ad( Pol&2e "ad no do1bt res3onded4 and e&t"er "ad been sent awa% b% t"e great
man4 or an% &n!est&gat&on o' t"e break5&n was ke3t 2on'&dent&al 'rom t"e med&a(
W"%F
Be2a1se *ared Sterl&ng was 13 to w"at was 2ommonl% 2alled no good.
E7a2tl% w"at4 /a7 2o1ldn$t %et sa%8 b1t Sterl&ng was 2learl% d&rt% as &nd&2ated &n s3ades b% "&s
3ossess&on o' t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean(
And if Sterling had ordered the slaughter of the +hinese +lan, in pursuit of the stone, she would kill his
ass.
B1t s"e wo1ld "a!e to be 2on!&n2ed o' "&s g1&lt4 '&rst8 &' "e was not"&ng more t"an a 2olle2tor w"o
bo1g"t "ot 3ro3ert% 'rom a 'en2e4 t"at meant Sterl&ng was 61st a l&nk to t"e real !&lla&n( And w&t"
/ant&2ore &n!ol!ement s1s3e2ted &n t"e ,"&nese T"eatre sla1g"ter4 t"at !&lla&n m&g"t well be ,olonel
.onald L%de2ker "&msel'(
On a more m1ndane b1t "el3'1l le!el4 /a7 "ad also learned t"at t"e art 2olle2tor was 'amo1sl%
s&ngle( <e 2olle2ted 3rett% women as well as 3a&nt&ngs4 and was "ost&ng a 3art% to s"ow o'' t"e new
;rant Wood at "&s "ome t"&s e!en&ng(
/ant&2ore "ad &nst&lled &n /a7 t"e need to take ad!antage o' an% o33ort1n&t%4 and t"&s seemed l&ke a
3r&me 2"an2e to '&nall% meet *ared Sterl&ng aga&n( <er ba2k "ad been to "&m4 &n t"e&r '&rst4 br&e'
en2o1nter4 and to "er knowledge "er &mage "adn$t been 2a3t1red on an% se21r&t%52am ta3es(
Normall% /a7 wo1ld "a!e made "er wa% to t"e 'err% land&ng b% t"e most e2onom&2al and most
e7"&larat&ng met"odH "er N&n6a( <er o1t'&t made t"at &m3ra2t&2al4 t"o1g"4 and s"e wo1nd 13
&n!est&ng ten or twel!e t&mes as m12" to take a ta7&( T"e 'err% r&de to +as"on Island wasn$t 'ree4 e&t"er4
and anot"er ta7& took "er 'rom t"e land&ng to t"e 'ront gate o' t"e Sterl&ng estate(
Add&ng 13 t"e 2osts4 /a7 rolled "er e%es and 1nderstood w"% onl% t"e r&2" l&!ed wa% o1t "ere w"o
t"e "ell else 2o1ld a''ord t"e 2omm1teF
T"e ta7& dr&!er an older4 sk&nn% g1% w"o looked l&ke "e "adn$t to12"ed sol&d 'ood s&n2e t"e P1lse
31lled t"e 2ab 13 to t"e 'ront gate4 w"ere a se21r&t% g1ard &n bla2k s1&t w&t" t&e dark5"a&red4
/ed&terranean5look&ng4 not one o' "er 3la%mates 'rom t"e ot"er n&g"t a33roa2"ed w&t" 2l&3board &n
"and( T"e 2abb&e wa!ed t"e g1ard aro1nd to t"e ba2k 3assenger$s seat w"ere /a7 was s&tt&ng(
/a7 rolled down t"e w&ndow(
#Yo1 "a!e an &n!&tat&on4 m&ssF) "e asked4 "&s tone 3leasant4 b1t "&s dark 'a2e ser&o1s4 "&s brown e%es
on "er l&ke lasers(
#O" damn4) s"e sa&d4 3retend&ng to d&g t"ro1g" "er t&n% 31rse4 #I "a!e &t some3la2e ) F&nall%4 s"e
ga!e 134 looked 13 at t"e g1ard w&t" w&de and Js"e "o3edK lo!el% e%es4 sm&l&ng '1ll wattage( #;1ess
not S12" a long r&de o1t "ere4 too()
<e leaned a "and on t"e rolled5down w&ndow( #Per"a3s &' %o1 ga!e me %o1r name4 I 2o1ld 2"e2k t"e
g1est l&st()
S"e "ad sele2ted4 'rom t"e !ar&o1s 3&2t1res o' Sterl&ng w&t" 3rett% %o1ng women Jand t"ere "ad been
doEens o!er t"e last %ear or soK4 a 3et&te br1nette4 w"o bore a 'a&nt resemblan2e to /a7(
#I$!e been "ere be'ore4) s"e sa&d( #A 'ew mont"s agoF /ar&sa Barton()
A t&n% sm&le 3la%ed at t"e 2orner o' t"e se21r&t% man$s mo1t"( #/s( Barton &s alread% &ns&de()
/a7$s sm&le 21rdled( #Look I$ll be stra&g"t w&t" %o1( I$m a 6o1rnal&st4 and t"&s &s m% b&g 2"an2e() S"e
w&t"drew a 3re2&o1s twent%5dollar b&ll 'rom "er 31rse(
B1t t"e g1ard4 not at all mean4 almost am1sed4 61st s"ook "&s "ead(
/a7 sa&d4 w&t" a 'roEen sm&le4 #Yo1$re not go&ng to let me &n4 are %o1F)
#Worse l12k 'or %o14 M/s( Barton$ I$m ga%( Yo1 don$t e!en "a!e that go&ng 'or %o1 Tell %o1r dr&!er
to t1rn &t aro1nd4 and we don$t "a!e to take t"&s anot"er ste3 Yo1 wo1ldn$t l&ke t"at ste34 an%wa%()
#Bet not() S"e$d alread% 31t "er twent% b12ks awa%(
/a7 told t"e dr&!er to t1rn t"e "a2k aro1nd4 b1t be'ore t"e 2abb&e 2o1ld s"&'t gears4 t"e g1ard leaned
down4 l&ke an ad1lt talk&ng to a 2"&ld4 and sa&d4 #B% t"e wa%4 61st so %o1 know ne7t t&me /s( Barton$s
a blonde4 now For a 6o1rnal&st4 %o1$re not so "ot on deta&ls()
S"e sm&rked( #I$m sa!&n$ 13 'or a resear2" ass&stant()
T"e dr&!er t1rned aro1nd and dro!e ba2k toward t"e 'err%( W"en t"e% were o1t o' s&g"t o' t"e gate4
/a7 told "&m to sto3 and4 a'ter wa&t&ng t&ll no 2ars were 2om&ng &n e&t"er d&re2t&on4 2l&mbed o1t o' t"e
2ab( T"e street was dark and Sterl&ng$s mans&on was two blo2ks ba2k(
#I' %o1$re 3lann&n$ to go o!er t"e 'en2e &n t"at dress4) t"e sk&nn% 2abb&e sa&d4 w"en s"e 2ame to "&s
rolled5down w&ndow to 3a% "&m4 #I wo1ldn$t m&nd "ang&n$ aro1nd to wat2"()
S"e got t"e twent% ba2k o1t( #<ere()
#<e%G T"anks4 sweet&e t"at$s genero1s()
#No &t$s 3a%ment 'or %o1 gett&ng amnes&a( Yo1 alert t"at g1ard"o1se abo1t me4 I$ll want m% And%
*a2kson ba2k()
#S1re ) <e took t"e b&ll 'rom "er4 and s"e 2lam3ed onto "&s st&2k o' a wr&st( <ard(
S"e looked at "&m "ard4 too4 and "&s e%es were w&de and amaEed and somew"at 'r&g"tened(
#I' %o1$re t"&nk&ng o' 3la%&ng bot" ends aga&nst t"e m&ddle4) s"e sa&d4 #%o1 m&g"t be s1r3r&sed w"at a
g&rl &n a dress l&ke t"&s 2an do()
<e nodded4 sa&d no 3roblem4 no sweat4 and 31lled awa%(
On "er walk ba2k4 /a7 a!o&ded t"e road to t"e 'ront o' t"e 2astle4 and t"e ot"er 2ars s"e knew wo1ld
be 1s&ng &t( S"e 3assed t"e 3la2e w"ere s"e$d do2ked t"e boat t"e ot"er n&g"t4 and ke3t mo!&ng( E!en &n
t"e s"ort dress4 t"e wall wasn$t an% more o' an obsta2le t"an &t "ad been t"e '&rst t&me4 t"o1g" t"at
2abb&e wo1ld "a!e re2e&!ed 01&te an e%e'1l(
S"e gl&ded aro1nd t"e "o1se to t"e 'ront4 sta%&ng &n t"e s"adows4 wa&t&ng 1nt&l a larger gro13 o' s&7 or
se!en 3eo3le 3o1red o1t o' a stret2" l&mo t"e&r sl&g"tl% dr1nken la1g"ter l&ke o''5ke% w&nd 2"&mes &n
t"e n&g"t and breeEed 13 t"e w&de sta&rs toward t"e mass&!e green dollar5b&ll door( As t"e% mo!ed 13
3ast t"e l&ons4 /a7 61st blended &n w&t" t"e 2rowd and4 'or t"e se2ond t&me4 entered t"e Sterl&ng
mans&on(
A str&ng 01artet sat to one s&de o' t"e 'o%er4 t"e&r so't melod&es 3ro!&d&ng 1nobtr1s&!e m1s&2al
wall3a3er 'or t"e man% 2on!ersat&ons go&ng on( T"anks to /ood%4 /a7 re2ogn&Eed t"e 3&e2e as Ba2"4
t"o1g" t"e name el1ded "er &t wasn$t somet"&ng %o1 2o1ld steal4 a'ter all(
T"e last t&me /a7 "ad stood &n t"&s 'o%er4 s"e$d broken and entered and "ad 'elt m12" more at ease
t"an &n t"e m&dst o' t"&s 2rowd o' ton% 3eo3le 2"att&ng &n l&ttle gro13s4 s&33&ng 'l1tes o' 2"am3agne4
n&bbl&ng at 2ana3Qs4 2o1rtes% o' s&l!er5tra%5bear&ng wa&ters &n t17edo 3ants and w"&te s"&rts w&t" bla2k
bow t&es4 w&nd&ng t"ro1g" t"e t"rong l&ke moonl&g"t&ng ,"&33endale$s dan2ers( T"e male g1ests tended
to be &n t"e&r late t"&rt&es to m&d'ort&es4 wear&ng ta&lored s1&ts and an a&r o' s122ess( T"e 'emale g1ests
o'ten were ten %ears %o1nger t"an t"e&r dates4 and wore 2l&ng% 2o2kta&l dresses4 and a&rs o' e72ess(
/a7 'o1g"t a s3&ke o' 3an&2 s"e "ad rarel% 'elt more o1t o' 3la2e &n "er %o1ng l&'e4 3er"a3s not s&n2e
t"ose earl% mont"s a'ter t"e /ant&2ore es2a3e(
Some r&2" 3eo3le "ad not weat"ered t"e P1lse at all well4 e!en s3&ral&ng &nto 'a&l1re and 3o!ert%( For
t"ose born to wealt" or t"ose 2a3&tal&sts Jl&ke4 sa%4 *ared Sterl&ngK w"o saw &n d&saster 3otent&al 'or
t"e&r own 3ros3er&t% &t was as &' t"ere "ad been no P1lse( To s12" 3eo3le4 a''l1en2e was as nat1ral as
breat"&ng8 and t"ose w"o$d been born to &t4 s"o1ld t"e% lose t"e&r 'ort1nes4 wo1ld w&t"er and d&e(
T"&s wa% o' l&'e was 2om3letel% 'ore&gn to /a74 w"o$d s2rat2"ed 'or e!er% 2ent s"e$d e!er earned or
an%wa%4 stolen( O"4 s"e$d seen "er s"are o' 'an2% 3art&es and 3os" e!ents &n Los Angeles4 o' 2o1rse8 b1t
s"e$d alwa%s been on t"e o1ts&de look&ng &n4 "o3&ng to snag a ba1ble or snat2" a 31rse w"en t"e
wealt"% le't w"ate!er '1n2t&on s"e and t"e ot"er members o' t"e ,"&nese ,lan were stak&ng o1t(
.es3&te t"e 2are Kendra and Or&g&nal ,&nd% "ad taken to "el3 "er blend &n "ere4 t"at was &m3oss&ble 'or
/a78 &n a wa%4 "er "ome g&rls "ad done too good a 6ob on "er( <er dark e7ot&2 bea1t%4 so 'et2"&ngl%
d&s3la%ed &n t"e low521t 'ro2k4 "ad attra2ted male e%es 'rom t"e moment s"e walked &n( T"e women
took onl% a 'ew se2onds longer to 2at2" onto "er 1n&01e 3resen2e and s1ddenl% &t seemed t"at /a7
wasn$t t"e onl% 'emale w&t" 2at genes &n t"e roomH t"e deb1tante g&rl'r&ends and tro3"% w&!es t"rew "er
looks o' 1nd&sg1&sed 2ontem3t(
A wa&ter 3a1sed 'or /a7 to sele2t a 2"am3agne 'l1te 'rom "&s tra%4 and s"e e72"anged sm&les w&t" "&m
two "1man be&ngs tra33ed "ere &n t"e .e2aden2e /1se1m( T"en "e was gone4 and s"e s&33ed4
"o3&ng t"e b1bbl% wo1ld rela7 "er4 b1t &nstr12t&ng "ersel' to "old &t to one glassH s"e was4 a'ter all4
work&ng
As s"e eased o'' toward t"e galler%4 /a7 nodded at se!eral o' t"e a33re2&at&!el% gaE&ng men4 t"&nk&ng4
(ven if 6 were still in heat, you toms wouldn"t stand a chance
T"e !ast room w"ere4 not so long ago4 s"e and a se21r&t% g1ard "ad &ntera2ted now "eld '&'t%5some
3eo3le4 mostl% m&ll&ng abo1t en6o%&ng t"e artwork4 m1rm1r&ng a33re2&at&!el% at Sterl&ng$s 2olle2t&on4
abo1t e!er% t"&rd one tr%&ng to &m3ress w&t" "&s or "er knowledge( /1s&2 'rom t"e 'o%er '&ltered &n4 b1t
m1''led4 as &' t"&s were /1Eak 3&3ed &n(
;lan2&ng aro1nd t"e room4 /a7 saw t"at Sterl&ng$s 3eo3le "ad 2leaned 13 t"e mess a'ter "er !&s&t4
neatl%4 e''&2&entl%( T"e "oles 'rom t"e se21r&t% leader$s 3&stol s"ots "ad been 3at2"ed8 t"e *a2kson
Pollo2k r1&ned b% /a1rer$s /PCA "ad been taken down Jand re3la2ed b% a d&''erent Pollo2k 3a&nt&ngGK8
and m12" to /a7$s s1r3r&se s"e 2a1g"t gl&m3ses o' a new Ple7&glas d&s3la% 2ase &n t"e 2orner4
w"ere s"e$d 'o1nd t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean( B1t s"e wo1ld "a!e to get 2loser4 to see w"at new ob6e2t "ad
been 31t on d&s3la% &n t"e ne2kla2e$s 3la2e
Not want&ng to aro1se s1s3&2&on and now start&ng to look 'or Sterl&ng &n earnest /a7 went down
t"e le't s&de o' t"e room Jt"e s&de o33os&te t"e d&s3la% 2aseK4 gl&d&ng be"&nd g1ests l&ned 13 star&ng at
3a&nt&ngs( A st1nn&ng blonde &n bl1e !el!et w"o m1st "a!e been stra&g"t o1t o' art s2"ool was
e73la&n&ng a ;eorg&a O$Kee''e 'lower to "er m12" older male 2om3an&on4 s3e2&'&2all% t"e #3ower'1l
s%mbol o' l&'e and 'emale be2om&ng()
As /a7 sl&33ed b% t"e 2o13le4 s"e not&2ed t"e blonde$s "and was br1s"&ng t"e t"&g" o' "er date4 w"o
was abo1t as weat"ered as one o' O$Kee''e$s 2ow sk1lls( <e was st1d%&ng "er4 not t"e 3a&nt&ng
t"o1g" /a7 "ad a "1n2" t"e g1% 1nderstood t"e blossom s%mbol&sm 61st '&ne(
S"ak&ng "er "ead a l&ttle4 /a7 s3otted4 on t"e 'ar wall4 one o' Andrew W%et"$s ?elga 3&2t1res4 w"&2"
s"e w&s"ed s"e$d grabbed on "er '&rst !&s&t( S"e sm&led 3r&!atel%4 mo!&ng on e!en as s"e 2ons&dered t"e
3oss&b&l&t% o' a t"&rd !&s&t to t"e mans&on4 some n&g"t soon
St&ll no s&gn o' Sterl&ng or4 'or t"at matter4 an% o' "&s se21r&t% sta''( S"e sl&33ed &n and o1t o' t"e
2l1sters o' 3om3o1s 3eo3le 1nt&l s"e stood &n 'ront o' anot"er ;rant Wood4 w"&2" "ad taken t"e wall
s3a2e t"at "ad belonged to Death on the 8idge 8oad. Spring #urning anot"er o&l on /ason&te4 done
&n L>AB 'eat1red large green '&elds go&ng on seem&ngl% 'ore!er4 roll&ng "&lls beneat" a bl1e sk% '&lled
w&t" 'l1''% w"&te 2lo1ds( In t"e bottom 'oregro1nd4 a t&n% man 1sed a "orse5drawn 3low( At e&g"teen b%
'ort%4 Spring was also a b1lk% 3a&nt&ng8 &' s"e d&d ret1rn4 s"e$d lea!e t"&s one be"&nd(
Aga&n4 /a7 slowl% s2anned t"e room 'or Sterl&ng4 and d&dn$t see "&m( B1t be'ore s"e$d mo!e on to
anot"er room to 2ont&n1e "er sear2"4 s"e 61st "ad to know "ow Sterl&ng "ad '&lled t"at Ple7&glas 2ase(
S"e wa&ted 1nt&l two 2o13les blo2k&ng "er wa% mo!ed on4 t"en ste33ed 13 and looked down at t"e
bla2k !el!et 3ad
and &ts 2ontents made "er breat" 2at2"(
#he ?eart of the 9cean/
W"at t"e "ellF <ow 2o1ld Sterl&ng "a!e gotten &t ba2kF T"ere was no way t"e ne2kla2e was
"&dden &n "er 2r&b4 and e!en Kendra d&dn$t know &t was t"ere(
T"e ne2kla2e on d&s3la% was breat"tak&ng4 and a33eared to be t"e gen1&ne art&2le b1t t"&s was cra)y.
<er "eart 3o1nd&ng4 "er 3alms sweat%4 /a7 ste33ed 2loser4 lean&ng &n4 tr%&ng to get a better look( A
gold 3late labeled t"e e7"&b&tH #T"e <eart o' t"e O2ean one o' two 3ro3 ne2kla2es 'rom t"e 'amo1s
'&lm #itanic t"e ot"er res&des &n t"e <oll%wood <er&tage /1se1m()
*1st as s"e was 'orm&ng an o3&n&on on &ts a1t"ent&2&t%4 /a7 'elt a 3resen2e someone ste33&ng 13
be"&nd "er(
#Bea1t&'1l4 &sn$t &tF)
Re2ogn&E&ng t"e warm mas21l&ne !o&2e4 /a7 t1rned to see *ared Sterl&ng a tall4 blond man &n "&s late
twent&es w&t" &ntense bl1e e%es4 a neatl% tr&mmed4 sl&g"tl% darker beard8 "e wore a bla2k s1&t w&t" a
2r&s3 bla2k 2ollarless s"&rt4 b1ttoned to t"e ne2k4 and no t&e 2as1al4 &n a 'ormal wa%(
#Bea1t&'1l4) s"e sa&d4 add&ng4 #'or a 'ake()
Sterl&ng 'a!ored "er w&t" a small tw&t2" o' a sm&le( #Yes4 a bea1t&'1l 'ake l&ke %o14 m% dear()
A s"&!er s"ot t"ro1g" "er( #I beg %o1r 3ardonF)
#Is t"e m1s&2 too lo1dF ,an %o1 not "ear meF) <e was stand&ng r&g"t ne7t to "er now4 and leaned
s&dewa%s to "er and4 w&t" a tone t"at managed to be bot" 3leasant and rat"er !&2&o1s4 sa&d4 #T"e
ne2kla2e &s l&ke %o1 bea1t&'1l4 b1t not w"at &t a33ears()
S"e bestowed a sm&le o' "er own( #And w"at do I a33ear to beF)
#One o' n1mero1s bea1t&'1l %o1ng women4 w"o were &n!&ted to m% 3art% b1t %o1$re not4 are %o1F)
#Not bea1t&'1lF)
#Not &n!&ted4) Sterl&ng sa&d w&t" a 2"12kle( #W"at t"e% 1sed to 2all4 &n t"e old da%s4 a 3art% 2ras"er()
S"e sw&!eled so t"e% 'a2ed8 t"e% stood 2lose toget"er4 as &' 2ontem3lat&ng a k&ss4 t"e Ple7&glas dome a
'oot 'rom "er le't "and and "&s r&g"t( S"e 2o1ld smell "&s l&g"tl% a33l&ed 2ologne4 somet"&ng 2&tr1s and
dee3l% &n!&t&ng( T"e a&r between t"em seemed 2"arged and t"e&r e%es lo2ked(
S"e asked4 #<ow do %o1 know I don$t "a!e an &n!&tat&onF Or ma%be I$m "ere &n t"e 2om3an% o' one
%o1r g1estsF)
#/% dear4) "e sa&d4 w&t" s1bl&me 2ondes2ens&on4 #I t"rew t"&s l&ttle 3art% m%sel' and I 3ersonall%
oka%ed e!er% &n!&tat&on( No one br&ngs a g1est to m% 3art&es w&t"o1t 2lear&ng &t '&rst 1nless one
doesn$t m&nd ne!er gett&ng &n!&ted aga&n()
#And "ere I t"o1g"t %o1 were s12" a warm "ost()
#O" I am() <e nodded toward t"e 3eo3le a33re2&at&ng "&s 3a&nt&ngs( #I$m 'r&ends w&t" all t"ese 3eo3le4
&n 'a2t I know e!er%one "ere e!er%one4 t"at &s4 b1t %o1( Alt"o1g" t"ere &s somet"&ng 'am&l&ar abo1t
%o1( <a!e we met4 m% dearF)
S"e 'elt anot"er s"&!er4 asked4 #In %o1r dreams4 3er"a3sF)
Anot"er sm&le tw&t2"ed w&t"&n t"e well5tended beard( #I' onl% I "ad t"at !&!&d an &mag&nat&on Wo1ld
%o1 l&ke a dr&nkF /ore 2"am3agne4 3er"a3sF)
S"e "eld 13 "er em3t% glass( #W"% notF)
#Be'ore we do4) "e sa&d4 #tell me4 3lease4 w"% %o1 t"&nk m% 'amo1s '&lm 3ro3 &s a 'ake()
#O"4 &t ma% a2t1all% be a '&lm 3ro3 I$m s1re t"e% "ad a ba2k13 'or t"e real ne2kla2e4 w"en t"e% made
t"at mo!&e()
#Real ne2kla2eF) "e sa&d &nno2entl%(
#+er% 'ew 3eo3le real&Ee t"at t"e ne2kla2e &n t"e <oll%wood <er&tage /1se1m w"&2" was stolen4 b%
t"e wa% was tr1l% !al1able4 w&t" 'ort%5e&g"t t&n% E&r2ons t"at 'ormed t"e "eart aro1nd t"e bl1e
stone()
#T"at$s s&m3l% abs1rd4) "e sa&d4 w&t"o1t 2on!&2t&on(
#And4) s"e 2ont&n1ed4 w&t" a 2as1al4 almost 2ontem3t1o1s nod toward t"e d&s3la% 2ase4 #t"&s 3aste 6ob
"as '&'t%()
<e looked 'rom "er to t"e ne2kla2e and ba2k( #WellG Yo1$re a !er% br&g"t %o1ng woman( Now4 do
%o1 want t"at 2"am3agneF)
#I$m r&g"t4 aren$t IF) Entw&n&ng "er arm &n Sterl&ng$s4 /a7 allowed "&m to lead "er toward t"e 'o%er(
#In a wa% t"e ne2kla2e on d&s3la% is a '&lm 3ro3 %o1 don$t t"&nk I wo1ld s"ow o'' t"e or&g&nal &n
'ront o' g1estsF T"e more !al1able o' t"e two 3ro3 ne2kla2es4 1sed onl% 'or 2lose513sF Part&21larl%
w"en &ts 3ro!enan2e &s so 2ontro!ers&al()
#Yo1 mean4 be2a1se &t$s stolen 3ro3ert% So4 t"en4 t"e real ne2kla2e &s somew"ere sa'e bank !a1lt4
t"at sort o' t"&ng()
#I wo1ldn$t know w"ere &t &s()
#W"% notF)
#.on$t be 2o01ett&s"4 m% dear %o1 stole &t( RememberF)
T"e&r e%es met and /a7$s stoma2" d&d a ba2k 'l&34 b1t s"e sa&d not"&ng8 s"e d&d not t"&nk "e wo1ld
make a s2ene "ere not and r&sk &t 2om&ng o1t t"at "&s 2olle2t&on &n2l1ded "ot 3ro3ert%(
T"e% got 'res" glasses o' b1bbl% 'rom a b1tler and walked down one o' t"e sta&rwa%s toward t"e rear o'
t"e "o1se( T"e 2rowd was t"&nner ba2k "ere(
#W"ere are we go&ngF) s"e asked(
#S&tt&ng room( I "a!e somet"&ng I want to s"ow %o1()
S"e sm&led( #I' &t$s a g1n4 I$m not &nterested I' &t$s somet"&ng else4 t"anks an%wa% I$!e seen t"ose
be'ore4 too()
#Yo1$re s12" a droll 2"&ld4) Sterl&ng sa&d4 w&t" a 2"12kle( #+er% engag&ng4 b1t t"at$s not w"at I meant( I
want %o1 to see anot"er 3&e2e o' art()
W&t" a s"r1g4 s"e sa&d4 #All r&g"t()
Sterl&ng 1nlo2ked a door and t"e% entered a large s&tt&ng room w&t" a 3l1s" !&olet !el!et so'a(
#For o1r 3r&!a2%4) Sterl&ng sa&d4 #I need to lo2k t"e door aga&n are %o1 2om'ortable w&t" t"atF)
S"e was not a'ra&d o' "&m &n t"e least( #;o a"ead()
<e lo2ked t"e door and t"e% soon sat s&de b% s&de on t"e !el!et so'a8 t"e /&ss&on st%le aga&n
3redom&nated( A waln1t 2o''ee table se3arated t"em 'rom two w&ng 2"a&rs and one wall was taken 13
b% books"el!es '&lled w&t" leat"er5bo1nd !ol1mes( On t"e o33os&te wall "1ng "ea!% !el!et 21rta&ns
t"at mat2"ed t"e so'a and 3res1mabl% 2o!ered a large w&ndow t"at o!erlooked t"e rear o' t"e estate(
On t"e wall be"&nd t"e 2o12" was w"at /a7 s1s3e2ted to be t"e or&g&nal 'ight 5atch b% Rembrandt(
Near t"e lo2ked door was a Rem&ngton 3a&nt&ng t"at /a7 re2ogn&Eed as #he Snow #rail.
#Are t"ese t"e 3&e2es %o1 wanted me to seeF)
#No() T"e 2olle2tor s&33ed "&s 2"am3agne4 t"en sm&led aga&n4 a toot"% sm&le t"at was a l&ttle too w"&te4
a l&ttle too w&de( #.&d %o1 reall% tell t"e g1ard o1ts&de %o1 were /ar&sa BartonF)
Sterl&ng d&dn$t seem to m&ss m12"4 aro1nd "ere( S1ddenl% t"at lo2ked door was start&ng to bot"er "er(
S"e de2&ded to 3la% "&m(
#;&rl$s gotta do w"at a g&rl$s gotta do4) s"e sa&d4 #to meet t"e man s"e wants to meet()
#And %o1 wanted to meet meF)
/a7 to12"ed "&s leg( #<andsome4 wealt"% %o1 do "a!e some 3o&nts &n %o1r 'a!or4 /r( Sterl&ng()
<e 3la2ed a "and o!er "ers( #T"ank %o1 'or 31tt&ng M"andsome$ on t"e l&st before Mwealt"%($ ) Now "e
was t"e one w"o glan2ed toward t"e 2losed door( #B1t w"at do %o1 t"&nk we s"o1ld do abo1t /ar&saF)
/a7 mo!ed 2loser( #Forget abo1t "er()
#T"at$s an o3t&on4) "e sa&d8 aga&n t"e% were 2lose eno1g" to k&ss( #Or we 2o1ld &n!&te "er to 6o&n 1s()
Aga&n t"e a&r between t"em seemed 2"arged4 b1t t"&s t&me &n a d&''erent wa%4 and /a7 'or2ed "ersel'
not to re2o&l( #I don$t l&ke to s"are good t"&ngs4) s"e managed(
T"&s 3art o' t"e b&g "o1se was !er% 01&et( Were s"e and Sterl&ng t"e onl% ones not o1t 'ront4 at t"e
3art%F
#Be'ore we de2&de w"at to do abo1t /ar&sa4) "e sa&d4 and eased awa% 'rom "er4 61st a b&t4 #3er"a3s we
s"o1ld de2&de w"at to do abo1t you.)
