dean koontz - (1981) - the eyes of darkness - …...dean koontz - the eyes of darkness [version 2.0...
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DeanKoontz-TheEyesofDarkness
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BERKLEY
AyearhadpassedsincelittleDanny'sdeath—ayearsincehismotherbeganthepainfulprocessofacceptance.Buttonight,TinaEvanssworeshesawherDannyinastranger'scar.ThenshedreamedthatDannywasalive.Andwhensheawoke,shefoundamessagewaitingforherinDanny'sbedroom—twodisturbingwordsscrawledonhischalkboard:NOTDEAD.Wasitsomeone'sgrimjoke?Her'mindplayingtricksonher'?Orsomething...more?ForTinaEvans,itwasamysteryshecouldn'tescape.AnobsessionthatwouldleadherfromthebrightlightsofLasVegastothecoldshadowsoftheHighSierras.Aterriblesecretseenonlyby...
TheEyesofDarkness
EAN
Theacclaimedbestsellersby
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THEEYESOFDARKNESS
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BerkleyBooksbyDeanKoontz
DEMONSEED
THEEYESOFDARKNESS
THEKEYTOMIDNIGHT
MR.MURDER
THEFUNHOUSE
DRAGONTEARS
DRAGONTEARS
SHADOWFIRES
HIDEAWAY
COLDFIRE
THEHOUSEOFTHUNDER
THEVOICEOFTHENIGHT
THEBADPLACE
THESERVANTSOFTWILIGHT
MIDNIGHT
LIGHTNING
THEMASK
WATCHERS
TWILIGHTEYES
STRANGERS
PHANTOMS
WHISPERS
NIGHTCHILLS
DARKFALL
SHATTERED
THEVISION
THEFACEOFFEAR
DEAN
KOONTZ
TheEyesofDarkness
OriginallypublishedunderthepseudonymLeighNichols
BERKLEYBOOKS.NEWYORK
Ifyoupurchasedthisbookwithoutacover,youshouldbeawarethatthisbookisstolenproperty.Itwasreportedas"unsoldanddestroyed"tothepublisher,andneithertheauthornorthepublisherhasreceivedanypaymentforthis"strippedbook."
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andeventsare
eithertheproductoftheauthor'simaginationorareusedfictitiously,
andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,business
establishments,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.
Originallypublishedunderthe
pseudonymLeighNichols.
THEEYESOFDARKNESS
ABerkleyBook/publishedbyarrangementwith
Nkui,Inc.
PRINTINGHISTORY
PocketBooksedition/February1981
Berkleyedition/July1996
Allrightsreserved.
Copyright©1981byLeighNichols.
Copyright©1996byNkui,Inc.
Authorphotocopyright©1993byJerryBauer.
Thisbookmaynotbereproducedinwholeorinpart,
bymimeographoranyothermeans,withoutpermission.
Forinformationaddress:TheBerkleyPublishingGroup,
adivisionofPenguinPutnamInc.,
375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014.
ThePenguinPutnamInc.WorldWideWebsiteaddressis
http://www.penguinputnam.com
ISBN:0-425-15397-5
BERKLEY®
BerkleyBooksarepublishedbyTheBerkleyPublishingGroup,
adivisionofPenguinPutnamInc.,
375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014.
BERKLEYandthe"B"design
aretrademarksbelongingtoPenguinPutnamInc.
PRINTEDINTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA
151413
ThisbetterversionisforGerda,
withlove.
Afterfiveyearsofwork,
nowthatI'mnearlyfinishedimproving
theseearlynovelsfirstpublishedunderpennames,
Iintendtostartimprovingmyself.
Consideringallthatneedstohedone,
thisnewprojectwillhenceforthheknown
asthehundred-yearplan.
Tuesday,
DECEMBER30
1
ATSIXMINUTESPASTMIDNIGHT,TUESDAYMORNing,onthewayhomefromalaterehearsalofhernewstageshow,TinaEvanssawherson,Danny,inastranger'scar.ButDannyhadbeendeadmorethanayear.