<e w&t"drew a 3&e2e o' 3a3er 'rom "&s &ns&de 6a2ket 3o2ket and dro33ed &t on t"e 2o''ee table be'ore
t"em a s1r!e&llan2e 3"oto4 21lled 'rom !&deo 'ootage4 2o1rtes% o' a se21r&t% 2am
a picture of Max standing in the gallery of the Sterling mansion with the real ?eart of the 9cean in
her hand.
#T"&s4) "e sa&d4 and "e was not sm&l&ng now4 #&s t"e 3&e2e o' art I wanted %o1 to see()
So m12" 'or d&sabl&ng t"e !&deo s%stem(
<e was sa%&ng4 #I take &t %o1 2ame "ere ton&g"t to w"at &s %o1r name4 dearF)
S"e sa&d not"&ng(
Sterl&ng 3ressed onH #I take &t %o1$re "ere to make arrangements to ret1rn t"e ne2kla2e4 and t"e ;rant
Wood 3a&nt&ng 2orre2tF)
<er 'a2e blank4 s"e sa&d s&m3l%4 #No()
#Please don$t 3la% &nno2ent w"% else wo1ld %o1 2ome to m% "ome ton&g"t4 r&sk&ng a 3r&son senten2e4
go&ng t"ro1g" all t"e tro1ble o' 61m3&ng t"e wall and sk1lk&ng aro1nd l&ke a 2ommon t"&e'F)
#A2t1all%4 I$m a !er% 1n2ommon t"&e'4 /r( Sterl&ng()
<&s sm&le ret1rned 'ewer teet"4 t"o1g"( #T"at$s tr1e4 m% dear t"at$s 2erta&nl% tr1e()
S"e 'olded "er arms4 Ind&an5st%le( #We 2o1ld4 I s133ose4 arrange a 3r&2e 'or t"e ret1rn o' t"ose two
&tems( Yo1 m&g"t be s1r3r&sed b% "ow reasonable t"at 3r&2e m&g"t be()
<&s e%es t&g"tened8 "e was 2learl% &ntr&g1ed( #Tr% me()
S"e 21rta&led t"e &ntens&t%4 t"e 1rgen2% &n "er !o&2e( #*1st tell me w"ere %o1 got &t()
#;ot w"at4 m% dearF)
#T"e <eart o' t"e O2ean( Tell me4 and %o1 2an "a!e &t ba2k T"e ;rant Wood m&g"t re01&re some
2as" o1tla%4 b1t )
#/% dear4) Sterl&ng sa&d( #S1rel% %o1 1nderstand t"at a man w"o deals &n t"e net"erworld o' art
2olle2t&ng4 as I do4 m1st 3rote2t not onl% "&msel'4 b1t "&s so1r2es( An%wa%4 w"% &s &t an% o' %o1r
2on2ern4 w"ere I got t"at ne2kla2eF)
#I need to know4) s"e sa&d4 and t"&s t&me t"e &ntens&t% bled t"ro1g"(
<e 2ons&dered w"at s"e$d sa&d8 t"en "e sa&d4 #I ma% str&ke a barga&n w&t" %o1 b1t I m1st 3rote2t
m%sel'( Aga&n4 I m1st ask w"% do %o1 want to knowF)
S"e 2o1ld t"&nk o' not"&ng else to tell "&m b1t t"e tr1t" so s"e d&dH #I$m t"e one w"o stole t"e
ne2kla2e &n t"e '&rst 3la2e4 'rom t"at m1se1m &n LA()
# I am &m3ressed()
#I le't t"e ne2kla2e w&t" 'r&ends4 w"en I sk&33ed town( T"ose 'r&ends t1rned 13 dead4 &n t"e meant&me
and now t"e ne2kla2e w&nds 13 w&t" %o1( I need to know "ow t"at "a33ened()
<e seemed am1sed( #To a!enge %o1r 'r&ends4) "e sa&d4 as &' t"&s were a 01a&nt not&on(
#O' 2o1rse to a!enge m% 'r&ends()
#And t"&s &s more &m3ortant t"an mone%F)
#It &s to me( /r( Sterl&ng *ared 2an we do b1s&nessF .o %o1 want %o1r ne2kla2e ba2kF)
#Well4 o' 2o1rse I do gentlemen/)
T"e door 1nlo2ked and /orales and /a1rer ste33ed &nto t"e s&tt&ng room( In bla2k s1&ts w&t" t&es4 t"e
g1ards wore remembran2es o' t"e&r '&rst meet&ng w&t" /a7H /a1rer "ad two bla2k e%es and a bandage
o!er "&s broken nose4 and /orales s3orted assorted br1&ses( T"e% glowered at "er(
Sterl&ng$s !o&2e t1rned 2old( #<ere$s m% o''erH g&!e me ba2k w"at belongs to me and I won$t "a!e %o1
k&lled()
#+er% genero1s b1t w"% s"o1ld I t"&nk %o1$d "old 13 %o1r end o' t"e barga&nF)
<e sm&led at "er4 no teet" t"&s t&me8 t"en sa&d4 #Be2a1se %o1 "a!e 1n&01e ab&l&t&es4 m% dear and I
2o1ld 1se someone o' %o1r talents on m% 3a%roll Isn$t t"at r&g"t4 bo%sF)
B1t ne&t"er /a1rer nor /orales e73ressed an o3&n&on(
#I 'l% solo4) s"e sa&d( #As 'or t"e rest o' %o1r o''er t"anks4 b1t no t"anks()
#I' %o1 don$t ret1rn m% 3ro3ert%4 I$ll see to &t t"at %o1r deat" &s a 3rolonged4 1n3leasant one( I' %o1 do
ret1rn m% 3ro3ert%4 I$ll allow %o1 to l&!e( W"o knowsF Yo1 ma% e!en 2"ange %o1r m&nd abo1t m%
em3lo%ment 3ro3os&t&on()
#I$ll 3ass()
#/% dear4 &t$s t"e best deal %o1$re go&ng to negot&ate( Yo1 reall% s"o1ld take ad!antage o' m%
generos&t%()
S"e almost la1g"ed( #Yo1 reall% t"&nk %o1 2an make all o' t"&s 'l%F I mean4 I "a!e k&2ked t"e ass o'
bot" t"ese g1%s and more4 alread%()
W&t" a s"r1g and an o3en"anded gest1re4 Sterl&ng sa&d4 #T"at is tr1e b1t we "a!e all&es &n town now8
we$!e taken on 2erta&n re&n'or2ements /oralesG Fet2" o1r 'r&end4 w&ll %o1F)
/orales nodded and ste33ed o1t o' t"e room(
#Yo1 s"o1ld "a!e dealt w&t" me4 /a74) Sterl&ng sa&d(
Max-
#<ow t"e "ell do %o1 know m% nameF) s"e demanded(
/orales 2ame ba2k &n and took 13 "&s 3os&t&on to one s&de o' t"e door4 /a1rer on t"e ot"er( /oments
later a t"&rd man strode &n4 rat"er tall4 t"&n4 ro2k5star "andsome4 wear&ng a brown leat"er4 knee5lengt"
2oat o!er a l&g"t bl1e s&lk s"&rt and bla2k leat"er 3ants(
4afelnikov/
Sterl&ng sa&d4 #I bel&e!e %o1 know m% 'r&end /&k"a&l()
T"e R1ss&an$s sm&le was as re3t&l&an as "&s snakesk&n boots( #En6o%&ng t"e 3art%4 /a7F)
S"e 'lew to "er 'eet and 'elt t"e we&g"t o' a 3&stol barrel aga&nst "er r&bs(
#Now4 now4) Sterl&ng sa&d4 on "&s 'eet be"&nd "er4 w"&s3er&ng &nto "er ear4 l&ke a lo!er( #Let$s not be
ras" )
Ka'eln&ko! and t"e two g1ards were draw&ng t"e&r "andg1ns4 as well( S"e s"ook "er "ead a l&ttle( #I
t"&nk I alread% "a!e been ras"()
#So &t wo1ld seem()
E!en as t"e nose o' "&s a1tomat&2 d1g &nto "er r&bs4 "e k&ssed "er ne2k4 and s"e 'elt a 2"&ll not a good
2"&ll( #Now4 m% dear4) "e sa&d4 #I want se!eral t"&ngs 'rom %o1 t"e <eart o' t"e O2ean t"e ;rant
Wood and one more &tem )
#T"at$s e!er%t"&ng4) s"e sa&d 2oldl%( <er e%es were on t"e R1ss&an4 w"o was sm&l&ng at "er4 seem&ngl%
am1sed b% t"e "atred s"e was glar&ng "&s wa%(
#'ot e!er%t"&ng4) Ka'eln&ko! sa&d4 and "e ste33ed 'orward4 a 'ew 'eet 'rom /a7( #Tell 1s abo1t t"e
ot"er one()
/a7 'rowned( #W"atF )
Sterl&ng w"&s3ered lo!&ngl%H #Tell 1s abo1t %o1r 3artner t"e one w"o broke &nto m% 3la2e o'
b1s&ness()
/a7 'elt t"e blood dra&n 'rom "er 'a2e( #PartnerF)
Sterl&ng 2ame aro1nd alongs&de "er4 t"e nose o' t"e g1n mak&ng t"e tr&34 too( #.on$t be 2o%4 dear &t
reall% doesn$t s1&t %o1 5ho is he;)
B&t&ng o'' t"e words4 s"e sa&d4 #I don$t know w"at t"e "ell %o1$re talk&ng abo1t()
#/oralesG) Sterl&ng barked( #S"ow "er()
T"e g1ard ste33ed 'orward and "anded "er anot"er se21r&t%52am 3&2t1re(
T"&s one s"owed a %o1ng man stand&ng &n t"e m&ddle o' 'allen se21r&t% g1ards( And once again she
found herself studying a grainy picture of a young man who might be her brother, Seth; <o3e lea3t
w&t"&n "er4 des3&te "er s&t1at&on(
W&t" "&s 'ree "and4 Sterl&ng snat2"ed t"e 3"oto 'rom "er( #Now4 dear tell 1s w"ere "e &s4 and w"at
t"e two o' %o1 "a!e done w&t" m% 3ro3ert%()
#.on$t know t"e g1%4) /a7 sa&d4 w&t" a s"r1g( #Sorr%()
Ka'eln&ko! la1g"ed "ars"l%( #I$!e seen %o1 &n a2t&on4 /a7 and I$!e seen t"e ta3e o' t"&s man4 toss&ng
2o3s aro1nd l&ke dolls( I' %o1 two are not brot"er and s&ster4 %o1 at least s"ared t"e same tea2"er()
/a7$s e%es narrowed( #W"at makes %o1 t"&nk we$re brot"er and s&sterF)
T"e R1ss&an s"r1gged( #Yo1 mo!e t"e same4 %o1 '&g"t t"e same %o1 mo!e %o1r "ands4 %o1r 'eet4
%o1r "eads t"e same( E&t"er %o1$re 'am&l% or %o1 tra&ned 1nder one master4 most l&kel% at t"e same
t&me( E&t"er wa%4 %o1 know t"&s man( W"o &s "e4 and w"ere &s "eF)
#Yo1 want to know t"&s4) /a7 sa&d to t"e R1ss&an4 #be2a1se %o1r b1s&ness 3artner "ere got robbed or
&s t"ere a reward 'or t"&s rebelF /a%be one 'or meF)
#I don$t know w"at %o1$re talk&ng abo1t4) Ka'eln&ko! sa&d4 t"e l&e s1r3r&s&ngl% a33arent(
/a7 glan2ed s&dewa%s at "er "ost( #Ask "&m abo1t "&s 'r&end L%de2ker ask %o1r R1ss&an 3al "ere
w"at k&nd o' art /ant&2ore$s 2olle2t&ng()
Sterl&ng glan2ed at Ka'eln&ko!( #W"at$s s"e babbl&ng abo1tF)
#Not"&ng t"at$s all &t &s babble/)
/a7 was sm&l&ng4 and Sterl&ng4 t"e two bod%g1ards4 and e!en t"e R1ss&an were 2learl% d&s2on2erted b%
t"e absen2e o' 'ear &n "er demeanor(
#T"&s was a great 3art%4) s"e sa&d( #/r( Sterl&ng4 I owe %o1 a b&g debt o' t"anks( Yo14 too4 /&k"a&l( I
got e7a2tl% w"at I 2ame 'or4 and so m12" more()
#W"at t"e "ell$s s"e talk&ng abo1tF) Sterl&ng demanded( #5ho is this 0ydecker;&
Sterl&ng$s attent&on was on t"e R1ss&an4 and t"at was w"ere t"e se21r&t% g1ards were look&ng4 too8 onl%
t"e R1ss&an$s e%es were on /a74 b1t "&s g1n "1ng loosel% at "&s s&de( W"en s"e "adn$t str12k
&mmed&atel%4 t"e men$s g1ard "ad 'lagged4 got rela7ed4 slo33%4 mak&ng t"&s as good a t&me as an%
S"e 61st w&s"ed s"e wasn$t wear&ng t"ese damn t&g"t 31m3s(
<er "and mo!ed so 01&2kl%4 no one rea2ted8 s"e tw&sted Sterl&ng$s 3&stol awa% 'rom "er r&bs and "e
re'le7&!el% 31lled t"e tr&gger4 t"e sl1g go&ng w&ld4 send&ng t"e R1ss&an and t"e two g1ards d12k&ng 'or
2o!er( S"e broke Sterl&ng$s r&ng '&nger4 and got t"e g1n o1t o' "&s "and as "e s2reamed &n 3a&n and
s1r3r&se(
T"en s"e took o1t t"e 2l&3 and4 &n one 'l1&d mo!e4 bro1g"t t"e 3&stol 13 and 3&t2"ed &t l&ke a ball at
/a1rer4 61st as "e took a&m at "er( T"e 3&stol broke t"e g1ard$s nose Jaga&nK4 t1rn&ng "&s 'a2e &nto a wet
2r&mson mask as "e sagged to t"e 'loor(
S"e elbowed t"e 2olle2tor &n t"e 'a2e4 sto33&ng "&s s2ream&ng b% kno2k&ng "&m 2old( S"e mo!ed awa%
'rom t"e 2o12"4 t"e 21rta&ned w&ndow to "er ba2k4 as /orales 2ame at "er w&t" a st1n rod8 b1t s"e
dodged4 wren2"&ng &t 'rom "&s gr&3 as "e swe3t b% "er4 and w&t" a "el3'1l 31s" 'rom /a7 t"at lost
"&s balan2e 'or "&m /orales tore down t"e 21rta&n and 2ras"ed t"ro1g" t"e w&ndow(
S3&nn&ng4 s"e saw Ka'eln&ko! br&ng 13 "&s 3&stol4 b1t as "e '&red4 s"e d&!ed( T"e b1llet E&nged t"ro1g"
t"e w&ndow &nto t"e n&g"t as /a7 6ammed t"e st1n rod &nto Ka'eln&ko!$s r&bs( T"e 3&stol dro33ed
l&m3l% 'rom "&s "and and "e 'ell to t"e gro1nd4 1n2ons2&o1s(
/a7 stared down at "&m
Ia2k or Set" wo1ld "a!e k&lled "&m r&g"t t"ere4 /a7 knew8 b1t s"e was 1ns1re w"et"er t"ere was an%
bene'&t &n tak&ng re!enge on an alread% beaten o33onent( S"e "adn$t 01&te made "er de2&s&on w"en
g1n'&re r&33ed t"e room4 as ot"er members o' t"e se21r&t% 'or2e des2ended(
/a7 !a1lted t"ro1g" t"e broken w&ndow4 more b1llets 2"ew&ng t"e wall aro1nd "er4 wood and 3laster
'ragments 'l%&ng( S"e dro33ed to t"e gro1nd ne7t to t"e 'allen /a1rer4 61m3ed 134 on t"e r1n( T"e n&g"t
was al&!e w&t" t"e %ells and s2reams o' Sterl&ng$s g1ests4 alarmed b% t"e g1n'&re(
B1t b% t"e t&me t"e g1ards were able to add an% more g1n'&re to t"e merr&ment4 sno1ts o' wea3ons
blossom&ng o1t t"e w&ndow4 /a7 was long s&n2e o1t o' range(
S"e 2o1ldn$t r&sk t"e 'err%4 and d&dn$t "a!e a boat4 so s"e k&2ked o'' t"ose damn s"oes and d&!ed &nto t"e
2old water( As s"e swam4 s"e wondered w"% s"e$d "es&tated w"en s"e$d "ad t"e 2"an2e to k&ll
Ka'eln&ko!(
It wasn$t l&ke "er4 and &t 2erta&nl% wasn$t l&ke "er tra&n&ng t"o1g" t"e de2&s&on "ad some strateg&2
mer&t4 s&n2e t"e R1ss&an was t"e l&nk to L%de2ker$s role &n t"e /ann$s massa2re
S"e t"o1g"t abo1t Kendra4 Or&g&nal ,&nd%4 and t"e ot"er #normal) 3eo3le w"o$d 2ome &nto "er l&'e
Normal &n2l1ded8 ma%be "ang&ng w&t" all t"ese real 'olks all t"e t&me was mak&ng "er more "1man(
And t"en s"e wondered w"et"er or not be&ng more "1man4 more normal4 was a good t"&ng(
W"en s"e got ba2k to "er s01atter$s 3ad4 dr&33&ng wet4 Kendra$s 'ro2k r1&ned4 /a7 was t"&nk&ng o' t"e
bo% w"o m1st be Set"( Now s"e not onl% needed to '&nd "&m 'or "ersel'4 b1t 'or him, too(
Set" was &n danger4 and s"e d&dn$t know "ow to warn "&m8 b1t s"e$d "a!e to '&nd a wa%(
Chapter E&e"en
F IS FOR FAKE
LO;AN ,ALE$S APART/ENT
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
;o&ng o!er t"e *o"n S&nger Sargent 3a&nt&ng w&t" a small4 "and"eld 1ltra!&olet de!&2e4 Pe3e <enderson
an art e73ert 'r&end o' Logan$s 'rom t"e Seattle Art /1se1m 3ored o!er t"e 2an!as l&ke a
2r&m&nal&st seek&ng 2l1es( In "&s earl% 'ort&es4 w&t" a m&ddle5aged s3read 2o1rtes% o' a desk 6ob and too
man% 'ast5'ood l1n2"es4 <enderson was an 1n3re3ossess&ng 3ro'ess&onal4 dark "a&r t"&nn&ng4 w&t" t"&2k
bla2k5'rame glasses r&d&ng a ro1nd 'a2e4 a b1tton5down w"&te s"&rt 2"allenged at t"e bell%4 and bla2k
sla2ks t"at ke3t sl&33&ng down4 re!eal&ng t"e k&nd o' 2lea!age 3eo3le do not 2rane t"e&r ne2ks to see(
In a 31llo!er sweater and 6eans4 a33arentl% rela7ed and 2entered4 Logan ,ale sat ba2k &n one o' t"e two
2"a&rs t"at bra2keted "&s brown so'a4 t"e an7&et% 31ls&ng &n "&s stoma2" a se2ret(
T"ree o' t"e 3a&nt&ngs Set" "ad stolen 'rom Eng&d%ne were s3read o1t on t"e 21s"&ons o' t"e so'a4
w"&le t"e ot"er t"ree were smoot"ed o1t on t"e area r1g( -nstret2"ed4 t"e 2an!ases "ad a loose 01al&t%4
l&ke an&mal sk&ns4 t"at was some"ow d&s2on2ert&ng( T"e l&g"ts were low4 to a&d t"e e73ert &n "&s
1ltra!&olet test&ng( Logan st&ll 2o1ldn$t bel&e!e t"e 01al&t% o' t"e art arra%ed on and aro1nd "&s 2o12"
N( ,( W%et"4 *o"n S&nger Sargent4 *a2kson Pollo2k4 Norman Ro2kwell4 ,"arles /( R1ssell4 and
Freder&2 Rem&ngton an amaE&ng 2olle2t&on(
In "&s bla2k leat"er 6a2ket4 bl1e 6eans4 and a gra% T5s"&rt t"at sa&d LE?? Ja re'eren2e lost on LoganK4
s1llen Set" 3a2ed t"e "ardwood 'loor 61st be%ond t"e 2on!ersat&on area( As tw&t2"%4 as &t2"%4 as a dr1g
add&2t JLogan e!en wondered &' t"e bo% was low on tr%3to3"anK4 Set" wat2"ed t"e art e73ert$s
e7am&nat&on o' "&s 3a&nt&ngs l&ke an e73e2tant 'at"er w"o$d 2"eer'1ll% bro1g"t "&s !&deo 2am &nto t"e
del&!er% room4 onl% to r1n &nto a blood% ,5se2t&on
#No 01est&on4) <enderson sa&d4 r&s&ng4 "&t2"&ng 13 "&s tro1sers4 mer2&'1ll%(
#I told %o1 t"e% were t"e real deal4) Set" sa&d4 2om&ng aro1nd t"e so'a4 2o2k&l%(
<enderson ra&sed a "and4 l&ke an embarrassed tra''&2 2o3( #No I$m sorr%4 son No 01est&on &t$s a
forgery.)
E%es blaE&ng4 Set" stormed o!er to t"e seated Logan4 loomed om&no1sl% o!er "&m( #W"at t"e "ell
w"at k&nda s2amF Yo1 told "&m to sa% t"atG)
Logan s"ook "&s "ead( #No4 Set" I d&dn$t( Frankl%4 I don$t need to s2am %o1 o1t o' mone% I have
mone%() <e s&g"ed( #B1t I adm&t I was a'ra&d t"e% m&g"t be 'orger&es()
Set" 3o&nted at t"e Sargent as &' "e wanted to s"oot &t( #*1st $2a1se t"at 3&e2e o' s"&t$s a 'ake4 doesn$t
mean t"e ot"ers are4 tooG)
#T"at$s tr1e4) Logan sa&d4 2alm&ng8 b1t t"en addedH #St&ll4 Set" &t$s "ardl% a good s&gn( .on$t get %o1r
"o3es 13()
T"e art e73ert ambled o!er and 6o&ned t"e 2on!ersat&on( #.on$t get me wrong4 bo%s &t$s a good 6ob()
<enderson s"ook "&s "ead adm&r&ngl%( #As good a 'orger% as I$!e e!er seen b1t 'ake &s 'ake()
#Is 'ake4) Logan sa&d w&t" a nod(
#Well4 w"at about t"e ot"ersF) Set" seet"ed(
#I$ll need a 'ew m&n1tes4) t"e e73ert sa&d4 and ret1rned to "&s work(
Logan stood and 3la2ed a "and on Set"$s s"o1lder8 t"at t"e bo% d&d not br1s" &t o'' was a small m&ra2le(
#,ome on4) Logan sa&d4 sm&l&ng a l&ttle( #We$ll go &nto t"e k&t2"en( ;et o1t o' Pe3e$s "a&r()
#W"at t"ere &s o' &t4) <enderson sa&d good5nat1redl%(
#Are %o1 high, LoganF) Now Set" d&d br1s" o'' t"e "and( #I$m sta%&ng r&g"t "ere %o1r b1dd% 2o1ld
sw&t2" 3a&nt&ngs on 1s()
#W"at w&t"F) Logan asked sa!agel%4 gest1r&ng all aro1nd4 s1ddenl% 'ed 13 w&t" Set"$s 3arano&a( #T"e
onl% t"&ng Pe3e bro1g"t w&t" "&m was a small 2ase w&t" "&s ma2"&ne( W"ere do %o1 t"&nk "e wo1ld 31t
s&7 more 'ake 3a&nt&ngsF)
#<e "e 2o1ld "a!e $em rolled 13 "&s 3ant legsG)
<enderson glan2ed o!er( #Fellas4 I$ll 2"e2k %o1r 3a&nt&ngs 'or %o14 and be "a33%4 too b1t &' %o1 t"&nk
I$m gonna dro3 tro14 %o1 got anot"er t"&ng)
Logan "eld 13 a "and( #No4 t"at$s oka%4 Pe3e 3lease get ba2k to work() <e looked at Set"4 an
e%ebrow ra&sed( #Yo1 read% to 2ome ba2k to Planet Eart"F)
Set"4 embarrassed4 t1rned toward t"e art e73ert( #L&sten I d&dn$t mean an%t"&ng Yo1 t"&nk t"e%$re
all 'akeF)
Bend&ng o!er a 2an!as4 s"ar&ng "&s ass52ra2k4 <enderson sa&d4 #T"e wa% t"&s works &s4 I don$t "a!e an%
3re2on2e3t&ons( Some 3rett% so3"&st&2ated 2olle2tors 2an get 'ooled b% 'akes somet&mes a 2olle2t&on
2an "a!e a 'orger% "ang&ng r&g"t ne7t to t"e real t"&ng Bottom l&ne4 t&ll I do m% t"&ng4 we$re all 61st
'la33&n$ o1r g1ms()
Logan took Set" gentl% b% t"e arm( #Let$s go "a!e somet"&ng to dr&nk We$ll talk()
Rel12tantl%4 Set" 'ollowed Logan4 w"o 3o1red t"em 213s o' 2o''ee &n t"e k&t2"en4 w"ere t"e% sat a2ross
'rom ea2" ot"er on stools se3arated b% a "&g" b1t2"er5blo2k 2o1nter(
<&s anger s&mmer&ng &nto 'r1strat&on4 Set" sa&d4 #;oddamn it/ <ere I t"o1g"t I was '&nall% go&ng to
2at2" a break4 'or a 2"ange4 "a!e somet"&ng go r&g"t4 &n t"&s s2rewed513 l&'e o' m&ne()
Logan s&33ed "&s 2o''ee and allowed t"e %o1ng man t&me to !ent(
T"e stool 2o1ldn$t "old Set" long4 and soon t"e bo% was 3a2&ng aro1nd t"e k&t2"en4 3&ss&ng and
moan&ng( /odern and a&r%4 t"e room was a st1d% &n sta&nless steel and nat1ral wood4 w&t" 3lent% o'
213board s3a2e( Logan4 a neatness 'reak4 ke3t t"&s room as met&21lo1s as t"e rest o' "&s 2ondo
reorder&ng t"e 2"aos o' t"e world m&g"t be be%ond "&s 2ontrol4 b1t "&s l&!&ng s3a2e s1re as "ell wo1ld
do as "e told &t(
#I 2an$t bel&e!e t"&s4) Set" was sa%&ng( #All t"at work 'or not"&ng()
#It was "ardl% 'or not"&ng4) Logan sa&d 01&etl%(
#W"at &n "ell makes %o1 t"&nk soF)
Tak&ng a long 31ll 'rom t"e 2o''ee 2134 Logan 2ons&dered t"e 01est&on a moment be'ore answer&ng(
#T"&nk &t t"ro1g"4 Set" /ant&2ore ga!e %o1 more t"an 61st s13er&or warr&or sk&lls %o1 "a!e an
e72e3t&onal m&nd( -se &t()
#Blow me()
#I$ll 3ass4) Logan sa&d4 #b1t t"anks 'or t"e o''er Look4 t"ere$s onl% two reasons 'or a 2olle2tor to "ang
'ake 3a&nt&ngs on t"e wall()
Set" 61st looked at "&m(
#One4) Logan 2ont&n1ed4 #sa&d 2olle2tor$s tr%&ng to 3rote2t "&s 2olle2t&on so4 "e "as &t "&dden awa%4
somew"ere()
#And "angs d13l&2ates &n t"e&r 3la2e4) Set" '&n&s"ed(
#Yes l&ke a wealt"% woman w&t" a 'antast&2 assortment o' 6ewelr%4 w"o wears 3aste !ers&ons w"en
s"e$s o1t on t"e town()
#Yo1 t"&nk t"at$s w"at Sterl&ng d&dF)
#Frankl%4 no()
Set" 'rowned4 b1t more &n t"o1g"t t"an anger4 or e!en 'r1strat&on( #W"% notF)
Logan s"r1gged( #O1r 'r&end *ared "as s3ent wa% more mone% 'or 'orger&es o' t"&s 01al&t% t"an "e
wo1ld "a!e to4 to 61st 31t somet"&ng on t"e wall to 'ool "&s 'r&ends( T"ese weren$t meant as de2o%s4
3rote2t&on aga&nst "ome &n!as&on8 t"e% were meant to 'ool e!er%bod%4 e!en Pe3e()
#Yo1r 3al Pe3e s3otted t"em eas&l% eno1g"()
#No not eas&l% "e "ad to 1se all t"e tools o' "&s trade4 e7ert all o' "&s 3ro'ess&onal sk&lls( Ask "&m &'
"e wo1ld "a!e known t"ese were 'orger&es4 "ad "e 61st been look&ng at t"em "ang&ng on a m1se1m
wall and I t"&nk "e$ll sa% t"e% wo1ld "a!e 'ooled e!en "&m()
#B1t4 t"en w"at t"e "ell &s t"e 3o&nt o' t"e 'akesF)
Logan$s e%es narrowed( #I t"&nk Sterl&ng was 3ass&ng t"ese o'' as t"e or&g&nals w"en &n 'a2t4 t"e
or&g&nals "a!e been sold o!erseas()
#W"% wo1ld "e do t"atF) Set" asked4 3a1s&ng &n "&s 3a2&ng( #.oesn$t "e "a!e eno1g" mone% alread%F)
#Peo3le l&ke Sterl&ng ne!er "a!e eno1g" mone%( T"e%$re alwa%s look&ng 'or more()
#O"4 b1t %o1 have mone%4) Set" sa&d sar2ast&2all%4 #and %o1 wo1ld ne!er t"&nk to s2am me o1t o')
#No4 I wo1ldn$t4) Logan &nterr13ted 21rtl%( T"en4 wr%l%4 "e added4 #B1t Sterl&ng$s k&ndF I' %o1 'eel
"&s "and &n %o1r 3o2ket4 "e$s not mak&ng a 3ass()
Set" stared at Logan4 an% a221sat&on long gone( #Yo1 so1nd l&ke %o1 know somet"&ng abo1t t"e
s3e2&es()
#I do() Logan s&g"ed( #Seen &t 13 2lose and 3ersonal()
T"&s seemed to &nterest Set"4 w"o asked4 #W"ereF) and ret1rned to "&s stool(
#Long t&me ago4) Logan sa&d( #$not"er l&'e()
Logan d&dn$t want to get &nto an e7tended b&ogra3"% o' "&msel' and "&s 'am&l%( E!er s&n2e "&s 3arents
"ad d&ed4 "e$d been tr%&ng to 31t t"at 3art o' "&s l&'e be"&nd "&m8 and "e de'&n&tel% d&dn$t want to get &nto
t"&s d&s21ss&on w&t" Set"4 a borderl&ne so2&o3at" w"o "ad no 3o&nt o' re'eren2e regard&ng 3arents4
an%wa%(
<enderson 2leared "&s t"roat b% wa% o' anno1n2&ng "&s 3resen2e4 as "e strolled wear&l% &nto t"e k&t2"en4
w"ere "e 3o1red "&msel' a 213 o' 2o''ee4 and 31lled 13 a stool ne7t to Logan(
#T"e%$re all 'akes4 aren$t t"e%F) Set" asked4 "&s !o&2e so s1bd1ed Logan wondered &' t"e k&d m&g"t not
2r%(
T"e art e73ert nodded( #Sorr%4 son 3lease don$t s"oot t"e messenger()
#S"&t4) Set" sa&d( #S"&t4 s"&t4 shit/)
<enderson s&33ed "&s 2o''ee4 s&g"ed4 and sa&d4 #I' &t$s an% 2onsolat&on4 t"ese are4 w&t"o1t a do1bt4 t"e
'&nest 'orger&es I$!e e!er 2ome a2ross()
#Reall%F) Logan asked4 &nterested(
#O" %ea" 2an!as &s t"e r&g"t age4 3a&nt &s old4 3ro3erl% 2raEed )
#W"at$s 2raE% abo1t t"emF) Set" asked(
#,raEed 2ra2ked4) <enderson e73la&ned( #I "a!e no &dea "ow an%bod% 2o1ld 31ll o'' somet"&ng so
so3"&st&2ated()
Logan s"&'ted on t"e stool4 st1d%&ng <enderson t"e wa% t"e art e73ert looked at a 3a&nt&ng( #<ow d&d
%o1 know t"e% were 'akes t"en4 Pe3eF)
<enderson$s e%es o3ened w&de4 and "e sm&rked( #I d&dn$t &t was t"e -+IN t"at '&g1red &t o1t()
#Yo1 31t m% 3a&nt&ngs &n an oven;) Set" asked4 'rown&ng(
T"e e73ert s"ook "&s "ead4 sa%&ng4 #-ltra5+&olet Imag&ng Network meas1res a b1n2" o' st1''4 1s&ng
-+ ra%s()
Logan nodded( #And w"at d&d t"e -+IN tell %o1F)
#T"at des3&te t"e 'a2t t"at t"e 3a&nt looks old and 2ra2ked4 t"e 2"em&2al make13 &s abo1t 'o1r %ears
old() ;est1r&ng w&t" "&s 2o''ee 2134 <enderson sa&d4 #Take t"e Sargent 3a&nt&ng4 'or e7am3leAlpine
2ool.)
#W"at abo1t &tF) Set" asked(
#Well4 t"e real one was 3a&nted aro1nd n&neteen5o"5se!en()
<and to "&s 'ore"ead4 as &' test&ng 'or a 'e!er4 Set" stared &nto now"ere( #;oddamn &t( I s"o1lda known(
W"at a 2"1m3 I am )
#<ardl%4) t"e e73ert sa&d( #I' I$d seen t"ese 3a&nt&ngs &n an% res3e2table m1se1m or 3r&!ate 2olle2t&on4 &t
wo1ld ne!er "a!e o221rred to me t"e% m&g"t be 'akes()
Set" and Logan traded looks <enderson "ad 61st 2on'&rmed w"at Logan "ad told t"e bo% earl&er(
<enderson was sa%&ng4 #Rem&ngton d&ed &n n&neteen5o"5n&ne4 R1ssell &n n&neteen5twent%5s&74 W%et"
d&ed &n n&neteen 'ort%5'&!e4 Pollo2k &n $'&'t%5s&74 and Ro2kwell &n $se!ent%5e&g"t Yet t"ese 2an!ases
were all 3a&nted &n t"e last t"ree to '&!e %ears()
Set" seemed to 'old &n on "&msel' a l&ttle4 "1nker&ng o!er t"e 2o1nter8 "e looked as &' "e m&g"t be s&2k(
<enderson '&n&s"ed and set "&s 213 on t"e 2o1nter( #Sorr% I d&dn$t "a!e better news4 gentlemen &t
wo1ld "a!e been a k&2k to be &n t"e same room w&t" t"e real 3a&nt&ngs() T"e e73ert 2l&mbed o'' t"e
stool and t&33ed an &mag&nar% "at to "&s "ost( #I$ll get m% st1'' toget"er()
Now t"e ?@ and t"e 2%ber6o1rnal&st were aga&n alone &n t"e k&t2"en( T"e% 2o1ld "ear <enderson
r1stl&ng aro1nd &n t"e l&!&ng room4 so Logan ke3t "&s !o&2e lowH #Set"4 t"ose 3a&nt&ngs were a bon1s
t"e% weren$t w"at we went &n 'or( Yo1 got w"at we went &n 'or )
Set" looked 134 "&s e%es d1ll4 l&'eless( #<1"F)
#T"e 2om31ter d&s2 rememberF)
T"e ?@ sa&d not"&ng(
Logan sm&led t&g"tl%4 and tr&ed to kee3 &t 13beatH #Yo1 stole t"e 3a&nt&ngs as a d&stra2t&on so t"at
Sterl&ng wo1ld t"&nk t"e onl% reason 'or %o1r break5&n was to steal art( <e 3robabl% "as no &dea t"at we
"a!e t"at 2om31ter d&s2()
Nodd&ng4 t"o1g" rat"er l&stlessl%4 Set" managed4 #Probabl% not()
#And4) Logan sa&d4 #&' I 2an break t"at 2ode4 we m&g"t learn somet"&ng t"at w&ll "el3 1s br&ng "&m
and Ka'eln&ko! down()
#L&ke w"atF)
Logan s"r1gged( #,o1ld be an%t"&ng on t"at d&s2 '&nan2&al re2ords4 a tall% o' w"ere t"e or&g&nal
3a&nt&ngs "a!e gone4 w"o knowsF /a%be e!en t"e l&nk to L%de2ker and /ant&2ore()
O1t &n t"e l&!&ng room4 <enderson 2alled4 #I$m read% to take o''4 Logan4) and Logan ra&sed a hold=that=
thought '&nger to Set"4 t"en met t"e art e73ert at t"e door(
<e s"ook "ands w&t" <enderson4 sa%&ng4 #I$ll g&!e %o1 a 2all later()
<enderson4 !er% so'tl%4 sa&d4 #Yo1 oka%4 alone w&t" t"at k&dF)
#F&ne()
#I don$t know4 Loge seems k&nda dangero1s to me()
#T"at$s be2a1se "e &s()
<enderson rolled "&s e%es and "a1led "&msel' and t"e small bla2k 2arr%&ng 2ase o1t o' t"ere(
W"en Logan ret1rned4 "e sa&d4 #Yo1$ll be glad to learn all t"e 3a&nt&ngs are st&ll &n t"e l&!&ng room()
#;reat( And w"at are a b1n2"a 'reak&n$ 'orger&es wort"F)
Logan stood ne7t to t"e seated bo%( #T"at$s w"at I$m tr%&ng to e73la&n4 Set" &n terms o' w"at we$re
tr%&ng to a22om3l&s"4 a "ell o' a lot()
#.oes &t "el3 me get r&2"F)
Logan s"r1gged( #Probabl% not( B1t %o1 w&ll "a!e "el3ed to sto3 Ka'eln&ko!4 and 3oss&bl% Sterl&ng4
w"o &s look&ng 3rett% damn d&rt% now()
None o' t"&s seemed to 2onsole Set"(
#Look4) t"e ?@ sa&d4 #m% l&'e 2omes down to t"&s ,1rrent s2enar&oH I$m on t"e r1n4 "&d&ng m% ass4
need&ng mone% all t"e t&me to do t"at( Worst52ase s2enar&oH L%de2ker and /ant&2ore 2at2" 13 w&t"
me and4 s&n2e t"ere$s no wa% &n "ell I$m go&n$ ba2k to /ant&2ore al&!e4 t"e% k&ll me( Best52ase
s2enar&oH I get eno1g" mone% to d&sa33ear4 I mean really d&sa33ear onl% t"en 2an I sto3 look&n$ o!er
m% goddamn s"o1lder( T"ese 3a&nt&ngs 2o1lda been m% ticket.)
Logan asked4 #Are %o1 t"ro1g"F)
Set" glared at "&m( #W"at do %o1 mean4 am I t"ro1g"F)
#W&t" t"e sel'53&t% ro1t&neF W"at t"e "ell "a33ened to t"e rebel w"o wanted me to "el3 "&m take
/ant&2ore downF /ant&2ore e73osed4 destro%ed4 L%de2ker o1t o' %o1r l&'e 3ermanentl% that"s %o1r
Mbest52ase s2enar&o($ )
Now Set" was 61st star&ng at "&m(
Logan met t"e bo%$s gaEe4 stead&l%4 know&ng "e "ad 61st 61m3ed t"e ass o' a k&ll&ng ma2"&ne w"o 2o1ld
rea2" o1t and sna3 "&s ne2k l&ke a tw&g( And4 &' an%t"&ng "ad been establ&s"ed t"1s 'ar abo1t Set"4 &t
was t"e ?@$s ab&l&t% to 3er'orm "om&2&de w&t"o1t a tw&nge o' 2ons2&en2e(
F&nall% t"e s&len2e was so terr&ble4 Logan "ad to '&ll some o' &t(
<e sa&d4 #Yo1 "el3 me 2lose down Ka'eln&ko!4 and '&nd o1t w"ere Sterl&ng '&g1res &n t"&s and I
3rom&se4 e!en &' t"&s lead &s a 2old one4 %o1 and I w&ll '&nd a wa% e&t"er we$ll ban&s" /ant&2ore 'rom
t"e 'a2e o' t"&s eart"4 or I w&ll 2all on all m% 3owers and reso1r2es to relo2ate %o1 sa'el%4 &n a new l&'e()
Set" drew a dee3 breat"4 e73elled &t4 and sa&d4 #Sorr%()
#Sorr%F)
#Sorr% I was s12" a w"&n% 2and%ass brat w"at 2an I sa% ) T"e bo% s"r1gged( # s"&tt%
13br&ng&ng()
Logan r&sked a sm&le( #Yea" somebod% reall% s3o&led %o1()
S1ddenl% Set" e73loded &n la1g"ter4 and Logan la1g"ed4 too8 t"e bo% e7tended "&s "and(
#It$s a deal4 3artner4) Set" sa&d(
#It$s a deal4) Logan e2"oed(
T"e two men s"ook "ands(
#Oka%4) Set" sa&d4 a'ter a s&3 o' 2o''ee4 #w"at abo1t t"&s 'amo1s 2om31ter d&s2F)
Logan sat down aga&n( #Well4 I$!e got m% best 2r%3tolog% 3rogram work&ng on &t( ,o1ld take ten
m&n1tes4 ten "o1rs4 or ten da%s( T"ere$s no wa% to know( B1t &t will work( It$s ne!er 'a&led me %et()
#Yo1 know w"atF)
#W"atF)
#I "a!en$t sle3t &n 'o1r da%s() Set" 'ollowed t"&s w&t" a world52lass %awn( #,an I 2ras" on t"e 2o12"F)
#No()
#NoF)
#Take t"e g1est room()
#Rad( Po&nt t"e wa%()
Logan s"owed "&s g1est to t"e bedroom(
Set" 'lo33ed onto t"e bed4 sa%&ng4 #,all me w"en %o1r 2om31ter "as good news 'or 1s()
#W&ll do()
#And w"% don$t %o1 2at2" some E$sF Yo1 look l&ke s"&t4 3artner()
<al' a sm&le d&m3led Logan$s l&g"tl% bearded 2"eek( #/ant&2ore wasn$t b&g on ta2t4 e&t"er4 I see()
#Isn$t t"at somet"&ng %o1 31t on t"e tea2"er$s 2"a&rF)
T"e two sm&led at ea2" ot"er and4 'or t"e '&rst t&me4 'elt l&ke 'r&ends(
FE.ERAL B-IL.IN;
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
.onald L%de2ker was l&!&d(
Normall% a man w"ose emot&ons were "eld &n t&g"t 2"e2k4 L%de2ker &n a gra% E&33ered 6a2ket4 bla2k
T5s"&rt and bla2k 6eans stood &n an FBI o''&2e &n t"e Federal B1&ld&ng at Se2ond and /ad&son4 "&s
tem3er ta7ed to &ts l&m&ts(
#Yo1$re not go&ng to "el34) "e sa&d4 #w&t" a matter o' nat&onal se21r&t%F)
#I d&dn$t sa% t"at4) sa&d S3e2&al Agent &n ,"arge ;&no Ar2otta4 seated be"&nd a desk 3&led w&t" work(
#Not e7a2tl%()
Ar2otta was a t"&n4 '&t man o' t"&rt%5e&g"t4 "&s s"ort "a&r bla2k and 21rl%4 "&s ang1lar 'a2e 2leanl%
s"a!en4 "&s brown e%es alert and s"ar3(
#W"at I sa&d4) "e 2ont&n1ed4 #&s t"at I don$t "a!e an% men a!a&lable to ass&st %o14 r&g"t now()
#Per"a3s I$m not mak&ng m%sel' 2lear4) L%de2ker sa&d( #T"&s &s a matter o' )
#Nat&onal se21r&t%4) Ar2otta sa&d wear&l%4 w&t" 61st a to12" o' tem3er4 "&msel'( #,olonel4 let me be
3er'e2tl% 2lear )
8ichard 'ixon, CBDE, L%de2ker t"o1g"t(
#T"&s o''&2e &s manned b% s&7 agents4 t"ree on da%s4 t"ree on n&g"ts( T"at$s all t"e man3ower
Was"&ngton "as allotted 1s and e!en w&t" t"at small a sta''4 we 2an$t sta% w&t"&n o1r b1dget()
#/% b1dget &s t&g"t4 too( T"at doesn$t mean we s"&rk o1r res3ons&b&l&t&es()
Ar2otta 2ont&n1ed on4 as &' L%de2ker "adn$t e!en s3okenH #Now4 o' t"e t"ree da%5s"&'t agents4 two are
&n!est&gat&ng a bank robber% a2ross town( All t"ree n&g"t5s"&'t agents are &n!est&gat&ng a k&dna33&ng
and are at t"&s moment ) <e 2"e2ked "&s wat2"( # &n t"e s&7teent" "o1r o' t"e&r to1r()
#E!en one man wo1ld be "el3'1l4 Agent Ar2otta()
#,olonel4 t"e last da%5s"&'t agent &s me and t"&s desk does not go 1nmanned8 t"at$s 3ol&2%( Tell me4
s&r w"ere do %o1 s133ose I$m go&ng to '&nd agents to ass&gn to %o1F)
#I 2an t"&nk o' one 3la2e %o1 m&g"t look4) L%de2ker sa&d sweetl%4 and e7&ted t"e o''&2e l&ke a man
'lee&ng a b1rn&ng b1&ld&ng(
<e wasn$t go&ng to get an% "el3 on t"e 'ederal le!el4 t"at was ob!&o1s( <&s own men wo1ldn$t be "ere
'or anot"er twent%5'o1r "o1rs4 d1e to 1nsa'e weat"er 2ond&t&ons gro1nd&ng t"e&r a&r2ra't &n W%om&ng(
Well4 &' "e 2o1ldn$t get "el3 'rom t"e 'eds4 "e$d go 'art"er down t"e 'ood 2"a&n
Twent% m&n1tes later4 "e stood a2ross a desk 'rom a 3ol&2e l&e1tenant(
#Fo1r men 'or twent%5'o1r "o1rs4) L%de2ker sa&d( #T"at$s all I need()
T"e l&e1tenant bald&ng4 'ort%4 "&s teet" brown 'rom 2&garettes4 "aEel e%es &n droo3% 3o12"es 'rom too
man% %ears on t"e 6ob sa&d4 #<ow abo1t twent%5'o1r men4 'or 'o1r "o1rsF ,o1ldn$t do t"at4 e&t"er()
L%de2ker o3ened "&s '&st to re!eal a r1bber5banded roll o' b&lls8 t"en "e 2losed "&s '&st aga&n( #Yo1 look
l&ke a reasonable man I 2an$t bel&e!e t"at we 2an$t rea2" some sort o' 2om3rom&se()
T"e l&e1tenant was "%3not&Eed b% L%de2ker$s '&st4 w"&2" 3er&od&2all% o3ened as &' "e were do&ng a
'le7&ng e7er2&se w&t" t"e roll o' mone% to 3ro!&de green gl&m3ses(
#All I need4 L&e1tenant4 are 'o1r men4 "ell4 two men4 'or twent%5'o1r "o1rs 1nt&l m% own 3eo3le get
"ere()
#We$d "a!e to s"ake on &t4) t"e l&e1tenant sa&d(
L%de2ker e7tended t"e "and w&t" t"e roll o' mone%4 s"ook w&t" t"e l&e1tenant4 and bro1g"t t"e "and
ba2k4 em3t%( <e tossed a 2ard on t"e desk( #/% "otel &s on t"e ba2k one "o1r()
An "o1r later4 &n t"e "otel bar4 L%de2ker and "&s 213 o' 2o''ee sat a2ross a boot" 'rom two dete2t&!es
and t"e&r beers8 an2&ent Frank S&natra ballads were '&lter&ng &n o!er a s2rat2"% so1nd s%stem4 and t"e
smoke was stale eno1g" to be le't o!er 'rom Rat Pa2k da%s4 too(
T"e older 3la&n2lot"es d&2k4 &n "&s '&'t&es4 looked to st&ll be &n 3rett% good s"a3e4 b1t "&s 'a2e was 3all&d4
"&s dark e%es sad4 "&s brown "a&r 21t s"ort and gra%&ng at t"e tem3les8 "&s name was R1s"4 t"o1g" "e
d&dn$t seem to be &n m12" o' one( T"e %o1nger d&2k4 .a!&s4 was t"&rt% or so4 w&t" redd&s" "a&r4 l&g"t
2om3le7&on4 and 3ale bl1e e%es(
#So4) R1s" sa&d4 #t"e l&e1tenant sa&d %o1 needed "el3()
#Yea"( Look&ng 'or somebod% wanted &n a 'ederal matter()
#We don$t 1s1all% ba2k 13 M'ederal matters4$ ,olonel( W"at$s wrong w&t" t"e FBIF)
#I "eard &n t"&s town4 %o1 want somet"&ng done4 %o1 go to t"e P. was I told wrongF)
#Tr1er words were ne!er s3oken4) R1s" sa&d( #Yo1r 3er3 got a nameF)
#Sort o'() L%de2ker looked 'rom R1s" to .a!&s and ba2k aga&n( #E%es Onl%()
T"e dete2t&!es e72"anged war% glan2es(
#I need to '&nd "&m()
R1s" snorted( #;ood l12k( ;&!e "&m o1r best()
#T"ere$s got to be a wa%( Look at "ow %o1 3eo3le lo2k down se2tors4 t"ose "o!erdrones e!er%w"ere)
#,olonel() .a!&s s3oke 'or t"e '&rst t&me( #We$!e been seek&n$ E%es Onl% 'or years now and we don$t
know one t"&ng more t"an t"e da% we started( <e$s 2are'1l4 "e$s smart4 a33arentl% '1nded 13 t"e
waEoo and an%bod% w"o "as "ad an% deal&ngs w&t" "&m &s absol1tel% lo%al to "&m()
#It$s l&ke tr%&ng to get a 21lt member to rat o1t t"e&r s2rewball mess&a"4) R1s" sa&d(
L%de2ker tw&t2"ed a nonsm&le( #Well t"ere$s a se2ond s1s3e2ttied to E%es Onl%() <e w&t"drew
'rom "&s &ns&de 6a2ket 3o2ket a "and'1l o' st&lls taken 'rom t"e SNN !&deo o' Set"( #Re2ogn&Ee "&mF)
T"e% ea2" took some o' t"e 3"otos and r&''led t"ro1g" t"em4 t"en e72"anged s"ar3 e73ress&ons(
Perk&ng 134 R1s" asked4 #Yo1 know t"&s 2"ara2ter$s nameF)
#I was k&nd o' "o3&ng %o1 wo1ld4) L%de2ker sa&d gentl%( #I know %o1 m1st re2ogn&Ee some o' "&s
3la%mates t"ose Seattle 2o3s "e$s t"row&ng aro1nd l&ke 2on'ett&()
#L&sten4) R1s" sa&d4 lean&ng 'orward( #All we know &s t"&s k&d beat t"e s"&t o1t o' some !er% good
3eo3le and we wo1ld ser&o1sl% l&ke to 3&2k "&s ass 13()
#And 31t &t down "ard4) .a!&s added(
#So1nds l&ke we$re on t"e same 3age4) L%de2ker sa&d( #B1t &s t"at reall% all %o1 know abo1t t"&s bo%F
Yo1 don$t know why "e got &nto t"&s t1ssle w&t" %o1r brot"ers &n bl1eF ,on!en&en2e5store robber%F
Flas"&ng s2"oolk&dsF W"atF)
R1s" e72"anged anot"er look w&t" .a!&s4 w"o s"r1gged( T"en t"e older 2o3 sa&d4 #;1% named R%an
.e!ane4 se2tor 2"&e'4 3ower'1l g1% K&d was &nter'er&ng w&t" "&s b1s&ness()
.a!&s sa&d bl1ntl%4 #<&6a2k&ng 3a%o''s()
#K&d m&7ed &t 13 w&t" o1r bo%s4) R1s" sa&d( #And %o1 ne!er seen an%t"&ng l&ke &t got awa% 2lean(
And now4 .e!ane a&n$t been seen &n se!eral da%s()
L%de2ker4 3ro1d o' "&s rebell&o1s st1dent4 sa&d4 #T"en .e!ane &s dead T"&s &s a remarkable %o1ng
man()
#Tell me abo1t &t4) .a!&s sa&d( #<e broke m% brot"er5&n5law$s 2ollarbone()
#B1t nobod%$s 'o1nd t"&s k&d4) R1s" sa&d4 #and bel&e!e %o1 me4 t"e P. looked e!er% damn w"ere()
#Are t"e% still look&ngF) L%de2ker asked(
R1s" s"r1gged4 s"ook "&s "ead8 .a!&s4 too(
#Well t"en4) L%de2ker sa&d4 sl&d&ng o1t o' t"e boot"4 #let$s get o1t t"ere and start t"e sear2" ba2k 13
aga&n()
L%de2ker s3ent t"e ne7t s&7 "o1rs w&t" R1s" and .a!&s( .&s3la%&ng t"e Set" 3"oto4 o''er&ng genero1s
br&bes 'or an% E%es Onl% lead4 t"e% ro1sted e!er% sn&t2"4 e!er% lowl&'e4 e!er% rat bastard t"e two
dete2t&!es "ad e!er met Jand t"e% "ad met a 'ewK4 w&t" no l12k( <e rode &n t"e ba2k o' t"e 1nmarked
2ar as t"e% 2ont&n1ed to dr&!e aro1nd t"e 2&t%(
#<ow t"e "ell &s t"&s 3oss&bleF) L%de2ker '&nall% asked( #T"&s E%es Onl% son o' a b&t2" "as been
work&ng &n t"&s 2&t% 'or years and no one knows anything;)
R1s"4 r&d&ng 13 'ront4 sm&rked ba2k at "&s 3assenger( #Yo1$re gonna make me sa% MI told %o1 so4$ aren$t
%o1F)
L%de2ker res&sted t"e 1rge to brood and t"o1g"t4 &nstead( F&nall% "e sa&d4 #We ma% be go&ng at t"&s
'rom t"e wrong angle()
#Yo1 got an angle we a&n$t tr&edF) .a!&s4 be"&nd t"e w"eel4 asked(
#I t"&nk so( T"&s remarkable %o1ng man we$re look&ng 'or4 "e$s got a med&2al 3roblem()
#W"at k&ndF) R1s" asked(
#Se&E1res( Onl% t"&ng t"at w&ll 2ontrol t"e s%m3toms &s an enE%me 2alled tr%3to3"an( It$s not a
2ontrolled s1bstan2e4 b1t a k&d tr%&ng not to attra2t attent&on &s gonna be b1%&ng &t on t"e bla2k market4
an%wa% An% &deas w"ere we m&g"t look 'or s12" a t"&ng &n %o1r 'a&r 2&t%F)
On2e aga&n t"e dete2t&!es e72"anged looks4 t"en nods(
#S&t ba2k and 2"&ll4 ,olonel4) .a!&s sa&d( #It$s a2ross town4 and$ll take t"e better 3art o' an "o1r()
On t"e wa%4 .a!&s e73la&ned t"at t"e g1% t"e% were go&ng to see "ad been b1sted tw&2e &n t"e last t"ree
%ears 'or sell&ng 2ontrolled s1bstan2es(
#And "e$s at large4 w"%F)
#;1%$s got a "ell o' a *o"nn&e ,o2"ran()
L%de2ker sm&led at t"e slang term4 wonder&ng &' t"e 2o3 knew eno1g" abo1t "&stor% to real&Ee t"ere
reall% "ad been a *o"nn&e ,o2"ran ba2k be'ore t"e P1lse(
L%de2ker asked4 #W"at$s "&s nameF)
#*o"an Br%ant()
T"e 1nmarked 2ar '&nall% 31lled to a sto3 &n 'ront o' an 13s2ale "o1se &n t"e s1b1rbs4 one o' t"ose retro
ran2"5st%les t"e neo5a''l1ent "ad been b1&ld&ng latel%( T"e w"ole street was l&ned w&t" "omes t"at
3robabl% sold 'or "&g" se!en '&g1res(
#N&2e d&gs 'or a dr1g dealer4) L%de2ker sa&d(
T"e well5tended4 slo3&ng lawn "ad a NEI;<BOR<OO. WAT,< s&gn(
R1s" sa&d4 #We are de'&n&tel% &n t"e wrong ra2ket()
Nodd&ng4 .a!&s sa&d4 #,olonel4 3ra2t&2all% e!er% ass"ole &n t"&s 3art o' town &s &nto some k&nd o'
2rooked s"&t( <ow else &n t"&s e2onom% 2o1ld t"e% a''ord 3ads l&ke t"eseF)
#W"% don$t %o1 arrest t"emF)
#We do4) R1s" sa&d( #B1t e!er% mook &n t"&s ne&g"bor"ood w"o a&n$t &nto 2r&me &s a de'ense attorne%()
So that"s what they mean by %'eighborhood 5atch,& L%de2ker t"o1g"t(
An attra2t&!e t"&rt%&s" "one%5blond woman &n an o''5w"&te sla2ks o1t'&t answered t"e bell( S"e seemed
to re2ogn&Ee R1s"4 and w&t"o1t &dent&'%&ng "ersel' Jw"et"er s"e was "&red "el3 or t"e man$s w&'e or
g&rl'r&end rema&ned a m%ster%K led t"e l&ttle gro13 to a large room o'' to t"e r&g"t(
T"e walls were 3ale %ellow4 t"e tr&m all w"&te4 t"e 2ar3et&ng t"&2k and "ea!%4 also w"&te( T"&s m&g"t
"a!e been t"e l&!&ng room4 b1t L%de2ker s133osed &t was a m1s&2 room o' sorts4 s&n2e t"e onl% 3&e2e o'
'1rn&t1re was a w"&te grand 3&ano w"ere a man w"o 61st "ad to be *o"an Br%ant sat on t"e stool4 "&s
"and rest&ng 2as1all% o!er t"e ke%board(
T"e man at t"e 3&ano d&dn$t r&se w"en t"e tr&o walked &n4 R1s" &n t"e lead4 L%de2ker la%&ng ba2k( Tall4
blond4 and 2"&seled4 Br%ant m&g"t "a!e been a member o' t"e <&tler Yo1t" &' &t "adn$t been 'or "&s long
"&33&e5&s" "a&r 3on%ta&led ba2k(
#R1s"4 .a!&s "ow$s &t "ang&ngF) "e asked4 "&s sm&le w&de and 1nreal&st&2all% w"&te4 t"e same s"ade
as "&s w"&te sla2ks8 "e wore a %ellow +5ne2k 31llo!er and sandals( A glass o' 2lear l&01&d w&t" a lemon
'loat&ng &n &t sat on a 2oaster on t"e 3&ano(
#I don$t bel&e!e we$!e met4) Br%ant 2ont&n1ed a''abl%4 look&ng 3ast t"e two 2o3s at t"e 1n&m3ress&!e
'&g1re &n t"e gra% E&33ered 6a2ket(
#Not %et4) L%de2ker sa&d4 w&t" a sm&le(
#-n2le Sam needs %o14) R1s" sa&d to t"e dealer4 3o&nt&ng to t"e 2olonel(
#Not t"e Pol&2emen$s <ealt" and Ret&rement F1nd4 t"&s t&me4 "1"F) Br%ant sa&d4 noodl&ng so'tl% on t"e
ke%board(
#I&3 &t4) R1s" sa&d t&g"tl%(
Br%ant sm&led 'a&ntl%4 &ron&2all%(
T"e dete2t&!es a33roa2"ed Br%ant at t"e ben2"( L%de2ker was on t"e ot"er s&de o' Br%ant8 "e w&t"drew
t"e 3"otos 'rom &ns&de "&s 6a2ket( T"e dealer 2ont&n1ed 3la%&ng a meander&ng t1ne on t"e 3&ano(
#We$re tr%&ng to lo2ate a s1s3e2t4) L%de2ker sa&d( #It$s not a nar2ot&2s matter()
Br%ant noodled(
L%de2ker sa&d4 #T"&s &nd&!&d1al 1ses tr%3to3"an()
T"e dealer sa&d4 #Yo1 2an get t"at at 3"arma2&es()
#P"arma2&es "a!e to re2ord sales o' t"at nat1re( ,1stomers "a!e to s&gn( T"&s &nd&!&d1al wo1ldn$t l&ke
t"at( Look at t"e 3&2t1res()
Br%ant noodled some more(
L%de2ker "eld one o' t"e 3"otos o' t"e male ?@ &n 'ront o' t"e dealer( #<a!e %o1 seen "&m be'oreF)
Br%ant sa&d4 #No4) b1t "e was look&ng at t"e &!or&es 1nder "&s '&ngers(
;rabb&ng onto t"e man$s 3on%ta&l 'or le!erage4 L%de2ker s"o!ed Br%ant$s 'a2e &nto t"e 3&ano ke%s4
mak&ng d&ssonant nonm1s&24 a22om3an&ed b% a s1r3r&sed4 3a&ned s2ream(
T"e woman 2ame r1nn&ng4 and s"e "ad a b&g g1n &n "er l&ttle "and( B1t .a!&s 3l12ked t"e wea3on l&ke
a 'lower and walked "er o1t o' t"e room4 d&sa33ear&ng w&t" "er(
L%de2ker ste33ed ba2k to allow t"e dealer to s&t 134 and 2om3ose "&msel'8 t"e man was to12"&ng "&s
'a2e reall%4 t"ere were 61st a 'ew 21ts and welts4 "&s 'ore"ead 2r%&ng tears o' blood onto "&s %ellow
sweater( Awkwardl%4 t"e dealer started to get 13(
B1t R1s" 31t a "and on Br%ant$s s"o1lder4 "old&ng "&m down( #Inter!&ew$s not o!er()
Br%ant glared ba2k at R1s"4 w"o s"ook "&s "ead( L%de2ker took t"&s to mean t"e dealer and t"ese 2o3s
"ad an arrangement b1t t"&s matter was not 2o!ered b% &t(
T"e dealer sat down aga&n4 "&s "ands go&ng a1tomat&2all% to t"e ke%board b1t no more noodl&ng(
L%de2ker ga!e t"e man a "andker2"&e' and Br%ant dabbed blood 'rom "&s 'ore"ead4 sa%&ng to t"e man
w"o$d 2a1sed t"e wo1nds4 #T"anks()
#Wo1ld %o1 m&nd tak&ng anot"er lookF) L%de2ker asked(
T"e dealer swallowed and looked at t"e 3"oto L%de2ker was "old&ng 13( #Yea"4 now t"at I take a 2loser
gander t1rns o1t I "a!e seen "&m be'ore()
#.o %o1 remember w"ereF)
#Yea" %ea"4 I 2an "el3 %o1 &n t"at area( ;lad to 2oo3erate()
L%de2ker tw&t2"ed a sort o' sm&le4 3atted t"e dealer$s s"o1lder4 gentl%( #Alwa%s a 3leas1re to meet a
2&!&25m&nded 2&t&Een()
Br%ant sa&d4 #I' &' I tell %o1 w"ere "e l&!es4 w&ll t"at be t"e end o' &tF)
#For %o14 %es4) L%de2ker sa&d(
And with any luck, "e t"o1g"t4 for that rebel FG, too.