Twoblocksfromherhouse,intendingtobuyaquartofmilkandaloafofwholewheatbread,Tinastoppedatatwenty-four-hourmarketandparkedinthedryyellowdrizzleofasodium-vaporlight,besideagleaming,cream-coloredChevroletstationwagon.Theboywasinthefrontpassengerseatofthewagon,waitingforsomeoneinthestore.Tinacouldseeonlythesideofhisface,butshegaspedinpainfulrecognition.
Danny.
Theboywasabouttwelve,Danny'sage.HehadthickdarkhairlikeDanny's,anosethatresembledDanny's,andaratherdelicatejawlinelikeDanny'stoo.
Shewhisperedherson'sname,asifshewouldfrightenoffthisbelovedapparitionifshespokeanylouder.
Unawarethatshewasstaringathim,theboyputonehandtohismouthandbitgentlyonhisbentthumbknuckle,whichDannyhadbeguntodoayearorsobeforehedied.Withoutsuccess,Tinahadtriedtobreakhimofthatbadhabit.
Now,asshewatchedthisboy,hisresemblancetoDannyseemedtobemorethanmerecoincidence.SuddenlyTina'smouthwentdryandsour,andherheartthudded.Shestillhadnotadjustedtothelossofheronlychild,becauseshe'dneverwanted—ortried—toadjusttoit.Seizingonthisboy'sresemblancetoherDanny,shewastooeasilyabletofantasizethattherehadbeennolossinthefirstplace.
Maybe...maybethisboyactuallywasDanny.Whynot?Themorethatsheconsideredit,thelesscrazyitseemed.Afterall,she'dneverseenDanny'scorpse.ThepoliceandthemorticianshadadvisedherthatDannywassobadlytornup,sohorriblymangled,thatshewasbetteroffnotlookingathim.Sickened,grief-stricken,shehadtakentheiradvice,andDanny'sfuneralhad
Sickened,grief-stricken,shehadtakentheiradvice,andDanny'sfuneralhadbeenaclosed-coffinservice.Butperhapsthey'dbeenmistakenwhentheyidentifiedthebody.MaybeDannyhadn'tbeenkilledintheaccident,afterall.Maybehe'donlysufferedamildheadinjury,justsevereenoughtogivehim...amnesia.Yes.Amnesia.Perhapshehadwanderedawayfromthewreckedbusandhadbeenfoundmilesfromthesceneoftheaccident,withoutidentification,unabletotellanyonewhohewasorwherehecamefrom.Thatwaspossible,wasn'tit?Shehadseensimilarstoriesinthemovies.Sure.Amnesia.Andifthatwerethecase,thenhemighthaveendedupinafosterhome,inanewlife.Andnowherehewassittinginthecream-coloredChevroletwagon,broughttoherbyfateandby—
Theboybecameconsciousofhergazeandturnedtowardher.Sheheldherbreathashisfacecameslowlyaround.Astheystaredateachotherthroughtwowindowsandthroughthestrangesulphurouslight,shehadthefeelingthattheyweremakingcontactacrossanimmensegulfofspaceandtimeanddestiny.Butthen,inevitably,herfantasyburst,forhewasn'tDanny.
Pullinghergazeawayfromhis,shestudiedherhands,whichweregrippingthesteeringwheelsofiercelythattheyached.
"Damn."
Shewasangrywithherself.Shethoughtofherselfasatough,competent,levelheadedwomanwhowasabletodealwithanythinglifethrewather,andshewasdisturbedbyhercontinuinginabilitytoacceptDanny'sdeath.
Aftertheinitialshock,afterthefuneral,shehadbeguntocopewiththetrauma.Gradually,daybyday,weekbyweek,shehadputDannybehindher,withsorrow,withguilt,withtearsandmuchbitterness,butalsowithfirmnessanddetermination.Shehadtakenseveralstepsupinhercareerduringthepastyear,andshehadreliedonhardworkasasortofmorphine,usingittodullherpainuntilthewoundfullyhealed.