LO;AN ,ALE$S APART/ENT
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
Set" was st&ll snor&ng on t"e g1est room bed w"en Logan 2ame &n w&t" t"e news(
Logan t1rned on t"e beds&de lam3 and 2are'1ll% s"ook t"e bo% to wake'1lness4 tr%&ng not to startle "&m
"e wo1ld not l&ke to be t"e alarm 2lo2k t"&s slee3er took a sw&3e at(
#,om 2om31ters 2ome t"ro1g"F) Set" asked grogg&l%4 s&tt&ng 134 %awn&ng aga&n(
#Pat&en2e "as &ts rewards() <e ga!e Set" a s&dewa%s gr&n( #So does b&t2"&n$ so'tware()
Set" was alert4 w&de5awake now( #W"at d&d %o1 '&nd o1tF)
W&t"&n se2onds4 t"e% were s&tt&ng &n t"e l&!&ng room4 on t"e leat"er 2o12"4 Logan "old&ng 13 a s"ea' o'
3a3ers( #W"en %o1 2o3&ed t"at d&s24 m% 'r&end4 %o1 got 1s everything.)
#E!er%t"&ngF W"at e!er%t"&ng &s t"atF)
#Smok&ng5g1n e!er%t"&ng() Logan tossed t"e 3a3ers on t"e 2o''ee table( #T"e k&nd t"at &n2l1des dates4
t&mes4 3a&nt&ngs4 amo1nts e!er% damn 2r&m&nal t"&ng Sterl&ng and Ka'eln&ko! "a!e been do&ng
toget"er()
#No s"&tF)
#It$s all "ere4 Set" e!er% sleaE% transa2t&on &n2l1d&ng t"e ne7t one()
Set"$s e%es w&dened( #Yo1 know w"at t"e%$re go&ng to do ne7tF)
#5e know4 Set"()
#W"ere and w"enF)
#T"at$s r&g"t( It$s 61st a matter o' 2all&ng t"e FBI now()
Set"$s e%es t&g"tened to sl&ts( #Sa% what;)
Logan s"r1gged( #Amer&2an /aster3&e2es A2t !&olat&on we$ll 2all &n t"e 'eds4 "a!e t"em arrested()
#Logan4 %o1 2an$t be ser&o1s()
#W"% notF)
#E%es Onl% 2oo3erate w&t" t"e 'edsF T"e%$re '12k&n$ 2orr13t %o1 alwa%s sa% so %o1rsel'()
#T"ere$s 2orr13t&on4) Logan allowed( #W&des3read( B1t I "a!e 2onta2ts w&t" "onest &nd&!&d1als &n
'ederal law en'or2ement()
#Yea"4 and I$ll &ntrod12e %o1 to t"e !&rg&ns down at t"e str&3 2l1b() Set" s"ook "&s "ead( #L&sten4
Logan4 we got t"e 2"an2e to do two t"&ngs "ere( We 2an sto3 t"ese 2ree3s Sterl&ng and Ka'eln&ko!4 and
we 2an 2ome awa% w&t" t"e nest egg I need()
#T"e last t&me %o1 Msto33ed$ a M2ree34$ Set" %o1 k&lled "&m()
#So t"at$s w"at t"&s &s abo1t Logan4 I wo1ldn$t w"a2k e&t"er o' t"ese g1%s4 not r&g"t now4 an%wa%
t"e%$re o1r Manticore 2onne2t&on( And an%wa%4 *es1sG /ant&2ore is t"e 'ederal go!ernment0ydecker
&s a goddamn 'edG)
Logan knew Set" was r&g"t8 b1t t"e blood on t"e 2%ber6o1rnal&st$s "ands4 'rom t"e&r last e3&sode
toget"er4 was st&ll 2l&ng&ng and dam3(
#Look4) Set" was sa%&ng4 #we &nter!ene w"en t"e&r ne7t deal goes down4 sa!e some great sl&2e o'
Amer&2ana 'or %o1r 2ons2&en2e4 E%es Onl% e73oses t"e ra2ket w&t" a b&g bad b1llet&n4 and we "el3
o1rsel!es to a ma6or 2ontr&b1t&on to t"e Set" S1r!&!al Telet"on()
Logan4 s"ak&ng "&s "ead4 rose and 3lo33ed &nto one o' t"e s&de 2"a&rs( #Yo1 lose %o1r "ead aga&n4 I$ll be
res3ons&ble 'or anot"er deat" ma%be more t"an one()
Set" lea3t to "&s 'eet4 gest1red to "&msel'( #Yo1 don$t get &t4 do %o1F Yo1$re not res3ons&ble &' I k&ll
someone6 amG)
#We$re M3artners4$ rememberF)
Set" snorted( #Well4 let$s d&ssol!e t"at as o' now( From "ere on o1t4 I work 'or m%sel'( W"en we "a!e
s"ared &nterests4 %o1 m&g"t t"row me a 'r&gg&n$ bone()
#A bone l&ke t"e deta&ls 'rom t"e d&s2F)
#T"e d&s2 6 stole 'or %o1 Logan4 %o1 2an sto3 t"ese g1%s or not %o1 de2&de()
W&t" t"e b&ggest s&g" "e "ad e!er "ea!ed4 Logan sa&d4 #All r&g"t .o w"at %o1 "a!e to do s"ort o'
"om&2&de( T"en %o1 br&ng me t"e 3a&nt&ng4 and kee3 t"e 2as"()
#<ow m12" &s t"at t"&ng wort"F) Set" asked4 tr%&ng 1ns122ess'1ll% to kee3 t"e 01est&on 2as1al(
Logan read t"e s"eet alo1d( #+ow"s Skull 8ed, 5hite, and Blue b% ;eorg&a O$Kee''e( T"e b1%ers are
Korean and t"e 3r&2e &s s133osed to be a m&ll&on5one()
Set" 'ell ba2k onto t"e so'a and gr&nned l&ke a k&d 2ontem3lat&ng a do1ble5d&3 2one( #T"at$ll do t"e
tr&2k4 man( T"at$ll do t"e tr&2k()
#Yo1$!e de2&ded to d&sa33ear4 t"enF W"at abo1t /ant&2oreF)
#Let me 2o1nt m% mone% '&rst4 and get ba2k to %o1( W"ere and w"en does t"e deal go downF)
Logan$s e%es ret1rned to t"e 3r&nto1t( #To3 o' t"e S3a2e Needle ) "e looked at "&s wat2"( # &n
abo1t 'o1r "o1rs()
#Abo1t t&me I took &n t"e to1r&st s&g"ts4) Set" sa&d(
#Needle "asn$t been a to1r&st s&te &n some t&me()
#W"ate!er meant&me4 I gotta get ba2k to m% 2r&b4 get 3re33ed()
R&s&ng4 Logan 'a2ed t"e ?@4 w"o stood and t"e two men e72"anged sm&les t"at "ad embarrassment and
ma%be4 61st ma%be4 some a''e2t&on &n t"em(
#;ood l12k4) Logan sa&d( #Partner()
#T"anks4 bro()
Set" arr&!ed at "&s t&n% a3artment 'ort% m&n1tes later( L&ttle more t"an a 2ell w&t" a 2"ea3 bla2ko1t
21rta&n o!er t"e s&ngle w&ndow4 t"e a3artment "ad a mattress4 dresser4 m&n&'r&dge4 "ot 3late4 m&2rowa!e4
two 2"a&rs4 2ard table4 m&n1s21le 2loset4 and a small bat"room w&t" a t1b %o1 2o1ld s"ower &n b1t not
bat"e( A doEen or so books la% &n a 2o13le o' "a3"aEard 3&les near t"e "ead o' t"e bed4 mostl% a m&7 o'
3re5P1lse "orror '&2t&on and wea3onsNmart&al5arts man1als(
T"&s was4 Set" knew4 not 01&te as n&2e as Logan$s 3ad(
A'ter 2"ang&ng &nto "&s work 2lot"es bla2k 'at&g1es and bla2k boots "e also la&d o1t a bla2k 6a2ket4
glo!es4 and sto2k&ng 2a3( T"e weat"er "ad t1rned nast% on "&s wa% "ome4 a dr&!&ng ra&n roll&ng &n l&ke
&t 3lanned to sta% a w"&le(
It "adn$t ra&ned &n o!er a week w"&2" was a dro1g"t &n Seattle and &t seemed t"at 61st w"en Set"
needed a dark4 starless n&g"t4 "e was go&ng to get one( W"at "e d&dn$t need4 t"o1g"4 were t"ese
relentless s"eets o' torrent&al ra&n( <e "o3ed &t wo1ld let 13 be'ore "e "ad to go o1t(
W&t" some t&me le't4 "e 3&2ked one o' t"e books o1t o' t"e 3&le( An old tra!el g1&de o' t"e 2&t%4 &t "el3ed
"&m to 01&2kl% learn abo1t t"e S3a2e Needle(
B1&lt &n L>B9 'or t"e World$s Fa&r4 t"e Needle rose B:@ 'eet4 was 3rote2ted b% twent%5'&!e l&g"tn&ng
rods4 and4 at t"e t&me o' &ts 2onstr12t&on4 was t"e tallest b1&ld&ng west o' t"e /&ss&ss&33& R&!er( T"ree
ele!ators led 13 to t"e obser!at&on de2k and t"e re!ol!&ng resta1rant below( One "1ndred 'eet 134 t"e
Needle "ad a ban01et 'a2&l&t%4 and on t"e gro1nd 'loor a g&'t s"o3( It wasn$t a lot o' &n'ormat&on t"e
g1&de "ad been wr&tten &n t"e "e%da% o' t"e now dead to1r&st attra2t&on b1t &t was more t"an "e$d "ad(
T"at was w"en "e "eard t"e 2ar on t"e street(
In t"&s ne&g"bor"ood t"e so1nd o' an a1tomob&le motor was rarer t"an la1g"ter 'ew aro1nd "ere
2o1ld a''ord to own a 2ar JSet" ke3t "&s own w"eels4 an old beater To%ota4 o'' t"e street4 "&dden &n a
ware"o1se blo2ks awa%K( ,ar motors meant 2o3s4 n&ne t&mes o1t o' ten4 so t"e so1nd o' one alwa%s set
o'' Set"$s mental alarms(
And w"en "e "eard t"e se2ond 2ar4 "e really knew somet"&ng wasn$t r&g"t( <e mo!ed to one s&de o' t"e
w&ndow and edged ba2k t"e 21rta&ns eno1g" to see down on t"e street(
Two 3ol&2e 2ars were 3arked d&agonall%4 blo2k&ng t"e wa%( *1st be"&nd one o' t"em4 a t"&rd !e"&2le
t"&s one a SWAT !an4 31ll&ng &n now meant not onl% was somet"&ng wrong4 t"at somet"&ng was
3robabl% "&m
<e &n!ested anot"er se2ond o' wat2"&ng4 to get a better sense o' w"at was 2om&ng down
and saw 0ydecker getting out of one of the cars.
Set" lost anot"er se2ond4 'roEen b% t"e s&g"t( ?ow the hell had his old Manticore keeper tracked him
down here;
<e grabbed "&s 6a2ket4 glo!es4 and 2a34 6erked o3en t"e door4 and went 'l%&ng 13 t"e sta&rs( L%de2ker
wo1ld "a!e t"e b1&ld&ng s1rro1nded4 b1t t"e% 2o1ld onl% work t"e&r wa% 13 'rom t"e bottom( B% t"e
t&me t"e% got to Set"$s 3la2e4 "e$d be !a3or(
Sl&33&ng on t"e 6a2ket4 2ramm&ng "&s "ands &nto t"e glo!es4 and t1gg&ng on t"e sto2k&ng 2a34 "e ke3t
r1nn&ng 13 'l&g"ts o' sta&rs( W"en "e rea2"ed t"e door to t"e roo'4 "e tr&ed &t and 'o1nd &t lo2ked( On t"e
ot"er s&de4 "e 2o1ld "ear t"e ra&n no&s&l% 3o1nd&ng on t"e door4 an7&o1s to get &n( A "owl&ng w&nd 2r&ed
o1t &n 3rotest o' &ts own e7&sten2e(
<e took a ste3 ba2k4 and t"rew a s"o1lder &nto &t and t"e door ga!e4 s3l&nter&ng at t"e 6amb4 l1r2"&ng
o3en w"&le Set" 61m3ed t"ro1g"4 t"e ra&n slas"&ng at "&m l&ke a k&ller w&t" a kn&'e(
T1rn&ng ba2k4 "e slammed t"e door4 t"en 3&2ked 13 a st&2k 'rom t"e roo'$s bla2kto3 and 6ammed &t
1nder t"e knob(
.ren2"ed alread%4 "e str1ggled to see t"ro1g" t"e down3o1r( <e 2o1ld make o1t t"e edge o' t"e
b1&ld&ng4 and s3r&nted t"ere4 to look a2ross a '&'teen5'oot ga3 between "&s b1&ld&ng and t"e ne7t a
mat2"&ng tenement4 also s&7 stor&es( ;aE&ng down4 t"e 1n%&eld&ng ra&n 3o&nt&ng t"e wa%4 "e saw 2o3s
and SWAT r1nn&ng aro1nd t"e b1&ld&ng4 some "ead&ng 13 t"e '&re es2a3e on t"at s&de(
Set" ba2ked 134 took a r1nn&ng lea34 61m3ed t"e ga34 landed on t"e ot"er b1&ld&ng4 t1rn&ng "&s sl&d&ng
arr&!al &nto a roll4 and 2ame 13 r1nn&ng4 to "ead 'or t"e 'ar s&de o' t"&s ne&g"bor&ng b1&ld&ng( Two
61m3s later4 "e was at t"e 2orner b1&ld&ng and 2alml% walked4 'eet s3las"&ng on tar4 to a roo'to3 door
t"at took "&m down t"e sta&rs to t"e street(
On t"e s&dewalk now4 look&ng ba2k toward "&s b1&ld&ng4 "e saw L%de2ker 3o1nd&ng a '&st on t"e roo' o'
t"e 3ol&2e 2ar4 "&s 2len2"ed teet" 'las"&ng &n t"e n&g"t l&ke t&n% l&g"tn&ng(
It del&g"ted Set" t"at "e 2o1ld st&ll get t"e sm1gl% sel'52ontrolled L%de2ker t"at 3&ssed o''(
T1rn&ng4 Set" started o'' at a slow trot( No 3o&nt draw&ng attent&on to "&msel'( Now4 "e 61st needed to
31t d&stan2e between "&msel' and L%de2ker$s team(
On t"&ng was 2erta&n4 t"o1g"H ton&g"t wo1ld mark t"e last a2t o' "&s new 'ledgl&ng 3artners"&3 w&t"
Logan ,ale( Seattle was 1sed 13 'or t"e ?@(
I' "&s old 2ommander "ad 'o1nd "&m on2e4 "e$d do &t aga&n( Set" knew t"e man wo1ld ne!er g&!e 13(
L%de2ker d&dn$t know "ow to 01&t &t wasn$t &n t"e bastard$s make13( T"e 2as" t"at wo1ld be
e72"anged4 w"en Sterl&ng and Ka'eln&ko!$s art deal went down a 'ew "o1rs 'rom now4 was more
&m3ortant t"an e!er &t was a '1t1re 'or Set"4 ma%be t"e onl% one "e "ad
E!er%t"&ng was r&d&ng on w"at "a33ened ton&g"t4 and t"at was '&ne b% Set"( T"e /ant&2ore ?@s "ad
been des&gned 'or d&''&21lt m&ss&ons t"e greater t"e 3ress1re4 t"e better t"e% 3er'ormed(
W&t" t"e 3oss&ble e72e3t&on o' Ia2k4 Set" 'elt "e was t"e best o' t"e ?@s(
Ton&g"t4 "e wo1ld get "&s 2"an2e to 3ro!e &t
t"o1g" "e do1bted "&s 'ormer tea2"er wo1ld take m12" 3leas1re o1t o' Set"$s grad1at&on
2eremon&es(
Chapter Twe&"e
NO SALE
S-BLI/E LA-N.RY
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
In a dark T5s"&rt4 bl1e 6eans4 and r1nn&ng s"oes4 /a7 sat 3er2"ed on t"e edge o' t"e 2"a&r a2ross t"e
desk 'rom +ogelsang( T"e o''&2e o' t"e goateed4 o!erwe&g"t dete2t&!e "ad &ts own 1n&01e bo101et a
d&st&ll&ng o' egg rolls4 detergent4 2&garette smoke4 and somet"&ng t"at was e&t"er 2lean&ng 'l1&d or reall%
rank barbe21e sa12e(
T"e '1nds /a7 was 2ontr&b1t&ng to t"&s small b1s&ness were ob!&o1sl% not go&ng &nto 2lean&ng t"e
3la2e4 nor 'or t"at matter was t"ere an% s&gn +ogelsang "ad 13graded "&s wardrobeH t"e 3r&!ate e%e st&ll
dressed as t"o1g" "e 3&2ked "&s 2lot"es at random &n a !er% dark room 1nless a2t1al t"o1g"t "ad
gone &nto t"e 2"o&2e o' a sle3t5&n sk%5bl1e s"&rt and a 3a&r o' alarm&ngl% br&g"t green 3ants4 w"&2"
toget"er t1rned "&s wa&stl&ne &nto a b&Earre4 2on!e7 "or&Eon w"ere t"e sk% and grass met(
#W"at "a!e %o1 'o1ndF) /a7 asked4 not want&ng to s3end an% more t&me "ere t"an s"e "ad to8 s"e
wasn$t s1re t"e 3e21l&ar aroma o' t"&s room wo1ld 2ome o'' "er 2lot"es4 3art&21larl% not &' s"e 1sed t"&s
la1ndromat( And s"e st&ll "ad 3lent% to do %et toda%( T"e sk% was t"reaten&ng ra&n and s"e knew &t
wo1ldn$t "old o'' m12" longer(
#I$!e got not"&ng on t"e woman or t"e Ta"oe4) t"e dete2t&!e sa&d4 r&''l&ng t"ro1g" some 3a3ers on "&s
desk4 a!o&d&ng "&s 2l&ent$s d&re2t gaEe(
#Not"&ng()
<e looked 13 and tw&t2"ed a ner!o1s sm&le8 s"r1gged( #It was ten %ears ago( I told %a t"&s &s gonna
take some t&me()
#W"at abo1t o1r badass k&dF)
+ogelsang s"ook "&s "ead4 sa&d4 #Not"&ng on "&m4 e&t"er and a 2onta2t at t"e P. ran t"e 2om31ter
look&ng 'or t"at bar2ode tattoo4 too( ;ot s01at()
/a7 sat wa% 'orward4 "er e%es t&g"t4 &ntense( #T"&s k&d &s t&ed to E%es Onl% and E%es Onl% &s
somebod% t"e 2o3s are &nterested &n so t"ere o1g"ta be something )
#Sa%&ng "e$s t&ed to E%es Onl% &s l&ke sa%&n$ "e "angs w&t" Iorro()
#W"oF)
#Pre5P1lse re'eren2e( Sorr%( .amn4 %o1 are %o1ng An%wa%4 &' "e &s work&ng w&t" or 'or E%es Onl%4
we$ll "a!e a damn "ard t&me t1rn&ng an%t"&ng( E%es Onl% &s more t"an 61st a !o&2e and e%es on some
2able "a2k &t$s more l&ke a network( Peo3le w"o "el3 E%es Onl%4 t"e%$re all lo%al4 and t"e% don$t talk
to an%bod% abo1t an%t"&ng4 &' %o1$re not one o' t"em()
/a7 'elt "er "o3es sl&33&ng awa%4 l&ke water t"ro1g" "er '&ngers( S"e$d 2ome &nto t"&s know&ng Seattle
was a b&g 2&t%4 b1t +ogelsang knew t"e town &ns&de o1t8 and w"&le "er brot"er was a tra&ned
3ro'ess&onal sold&er4 so was s"e( W"%4 between t"e two o' t"em4 2o1ldn$t t"e% '&nd "&mF
#So %o1 don$t know an%t"&ng more t"an w"en we startedF W"at am I 3a%&ng %o1 'or4 aga&nF Rem&nd
me()
W&t" a s"r1g4 +ogelsang s&33ed 'rom a l&dded 213 t"ere was no wa% to tell w"at was &ns&de4 w"&2"
was 3robabl% t"e &dea( B1t somet"&ng abo1t "&s e%es t"e wa% t"e% seemed to 'l&2ker w&t" t"o1g"t4
'&rst t&g"t4 t"en loose4 t"en t&g"t
#/r( +ogelsangG)
<e almost 61m3ed4 and t"e 213 wo1ld "a!e s3&lled4 b1t 'or t"e l&d(
#:ou 3aged me,& s"e rem&nded "&m sternl%( #W"%F To tell me %o1 "a!e 6a2k s"&tF)
T"e 3r&!ate e%e r&g"ted t"e 2134 t"en sm&led &n a ner!o1s4 'leet&ng4 w"oll% &na33ro3r&ate manner( #I
g1ess I d&d '&nd o1t one t"&ng()
T"e "o3e welled w&t"&n "er4 t"o1g" s"e tr&ed to kee3 s12" emot&ons &n 2"e2k( #W"at do %o1 Mg1ess$ %o1
'o1nd o1tF)
# I$m not t"e onl% one look&ng 'or t"&s g1%()
<er e%es w&dened as s"e settled ba2k &nto t"e 2"a&r4 st1nned as a 2l1bbed bab% seal( 5ho else could be
looking for her brother; Two names 3o33ed &nto "er m&ndH L%de2ker8 and Sterl&ng and t"en anot"erH
Ka'eln&ko!( #<ow do %o1 knowF)
#It$s all o!er t"e street()
/a7 sat 'orward aga&n( #E73la&n()
#Pawns"o3 owner4 name o' *a2obs4 "e$s not w"at %o1 wo1ld 2all a real 13r&g"t 2&t&Een( /ore w"at
%o1$d 2all well )
#A s21mbag4) s"e sa&d 21rtl%( #<ard to &mag&ne %o1 asso2&at&ng w&t" t"at t%3e( W"at d&d "e tell %o1F)
T"e dete2t&!e d&dn$t arg1e w&t" t"e 2"ara2ter&Eat&on( #An%wa%4 *a2obs told me I wasn$t t"e '&rst g1% t"at
"ad 2ome $ro1nd latel% ask&n$ abo1t a k&d w&t" t"ese 3art&21lar talents()
#W"o else &s look&ngF)
#T"&s &s w"ere &t gets s2ar%( It$s somebod% w&t" a lot o' grease4 ma%be e!en 'ederal( Two bent 2o3s
'org&!e t"e red1ndan2% were a22om3an%&ng t"&s 2"ara2ter aro1nd()
#W"at 2"ara2terF)
#I d&dn$t get a name 61st a blond g1%4 not b&g or an%t"&ng b1t t"ere was somet"&n$ abo1t "&m4
*a2obs sa&d4 s2ared "&m s"&tless( *a2obs4 %$1nderstand4 &s a g1% w"o$s deal&n$ w&t" t"e dregs e!er% "o1r
o' e!er% da% not"&n$ I know o' e!er s2ared *a2obs be'ore4 t"at$s w"% "e$s able to t"r&!e4 l&!&n$ l&ke "e
does4 sort o' on t"e 'r&nges()
+ogelsang was on a ner!o1s roll and m&g"t ne!er s"1t 134 and /a7 was l&sten&ng4 b1t "er m&nd was
work&ng o1t w"et"er t"e blond man was L%de2ker4 Sterl&ng4 or e!en Ka'eln&ko!( T"e latter two wo1ld
be bad eno1g"4 b1t &' /ant&2ore was on Set"$s "eels4 /a7 really needed to get to "er brot"er4 '&rst(
#An%wa%4 *a2obs sa&d "e asked aro1nd4 and t"e two 2o3s and t"e blond g1% were ro1st&ng e!er% 2rook
on t"e street4 'rom t"e 2onne2ted ones to t"e 2r1m b1ms sla33&n$ $em aro1nd4 w"en ne2essar%4 e!en
g1%s t"at 3a&d 'or 3rote2t&on() <&s 2on2ern seemed gen1&ne8 e!en a l&ttle o' &t ma% "a!e been 'or "er(
#L&sten4 /a74 we$re 3la%&n$ w&t" '&re &' t"&s &s federal, I)
#Oka%4) /a7 sa&d4 3att&ng t"e a&r( #Ba2k to eart" settle()
T"e dete2t&!e nodded and tr&ed to reg1late "&s breat"&ng( <e asked4 #Yo1 got an% &dea w"o t"&s blond
g1% m&g"t beF)
#No ma%be %o1 s"o1ld "&re a dete2t&!e to '&nd o1t()
T"at seemed to "1rt "&m a l&ttle( #+er% '1nn%()
#.&d %o1r 'r&end *a2obs know an%t"&ng abo1t t"e k&d w&t" t"e bar2odeF)
+ogelsang s"ook "&s "ead( #No b1t "&s ears are 3erked( I got 'eelers all aro1nd town on t"&s t"&ng()
#;ood4) s"e sa&d4 lett&ng o1t a long breat"( #Kee3 on &t()
<e nodded4 t"en ga!e "er a s"ee3&s" look( #/one%$s go&n$ 'ast t"o1g"4 k&ddo()
S"e glared at "&m(
<e "eld "&s "ands 134 as &' s1rrender&ng( #W"at 2an I doF I got o!er"ead gett&ng street &n'o means
greas&ng 3alms4 and &' %o1 don$t m&nd terr&bl%4 I gotta make a l&!&ng m%sel'()
S"e mo!ed o1t to t"e edge o' t"e 2"a&r aga&n and ga!e "&m a 2old4 "ard4 1nbl&nk&ng stare( #I' %o1 want
mone%4 /r( +ogelsang %o1$re gonna "a!e to "el3 me get &t()
Now "e 31s"ed t"e a&r w&t" "&s 3alms4 l&ke a bad m&me '&g"t&ng &mag&nar% w&nd( #W"oa4 w"oa4
w"oa I$m an o''&2er o' t"e 2o1rt4 %$know 2omes w&t" t"e l&2ense( I don$t do 2r&me()
S"e ga!e "&m an ar2"ed5brow look(
<e s"r1gged4 sm&rked "1morlessl%( #Not"&ng %o1 2an do t&me 'or4 an%wa%( ;1% &n m% l&ne does work
t"e gra% area somet&mes()
#.o tell All I need &s a name()
<e s01&nted4 as &' /a7 "ad gone o1t o' 'o21s momentar&l%( #W"ose nameF)
#Let$s 61st sa% s3eak&ng "%3ot"et&2all%4 s&n2e I wo1ldn$t want to o''end an o''&2er o' t"e 2o1rt &'
%o1 "ad a !al1able 3&e2e o' art4 w"o wo1ld %o1 go to4 &' %o1 wanted to sellF)
<e 2ons&dered t"at( #I s133ose t"&s sale wo1ld "a!e to be o' a 2on'&dent&al nat1re()
S"e nodded(
#An o''5t"e5books transa2t&on()
#.on$t e!er let an%one tell %o1 %o1$re not 01&2k()
T"e dete2t&!e s01&nted aga&n( #Large s2aleF)
#O" %ea"( ,o1ld kee3 %o1 &n egg rolls 'or a long t&me()
S3arked b% t"&s &n2ent&!e4 +ogelsang t"o1g"t 'or se!eral long4 "ard se2onds( #Forget t"e g1% I
ment&oned earl&er *a2obsF Large s2ale &s be%ond "&m( B1t t"ere &s one g1%4 and "e$s not 'ar 'rom
"ere( <&s name &s S"erwood()
#W"ere 2an I '&nd "&mF)
#Been down on "&s l12k4 b1t "e$s good( R&g"t now "e does b1s&ness &n t"&s old b1&ld&ng o'' Broad
Street()
T"&s t&me &t was /a7 w"o s01&nted( #W&ll I need an &ntro w&t" /r( S"erwoodF)
#Yea"4 %o1 w&ll()
#And w"o$s go&ng to do t"at 'or meF) /a7 asked as s"e rose(
+ogelsang sm&led at "er and r1bbed "&s '&ngers ba2k and 'ort" aga&nst "&s t"1mb( #I ma%be 2o1ld be
3ers1aded()
S"e leaned on t"e desk w&t" bot" "ands( #Yo1 want to kee3 gett&ng 3a&dF)
T"e dete2t&!e sw&t2"ed gears( #I 2o1ld 2all "&m 'or %o14 s1re sort o' a 'a!or to a good 2l&ent( Re'erral
k&nda t"&ng( <a33% to do &t()
#/ake t"e 2all()
<e d&d(
S"e l&stened attent&!el% as "e made arrangements w&t" S"erwood4 2all&ng "&m #Wood%() +ogelsang$s
manner was 'r&endl% eno1g" to 2on!&n2e /a7 s"e wasn$t t"e '&rst 2l&ent t"e dete2t&!e "ad re'erred to t"e
'en2e( +ogelsang ass1red t"e man t"ese were #01al&t% goods4) t"at t"e seller was rel&able4 and so on(
+ogelsang 2o!ered t"e re2e&!er and t1rned to /a7( #<ow$s an "o1r 'rom nowF)
#Swell4) s"e sa&d(
<e rela%ed t"e &n'ormat&on and nodded to "er as "e l&stened( T"en "e sa&d4 #I$ll tell "er4) "1ng 134 and
ga!e "&s 2l&ent deta&led d&re2t&ons4 end&ng w&t"4 #T"&rd door on t"e r&g"t()
/a7 t"anked "&m(
#So4) +ogelsang sa&d 2"eer'1ll%4 "ands 'lat on "&s desk4 #t"e ne7t t&me I see %o14 %o1 s"o1ld "a!e some
2as"()
#S1re4) s"e sa&d4 e7&t&ng4 t"row&ng a blatantl% &ns&n2ere sm&le o!er "er s"o1lder at "&m( #And t"e ne7t
t&me I see %o14 %o1 s"o1ld "a!e some &n'ormat&on()
Ba2k at "er a3artment4 /a7 2"anged &nto a bla2k "ooded sweats"&rt4 leat"er 6a2ket and 3ants4 to better
3rote2t "er aga&nst t"e bad weat"er on &ts wa%( S"e 2olle2ted t"e ;rant Wood and t"e <eart o' t"e
O2ean Jst&ll &n t"e&r E&33ered 3o12"K8 and t"en s"e rode t"e N&n6a "ard &nto t"e n&g"t4 "ead&ng to t"e
address +ogelsang "ad 3ro!&ded(
T"e ra&n was 2los&ng &n now4 as &' t"e 2&t% was a s1s3e2t t"e weat"er was a'ter4 /a7 knew t"at t"e
storm 2o1ld er13t at an% moment and4 des3&te t"e E&33ered bag4 s"e 'eared s1b6e2t&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng to a
down3o1r4 so s"e 31s"ed t"e b&ke4 en6o%&ng t"e eng&ne$s "ars" song as s"e re!!ed &t 13(
T"e '&rst dro3s "&t "er 61st as s"e dro!e t"ro1g" t"e doorless entr% o' t"e b1&ld&ng4 a d&la3&dated t"ree5
stor% br&2k str12t1re w&t" most o' t"e w&ndows 31n2"ed o1t and t"e walls start&ng to 2r1mble( Onl% t"e
roo' seemed to be so1nd(
/a7 3arked t"e b&ke4 2l&mbed o''4 and looked aro1nd( S"e stood &n a w&de "allwa% t"at "ad on2e "ad
o''&2es on e&t"er s&de b1t now4 doors were e&t"er absent or "1ng o3en4 w&t" t"e&r glass kno2ked o1t8
and t"e S"eetro2k &nter&or walls "ad "oles k&2ked &n t"em( S"e 2o1ld "ear rats s21ttl&ng( Not
s1r3r&s&ngl%4 t"e a33arentl% abandoned b1&ld&ng was dark4 and &' &t "adn$t been 'or "er s3e2&al genet&2s4
s"e wo1ld "a!e needed a 'las"l&g"t to get aro1nd(
?ad $ogelsang sold her out; s"e wondered( 5as she walking into a trap; 5ere 0ydecker andHor
Sterling andHor 4afelnikov among the rats scurrying in the darkness;
,arr%&ng t"e E&33ered bag l&ke a 3&EEa s"e was del&!er&ng4 s"e 2re3t down t"e "all to t"e t"&rd door on
t"e r&g"t t"e onl% 2losed door &n t"e 2orr&dor( To "er rel&e'4 /a7 saw l&g"t '&lter&ng o1t 'rom
1nderneat"(
O' 2o1rse4 t"&s still 2o1ld be a tra3
B1t 2a1t&on 61st wasn$t on "er agenda4 ton&g"t( S"e t1rned t"e knob and walked r&g"t &n(
-nl&ke w"at s"e$d seen o' t"e rest o' t"e b1&ld&ng4 t"&s room was st&ll &n 3er'e2t s"a3e e72e3t 'or a
"ead5s&Eed "ole on t"e r&g"t wall4 3ro!&d&ng an &m3rom3t1 w&ndow &nto t"e ne7t o''&2e( B1t t"e ot"er
walls were '&ne4 t"e door "ad a lo2k4 and an o!er"ead 'l1ores2ent &ll1m&nated t"e room(
In t"e m&ddle 2ro12"ed a b1nged513 metal desk w&t" a T+ on a 2rate ne7t to &t8 two metal 'old&ng 2"a&rs
were on t"e 2l&ent$s s&de o' t"e desk( On a 2ard table aga&nst t"e ba2k wall sat a "ot 3late4 w&t" an o3en
door nearb% lead&ng to a t&n% bat"room( A slee3&ng bag4 rolled 134 was sn1gged &n a 2orner8 and t"e
t&n&est o' re'r&gerators 31rred( T"ese were s3artan 01arters4 to sa% t"e least4 b1t t"e 3la2e was s3otlessl%
2lean(
Be"&nd t"e desk4 "&s "ands 'olded on t"e deskto34 seated &n an an2&ent sw&!el 2"a&r4 was a gra%5"a&red
man o' 3er"a3s se!ent% w&t" w&re5'rame glasses a&d&ng l&!el% dark e%es o' &ndeterm&nate 2olor4 a neatl%
tr&mmed b1t t"&2k salt5and53e33er m1sta2"e4 and a long b1t well5tended beard e!er% b&t as gra% as "&s
"a&r( <e wore a dark s1&t w&t" a w"&te s"&rt b1ttoned all t"e wa% 134 w&t" no t&e t"e s1&t was o1t o'
st%le b1t not t"readbare( .es3&te t"e s1rro1nd&ngs4 "e str12k /a7 as bot" d&gn&'&ed and b1s&nessl&ke(
#/r( S"erwoodF) /a7 asked(
<e rose4 gest1red to one o' t"e metal 'old&ng 2"a&rs o33os&te "&m( #I wo1ld be 3leased &' %o1 2alled me
Wood% And %o1$re /a7F)
#I$m /a74) s"e sa&d4 and 2o1ldn$t "el3 b1t sm&le( #Interest&ng 3la2e o' b1s&ness( .o %o14 1"4 l&!e "ere
as wellF)
As s"e sat4 so d&d "e( #At t"e moment I do4 %es Somet&mes be&ng an art s3e21lator 2a1ses 1s to
ree!al1ate o1r l&'est%le and make 2erta&n s1btra2t&ons()
#L&ke a bed4 'or e7am3leF)
<e s&g"ed4 b1t "&s res3onse seemed 2"&33er( #I won$t den% t"at I$!e "ad a 'ew setba2ks o' late b1t I$m
61st one deal awa% 'rom Eas% Street()
#Is t"at &n a n&2e 3art o' SeattleF)
#It$s an e73ress&on4 dear( Pre5P1lse()
/a7 t"o1g"tH 6 need to hang with a younger crowd.
S"erwood was sa%&ng4 #Yo1 know4 dear4 %o1$re !er% %o1ng and 01&te 3rett%( Yo1 look "ealt"%()
S"e 2o2ked "er "ead4 narrowed "er e%es( #T"anks I g1ess( W"at does t"at "a!e to do w&t" an%
transa2t&on we m&g"t "a!eF)
<e 3atted t"e a&r w&t" one "and( #I meant not"&ng b% &t 61st an obser!at&on( B1t t"e 3eo3le w"o br&ng
me mer2"and&se are4 b% de'&n&t&on4 t"&e!es( T"e %o1ng ones are dr1g add&2ts and don$t "a!e %o1r
rob1st glow( T"e older ones "a!e a "ardness abo1t t"em4 t"at I "o3e %o1 w&ll ne!er a2"&e!e()
S"e d&dn$t know w"at to sa% to t"at8 no matterH S"erwood was 3low&ng on(
#Now I$m not sa%&ng a woman a %o1ng woman 2an$t be a t"&e'4 and a good one( I$!e known a
n1mber4 o!er t"e %ears T"e 'emale t"&e!es I$!e known "a!e e&t"er been 1n3leasantl% "ard4 or4
'rankl%4 ga% or bot"()
Not know&ng w"et"er to be am1sed or &rr&tated4 /a7 sa&d4 #And %o1$re wonder&ng &' I$m ga%F)
Teet" 'las"ed &n t"e beard aga&n( #/% dear4 at m% age I$m a'ra&d &t$s damn near &rrele!ant()
/a7 ret1rned t"e sm&le( <e was an engag&ng old bo%( #Wo1ld %o1 l&ke to see w"at I "a!e 'or %o1F)
#O" %es4) "e sa&d4 w&t" 61st a "&nt o' &nn1endo( #I t"&nk we$!e "ad s1''&2&ent 2on!ersat&on to sat&s'% t"e
so2&al 2ontra2t4 don$t %o1F)
S"e answered t"at w&t" a glaEed sm&le(
W&t" "er ba2k to S"erwood4 s"e slowl% 1nE&33ed t"e bag4 sl&33ed t"e ne2kla2e s1rre3t&t&o1sl% &nto "er
3o2ket4 t"en sl&d o1t t"e 3a&nt&ng( W"en s"e t1rned ba2k to "&m4 "&s mo1t" dro33ed l&ke a tra3door(
A'ter a long moment o' star&ng at t"e 3a&nt&ng4 "e asked4 #Is t"at t"at t"e real t"&ngF)
#It s"o1ld be() S"e sm&led( #B1t I won$t be o''ended &' %o1 want to test &t()
#Please4) "e sa&d(
S"e 3la2ed t"e 3a&nt&ng on t"e w&de desk and4 'rom one o' t"e drawers4 S"erwood w&t"drew a de!&2e
t"at "e e73la&ned was an -+IN( T"en4 stand&ng at t"e desk4 t"e 3a&nt&ng l&ke a 3at&ent on a s1rg&2al
table awa&t&ng t"e do2tor$s sk&lls4 "e sa&d4 #;et t"e l&g"ts4 wo1ld %o1 3lease4 2"&ldF)
/a7 d&d as t"e old bo% re01ested4 and t"e 'en2e '&red 13 t"e -+IN and ran &ts ra%s o!er t"e 3a&nt&ng(
<e looked 'rom t"e 3a&nt&ng to "er4 "&s e73ress&on almost alarmed8 and t"en ba2k down at t"e
3a&nt&ng4 go&ng o!er &t aga&n w&t" t"e 1ltra!&olet l&g"t( A 2ra2k o' t"1nder made "er 61m38 "ea!% ra&n
"ammered at t"e w&ndows and e2"oed down t"e 2orr&dor(
#/% dear4) "e sa&d '&nall%4 #t"&s &s &ndeed a gen1&ne ;rant Wood()
Tr%&ng to 2on2eal "er e72&tement4 /a7 asked4 #<ow m12"F)
#Normall% ) <e s"r1gged( # s&7 '&g1res4 eas&l%( B1t %o1 ma% "a!e g1essed I don$t "a!e t"at k&nd o'
mone% aro1nd "ere( A2t1all%4 I don$t "a!e any k&nd o' mone% aro1nd "ere b1t I know se!eral b1%ers
w"o do()
A 31lse o' e72&tement 61m3ed &n "er stoma2"( #So w"at$s o1r ne7t mo!eF)
Somew"ere 1nder t"at beard4 S"erwood "ad worked 13 a "al' sm&rk( #I s133ose %o1 tr1st&ng me4 'or a
'ew da%s4 &s o1t o' t"e 01est&on()
#I l&ke %o14 Wood%4) s"e sa&d( #B1t not t"at m12"()
#I 2an "ardl% blame %o1( Well4 t"en4 "ere$s t"e s&t1at&on( I' we want to sell t"&s bea1t&'1l 3a&nt&ng 'or
an%w"ere near &ts !al1e4 3eo3le are go&ng to want to test &t( To see &t tested For t"at to "a33en4 I need
to "a!e &t "ere()
/a7 d&dn$t l&ke w"ere t"&s was go&ng( #W"at$s to kee3 %o1 'rom s2rew&ng meF)
#Bes&des m% age4 and t"e 3r&2e o' +&agraF) <e s"r1gged( #All I "a!e &s m% word( .&dn$t /r( +ogelsang
!o12" 'or meF)
#O"4 s1re b1t w"o$d !o12" 'or that sleaEebagF)
#Tr1e4 tr1e b1t I ass1re %o14 I$m "onest()
#Wood%4 %o1 deal &n stolen 3ro3ert%()
#T"at$s tr1e4 b1t I do &t "onestl%()
S"e la1g"ed &n s3&te o' "ersel'( #Oka%4 Wood%4 %o1 2all me4 and I$ll br&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng4 and w"oe!er
wants to see &t tested4 2an see &t tested()
#T"at wo1ld be a workable 3lan4) "e sa&d4 #b1t 'or two t"&ngs()
#;o on()
#F&rst4 m% '1n2t&on &s to b1''er %o1 'rom t"e b1%ers and t"e b1%ers 'rom %o1 I 3ro!&de &ns1lat&on o'
sorts4 s"o1ld 'or e7am3le %o1 or m% 2l&ent t1rn o1t to be 3art&2&3at&ng &n w"at 1sed to be 2alled4
01a&ntl%4 a st&ng &s that 3re5P1lse term 'am&l&ar to %o1F)
#T"at one &s4) s"e adm&tted(
#Se2ond4 ra&n$s 2om&ng down l&ke a !er&table son o' a b&t2"4 and %o1 s"o1ld not r&sk tak&ng t"at 3a&nt&ng
o1t &nto &t4 e!en w&t" t"at E&33ered 3o12" o' %o1rs()
/a7 s"r1gged w&t" a know&ngness be%ond "er %ears( #/a%be so4 b1t I$m st&ll not lea!&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng
"ere( Yo1 "a!e a n&2e l&ne o' b1ll4 Wood%4 b1t I 61st met %o1 and %o1 ma% be an "onest 2rook4 b1t
%o1$re st&ll a 2rook()
<e made a 2l&2k&ng so1nd &n "&s 2"eek( #T"at &s a 'a2t and t"&s &s a 2omm&ss&on I 2o1ld dearl% 1se
r&g"t now()
#F&ne( WellF)
T"e 'en2e let o1t a b&g s&g"( #All r&g"t4 l&ttle lad%( Let me make a 3"one 2all( T"ere &s a 2l&ent I know
w"o wo1ld be 3er'e2t 'or t"&s a201&s&t&on()
#E72ellent( Tell me abo1t "&m or &s &t a "erF)
For t"e '&rst t&me4 a 'rown 2reased t"e 'en2e$s brow( #I 2an$t g&!e %o1 a name or an% ba2kgro1nd
%o1$re 2om3rom&s&ng m% 3ro'ess&onal et"&2s eno1g" as &t &s()
S"e sa&d not"&ng8 s"e was 'rown&ng4 too(
S"erwood remo!ed a 2ell 3"one 'rom "&s s1&t52oat 3o2ket( #.o I make t"e 2allF I$ll do m% best to get
t"e b1%er to 2ome down r&g"t4 now()
# /ake t"e 2all()
#B1t %o1 2an$t be "ere()
Now s"e was gett&ng 3&ssed( #Wood%4 I 2an$t not be "ere()
S"erwood was a"ead o' "er( #No4 dear W"at I mean to sa% &s4 %o1 go &nto t"e o''&2e ne7t door4 %o1
2an 1se t"at "ole &n t"e wall to wat2" and l&sten() <e 3o&nted to t"e "ead5s&Eed "ole s"e$d noted 2om&ng
&n8 t"e a3ert1re was a 'oot or so be"&nd S"erwood and wo1ld g&!e /a7 t"e 3er'e2t 3la2e 'rom w"&2" to
mon&tor t"e transa2t&on(
#I$d st&ll 'eel better know&ng w"o t"e b1%er &s()
#T"at &s not negot&able4 dear( I wo1ld 3rote2t %o14 l&kew&se()
S"e rose4 3&2ked 13 t"e metal 'old&ng 2"a&r on "er s&de o' t"e desk4 and t"ere was a lo1d 2ra2k as s"e
sna33ed t"e ba2k o'' &t w&t" "er two small leat"er5glo!ed "ands(
S"erwood$s e%es 'lared( #I do l&ke an assert&!e 'emale /r( ;l&2kman &s "&s name4 and t"at$s all I
know( <e$s a2t1all% anot"er la%er o' &ns1lat&on4 t"e agent 'or a 2onsort&1m o' b1%ers( W"at I do know
and t"&s s"o1ld 3lease %o1 &s t"at /r( ;l&2kman 3a%s to3 dollar4 &n 1ntra2eable 2as" tens4 twent&es4
twent%5'&!es and "e ne!er "aggles m12" abo1t t"e 3r&2e( For 01al&t% s12" as t"&s4 "e$d e73e2t to 3a% a
01al&t% 3r&2e S"all I make t"e 2allF)
A t&n% sm&le 'ormed on "er '1ll l&3s as s"e sa&d4 #;o a"ead and dro3 t"e d&me()
S"erwood$s sm&le was a del&g"ted one( #Yo1 do know some 3re5P1lse slang4 don$t %o14 %o1 l&ttle
!&7enF)
Twent% m&n1tes later4 t"e ra&n st&ll beat&ng &ts sta22ato r"%t"m on w&ndows4 e2"o&ng down t"e "all l&ke
g1n'&re4 /a7 and "er N&n6a were sa'el% sn1gged &n t"e o''&2e ne7t door w"en s"e "eard a 2ar door slam
o1ts&de( S"e 2re3t to t"e "ole &n t"e wall and ass1med a 3os&t&on t"at wo1ld 2on2eal "er and re!eal t"e
m%ster&o1s ;l&2kman(
For "&s 3art4 S"erwood d&dn$t seem t"e least b&t ner!o1s4 and /a7 real&Eed s"e was no do1bt not t"e
'&rst 3erson to w&tness a transa2t&on 'rom t"&s "&d&ng 3la2e( S"e d&d wonder &' t"e 3ort"ole "ad been
'ormed b% a d&ssat&s'&ed 2l&ent s"o!&ng t"e 'en2e$s "ead t"ro1g" t"e wall
T12ked &nto t"e s"adows4 /a7 2o1ld see t"ro1g" t"e broken5glass door 'rames o' "er 3r&!ate o''&2e as
two men walked down t"e "all4 3assed "er w&t"o1t look&ng &n4 and strode &nto S"erwood$s o''&2e( T"e
two men sta%ed near t"e door4 and /a7 2o1ldn$t make o1t an%t"&ng more t"an t"e&r s"a3es(
#W"at "a33ened to t"e 2"a&rF) one o' t"em asked4 "&s !o&2e so1nd&ng nasal and some"ow m1''led(
#+andals4) S"erwood sa&d d&staste'1ll%4 as "e rose4 and t"en "&s tone warmed 13( #/r( ;l&2kman4 I
a3olog&Ee 'or br&ng&ng %o1 o1t &n s12" !&le weat"er ) T"e 3a&nt&ng was on t"e desk4 l&ke a 2olor'1l
blotter( # b1t4 as I told %o1 on t"e 3"one4 t"&s &s a ma6or ;rant Wood()
T"e 'en2e4 sm&l&ng 3ro1dl%4 "eld 13 t"e /ason&te board(
#It 2erta&nl% &s4) a rat"er re'&ned !o&2e re3l&ed(
#I4 1" "a!en$t met %o1r asso2&ate( T"&s &s a brea2" o' et&01ette()
#Brea2" o' et&01etteF) anot"er4 ro1g"er !o&2e res3onded( #I 2an t"&nk o' somet"&ng worse()
An &2% s"&!er s3&ked t"ro1g" /a7H she had heard that voice before &n t"e 'o%er at *ared Sterl&ng$s
mans&on( One o' "&s se21r&t% teamG /a1rer4 t"e bla2k4 2lean521t g1ard
#Somet"&ng worseF) S"erwood sa&d4 2learl% o''5balan2e(
T"e 3a&r ste33ed 'orward &nto t"e 'l1ores2ent$s 3at" and /a7$s !&ew( In a bla2k ra&n5dr&33&ng ra&n2oat4
/a1rer stood on t"e r&g"t4 "&s nose "ea!&l% bandaged4 w"&le on t"e le't4 t"e ot"er #&ns1lat&on4) /r(
;l&2kman4 stood &n a London Fog4 and /a7 re2ogn&Eed "&m4 as well "&s "a&r &n t"e same &ron5gra%
2rew 21t4 t"e s2ars st&ll on "&s 2"eeks4 ea2" abo1t t"e s&Ee o' a d&me(
Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% 2"&e'(
#I mean4) ;l&2kman sa&d4 #tr%&ng to sell ba2k a 3a&nt&ng stolen 'rom m% boss()
S"erwood$s w"ole bod% seemed to go sla2k( #I I I "ad no &dea )
#It was "ea!&l% 2o!ered &n t"e med&a( Yo1 work &n t"e art '&eld( ,erta&nl% %o1 knew t"&s 3a&nt&ng was
/r( Sterl&ng$s()
#B1t gentlemen I was not aware t"at /r( Sterl&ng was %o1r 2l&ent( I was 1nder t"e &m3ress&on %o1
re3resented a 2onsort&1m o' o!erseas b1%ers Forg&!e me()
#No4) ;l&2kman sa&d(
T"e se21r&t% g1ard was rea2"&ng &ns&de t"e London Fog4 and /a7 d&d not t"&nk "e was go&ng 'or a
"andker2"&e'( S"e took t"ree 01&2k ste3s ba2k4 t"en t"rew "ersel' at t"e S"eetro2k wall( S"e b1rst
e73los&!el% &nto S"erwood$s o''&2e 61st as /a1rer '&red t"e '&rst s"ot( /a7 2o1ldn$t get to "&m &n t&me4
b1t &n re'le7&!e &' 3o&ntless sel'5de'ense4 S"erwood l&'ted t"e 3a&nt&ng &n 'ront o' "&s 'a2e(
T"e n&ne5m&ll&meter sl1g tore t"ro1g" t"e 3a&nt&ng lea!&ng a "ole b&gger t"an a gol' ball4 t"en r&33ed
t"ro1g" S"erwood$s "ead4 blow&ng awa% a 3&e2e o' t"e old man$s s2al3(
#T"e 3a&nt&ngG) ;l&2kman 2alled4 &n warn&ng(
B1t /a1rer$s se2ond s"ot s"redded e!en more o' t"e master3&e2e be'ore 2lea!&ng &ts wa% t"ro1g"
S"erwood$s 2"est and send&ng "&m ba2kward4 13end&ng t"e 2"a&r4 3&t2"&ng t"e 3a&nt&ng4 w"&2" 2ra2ked
aga&nst a wall4 w"&le t"e 'en2e la% on "&s ba2k4 as3rawl(
/a7 lea3t4 k&2ked4 "er boot 2onne2t&ng sol&dl% w&t" t"e bandage a2ross /a1rer$s 'a2e( <e s2reamed4
dro33ed "&s 3&stol4 and 'ell ba2kward to t"e 'loor4 a "and 2o!er&ng w"ere t"e blood er13ted 'rom "&s
nose4 red stream&ng t"ro1g" "&s 2133&ng '&ngers( ;l&2kman "ad dodged w"en /a7 2ame t"ro1g" t"e
wall4 and 'rom t"e s&del&nes '&red at "er4 b1t was o''5balan2e4 and m&ssed4 t"e b1llet b1rrow&ng &nto
S"eetro2k( S"e r1s"ed "&m be'ore "e 2o1ld get "&s e01&l&br&1m4 d12k&ng a w&ld s"ot4 and k&2ked
s&dewa%s4 "er boot slamm&ng &nto t"e man$s gro&n4 kno2k&ng "&m &nto t"e S"eetro2k be"&nd "&m4 a&r
w"oos"&ng o1t o' "&m8 "e sl&d down t"e wall4 and "&s mo1t" was o3en &n a s&lent s2ream(
B1t Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% 2"&e' was no 31s"o!er4 and "ardl% a stranger to 3a&n8 3lent% o' '&g"t le't &n "&m4
;l&2kman s01eeEed o'' anot"er s"ot4 t"&s one w"&EE&ng 3ast /a7$s s"o1lder4 aga&n t"1nk&ng &nto
S"eetro2k(
On t"e 'loor near t"e dead 'en2e Jw"o was on "&s ba2k star&ng s&g"tlessl% at t"e 2e&l&ngK /a1rer "&s
"ands smeared and sl&33er% w&t" "&s own blood was s2rambl&ng 'or "&s 3&stol8 "e got "old o' &t4 and
ra&sed &t at /a74 st13&dl% "eedless o' "ow 2lose s"e and "&s s13er&or were( *1st as t"e bla2k g1ard '&red4
/a7 d&!ed o1t o' t"e wa% and /a1rer$s b1llet m&ssed "er and sent 13 a 31'' o' 3&nk as &t 31n2"ed
;l&2kman &n t"e 2"est(
T"e &ron5"a&red se21r&t% 2"&e'$s e%es went w&de w&t" s"o2k4 and "e sl1m3ed ba2k aga&nst t"e wall( <e
looked down at "&s wo1nd4 t"en 13 at /a1rer( <&s last words were a k&nd o' 2o1g"H #Yo1 d1mb '12k()
#O"4 s"&t4) /a1rer sa&d4 and bro1g"t "&s 3&stol aro1nd4 sear2"&ng 'or "&s target4 w"o seemed to "a!e
d&sa33eared(
T"en /a7 was s1ddenl% at "&s s&de4 and grabbed "&s arm and bent t"e elbow t"e wrong d&re2t&on8