Butthen,afewweeksago,shehadbeguntoslipbackintothedreadfulconditioninwhichshe'dwallowedimmediatelyaftershe'dreceivednewsoftheaccident.Herdenialwasasresoluteasitwasirrational.Again,shewaspossessedbythehauntingfeelingthatherchildwasalive.Timeshouldhaveputevenmoredistancebetweenherandtheanguish,butinsteadthepassingdayswerebringingheraroundfullcircleinhergrief.ThisboyinthestationwagonwasnotthefirstthatshehadimaginedwasDanny;inrecentweeks,shehadseen
wasnotthefirstthatshehadimaginedwasDanny;inrecentweeks,shehadseenherlostsoninothercars,inschool-yardspastwhichshehadbeendriving,onpublicstreets,inamovietheater.
Also,she'drecentlybeenplaguedbyarepeatingdreaminwhichDannywasalive.Eachtime,forafewhoursaftershewoke,shecouldnotfacereality.ShehalfconvincedherselfthatthedreamwasapremonitionofDanny'seventualreturntoher,thatsomehowhehadsurvivedandwouldbecomingbackintoherarmsonedaysoon.
Thiswasawarmandwonderfulfantasy,butshecouldnotsustainitforlong.Thoughshealwaysresistedthegrimtruth,itgraduallyexerteditselfeverytime,andshewasrepeatedlybroughtdownhard,forcedtoacceptthatthedreamwasnotapremonition.Nevertheless,sheknewthatwhenshehadthedreamagain,shewouldfindnewhopeinitasshehadsomanytimesbefore.
Andthatwasnotgood.
Sick,sheberatedherself.
Sheglancedatthestationwagonandsawthattheboywasstillstaringather.Sheglaredathertightlyclenchedhandsagainandfoundthestrengthtobreakhergriponthesteeringwheel.
Griefcoulddriveapersoncrazy.She'dheardthatsaid,andshebelievedit.Butshewasn'tgoingtoallowsuchathingtohappentoher.Shewouldbesufficientlytoughonherselftostayintouchwithreality—asunpleasantasrealitymightbe.Shecouldn'tallowherselftohope.
ShehadlovedDannywithallherheart,buthewasgone.Tornandcrushedinabusaccidentwithfourteenotherlittleboys,justonevictimofalargertragedy.Batteredbeyondrecognition.Dead.
Cold.
Decaying.
Inacoffin.
Undertheground.
Forever.
Forever.
Herlowerliptrembled.Shewantedtocry,neededtocry,butshedidn't.
TheboyintheChevyhadlostinterestinher.Hewasstaringatthefrontofthegrocerystoreagain,waiting.
TinagotoutofherHonda.Thenightwaspleasantlycoolanddesert-dry.Shetookadeepbreathandwentintothemarket,wheretheairwassocoldthatitpiercedherbones,andwheretheharshfluorescentlightingwastoobrightandtoobleaktoencouragefantasies.
Sheboughtaquartofnonfatmilkandaloafofwholewheatbreadthatwascutthinfordieters,soeachservingcontainedonlyhalfthecaloriesofanordinarysliceofbread.Shewasn'tadanceranymore;nowsheworkedbehindthecurtain,intheproductionendoftheshow,butshestillfeltphysicallyandpsychologicallybestwhensheweighednomorethanshehadweighedwhenshe'dbeenaperformer.
Fiveminuteslatershewashome.Herswasamodestranchhouseinaquietneighborhood.TheolivetreesandlacymelaleucasstirredlazilyinafaintMojavebreeze.
Inthekitchen,shetoastedtwopiecesofbread.Shespreadathinskinofpeanutbutteronthem,pouredaglassofnonfatmilk,andsatatthetable.
Peanut-buttertoasthadbeenoneofDanny'sfavoritefoods,evenwhenhewasatoddlerandwasespeciallypickyaboutwhathewouldeat.Whenhewasveryyoung,hehadcalledit"neenutputter."
Closinghereyesnow,chewingthetoast,Tinacouldstillseehim—threeyearsold,peanutbuttersmearedalloverhislipsandchin—ashegrinnedandsaid,Moreneenutputtertoast,please.
Sheopenedhereyeswithastartbecausehermentalimageofhimwastoovivid,lesslikeamemorythanlikeavision.Rightnowshedidn'twanttoremembersoclearly.
Butitwastoolate.Herheartknottedinherchest,andherlowerlipbegantoquiveragain,andsheputherheaddownonthetable.Shewept.
•••
ThatnightTinadreamedthatDannywasaliveagain.Somehow.Somewhere.Alive.Andheneededher.