/a1rer s2reamed and "&s '&ngers 3o33ed o3en and "e dro33ed t"e blood5smeared 3&stol( S"e ke3t
go&ng4 a33l%&ng tor01e to "&s s"o1lder as s"e 2ranked "&s arm aro1nd be"&nd "&m(
T"e g1ard was &n so m12" 3a&n4 "e 2o1ldn$t e!en s2ream(
#One 01est&on4) /a7 sa&d4 "er !o&2e 2old4 "ard( #Wrong answer4 I break %o1r arm() S"e a33l&ed a l&ttle
more 3ress1re to make "er 3o&nt8 /a1rer ar2"ed "&s ba2k and groaned 3&t&'1ll%(
#AskG AskG)
#W"ere 2an I '&nd Sterl&ng right now;)
<e tr&ed to tw&st "&s "ead aro1nd to see "er4 b1t s"e 2ranked 13 on t"e arm and "&s "ead dro33ed4 as "e
%el3ed w&t" 3a&n(
#Let$s "a!e t"at answer4) s"e sa&d4 and started mo!&ng t"e "and 13ward(
#Oka%4 oka%G <e$s at t"e Needle()
Frown&ng4 /a7 rela7ed "er gr&3 somew"at4 and w&t" t"e lessen&ng o' 3a&n4 all t"e a&r went o1t o'
/a1rer4 w"o sagged8 s"e 'elt &' s"e let go o' "&m4 "e$d dro3 l&ke an armload o' '&rewood(
#S3a2e NeedleF)
#W"at t"e '12k ot"er Needle deal go&ng down()
#/ore4) s"e sa&d4 not bot"er&ng to 31n2t1ate "er 01est&on w&t" a rat2"et o' 3a&n8 t"e g1% was
2oo3erat&ng now(
#T"e boss and t"at R1ss&an4 t"e%$re sell&ng some s"&t to some Koreans4 t"ere( -3 to3()
#8ight nowF)
#Less t"an an "o1r 'rom now %ea"()
/a7 sa&d4 #T"anks4) and let go o' "&m(
<e stood t"ere 1nstead&l% 'or a se2ond4 "&s ba2k to "er4 and "e sa&d4 #I won$t won$t 2a1se %o1 an%
tro1ble()
#I know4) s"e sa&d4 2"o33ed "&m a2ross t"e ba2k o' t"e ne2k(
S"e le't be"&nd a damaged 3a&nt&ng4 a dead 'en2e4 a dead se21r&t% 2"&e'4 and an 1n2ons2&o1s Sterl&ng
s1bord&nate4 w"o wo1ld "a!e e73la&n&ng to do abo1t t"e 3re2&o1s 3a&nt&ng "e$d r1&ned and t"e s13er&or
"e$d s"ot and k&lled(
At least /a7 st&ll "ad t"e ne2kla2e &n "er 3o2ket4 t"e 3re2&o1s ob6e2t t"at "ad s3arked so m12" damage
and deat"4 t"e we&g"t o' &t s1ddenl% !er% "ea!%( S"e needed t"&s to end t"e 2%2le4 or s"e and "er brot"er
wo1ld ne!er be sa'e(
;aE&ng down at S"erwood4 s"e s"ook "er "ead( T"e old bo% "adn$t needed to d&e4 b1t s"e 'elt no g1&lt
or res3ons&b&l&t%( <e "ad 2"osen t"&s 3at"4 e!en &' "e$d ne!er made &t to Eas% Street( St&ll4 s"e "ad l&ked
t"e e22entr&2 'en2e4 d1r&ng t"e&r s"ort b1t s&gn&'&2ant relat&ons"&38 and now S"erwood was 61st one
more t"&ng taken 'rom "er b% Sterl&ng and Ka'eln&ko!4 one more 2omrade sla1g"tered4 l&ke t"e ,"&nese
,lan
In t"e o''&2e ne7t door4 s"e 31t on "er amber glasses4 walked "er N&n6a o1t &nto t"e "all and down to t"e
entran2ewa%( T"en s"e 2l&mbed aboard4 '&red &t 134 and g1nned &t t"ro1g" t"e doorwa% &nto t"e wa&t&ng
storm(
W&nd5dr&!en ra&n slas"ed at "er 'a2e as s"e ra2ed 13 Broad Street toward t"e S3a2e Needle4 b1t s"e
d&dn$t m&nd &t seemed 2leans&ng8 s"e w&s"ed t"e ra&n wo1ld was" awa% all t"e d&rt and gr&me and
2orr13t&on 'rom t"&s 'o1l 2&t%4 t"&s 'ra2t1red 2o1ntr%
Park&ng &n a b1rned5o1t b1&ld&ng two blo2ks awa%4 and look&ng 13 to get "er bear&ngs4 s"e was
s1r3r&sed at "ow "1ge t"e str12t1re looked( Nat1rall%4 s"e$d seen t"e Needle be'ore %o1 2o1ldn$t l&!e
&n t"e Emerald ,&t% and not not&2e t"e Needle b1t s"e$d ne!er 3a&d m12" attent&on to &t(
O!er s&7 "1ndred 'eet tall4 t"e Needle rose l&ke a g&ant metal 'lower( T"e n&g"t was so dark and t"e ra&n
so dense t"at onl% d1r&ng a l&g"tn&ng 'las" 2o1ld s"e make o1t t"e 2rest o' t"e b1&ld&ng( A bea2on o'
'1t1r&st&2 "o3e w"en &t was b1&lt ba2k &n t"e $B:s4 t"e S3a2e Needle now towered &n g"ostl% tr&b1te to
t"e bl&g"t bro1g"t on b% t"e P1lse4 t"e skeleton o' a !&s&on dreamed &n a more "o3e'1l4 na&!e t&me(
In t"e %ears s&n2e t"e P1lse4 t"e downt1rn &n t"e e2onom% "ad bro1g"t 'ewer and 'ewer !&s&tors to t"e
'amed to1r&st s3ot4 1nt&l t"e resta1rant "ad gone 1nder4 t"e obser!at&on de2k "ad been 2losed too
man% 3eo3le were 61m3&ng and t"e ban01et 'a2&l&t% "ad been 'or2ed to s"1tter( T"e str12t1re now
ser!ed 3r&mar&l% as a 3ra2t&2e 3ad 'or e!er% gra''&t& art&st &n t"e 2&t%4 t"e Needle seem&ngl% 3a&nted a
"1ndred d&''erent s"ades at on2e8 red4 bla2k4 %ellow4 w"&te4 s3ra% 3a&nt &n e!er% 3oss&ble 2olor "ad been
a33l&ed somew"ere on t"e g&ant b1&ld&ng( T"e '&rst5'loor g&'t s"o3 &ts w&ndows "ad long s&n2e been
broken o1t seemed l&ke &t wo1ld make t"e nat1ral 3o&nt o' entr% 'or /a7(
T"e ne&g"bor"ood aro1nd t"e landmark "ad s1''ered t"e same 'ate and rem&nded /a7 o' !&d 'ootage
s"e$d seen at /ant&2ore4 labeled SARA*E+O and BEIR-T( T"e onl% 1nbroken w&ndows &n t"e w"ole
ne&g"bor"ood seemed to be &n t"e two !e"&2les 3arked &n a lot at t"e base o' t"e Needle4 beneat" a t&n
o!er"ang on w"&2" ra&n dr1mmed &ns&stentl%( S"e edged 2loser4 3os&t&on&ng "ersel' be"&nd a .1m3ster
at t"e 3er&3"er% o' t"e 3ark&ng lot( From "ere s"e "ad a better !&ew o' t"e two 2ars(
One4 a bla2k l171r% n1mber4 a Le71s4 "ad ,al&'orn&a 3lates t"&s wo1ld be t"e R1ss&an$s r&de8 t"e
ot"er4 an old <1mmer4 a33eared to be a rental and rem&nded /a7 too m12" o' "er da%s at /ant&2ore(
Near ea2" !e"&2le stood a g1ard8 t"e one near t"e <1mmer s"orter t"an t"e ot"er g1% smoked a
2&garette and strolled ba2k and 'ort" on t"e dr&!er$s s&de(
T"e ot"er g1ard4 near t"e Le71s4 2loser to "er4 leaned aga&nst t"e door4 star&ng &n "er d&re2t&on( At '&rst4
s"e t"o1g"t "e$d seen "er4 t"en s"e real&Eed t"at "e was look&ng at not"&ng4 and "&s "ead 61st "a33ened
to be 3o&nted &n "er d&re2t&on( St&ll4 as soon as s"e mo!ed4 "e wo1ld l&kel% see "er and an% 2"an2e 'or
s1r3r&se wo1ld be gone(
Be"&nd t"e .1m3ster4 s"e 'o1nd a ro2k abo1t t"e s&Ee o' a s1gar 21be and t"rew &t down t"e street( T"e
ro2k "&t on t"e 2on2rete4 barel% lo1d eno1g" to be "eard &n t"e ra&n8 b1t4 to t"e&r 2red&t4 bot" men
looked &n t"at d&re2t&on ( ( /a7 1s&ng t"e d&!ers&on to sw&ng aro1nd and 2on2eal "ersel' &n 'ront o' t"e
Le71s(
#<ell was t"atF) t"e ot"er man asked4 "&s a22ent g&!&ng "&m awa% as *a3anese(
#No &dea4) t"e g1ard near t"e Le71s sa&d4 bored( <e wore a dark brown E&3513 6a2ket and bla2k 6eans(
,loser now4 /a7 made "&m as *a2kson4 t"e 2rew521t wrestler 'rom "er '&rst !&s&t to t"e Sterl&ng estate(
#S"o1ld we &n!est&gateF) t"e *a3anese g1% asked(
#.o w"at %o1 want( Soak %o1r ass( /% orders are4 sta% 31t()
T"e *a3anese g1ard went ba2k aro1nd t"e <1mmer and l&t anot"er 2&garette(
*a2kson was lean&ng aga&nst t"e dr&!er$s door o' t"e Le71s4 star&ng &nto s3a2e8 real ball of fire. /a7
de2&ded to take t"e *a3anese o1t '&rst( S"e rolled 1nder t"e <1mmer4 and w"en "&s 3a2&ng bro1g"t
"&m 2lose eno1g" to "er s"e grabbed t"e man$s ankles and 'l&33ed t"em 13 &n t"e a&r( ;as3&ng4 "e
took t"e r&de(
S"e was o1t 'rom 1nder b% t"e t&me "e sma2ked "&s "ead on t"e 2ement8 s3rawled t"ere4 t"e g1ard
grogg&l% l&'ted "&s "ead to look 13 at "er w&t" a glaEed look4 3er"a3s wonder&ng &' "e was dream&ng4
s12" a lo!el% 'a2e look&ng down
T"e owner o' t"e lo!el% 'a2e 31n2"ed "&m &n t"e s&de o' t"e "ead and "e la% ba2k4 o1t 2old(
#Yo1 sa% somet"&n$F) *a2kson asked(
W"en "e got no answer4 *a2kson stra&g"tened4 e%es t&g"ten&ng4 '&nall% &nterested eno1g" to t1rn and
look( B1t all "e saw was /a7$s boots as s"e 'lew o!er t"e to3 o' t"e 2ar w&t" mart&al5arts gra2e and
dro3k&2ked "&m &n t"e 'a2e( *a2kson to33led o!er4 s3&tt&ng blood% teet" l&ke seeds4 t"en tr&ed to r&se4
2len2"&ng w"at was le't o' "&s sm&le and /a7 de2ked "&m w&t" a s"ort le't(
Ra&n dr1mmed on t"e t&n o!er"ead(
Ba2k w"en t"e Needle "ad been a 'am&l%5'1n dest&nat&on4 t"ree ele!ators "ad been &n ser!&2e "ere4 and
t"o1g" /a7 d&dn$t 3lan on tak&ng one4 s"e d&d want to know w"et"er or not t"e t"&ngs were 13 and
r1nn&ng( I' Sterl&ng 1sed t"e Needle as a reg1lar dro3 3o&nt 'or "&s d&rt% deals4 &t d&dn$t e!en seem l&ke a
stret2" to "er t"at t"e art 2olle2tor m&g"t arrange "a!&ng 3ower s133l&ed to t"e b1&ld&ng t"at onl% "&s
3eo3le knew "ow to a2t&!ate(
/a7 ste33ed t"ro1g" a broken5o1t w&ndow &n t"e g&'t s"o3 and s1r!e%ed t"e store8 t"e onl% so1nd s"e
was mak&ng 2ame 'rom t"e mo&st1re dr&33&ng o'' "er leat"er( A22ess to t"e 3ower "ad to be on t"&s
'loor somew"ere( .1st blanketed t"e 'loor and t"e 2o1nter4 too8 s"e 2o1ld make o1t w"ere t"e 2as"
reg&ster "ad been be'ore &t "ad been r&33ed o1t(
S"e 3a1sed4 l&stened &ntentl%4 "eard not"&ng and 2re3t 'orward(
To t"e le't4 a doorwa% led to a "allwa% o'' o' w"&2" were t"e t"ree ele!ators( T"at "all 21r!ed ba2k4 and
o1t o' s&g"t4 so /a7 de2&ded to start "ere( Be"&nd t"e 2o1nter4 anot"er o3en&ng led to a ba2k room(
Aga&n l&sten&ng 2are'1ll%4 and st&ll "ear&ng not"&ng4 s"e edged &nto t"e room 3&t2"5bla2k e!en /a7
"ad tro1ble see&ng( A'ter slowl% s2ann&ng 'or an% ot"er doors4 t"e ?@ ba2ked o1t &nto t"e relat&!e l&g"t
o' t"e em3t% store4 &ll1m&nated 2om3letel%4 now and t"en4 b% l&g"tn&ng(
/a7 got to one s&de o' t"e store door and 3eered down t"e ele!ator "allwa%4 saw not"&ng( /o!&ng
'orward4 s"e 2o1ld make o1t t"e ele!ators on "er r&g"t( S"e also 2o1ld see t"e l&g"ted513 'loor
&nd&2ator4 abo!e t"e ele!ator doors t"e% were work&ng(
T"e nearest 2ar was 13 on t"e obser!at&on de2k4 t"e ot"er two were "ere at gro1nd le!el( T"e le't s&de
o' t"e "all "ad on2e been t"e glass wall o' t"e 3a!&l&on4 b1t now was mostl% 61st metal 'ram&ng and
random s"ards( S&7 'eet be%ond t"e last ele!ator door4 anot"er doorwa% be2koned4 t"&s one w&t" a small
s"a't o' l&g"t s"&n&ng o1t o' &t(
S"e sl&33ed a2ross t"e o3en s3a2e4 3eeked &n and saw one o' Sterl&ng$s men &ns&de t"e small room(
A naked l&g"tb1lb4 "ang&ng l&ke ele2tr&2 'r1&t4 3ro!&ded t"e onl% l&g"t( Se!eral large 2&r21&t bo7es l&ned
one wall and Sterl&ng$s stooge sat on a 'old&ng 2"a&r aga&nst t"e ot"er wall4 read&ng a s3orts magaE&ne
w&t" a b&k&n&ed woman on t"e 2o!er( T"&s g1% s"e "adn$t en2o1ntered be'ore4 a red"ead w&t" a w&de
2"est and a s"ar3l% ang1lar 'a2e8 "e wore a E&33ered brown 6a2ket and darker brown sla2ks(
Ste33&ng &n 01&2kl%4 s"e sa&d4 #,an I see t"at w"en %o1$re t"ro1g" w&t" &tF)
<e looked 13 &n blank 2on'1s&on and s"e "&t "&m w&t" a r&g"t4 a le't4 and anot"er r&g"t( T"e magaE&ne
sl&33ed 'rom "&s "and and "e and t"e 2"a&r t1mbled8 s"e 2a1g"t t"em4 sett&ng bot" man and 2"a&r down
gentl%4 a!o&d&ng t"e 2latter( S"e 2ons&dered 1s&ng t"e 2o&l o' ro3e on "er belt to t&e t"e g1% 138 b1t
de2&ded &t m&g"t be 31t to a better 1se later on4 and se21red "&s "ands be"&nd "&m w&t" "&s belt(
Tak&ng t"e ele!ator 13 wo1ld t&3 t"em t"at s"e was 2om&ng(
S"e wo1ld 61st "a!e to 2l&mb t"e sta&rs to t"e tower4 w"ere an e!&l 3r&n2e and assorted !&le ad!&sers o'
"&s wo1ld s1rel% awa&t(
Chapter Th!rteen
NEEDLE'S POINT
T<E SPA,E NEE.LE
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
Aro1nd t"e 2orner 'rom t"e ele!ators4 /a7 2ame to a door marked STAIRWAY8 &t "ad been 3adlo2ked4
b1t now t"e lo2k la% broken4 a 3l12ked metal 'lower on t"e detr&t1s5strewn 'loor( T"&s seemed re2ent
work4 not t"e an2&ent m&s2"&e' o' !andals(
S"e o3ened t"e door 2a1t&o1sl%4 and looked &ns&de4 13 t"e well o' sta&rs w&nd&ng t"e&r wa% &nto darkness
t"at swallowed t"em8 t"e 3o1nd&ng ra&n e2"oed down l&ke a d&sorgan&Eed dr1m and b1gle 2or3s( On t"e
sta&rs t"emsel!es4 "owe!er4 s"e 2o1ld eas&l% see a 3attern o' wet 'oot3r&nts(
Seemed /a7 was not t"e onl% to1r&st w"o$d 2ome to t"e S3a2e Needle ton&g"t
;aE&ng 13 &nto t"e bla2kness4 w&t" t"e dr1mm&ng o' ra&n "&d&ng an% 'ootste3s4 s"e "ad no wa% to tell
w"et"er t"e 3erson w"o$d taken t"ese sta&rs was "al' a 'l&g"t a"ead o' "er4 or alread% long s&n2e at t"e
to3
As t"e storm 'la&led awa% o1ts&de4 /a7 !&ewed "er '&!e5"1ndred5'oot 2l&mb as a 2"an2e4 at least4 to dr%
o1t 'or a w"&le( <er "a&r "1ng to "er s"o1lders &n wet 2l1m3s4 t"ose 2lot"es o' "ers t"at weren$t leat"er
were soaked4 and &' s"e "adn$t "ad "er s3e2&al g&'ts4 s"e wo1ld "a!e been 'reeE&ng8 all /a7
e73er&en2ed4 "owe!er4 was a sl&g"t 2"&ll( As s&lentl% as 3oss&ble4 2l&ng&ng to t"e o1ts&de wall o' t"e
narrow sta&r2ase J'ollow&ng t"e e7am3le o' t"ose wet 'ootste3sK4 /a7 started "er as2ent(
One "1ndred and s&7t% ste3s later4 not w&nded &n t"e least4 s"e entered a ban01et room t"at "ad s1''ered
less !andal&sm t"an t"e ma&n 'loor4 t"e bene'&t o' be&ng one "1ndred 'eet 13 'rom gro1nd le!el( T"e
l&g"ts o' t"e 2&t% were m1ted b% t"e slas"&ng storm4 b1t "er 2atl&ke !&s&on allowed "er to take &n t"ese
s1rro1nd&ngs
T"e room "eld more tables t"an /a7 2ared to 2o1nt4 man% o!ert1rned4 some st&ll 2o!ered w&t" w"&te
table2lot"s4 ot"ers 2o!ered &nstead w&t" a t"&2kness o' d1st( P1r3le 2"a&rs were s2attered e!er%w"ere
and an% smaller &tems 2"&na4 s&l!erware4 water glasses4 e!en table lam3s seemed4 'or t"e most 3art4
long gone( T"e w&ndows at t"&s le!el "ad s1r!&!ed better4 some b1t not all kno2ked o1t4 normall%
allow&ng &n a t&n% amo1nt o' l&g"t t"o1g" ton&g"t t"at meager &ll1m&nat&on was 2on'&ned to strange
s"adows dan2&ng w&ldl% &n t"e down3o1r(
L&sten&ng 2are'1ll% 'or an% s&gn o' t"at &ntr1der w"o$d 3re2eded "er4 /a7 "eard not"&ng onl% "owl&ng
w&nd and "ammer&ng ra&n(
S"e st&ll "ad a !er% long wa% to go to t"e to34 b1t res&sted t"e 1rge to r1s"4 e!en w&t" "er s13er&or
stam&na4 s"e d&d not want to r&sk wear&ng "ersel' o1t a'ter all4 s"e 2o1ld not be s1re w"at battle
awa&ted "er at t"e Needle$s 3o&nt4 and needed to be as 'res" as 3oss&ble a'ter so r&goro1s a 2l&mb(
Wast&ng "er energ% gett&ng t"ere 2o1ld 3ro!e ta2t&2al s1&2&de4 and "er ne7t o33ort1n&t% to rest wo1ld be
&n t"e sk%5!&ew resta1rant4 'o1r "1ndred 'eet abo!e "er( Between "ere and t"ere4 &t was 61st "er and t"e
sta&rs
and4 3er"a3s4 t"e ot"er #to1r&st) w"o "ad 2ome 13 t"&s wa% a"ead o' "er(
As s"e 2ont&n1ed "er as2ent4 s"e 2ons&deredH t"e onl% est&mate s"e 2o1ld make abo1t w"at awa&ted "er
13sta&rs 2ame 'rom t"e s&Ee o' t"e !e"&2les t"e Le71s 2o1ld "old s&74 t"e <1mmer ma%be a 2o13le
more t"an t"at( So4 t"at was w"atF Fo1rteen g1%s4 at t"e most and s"e$d alread% d&s3at2"ed t"ree(
T"at le't a 3otent&al arm% o' ele!en 'or "er to 'a2e4 ass1m&ng one o' t"em was t"e 3erson on t"e sta&rs4
a"ead o' "er( I' t"e ot"er sta&r52l&mber was an &nterlo3er4 l&ke "ersel' w&t" an agenda as %et 1nknown
t"ere 2o1ld be a doEen g1%s a doEen g1ns wa&t&ng 'or "er(
Be'ore s"e$d started t"&s 2l&mb4 t"e 'loor &nd&2ator on t"e lobb% le!el "ad s"own t"e ele!ator sto33&ng at
t"e obser!at&on de2k8 &n t"&s weat"er4 s"e wondered &' t"e art5'or52as" e72"ange m&g"t not "a!e
re2on!ened to t"e resta1rant 'loor( So s"e 3re3ared "ersel' 'or w"at m&g"t awa&t be%ond t"e door
b1t onl% s&len2e and more d1st and darkness greeted "er( A33arentl%4 ra&n and w&nd or not4 t"e deal
was go&ng down w"ere all "ad agreed &t wo1ld 3er"a3s onl% o1t &n t"e relat&!e o3en4 e!en &n a storm4
2o1ld t"ese 1ntr1stwort"% men tr1st ea2" ot"er(
A'ter t"ese add&t&onal BD: ste3s and 'o1r "1ndred 'eet o' 2l&mb&ng4 e!en /a7$s genet&2all% s13er&or
m1s2les 2o1ld 'eel t"e b1rn( S"e 3a1sed to lean aga&nst a wall(
Now4 '&!e "1ndred 'eet abo!e t"e street4 t"e storm st&ll rag&ng o1ts&de4 t"e ?@ 'o1nd "ersel' &n a room
so dark e!en s"e "ad to stra&n to make deta&ls o1t o' t"e m1rk( S"e 2o1ld see ele!ated boot"s t"ese
wo1ld "a!e allowed e!en t"ose d&n&ng &n t"e 2enter o' t"e resta1rant to en6o% a magn&'&2ent !&ew o' t"e
2&t% and ma3le 3anel&ng4 a22ented w&t" ot"er l&g"t woods4 g&!&ng t"e room a 2lass% a&r and 3robabl%4
d1r&ng t"e da%4 a nat1ral rad&an2e( Alt"o1g" 2o!ered &n d1st4 t"e seat 21s"&ons re!ealed t"e&r or&g&nal
l&g"t %ellow4 w"&2" wo1ld "a!e added to t"e da%t&me br&g"tness(
S"e 1sed one glo!ed "and to w&3e sweat o'' "er brow4 "er breat"&ng eas%4 reg1lated8 s"e 'elt '&ne4 damn
near 'res"4 read% 'or a '&nal ro1nd w&t" t"at last twent% 'eet4 to end t"&s t"&ng4 and take down Sterl&ng
and Ka'eln&ko! and ma%be4 61st ma%be4 L%de2ker "&msel'
#,"r&st4 do a s&t513 on2e &n a w"&le4 w"% don$t %o1F)
It was a %o1ng&s" male !o&2e4 o'' to "er r&g"t( W"eel&ng toward &t4 s"e dro33ed &nto a 2ombat stan2e(
From t"e darkness4 t"e !o&2e sa&d4 #And %o1r sk&lls are r1st% as "ell .amn4 %o1 d&dn$t e!en know I
was "ere()
F1r&o1s w&t" "ersel'4 be2a1se t"at !o&2e was r&g"t s"e sa&d4 #=1&t t"e "&de5and5seek4 t"en 2ome
on o1t and test m% 2ombat sk&lls4 '&rst"and()
T"e %o1ng man ste33ed &nto t"e s"adow% l&g"t a '&g1re &n bla2k4 'rom "&s 'at&g1es to t"e sto2k&ng
2a3 t"at d&dn$t 01&te 2on2eal t"e m&l&tar%5s"ort brown&s" "a&r8 t"e narrow4 ang1lar 'a2e4 t"e green e%es4
were t"e same4 t"o1g" "e$d grown &nto 01&te a man( /a7 'elt e!er% m1s2le &n "er bod% go weak4 and
t"e 2l&mb&ng "ad not"&ng to do w&t" &t(
Set"(
Not Ia2k4 b1t Set" w"o "ad not made t"e es2a3e t"at n&g"t4 w&t" t"e rest o' t"em was "e
L%de2ker$s ?@F Or t"e rebel SNN made "&m o1t to beF
Rela7&ng o1t o' "er 2ombat stan2e4 b1t sta%&ng alert4 /a7 demanded4 #W"at t"e "ell are %o1 do&ng
"ere4 Set"F)
#I$m 'lattered %o1 re2ogn&Ee me4) "e sa&d( #W"&2" one are %o1F *ond%F /a74 ma%beF)
#I t"o1g"t %o1 knew me )
#Yo1r bar2ode was s"ow&ng4 w"en %o1 leaned aga&nst t"e wall4 s&s( I$m gonna sa% %o1$re /a7()
S"e nodded4 and t"e wa!e o' emot&on some sort o' b&ttersweet warmt"4 at be&ng re2ogn&Eed b% "er
brot"er rolled 1nb&dden t"ro1g" "er(
Set"$s e%es t&g"tened and "e 3o&nted a glo!ed '&nger to t"e 2e&l&ng( #.o %o1 reali)e w"at$s go&ng on 13
t"ereF)
S"e nodded(
<e was st&ll so ser&o1s4 "&s 'a2e a !a2ant mask4 "&s e%es em3t% o' emot&on onl% Ia2k "ad "ad a
"arder game 'a2e t"an Set"( #T"at$s m% last 2"an2e to get awa% 'rom /ant&2ore 'ore!er()
#;et awa%F) s"e asked(
#T"at$s r&g"t( /a%be we 2o1ld go toget"er()
/ore emot&on s1rged4 b1t s"e sa&d4 t&g"tl%4 #<ow do I know %o1$re not w&t" L%de2kerF)