Inthedream,Dannywasstandingattheedgeofabottomlessgorge,andTinawasonthefarside,oppositehim,lookingacrosstheimmensegulf.Dannywascallinghername.Hewaslonelyandafraid.Shewasmiserablebecauseshecouldn'tthinkofawaytoreachhim.Meanwhile,theskygrewdarkerbythesecond;massivestormclouds,liketheclenchedfistsofcelestialgiants,squeezedthelastlightoutoftheday.Danny'scriesandherresponsebecameincreasinglyshrillanddesperate,fortheyknewthattheymustreacheachotherbeforenightfallorbelostforever;intheoncomingnight,somethingwaitedforDanny,somethingfearsomethatwouldseizehimifhewasaloneafterdark.Suddenlytheskywasshatteredbylightning,thenbyahardclapofthunder,andthenightimplodedintoadeeperdarkness,intoinfiniteandperfectblackness.
TinaEvanssatstraightupinbed,certainthatshehadheardanoiseinthehouse.Ithadn'tbeenmerelythethunderfromthedream.Thesoundshe'dheardhadcomeasshewaswaking,arealnoise,notanimaginedone.
Shelistenedintently,preparedtothrowoffthecoversandslipoutofbed.Silencereigned.
Graduallydoubtcreptoverher.Shehadbeenjumpylately.Thiswasn'tthefirstnightshe'dbeenwronglyconvincedthatanintruderwasprowlingthehouse.Onfourorfiveoccasionsduringthepasttwoweeks,shehadtakenthepistolfromthenightstandandsearchedtheplace,roombyroom,butshehadn'tfoundanyone.Recentlyshe'dbeenunderalotofpressure,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.Maybewhatshe'dheardtonighthadbeenthethunderfromthedream.
Sheremainedonguardforafewminutes,butthenightwassopeacefulthatatlastshehadtoadmitshewasalone.Asherheartbeatslowed,sheeasedbackontoherpillow.
AttimeslikethisshewishedthatsheandMichaelwerestilltogether.Sheclosed
AttimeslikethisshewishedthatsheandMichaelwerestilltogether.Sheclosedhereyesandimaginedherselflyingbesidehim,reachingforhiminthedark,touching,touching,movingagainsthim,intotheshelterofhisarms.Hewouldcomfortandreassureher,andintimeshewouldsleepagain.
Ofcourse,ifsheandMichaelwereinbedrightthisminute,itwouldn'tbelikethatatall.Theywouldn'tmakelove.Theywouldargue.He'dresistheraffection,turnherawaybypickingafight.Hewouldbeginthebattleoveratrivialityandgoadheruntilthebickeringescalatedintomaritalwarfare.Thatwashowithadbeenduringthelastmonthsoftheirlifetogether.Hehadbeenseethingwithhostility,alwaysseekinganexcusetoventhisangeronher.
BecauseTinahadlovedMichaeltotheend,she'dbeenhurtandsaddenedbythedissolutionoftheirrelationship.Admittedly,shehadalsobeenrelievedwhenitwasfinallyover.
Shehadlostherchildandherhusbandinthesameyear,themanfirst,andthentheboy,thesontothegraveandthehusbandtothewindsofchange.Duringthetwelveyearsoftheirmarriage,Tinahadbecomeadifferentandmorecomplexpersonthanshe'dbeenontheirweddingday,butMichaelhadn'tchangedatall—anddidn'tlikethewomanthatshehadbecome.Theybeganaslovers,sharingeverydetailoftheirdailylives—triumphsandfailures,joysandfrustrations—butbythetimethedivorcewasfinal,theywerestrangers.AlthoughMichaelwasstilllivingintown,lessthanamilefromher,hewas,insomerespects,asfarawayandasunreachableasDanny.
Shesighedwithresignationandopenedhereyes.
Shewasn'tsleepynow,butsheknewshehadtogetmorerest.Shewouldneedtobefreshandalertinthemorning.
Tomorrowwasoneofthemostimportantdaysofherlife:December30.Inotheryearsthatdatehadmeantnothingspecial.Butforbetterorworse,thisDecember30wasthehingeuponwhichherentirefuturewouldswing.