T"e game 'a2e d&ssol!ed &nto 2on'1s&on "1rt4 s1llen 2on'1s&on( #W"% t"e "ell wo1ld %o1 sa% s12" a
t"&ngF)
And now t"e a221sat&on bl1rted 'rom "erH #W"en we ran4 %o1 d&dn$t goG)
A de'ense was bl1rted ba2kH #T"e% caught meG)
#T"at$s r&g"t t"e% dragged %o1 ba2k( .&d %o1 grad1ate w&t" "onors4 broF)
S"e took an om&no1s ste3 toward "&m and "e dro33ed &nto a '&g"t&ng stan2e t"at m&rrored "er own(
B1t "e d&d not atta2k8 "e sa&d8 #I es2a3ed t"at same n&g"t two o' t"em t"o1g"t t"e% "ad me4 b1t I
'l&33ed t"e bastards4 and got o1t &n t"e 2on'1s&on( I$!e been r1nn&ng e!er s&n2e4 61st l&ke %o1 m1st "a!e
been()
E!en as s"e e%ed "&m s1s3&2&o1sl%4 s"e wanted w&t" all "er "eart4 e!er% '&ber o' "er be&ng4 to bel&e!e
"&m( I' s"e4 and ot"ers4 "ad es2a3ed t"at n&g"t4 w"% not "&mF
.es3&te t"e genet&2 tam3er&ng and m&l&tar% tra&n&ng4 s"e "ad an &m31lse w&t"&n "er4 an &m31lse t"at "ad
been 'ed b% L12% and "er mot"er J&' not t"at terr&ble 'oster 'at"erK and4 %es4 b% /ood% and t"e ,"&nese
,lan4 w"o la% dead be2a1se o' "er( T"at &m31lse w"&2" made "er want to bel&e!e Set" more t"an s"e
"ad e!er bel&e!ed an%t"&ng 2r&ed o1t 'or 'am&l%4 'or someone l&ke "ersel' w"om s"e 2o1ld 2all
s&bl&ng
T"at t"o1g"t was &nterr13ted b% t"e s01eal o' t&res &n t"e 3ark&ng lot below a so1nd t"at onl% s"e
or someone l&ke "er 2o1ld "ear &n t"e s01all( Res3ond&ng4 bot" s"e and Set" went to t"e edge and
looked down t"ro1g" t"e slant&ng4 slas"&ng ra&n( A 'las" o' l&g"tn&ng a&ded t"em4 t1rn&ng t"e world
w"&te4 and t"e% bot" saw t"e bla2k /ant&2ore S-+s 31ll&ng &n at odd angles4 TA, s01ad 3o1r&ng o1t(
#L%de2ker4) Set" breat"ed(
#.amn &tG) /a7 sa&d4 '1r% m&ngl&ng w&t" sorrow( #I s"o1ld "a!e known %o1 were &n "&s 3o2ketG)
S"e s31n and t"r1st a k&2k toward "&s 2"est4 b1t "e blo2ked &t8 s"e ma&nta&ned "er balan2e4 b1t allowed
"&m t&me to la1n2" a 'l%&ng k&2k o' "&s own4 w"&2" s"e e73ertl% d12ked
and t"en t"e two o' t"em 2ame 13 'a2&ng ea2" ot"er4 &n 2ombat stan2e(
Set" was s"ak&ng "&s "ead4 and "&s e%es seemed des3erate( #/a74 I swear I$m not w&t" "&m( I don$t
know how "e 'o1nd 1s()
<er !o&2e dr&33ed sar2asmH #I bet &t$s a m%ster%()
#S&s we both need to get o1t o' "ere()
S"e 6abbed at "&m w&t" a le't4 b1t "e leaned ba2k4 t"e blow glan2&ng o'' "&s 2"est4 and as "e went
ba2kward4 "e grabbed "er arm4 1s&ng "er own moment1m aga&nst "er4 'l&33&ng "er o!er "&m onto a
table t"at smas"ed beneat" "er &m3a2t(
As s"e rose 'rom t"e r1&ns4 m&ldl% st1nned4 "e sa&d4 #We "a!e to get t"e ele!ators 13 "ere t"at$ll slow
L%de2ker down()
L&g"tn&ng 'las"ed t"ro1g" t"e room4 and do1bt 'las"ed t"ro1g" /a7 ma%be Set" was tell&ng t"e
tr1t"4 a'ter all
S"e sa&d4 3o&nt&ng to t"e 2e&l&ng4 #No4 don$t do &t t"e%$ll see t"e 'loor &nd&2ator l&g"ts 13sta&rsG)
T"at wo1ld mean an% ad!antage o' s1r3r&se wo1ld be lost4 w"ere Sterl&ng4 Ka'eln&ko!4 and t"e&r small
arm% were 2on2erned(
B1t &t was too late 'or '1rt"er d&s21ss&on(
Set" "ad alread% 6abbed t"e b1ttons4 s1mmon&ng t"e two rema&n&ng ele!ators 'rom t"e gro1nd 'loor 13
to t"e resta1rant( S"e 2o1ld onl% "o3e t"at Sterl&ng4 Ka'eln&ko!4 and t"e&r b1%ers weren$t wat2"&ng t"e
&nd&2ator l&g"ts(
#It$s wort" &t4) Set" sa&d4 '&er2el%( #We 2an$t get 2a1g"t b% L%de2ker now()
#Or &s L%de2ker alread% &n t"at ele!atorF)s"e sa&d4 t"ro1g" t&g"t teet"(
#.amn &t4 s&sG ;rab some tables()
#W"%F)
#W"en t"at ele!ator 2omes 134 we$ll blo2k &t o3en4 and kee3 t"e 2ars 13 "ere T"at wa% L%de2ker and
"&s bo%s$ll "a!e to make t"e b&g 2l&mbG)
Now s"e was start&ng to bel&e!e "&m(
T"e% "a1led tables o!er4 and w"en t"e bell d&nged and t"e '&rst ele!ator door o3ened4 s"e 3a1sed w&t"
bated breat"4 wa&t&ng to see &' TA, 2ame swarm&ng o1t
b1t t"e 2ar was em3t%(
So was t"e se2ond one4 and t"e% s"o!ed tables &n to wedge t"e ele!ator doors o3en4 a'ter w"&2" brot"er
and s&ster 3a1sed to gr&n at ea2" ot"er4 &n a small moment o' tr&1m3"(
W"en Set" r1s"ed 13 t"e sta&rs toward t"e obser!at&on de2k4 /a7 "1ng ba2k 'or a 'ew "es&tant
moments( ,on'l&2t&ng emot&ons st&ll wrestled w&t"&n "er8 t"e 3arano&a o' so man% %ears on t"e r1n
made "er wonder &' Set" 2o1ld some"ow st&ll be work&ng 'or L%de2ker 2o1ld t"&s be some sort o'
tra3F
S"e d&dn$t lag long4 t"o1g"( L%de2ker was down t"ere t"e blo2ked ele!ators wo1ld onl% dela% "&s
arr&!al( T"ere was a s&ngle o3t&on le'tH 'ollow Set" 13 to t"e obser!at&on de2k(
/a7 'lew 13 t"e last t"&rt%5two sta&rs4 b1rst t"ro1g" t"e door &nto t"e w&nd and ra&n on t"e o1tdoor
3lat'orm(
In L(B se2onds4 /a7 took &t all &nH ra&n relentlessl% battered t"e s%nt"et&2 mater&al o' t"e steel5beamed
roo' o' t"e 2on2rete de2k4 w"&2" was en2&r2led b% a t"ree5'oot5"&g" 2on2rete wall w&t" steel rods r&s&ng
o1t e!er% ten 'eet or so( T"ese ea2" 2onta&ned 'o1r "oles t"at ser!ed as e%elets 'or steel 2ables t"at "ad
ke3t 3eo3le 'rom 61m3&ng4 ba2k w"en t"e Needle "ad been &n b1s&ness8 b1t t"e 2ables "ad long ago
been stolen 'or sal!age4 lea!&ng onl% t"e low wall and t"e t"&2k steel rods( W&nd w"&33ed t"e ra&n &nto a
'1r%4 and !&s&b&l&t% be%ond t"e de2k &tsel' was ne7t to n&l( T"e bank o' t"ree ele!ators 2ame 13 t"ro1g"
t"e m&ddle o' t"e Needle and o3ened onto t"e de2k4 &n a neat row to t"e le't o' t"e sta&rwa% door4
t"ro1g" w"&2" /a7 "ad emerged to see
Set" engaged &n 2ombat w&t" two brawn% Koreans &n bla2k ra&n2oats4 &n 'ront o' t"e ele!atorsG
To "er r&g"t4 s"e 2o1ld barel% make o1t *ared Sterl&ng and anot"er4 older Korean4 &n tan and bla2k
tren2" 2oats res3e2t&!el%4 t"e&r "a&r stand&ng on end &n t"e w&nd4 as &' t"e% were terr&'&ed at w&tness&ng
t"e '&g"t between t"e %o1ng ?@ and t"e Korean t"1gs(
T"e t%2oon "eld b% &ts "andle a large bla2k art 3ort'ol&o4 no do1bt 2onta&n&ng some master3&e2e
earmarked 'or o!erseas4 and t"e As&an$s r&g"t '&st 2l1t2"ed t"e "andle o' a br&e'2ase t"e two men
ob!&o1sl% 'roEen &n t"e m&dst o' an e72"ange( Ka'eln&ko! was now"ere to be seen4 t"o1g" "e 2o1ld
eas&l% be 61st o1t o' s&g"t4 aro1nd e&t"er 21r!e o' t"e de2k8 and somew"ere4 s"e knew4 /orales and
3robabl% se!eral ot"ers 'rom Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% 'or2e wo1ld be l1rk&ng(
As 'or L%de2ker and "&s TA, team4 t"e% wo1ld be emerg&ng at some 3o&nt t"ere was st&ll one
ele!ator to be s1mmoned4 a'ter all4 t"at s"e and Set" "adn$t blo2ked w&t" t"e&r tables &n w"&2" 2ase4
L%de2ker 2o1ld make "&s own melodramat&2 entran2e onto t"&s ra&n5 and w&ndswe3t stage at an%
moment(
Set" was 133er21tt&ng one o' t"e Koreans4 s"atter&ng t"e t"1g$s nose4 a s2arlet s3las" &n t"e gra% n&g"t8
t"e man 'ell to t"e 2ement and d&dn$t mo!e4 "&s dark tren2" 2oat mak&ng a bla2k 31ddle( As t"e male ?@
2&r2led t"e se2ond Korean8 /a7 gl&m3sed /orales4 "&s 3&stol drawn4 2om&ng aro1nd t"e wall o'
ele!ator s"a'ts4 1nseen at Set"$s 'lank(
/a7 r1s"ed /orales4 w"&2" got "&s attent&on4 and t"e Sterl&ng g1ard '&red o'' a ro1nd at "er4 w"&2" s"e
d12ked4 and t"en was all b1t on to3 o' "&m4 st&ll low4 "&tt&ng "&m w&t" a stra&g"t r&g"t &n t"e gro&n(
/orales blew o1t all "&s breat" &n a "owl o' 3a&n to r&!al t"e w&nd( As "e grabbed "&msel' w&t" one
"and4 go&ng down on one knee as &' 3ra%&ng to "er4 /a7 batted t"e 3&stol 'rom "&s ot"er "and4 l&ke t"e
o''ens&!e metal b1g &t was( T"en s"e stood "&m 13 stra&g"t w&t" a le't to t"e solar 3le71s4 "eadb1tted
"&m4 and wat2"ed w&t" 3leas1re as t"e "ollow5e%ed se21r&t% man dro33ed ba2kward to t"e de2k4 as
1n2ons2&o1s as t"e 2on2rete "e la% s3rawled 13on(
/a7 "adn$t seen &t4 b1t w"en /orales "ad '&red at "er4 bot" Sterl&ng and t"e Korean t1rned toward t"e
s"ot( Ea2" "ad a "and on bot" t"e br&e'2ase and t"e 3ort'ol&o4 and t"e Korean a33arentl% m&sread t"e
s&t1at&on as a Sterl&ng betra%al4 and tr&ed to "old onto bot" &tems &n t"e e72"ange(
W"en /a7 t1rned "er attent&on to t"em4 t"e two art 2olle2tors were wrestl&ng ba2k and 'ort" &n an
almost 2om&2 t1g o' war4 as ea2" now tr&ed to 2la&m bot" 3r&Ees(
Set" was &n t"e meant&me m&7&ng &t 13 w&t" t"e rema&n&ng Korean t"1g8 "e 2a1g"t "&s o33onent w&t" a
le't and two 01&2k r&g"ts4 stagger&ng t"e b1rl% Korean4 t"e man$s arms dro33&ng to "&s s&des as &'
begg&ng Set" to str&ke w"&2" Set" d&d4 lea3&ng4 k&2k&ng "&m &n t"e 2"est( T"e Korean 'lew ba2kward4
"&s sk1ll bo1n2&ng o'' t"e 2ement wall ne7t to t"e ele!ators4 w"ere "e sl1m3ed to t"e 'loor4 e&t"er
1n2ons2&o1s or dead(
T"en Set" took o'' toward Sterl&ng and t"e Korean b1%er4 onl% to be 21t o'' b% anot"er 3a&r o'
o!ers&Eed As&ans4 bod%g1ards w"o "ad been aro1nd t"e 'ar 2orner o' t"e ele!ators and were on t"e&r
wa% to &nter2ede 'or t"e&r em3lo%er &n "&s t1g5o'5war w&t" t"e Amer&2an art dealer(
Ra&n las"&ng4 Set" was between t"e two As&ans4 kee3&ng t"em ba2k w&t" mart&al5arts k&2ks4 w"en two
more o' Sterl&ng$s se21r&t% men seemed to mater&al&Ee be'ore /a7H a gangl% w"&te g1%4 and a 2om3a2t4
m1s21lar Lat&no( S"e d&d a ba2k 'l&34 ea2" o' "er 'eet k&2k&ng one o' t"e men and send&ng t"em bot"
onto t"e&r ba2ks4 a33arentl% o1t(
S"e lea3t to "er 'eet and "eaded toward Sterl&ng8 b1t t"e gangl% se21r&t% man rea2"ed o1t and grabbed
"er ankle and bro1g"t "er down4 "ard(
T"&s d&dn$t "1rt /a7 nearl% as m12" as &t 3&ssed "er off/ On "er s&de on t"e dam3 2on2rete4 as &'
do&ng an e7er2&se4 s"e k&2ked ba2k4 "er 'oot tak&ng on "&s 'a2e4 "&s 'a2e los&ng4 t"e nose and 6aw
sna33&ng4 a small 2ra2k 'ollowed b% a larger one( <e went to slee34 l&ke a good bo%
Onl% now t"e Lat&no was ba2k on his 'eet4 and ob!&o1sl% knew better4 now4 t"an to tr% to mat2" /a7
blow 'or blow8 "e rea2"ed 1nder "&s arm 'or "&s 3&stol b1t ne!er made &t( /a7 s3rang onto "er 'eet4
and t"en sw1ng one o' t"ose 'eet aro1nd4 2onne2t&ng w&t" t"e s&de o' t"e 'a2e( T"e blow wasn$t t"at
"ard and merel% 2a1g"t "&s attent&on4 "&s e%es roll&ng l&ke ball bear&ngs4 b1t "&s 'eet sta%&ng 1nder
"&m( /a7 61m3ed and s31n &n t"e a&r4 t"&s k&2k 3ra2t&2all% tear&ng t"e nose o'' t"e man$s 'a2e as "e 'ell
1n2ons2&o1s4 and 3robabl% glad to be(
Sterl&ng and t"e Korean 2olle2tor "ad worked t"e&r wa% o!er to t"e t"ree5'oot wall t"at s1rro1nded t"e
obser!at&on de2k4 w"ere t"e w&nd and ra&n r1led( T"e% 2ont&n1ed t1gg&ng ba2k and 'ort" on t"e
br&e'2ase and t"e 3ort'ol&o4 ea2" 1nable to ga&n an ad!antage o!er t"e ot"er( T"e sk% growled at t"em
and t"e w&nd beat on t"em and t"e ra&n 3elted t"em and t"e de2k4 mak&ng t"e&r 'oot&ng trea2"ero1s(
Sterl&ng 6erked on t"e br&e'2ase 61st as "e let go o' t"e 3ort'ol&o4 a s1dden s"&'t t"at took t"e Korean$s
'eet o1t 'rom 1nder "&m4 and "e 3&t2"ed ba2k aga&nst t"e edge and seemed to be rea2"&ng o1t w&t" one
"and to Sterl&ng4 e!en w"&le "old&ng on to t"e art 3ort'ol&o w&t" t"e ot"er4 "&s e%es 3lead&ng( B1t
Sterl&ng merel% wat2"ed as t"e man t1mbled o!er &nto t"e n&g"t4 "&s s2reams barel% d&s2ern&ble o!er t"e
storm4 t"e 3ort'ol&o 'la33&ng l&ke a b&g broken w&ng as t"e man 'ell '&!e "1ndred 'eet to a 2erta&n deat"(
,om&ng o1t o' "er most re2ent s3&nn&ng lea34 /a7 2a1g"t t"e '&nal moments o' t"at 2on'rontat&on4 and
now s"e w"&rled to '&nd Set"4 to a&d "&m8 b1t s"e saw onl% t"e two Korean bod%g1ards4 3&led on to3 o'
ea2" ot"er4 l&ke slabs o' b1t2"er$s meat(
F&n&s"&ng "er 3&ro1ette4 s"e '&nall% saw Set"4 on t"e mo!e4 "ead&ng 'or Sterl&ng and t"at br&e'2ase o'
mone%( Be%ond "er brot"er4 s"e 2o1ld see 2om&ng aro1nd t"e 'ar end o' t"e obser!at&on de2k t"e
R1ss&an4 "&s long blond "a&r darker and 'lattened b% t"e ra&n4 wear&ng a 'low&ng long dark 2oat b1ttoned
'rom knee to ne2k8 t"e ro2k5star5l&ke gangster was 3o&nt&ng at Set"4 b1t not w&t" a '&ngerH a n&ne5
m&ll&meter ;lo2k(
Set" d&dn$t see Ka'eln&ko!4 and /a7 %elled a warn&ng4 b1t t"e R1ss&an$s 3&stol barked and a b1llet tore
t"ro1g" Set"$s le't s"o1lder4 send&ng t"e ?@ 'l%&ng o''5balan2e( <er brot"er wobbled on toward t"e
tren2"52oated Sterl&ng4 w"o gras3ed a br&e'2ase "andle &n one "and and "eld t"e ot"er 13 as &' &t wo1ld
sto3 t"e "1man 're&g"t tra&n barrel&ng toward "&m(
Sterl&ng e!en s"r&eked4 #Sto3G)
As &' t"at wo1ld do an% good(
/a7 ran toward t"em4 'rom one d&re2t&on4 as d&d Ka'eln&ko! 'rom t"e ot"er4 "&s 3&stol st&ll ra&sed( T"e
R1ss&an$s se2ond s"ot went w&de4 61st as Set" was grabb&ng t"e br&e'2ase &n t"e "and o' "&s good arm(
B1t Ka'eln&ko!$s t"&rd s"ot 2a1g"t Set" &n t"e r&g"t 2al'4 and t"e ?@ 3&t2"ed &nto Sterl&ng4 t"e bo%$s
moment1m 2arr%&ng t"em bot" to t"e edge o' t"e wall(
E7e21t&ng a 3er'e2t 61m3 k&2k4 /a7 kno2ked t"e 3&stol o1t o' Ka'eln&ko!$s "and and4 at t"e same t&me4
6arred "&m o''5balan2e( Press&ng "er ad!antage4 /a7 k&2ked at "&m aga&n and 2a1g"t "&m a glan2&ng
blow t"at sent "&m t1mbl&ng ba2k( W"en t"e R1ss&an tr&ed to r&se4 s"e grabbed a la3el o' "&s 2oat &n "er
le't "and and "&t "&m w&t" a "ard r&g"t( <&s e%es 2losed and "e sagged4 t"e b&g man "ang&ng b% "&s 2oat
'rom "er t&n% "and(
.ro33&ng "&m to t"e 2ement4 /a7 t1rned to see Sterl&ng and Set" wrestl&ng 3re2ar&o1sl% 2lose to t"e
edge o' t"e wall4 w&nd and ra&n ta1nt&ng t"em( ;lad s"e$d "eld on to t"at ro3e4 s"e gras3ed t"e 2o&l l&ke
a 2owbo% 3re3ared to tw&rl "&s lar&at4 and mo!ed toward t"e 3a&r( As s"e neared4 t"e 3a&r teetered4
Sterl&ng sl&33ed on t"e wet 2ement4 and t"e% bot" 3&t2"ed o!er t"e edge(
#Seth/& s"e 2r&ed(
R1nn&ng to t"e wall4 /a7 looked o!er and down to see Set" a 'ew 'eet below4 at t"e bottom o' t"e
g1ard wall4 gr&33&ng a l&3 o' 2ement w&t" t"e '&ngers o' a "and t"at belonged to "&s bad arm( <&s good
arm "eld t"e br&e'2ase w"&le Sterl&ng dangled l&ke an earr&ng4 also 2l&ng&ng to t"e 2ase( T"e "owl&ng
n&g"t sk% seemed to be la1g"&ng now8 b1t t"e t%2oon was w"&m3er&ng4 "&s e%es w&de and w&ld4 as "&s
gr&3 started to sl&3 &n t"e wetness(
/a7 knew s"e "ad onl% se2onds(
S"e t&ed t"e ro3e o'' aro1nd one o' t"e steel rods4 t"en w"&33ed &t down to Set"4 w"o was 61st able to
let loose o' t"e wall and grab on( Sterl&ng %el3ed as "e nearl% dro33ed o''4 b1t managed to kee3 "&s
"ands atta2"ed to t"at br&e'2ase(
#6"ll pull you up/& s"e %elled &nto t"e w&nd and ra&n4 and 'rom below4 Set" nodded &n an almost
b1s&nessl&ke wa% t"at went ba2k to t"e&r /ant&2ore tra&n&ng and Sterl&ng s2reamed4 #<1rr%4 'or ;od$s
sake4 g&rl "1rr%G I$ll 3a% %o1 anything/)
Be'ore /a7 2o1ld do a t"&ng4 "owe!er4 s"e 'elt "ands on "er and someone l&'ted "er bod&l%4 swe3t "er
o'' "er 'eet &n a !er% bad wa%4 t"row&ng "er o!er t"e s&de t"e wa% a k&d !&s&t&ng t"e Needle m&g"t toss a
2and% wra33er to eart"(
S3&nn&ng &n m&da&r4 /a7 rea2"ed o1t and 134 grabb&ng bl&ndl% 'or t"e ro3e and &nstead gr&33&ng on to
2lot" w&t" '&rst one "and4 t"en anot"er
and on2e aga&n s"e 'o1nd "ersel' "ang&ng "&g" abo!e a 2&t% street4 w&t" onl% t"e la3els o'
Ka'eln&ko!$s 6a2ket to kee3 "er 'rom 'all&ng( <er 'eet banged &nto Set" and Sterl&ng4 dangl&ng below
"er4 as s"e str1ggled to "ang on to t"e R1ss&an4 w"o was now 3ressed aga&nst t"e wall4 tr%&ng to kee3
'rom be&ng 31lled o!er "&msel'( <e 2lawed and 31lled at "er "ands w&t" one o' "&s4 t"e ot"er t&g"t
aro1nd t"e gr&3 o' t"e ;lo2k(
<e snarled down at "erH #Yo1 m&serable b&t2"G)
Swa%&ng4 2l&ng&ng to "&s 2oat4 s"e gr&nned de'&antl% 13 at "&m4 as t"e ra&n and w&nd "ad at t"em bot"(
#.Q6T !1 all o!er aga&n4 "1"4 /&k"a&lF)
Now "e gr&nned4 a terr&ble4 sad&st&2 w"&te sm&le s"&n&ng down on "er l&ke a lo3s&ded moon( #Yes
br&ngs ba2k lo!el% memor&es l&ke sla1g"ter&ng %o1r 3re2&o1s ,"&nese ,lan )
#he 8ussian was unbuttoning the coat, so he could peel it and let her plummet/
Lo2k&ng e%es w&t" Ka'eln&ko!4 s"e let go o' one la3el8 &n t"e m1rk4 "e 2o1ldn$t see "er grab on to t"e
ro3e w&t" t"at now 'ree "and(
#T"&s &s 'or Fres2a4) s"e sa&d4 &2e &n "er !o&2e(
<e "ad t"e 6a2ket "al' 1nb1ttoned( #W"o t"e "ell &s t"atF)
#Nobod%( *1st anot"er o' %o1r !&2t&ms )
And s"e %anked on t"at la3el and 2arr&ed t"e R1ss&an 3ast t"e wall4 and o!er "er "ead4 3&t2"&ng "&m
&nto t"e ra&n5tossed n&g"t(
Ka'eln&ko! s2reamed t"e w"ole wa% down and4 as a bene'&t o' "er /ant&2ore5"e&g"tened "ear&ng4 /a7
was able to "ear t"e sat&s'%&ng splat o' "&s land&ng(
S"e 2l&mbed t"e ro3e and "a1led "ersel' ba2k o!er t"e wall and leaned o!er to start 31ll&ng t"e ot"er
two 13( Set" rema&ned 01&et4 almost 3la2&d4 w"&le Sterl&ng was wee3&ng4 3ra%&ng4 and m&g"t "a!e been
wett&ng "&msel'4 'or all s"e knew &' t"e ra&n "adn$t been 2o!er&ng 13 'or "&m(
Be"&nd "er t"e tr&o o' ele!ators all d&nged at on2e(
<er e%es 'lew to t"ose o' t"e dangl&ng4 wo1nded Set"H they knew, the siblings knew-
L%de2ker was "ere "e and "&s TA, team wo1ld be 3o1r&ng o1t o' t"ose t"ree ele!ator 2ars &n
momentsG
Look&ng down at Set"4 s"e saw "&m s"ake "&s "ead slowl% b1t de2&s&!el%( <e d&dn$t sa%4 b1t s"e 2o1ld
almost read "&s t"o1g"tsH "e was wo1nded4 and 2o1ldn$t es2a3e8 and "e was not go&ng ba2k to
/ant&2ore
Was t"at a s&ngle tear4 tra&l&ng down "&s 'a2e4 s"e wondered4 or 61st more ra&nF
#Sorr%4 /a74) was all "e sa&d
and "e let go o' t"e ro3e(
Set" 'ell s&lentl%4 bestow&ng t"e 'a&ntest sm&le 13 at t"e s&ster w"o rea2"ed %earn&ngl% down 'or "&m(
*ared Sterl&ng4 on t"e ot"er "and4 s2reamed and 'la33ed "&s arms and "ands4 as &' ;od m&g"t s1ddenl%
grant "&m t"e g&'t o' 'l&g"t8 b1t t"e Alm&g"t% was a33arentl% &n an &ron&2 mood4 be2a1se all t"e wealt"%
'ool got 'or "&s e''ort was t"e br&e'2ase l&d 'l&33&ng o3en4 ra&n&ng mone% down on t"e 3ark&ng lot(
/a7 t1rned awa%4 be'ore e&t"er man "&t t"e 3a!ement4 and r&g"t now s"e d&d not rel&s" "er ab&l&t% to
3er2e&!e t"e s1btlet&es o' so1nd on t"&s !&olent n&g"t(
A !o&2e be"&nd "er %elled4 #FreeEeG)
B1t &t wasn$t L%de2ker4 61st one o' t"e TA, team members(
#.on$t mo!e s"ow me %o1r "ands( Now4 now4 nowG)
-nder ot"er 2&r21mstan2es4 s"e m&g"t "a!e sm&led4 &mag&n&ng t"e aston&s"ed e73ress&on on t"e s01ad
member$s 'a2e w"en s"e !a1lted o!er t"e wall4 and dro33ed o1t o' s&g"t4 a33arentl% 3l1ng&ng &nto t"e
n&g"t(
W"&2" s"e d&d( T"e TA, team 2o1ldn$t see "er snare t"e end o' t"e dangl&ng ro3e4 sw&ng o1t4 t"en ba2k
&n4 t"ro1g" glassless w&ndows &nto t"e resta1rant below(
S"e landed l&ke t"e 2at s"e 3art&all% was4 "ead 134 alert s"e "ad onl% se2onds4 now( L%de2ker wo1ld
be send&ng "&s men a'ter "er4 some down t"e sta&rs4 ot"ers down t"e ele!ators( S"e ran o!er and 31s"ed
t"e .OWN b1ttons o' all t"ree4 "o3&ng to at least slow t"e 31rs1&ng team4 and "&t t"e sta&rs r1nn&ng(
<er brot"er "ad g&!en "&s l&'e to a!o&d 'all&ng ba2k &nto L%de2ker$s "ands8 s"e wo1ld r&sk "ers to es2a3e
t"at same 'ate4 and mo1rn&ng wo1ld 61st "a!e to wa&t(
T"e obser!at&on de2k was l&ke a s"&3 3low&ng t"ro1g" a storm% sea4 and #,a3ta&n) L%de2ker was
ro%all% 3&ssed(
#<e 61m3ed o!er t"e side;) "e roared(
T"e sold&er nodded4 de2ked o1t &n bla2k 'at&g1es w&t" goggles4 Ke!lar !est4 "elmet4 and /PCA( #B1t &t
d&dn$t look l&ke a him, s&r()
#W"at t"e "ell are %o1)
#S&r4 t"e 3&2t1res %o1 s"owed 1s( I was at t"e ele!ator4 and "e or s"e was at t"e wall4 a g&rl4 and
w&t" all t"at ra&n)
L%de2ker got &n t"e sold&er$s 'a2e( #/&ster4 "ow &n ;od$s name 2an %o1 m&stake a n&neteen5%ear5old
man 'or a Mg&rl$F)
#S&r4 I)
L%de2ker s&len2ed "&m w&t" a look4 br1s"ed "&m as&de4 and strode to t"e edge o' t"e obser!at&on5de2k
wall4 w"ere t"e 2arnage below 2o1ld barel% be made o1t t"ro1g" t"e slas"&ng ra&n( T"&s wo1ld be one
"ell o' a mess to 2o!er 13(
T"en "e not&2ed t"e ro3e4 'la33&ng &n t"e w&nd4 ta1nt&ngl%(
<e s3at &nto "&s "and"eld rad&oH #TA, F&!e()
T"e rad&o 2ra2kled4 and a !o&2e 'rom t"e gro1nd 'loor sa&dH #TA, F&!e()
#An%one 2ome down &n t"e ele!atorsF)
#No4 s&r()
#Wat2" t"em 2losel%( We ma% "a!e anot"er ?5F&!e on t"e 3rem&ses( Poss&bl% 'emale()
# Yes4 s&r()
L%de2ker mot&oned w&t" "&s "ead to one o' t"e men( #.own t"e ro3e4 sold&er()
T"e man 1n"es&tat&ngl% sl1ng "&s wea3on ba2k o!er "&s s"o1lder and s"&mm&ed o!er t"e edge and
down o1t o' s&g"t( L%de2ker was roam&ng t"e obser!at&on de2k now4 s1r!e%&ng t"e 2as1alt&es 13 "ere
"al' a doEen an%wa%( /ost o' t"em seemed al&!e4 and were 2om&ng aro1nd4 a'ter t"e k&nd o' beat&ng an
?@ 2o1ld del&!er
#TA, Two4) "e sa&d &nto t"e rad&o(
#TA, Two()
#TA, Two4 take "al' t"e team and sear2" t"e b1&ld&ng 'or o1r man( Poss&b&l&t% o' a se2ond ?5F&!e on
s&te4 'emale()
#Yes4 s&r()
<e t1rned to t"e team member nearest "&m( #TA, T"ree4 d&s3ose o' t"e bod&es and 2leanse t"e s&te()
T"e man "es&tated(
#,an$t %o1 "ear me &n t"&s weat"er4 m&sterF)
#No4 s&r( T"at &s4 %es s&r()
#T"en 2arr% o1t %o1r orders()
#Yes4 s&r()
L%de2ker t1rned and mar2"ed ba2k to t"e ele!ators4 w"ere anot"er s&7 men &n 2ombat bla2k stood
wa&t&ng( Be"&nd "&m4 L%de2ker "eard a 3&stol s"ot4 t"en anot"er and anot"er(
#W"at$s t"e 3roblemF) "e asked(
#T"e ele!ators4 s&r4) one o' t"e sold&ers sa&d( #T"e doors 2losed )
#Yo1 m&g"t tr%&ng 31s"&ng .OWN4) L%de2ker sa&d t"ro1g" sm&l&ng teet"4 t"o1g" "e was not at all
"a33%( #T"e% 61st m&g"t 2ome ba2k 13()
#Yes4 s&r()
Somet"&ng t1gged &n L%de2ker$s g1t( <e got on t"e rad&o( #TA, TwoF)
#TA, Two( In t"e sta&rwell4 s&r( No s&gn o' an%one()
#Kee3 look&ng4 TA, Two( T&me$s r1nn&ng s"ort()
#Yes4 s&r()
T"e m&ddle ele!ator d&nged and &ts doors sl&d o3en(
Into t"e rad&o4 L%de2ker sa&d4 #TA, F&!e()
#TA, F&!e( No mo!ement4 s&r()
T"e ot"er two ele!ators arr&!ed4 and t"ree men got onto t"e 2ars at e&t"er s&de4 w&t" L%de2ker 'l%&ng
solo &n t"e m&ddle one8 "e went down one 'loor and t"e doors o3ened onto t"e !a2ant resta1rant
!a2ant4 t"at &s4 b1t 'or t"e sold&er "e$d sent down t"e ro3e4 w"o a33roa2"ed(
#An%t"&ngF) L%de2ker asked(
T"e sold&er 3o&nted( #S&r4 wet 'oot3r&nts all o!er t"e 3la2e more t"an one set()
L%de2ker d&dn$t l&ke t"at8 w"at &t m&g"t mean made "&m !er% 1n"a33%( #.&d %o1 sear2" t"e ent&re
'loorF)
#I 'ollowed t"e 3r&nts to t"e sta&rwell4 s&r4 b1t some went 13 and some down()
E7as3erated4 L%de2ker sa&d4 #Sta% at t"&s 3os&t&on()
At t"e lobb%4 L%de2ker emerged 'rom t"e ele!ator to '&nd t"at t"e 2lean13 2rew &n %ellow TO?I,
WASTE s1&ts and 2arr%&ng no wea3ons "ad arr&!ed( In t"e 3ark&ng lot4 t"e% were alread% deal&ng
w&t" t"e s3lattered rema&ns o' w"at a33eared to be 'o1r d&''erent bod&es(
Se!eral o' t"e %ellow 61m3s1&ted /ant&2ore s3e2&al&sts were s2ra3&ng 13 3arts and '&ll&ng bod% bags(
One o' t"em broke awa% 'rom t"e gro13 and s21rr&ed o!er to L%de2ker4 d&s3la%&ng a 3last&2 bag 'rom
t"e t"&2k '&ngers o' a %ellow glo!e(
#Yo1$ll want to see t"&s4 s&r4) t"e %ellow561m3s1&ted man sa&d4 "&s !o&2e m1''led b% "&s "eadgear(
<old&ng t"e 3last&2&ne bag 13 &n t"e ra&n4 L%de2ker 2o1ld see a 'ragment o' "1man 'les"4 b1t not"&ng
s&gn&'&2ant( <e 31lled o1t a /&n& /agl&te and took a 2loser look at t"e bag$s 2ontentsH a 2"1nk o' sk&n
w&t" a ser&es o' bla2k n1mbers4 'o1r &n a row4 and a bar2ode4 t"e ot"ers n1mbers abbre!&ated on e&t"er
end4 3robabl% 'rom t"e &m3a2t w&t" 6agged 2on2rete t"at "ad se3arated Set" 'rom "&s "ead(
B1t e!en a 3art&al n1mber was eno1g" 'or L%de2ker to know t"e%$d tagged anot"er ?@ or 3er"a3s t"e
?@ "ad tagged "&msel'(
#;ood work4 sold&er4) "e sa&d4 "and&ng t"e bag ba2k to t"e 2lean13 man( #Lo2k t"at e!&den2e awa%(
To3 se21r&t%()
,olonel .onald L%de2ker 2"e2ked w&t" t"e !ar&o1s TA, 3os&t&ons4 to see &' an%one "ad s3otted an%one
or an%t"&ng else( T"at %o1ng sold&er m1st "a!e been m&stakenH t"at "ad been Set" w"o went o!er t"e
s&de4 'all&ng on "&s '&g1rat&!e sword rat"er t"an ret1rn to t"e /ant&2ore 'old(
<&s 2"o&2e(
T"en L%de2ker got ba2k on t"e rad&o( #All TA, members assemble at gro1nd le!el s1s3e2t "as been
a33re"ended4 I re3eat4 s1s3e2t "as been a33re"ended( We$re go&ng "ome4 men Saddle 13()
Anot"er %ellow561m3s1&ted man a33roa2"ed t"e 2olonel4 t"&s t&me w&t" a wallet &n "&s "and( #One o'
t"e de2eased looks to be t"at 2om31ter b&g s"ot *ared Sterl&ng()
L%de2ker s"ook "&s "eadfucking mess, "e t"o1g"t and t"en4 alread% wea!&ng a new web mentall%4
sa&d4 #All r&g"t()
T"e te2" ret1rned to t"e gor% 3ark&ng lot4 and L%de2ker mo!ed ba2k &ns&de4 'o1nd a 01&et4 dr% 2orner
and made a 2ell 3"one 2all4 '&ll&ng &n anot"er /ant&2ore s3e2&al&st4 '&n&s"&ng w&t"4 #.es3ondent o!er
re2ent b1s&ness setba2ks4 t"e well5known 2om31ter t%2oon took "&s own l&'e last n&g"t w"en "e lea3t
'rom t"e to3 o' t"e Seattle S3a2e Needle()
T"e !o&2e 'rom t"e 2ell sa&d4 #We 2an make t"at "a33en()
#.o &t and '&lter t"e mone% t"ro1g" t"e 1s1al 2"annels()
#Yes4 s&r()
T"e% wo1ldn$t take all o' Sterl&ng$s mone% t"at m&g"t ra&se s1s3&2&ons among 2erta&n re'orm5m&nded
3ol&t&2&ans and t"e&r l&beral53ress la2ke%s( *1st a 'ew m&ll&on to make &t look l&ke t"&ngs were t1rn&ng
so1r 'or t"e art 2olle2tor( /a%be t"e%$d "a!e to 3lant some dr1gs or &n2r&m&nat&ng 3"otos8 b1t t"e world
at large wo1ld ne!er 01est&on t"e not5so5trag&2 s1&2&de o' anot"er 3oor l&ttle r&2" bo%(
L%de2ker 2l&2ked EN. and ret1rned to t"e 3ark&ng lot4 to s13er!&se( T"e TA, team was 2om&ng down
now4 and "e$d get t"em t"e "ell o1t o' "ere4 be'ore t"&s t1rned &nto an &n2&dent( Wo1ldn$t do 'or t"at
E%es Onl% to get a"old o' ton&g"t$s '1n and games
T"ank ;od t"e ne&g"bor"ood was 3ra2t&2all% deserted4 b1t 'or 61nk&es4 w&nos4 and ot"er r&''ra''4 not t"e
sort o' 3la2e w"ere an%one wo1ld 2all t"e 2o3s o!er a 'ew g1ns"ots(
L%de2ker$s t"o1g"ts were &nterr13ted b% t"e so1nd a 'ew blo2ks o!er o' a motor2%2le re!!&ng4
t"en 3eel&ng o1t( W"en "e t1rned "&s ra&n5'le2ked 'a2e toward t"e eng&ne roar4 L%de2ker saw not"&ng(
Somet"&ng nagged at t"e ba2k o' "&s m&nd t"at g&rl4 t"at remarkable g&rl &n LA b1t "e s"r1gged(
T"&ngs were 2onta&ned( And anot"er ?@ 2o1ld be 2"e2ked o'' t"e l&st(
No one wo1ld e!er know w"at "ad "a33ened "ere ton&g"t( T"e bod&es and t"e blood wo1ld be swe3t
awa%4 l&ke t"e garbage t"e% were8 and t"e mone% t"at l&ttered t"e 3ark&ng lot wo1ld be taken &nto
21stod% b% /ant&2ore(
T"&ngs &n Seattle wo1ld soon be wra33ed 13( T"e%$d be go&ng "ome
onl% .onald L%de2ker st&ll "ad t"e gnaw&ng4 nagg&ng 'eel&ng t"at "e$d m&ssed somet"&ng4 somet"&ng
&m3ortant4 t"at 'or t"e s122ess o' Set"$s el&m&nat&on4 an &m3ortant b1t 1ns3e2&'&ed 'a&l1re "ad also
o221rred4 mak&ng a nast% balan2e(
Two da%s later4 ba2k &n W%om&ng4 "e 2alled a 2erta&n TA, team member &nto "&s o''&2e t"e %o1ng
man w"o "ad seen t"e ?@ d&!e o'' t"at obser!at&on de2k( L%de2ker "a!&ng learned t"at one o' t"e
dead men was t"e R1ss&an "e$d a&ded &n t"e ,"&nese T"eatre massa2re wondered &' Ka'eln&ko!$s
3resen2e &nd&2ated also t"e 3resen2e o' t"at e7traord&nar% %o1ng woman 'rom t"e ,"&nese ,lan4 t"at
1n&dent&'&ed s1s3e2ted ?@(
#Tell me aga&n w"at %o1 saw4) L%de2ker sa&d(
T"e sold&er4 Keenan4 61st a k&d "&msel' J'rom NebraskaK4 wore s&m3le bla2k 'at&g1es now4 &nstead o' "&s
TA, gear( <&s blond "a&r was 21t 2lose4 and "e "ad s"own not"&ng b1t lo%alt% to t"e 3rogram &n "&s
%ear and a "al' o' ser!&2e(
T"e bo% was ob!&o1sl% 2ons&der&ng t"e 01est&on 2are'1ll% be'ore r&sk&ng an answer( #S&r4 I saw t"e ?@
known as Set"( <e "ad "&s ba2k to me4 and)
#No() L%de2ker rose be"&nd "&s desk4 "ands on "&s "&3s( #.on$t tell me w"at I want to "ear( Tell me t"e
tr1t" tell me e7a2tl% w"at %o1 really saw t"at ra&n% n&g"t()
Keenan met "&s s13er&or$s e%es( #I saw a g&rl4 a woman reall% w&t" bla2k "a&r4 dressed &n bla2k4 s&r(
Leat"er4 I t"&nk( Sort o' motor2%2le gear()
L%de2ker$s memor% re3la%ed t"e so1nd o' t"at 2%2le re!!&ng 13 and tak&ng o''4 a 'ew blo2ks 'rom t"e
s&te( #.&d %o1 see "er 'a2eF)
#Negat&!e4 s&r()
#Yo1$re s1re &t was a 'emale()
Nodd&ng4 Keenan sa&d4 #Yes4 s&r4 I$m s1re( S"e was ) And now "e r&sked a t&n% sm&le( # b1&lt l&ke a
g&rl( Woman()
#At"let&2F)
#O" %es4 and n&2e()
L%de2ker s&g"ed( #I$m glad %o1r 'a21lt&es are so a21te4 /r( Keenan well done( Now t"&s sta%s &n
t"&s room between %o1 and me()
#Yes4 s&r()
#.&sm&ssed()
Keenan sal1ted4 s31n on "&s "eels4 and strode o1t(
L%de2ker sat down4 rat"er "ea!&l%4 and t"o1g"t o!er w"at "e$d 61st "eard( It wasn$t 2om3letel%
&m3la1s&ble t"at t"e ?@s were &n 2onta2t w&t" ea2" ot"er( B1t were t"e% up to somet"&ng4 toget"erF
<e t"o1g"t abo1t t"at re!!&ng motor2%2le and wondered &' "e$d s2rewed t"e 3oo2"( /a%be t"ere had
been two ?@s &n t"e Needle t"at n&g"t4 Set" and one o' t"e g&rls *ond%4 Br&n4 /a7 2o1ld "a!e been
an% o' t"em( And !er% 3oss&bl% t"&s was t"e LA ?@4 o!er w"om so man% "ad d&ed at t"e t"eater(
<e wo1ld '&nd o1t4 w"en "e 2a1g"t 13 w&t" t"em( <e knew t"at someda% "e$d 2at2" 13 w&t" all o'
t"em(
Now4 "owe!er4 "e was 2on2erned t"at &' t"e ?@s were all 2omm1n&2at&ng4 ma%be t"e% were 3lann&ng
somet"&ng4 too( /a%be t"e% were 3lann&ng on 2at2"&ng 13 w&t" "&m(
S"ak&ng "&s "ead4 tr%&ng to dr&!e awa% t"e t"o1g"t4 "e went ba2k to work( B1t t"e not&on t"at t"e%
m&g"t be a'ter "&m as m12" as "e was a'ter t"em t"at t"e 2"&ldren m&g"t 2ome "ome to take re!enge
on t"e&r 'at"er d&d not go awa% eas&l%(
It ne!er wo1ld(
Ep!&o%ue
RUMINATIONS IN THE RAIN
LO;AN ,ALE$S APART/ENT
SEATTLE4 WAS<IN;TON4 9:L>
Ra&n battered t"e w&ndows o' t"e "&g"5r&se 2ondo4 as Logan stared o1t &nto t"e n&g"t4 see&ng not"&ng b1t
s"a3es and bl1rs(
Ten da%s "ad 3assed s&n2e somet"&ng "ad gone terr&bl% wrong at t"e S3a2e Needle4 and des3&te w"at
"e 2o1ld onl% ass1me were /ant&2ore$s best e''orts E%es Onl% "ad managed to 3&e2e toget"er onl% a
'ew deta&ls(
At '&rst4 Logan "ad t"o1g"t Set" "ad do1ble52rossed "&m4 "ad taken t"e mone% and t"e master3&e2e4
and k&lled e!er%one4 t"en d&sa33eared a2ross t"e ,anad&an border8 t"at t"e bo%$s "om&2&dal streak "ad
2omb&ned w&t" greed and 'ear to get t"e best o' t"e ?@(
T"en Logan "ad started t"&nk&ng abo1t w"at was wrong w&t" t"at s2enar&o( Sterl&ng$s bod% "ad been
'o1nd &n t"e 3ark&ng lot4 %es8 b1t t"ere$d been no s&gn4 l&!&ng or dead4 o' a 2erta&n Korean art dealer4 and
a notor&o1s4 amb&t&o1s R1ss&an street gang leader o1t o' LA t"o1g" street r1mors strongl% s1ggested
t"e 3resen2e o' t"e latter(
And w"at o' Sterl&ng$s bod%g1ardsF Logan knew Sterl&ng wo1ldn$t so m12" as go to l1n2" w&t"o1t "&s
m1s2le( <ad t"ere been a g1n battle &n w"&2" onl% Sterl&ng "&msel' "ad gone downF Or4 &' bod%g1ards
"ad been 2ombat 'atal&t&es Jand w&t" t"e ?@4 t"at wo1ld seem &ne!&tableK4 w"% wo1ld Set" lea!e onl%
Sterl&ng$s 2or3se to be 'o1ndF
And t"e more Logan m1lled &t o!er4 t"e more abs1rd seemed t"e stor% o' a b&ll&ona&re$s s1&2&de o!er
b1s&ness setba2ks(
No ment&on4 'or e7am3le4 was e!er made o' Sterl&ng$s 2ar w"ere was &tF <ad Set" stolen &tF I' so4
w"% "adn$t &t been 'o1ndF T"e bo% s1rel% wo1ld "a!e d&t2"ed &t b% now( And w"at &' Set" hadn"t stolen
t"e 2arF Ob!&o1sl%4 Sterl&ng wo1ldn$t "a!e walked t"e twent% m&les 'rom "&s "o1se to t"e S3a2e
Needle4 61st to 61m3 o''
So "ow "ad Sterl&ng gotten t"ereF W"ere was "&s dr&!erF
S31rred b% t"ese &n2ons&sten2&es4 Logan "ad started d&gg&ng &nto Sterl&ng$s alleged '&nan2&al setba2ks(
At '&rst bl1s"4 e!er% 2ol1mn seemed to add 138 b1t t"e more E%es Onl% looked4 t"e more t"&ngs
a33eared o1t o' w"a2k(
Sto2ks t"at Sterl&ng lost mone% on "ad s"own onl% marg&nal d&3s4 'ar less s&gn&'&2ant t"an o''&2&all%
re3orted !ers&ons o' t"e dead man$s de'&2&ts( B1s&nesses t"at were an2&llar% to "&s Internet 2om3an% "ad
'a&led4 b1t 2"e2k&ng t"e&r tra2k re2ords 'or t"e 3re!&o1s s&7 mont"s re!ealed ea2" "ad been '&nan2&all%
"ealt"% 1nt&l t"e da% o' Sterl&ng$s deat"(
So man% 3eo3le "ad t"e&r own '&nan2&al woes &n t"e e2onom&2 m&ne'&eld t"at was 3ost5P1lse Amer&2a
t"at Logan knew no one wo1ld look !er% 2lose at a 2alam&t% s1''ered b% t"e wealt"% l&kes o' *ared
Sterl&ng( T"e 2o1ntr% was &n no mood to 3&t% some b&ll&ona&re w"o$d 'l1ng "&msel' o'' a b1&ld&ng at t"e
'&rst s&gn o' tro1ble(
No4 Logan told "&msel'4 no one wo1ld look &nto t"&s e72e3t E%es Onl%( And E%es Onl% knew
somebod% was 2ook&ng t"e books( T"e 01est&on was w"oF
Logan "ad 'ar more 01est&ons t"an "e "ad answers4 and w"ene!er "e s3otted t"at 3attern4 "&s m&nd
t1rned to a 2o!er513( And w"en "e t"o1g"t 2o!er5134 "e t"o1g"t go!ernment4 and w"en "e t"o1g"t
go!ernment &n t"e 2ase o' a m%ster&o1sl% m&ss&ng ?@4 an%wa% E%es Onl% t1rned to /ant&2ore(
<e knew more abo1t t"e organ&Eat&on now4 b1t "e st&ll "ad 'ew "ard 'a2ts( L%de2ker$s gro13 d&d4
"owe!er4 seem to "a!e t"e k&nd o' ma6or 2lo1t to 31ll o'' a 2o!er513 o' t"&s magn&t1de swee3&ng
m1rders 1nder t"e 2ar3et4 3er"a3s 2omm&tt&ng more m1rders &n t"e 3ro2ess(
B1t t"e 01est&on t"at nagged "&m was
why would Manticore cover up what happened at the 'eedle;
For Logan4 t"e &ne!&table and rat"er 2"&ll&ng answer wasH be2a1se /ant&2ore "ad 2a1g"t 13 w&t" Set"(
T"&s ga!e Logan a w"ole new s2enar&o 'or w"at ma% well "a!e "a33ened at t"e S3a2e Needle on t"at
ra&n%4 w&nd% n&g"t a s2enar&o e!en more d&st1rb&ng t"an "&s 3re!&o1s t"eor%(
In&t&all% "e$d t"o1g"t t"at /ant&2ore "ad some"ow 2a1g"t 13 w&t" Set" at t"e Needle4 and 2a3t1red
"&m( Onl%4 &' L%de2ker "ad nabbed "&s renegade ?@4 and taken "&m awa%4 w"% "ad Sterl&ng also been
k&lledF
Not 61st Sterl&ng4 b1t t"e ot"er w&tnesses4 t"e Korean4 t"e bod%g1ards4 and ;od alone knew "ow man%
ot"er 1nre2orded !&2t&ms
B1t &' Set" "ad been 2a3t1red4 al&!e w"% k&ll an%oneF T"ese w&tnesses were &n!ol!ed &n a 2r&me8
t"e% 2o1ld be 2oer2ed &nto s&len2e4 eas&l% eno1g"( Sterl&ng4 Ka'eln&ko!4 and t"e ot"ers wo1ld "a!e no
knowledge o' /ant&2ore and t"e ?@ 3rogram8 to t"em4 Set" wo1ld merel% be an e7traord&nar% 3"%s&2al
s3e2&men(
T"e onl% answer Logan 2o1ld 2ome 13 w&t" was t"at /ant&2ore "ad tr&ed to &nter2e3t Set" &n t"e m&dst
o' t"e art deal go&ng down and Set" "ad not gone 01&etl% &nto t"at ra&n% n&g"t4 and /ant&2ore "ad
been 'or2ed to k&ll &ts wander&ng son(
In 'ront o' w&tnesses(
W"o "ad to d&e4 so /ant&2ore 2o1ld 2o!er &ts tra2ks(
T"e 2%ber6o1rnal&st t1rned awa% 'rom t"e w&ndow and mo!ed a&mlessl% t"ro1g" "&s r&2" man$s
a3artment( <e 2o1ld not be s1re t"&s s2enar&o was t"e 2orre2t one4 b1t "e 'elt 2erta&n "e 2o1ld not be 'ar
o'' t"e mark( And &t made "&m 'eel s&2k
B&tterl%4 Logan re2alled "ow "e$d le2t1red Set" abo1t et"&2s4 and %et "adn$t "e r1t"lessl%4 re2klessl%
1sed Set"F
No matter "ow noble Logan$s mot&!es m&g"t be4 &n t"e end4 "e$d 1sed t"e %o1ng ?@ 'or "&s own
31r3oses w"&2" "ad gotten Set" k&lled(
I' Logan ,ale "ad "el3ed Set" d&sa33ear4 as t"e bo% "ad re01ested4 &nstead o' re2r1&t&ng "&m to "el3 &n
t"e E%es Onl% 2r1sade4 ma%be t"e %o1ng man wo1ld be 3lott&ng "&s ne7t re!enge aga&nst /ant&2ore
'rom somew"ere remote and sa'e4 l&ke t"e small town near t"e Ar2t&2 ,&r2le w"ere "e$d sent t"e lab
te2"4 Ben .al%(
Logan 'ell "ea!&l% onto "&s bed4 on "&s ba2k4 and took o'' "&s glasses4 rest&ng t"em on t"e n&g"tstand
and 2los&ng "&s e%es4 3ress&ng a t"1mb and 'ore'&nger to t"e &nner br&dge o' "&s nose(
Slee3 wo1ld not 2ome eas&l% ton&g"t or an% ot"er n&g"t4 not 'or a !er% long t&me( T"e g1&lt "e 'elt 'or
gett&ng Set" k&lled wo1ld gnaw at "&m l&ke a small4 !ora2&o1s an&mal4 alwa%s t"ere4 2"ew&ng "&m 13
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