Forfifteenyears,eversincesheturnedeighteen,twoyearsbeforeshemarriedMichael,TinaEvanshadlivedandworkedinLasVegas.Shebeganhercareerasadancer—notashowgirlbutanactualdancer—intheLidodeParis,agiganticstageshowattheStardustHotel.TheLidowasoneofthoseincrediblylavishproductionsthatcouldbeseennowhereintheworldbutVegas,foritwasonlyinLasVegasthatamultimillion-dollarshowcouldbestagedyearafteryear
onlyinLasVegasthatamultimillion-dollarshowcouldbestagedyearafteryearwithlittleconcernforprofit;suchvastsumswerespentontheelaboratesetsandcostumes,andontheenormouscastandcrew,thatthehotelwasusuallyhappyiftheproductionmerelybrokeevenfromticketanddrinksales.Afterall,asfantasticasitwas,theshowwasonlyacome-on,adraw,withthesolepurposeofputtingafewthousandpeopleintothehoteleverynight.Goingtoandfromtheshowroom,thecrowdhadtopassallthecrapstablesandblackjacktablesandroulettewheelsandglitteringranksofslotmachines,andthatwaswheretheprofitwasmade.TinaenjoyeddancingintheLido,andshestayedtherefortwoandahalfyears,untilshelearnedthatshewaspregnant.ShetooktimeofftocarryandgivebirthtoDanny,thentospenduninterrupteddayswithhimduringhisfirstfewmonthsoflife.WhenDannywassixmonthsold,Tinawentintotrainingtogetbackinshape,andafterthreearduousmonthsofexercise,shewonaplaceinthechoruslineofanewVegasspectacle.Shemanagedtobebothafinedancerandagoodmother,althoughthatwasnotalwayseasy;shelovedDanny,andsheenjoyedherworkandshethrivedondoubleduty.
Fiveyearsago,however,onhertwenty-eighthbirthday,shebegantorealizethatshehad,ifshewaslucky,tenyearsleftasashowdancer,andshedecidedtoestablishherselfinthebusinessinanothercapacity,toavoidbeingwashedupatthirty-eight.Shelandedapositionaschoreographerforatwo-bitloungerevue,adismallycheapimitationofthemultimillion-dollarLido,andeventuallyshetookoverthecostumer'sjobaswell.Fromthatshemovedupthroughaseriesofsimilarpositionsinlargerlounges,theninsmallshowroomsthatseatedfourorfivehundredinsecond-ratehotelswithlimitedshowbudgets.Intimeshedirectedarevue,thendirectedandproducedanother.ShewassteadilybecomingarespectednameinthecloselyknitVegasentertainmentworld,andshebelievedthatshewasonthevergeofgreatsuccess.
Almostayearago,shortlyafterDannyhaddied,Tinahadbeenofferedadirectingandco-producingjobonahugeten-million-dollarextravaganzatobestagedinthetwo-thousand-seatmainshowroomoftheGoldenPyramid,oneofthelargestandplushesthotelsontheStrip.Atfirstithadseemedterriblywrongthatsuchawonderfulopportunityshouldcomeherwaybeforeshe'devenhadtimetomournherboy,asiftheFatesweresoshallowandinsensitiveastothinkthattheycouldbalancethescalesandoffsetDanny'sdeathmerelybypresentingherwithachanceatherdreamjob.Althoughshewasbitteranddepressed,although—ormaybebecause—shefeltutterlyemptyanduseless,shetookthejob.
ThenewshowwastitledMagyck!becausethevarietyactsbetweenthebigdancenumberswereallmagiciansandbecausetheproductionnumbersthemselvesfeaturedelaboratespecialeffectsandwerebuiltaroundsupernaturalthemes.ThetrickyspellingofthetitlewasnotTina'sidea,butmostoftherestoftheprogramwashercreation,andsheremainedpleasedwithwhatshehadwrought.Exhaustedtoo.Thisyearhadpassedinabluroftwelve-andfourteen-hourdays,withnovacationsandrarelyaweekendoff.
Nevertheless,evenaspreoccupiedwithMagyck!asshewas,shehadadjustedtoDanny'sdeathonlywithgreatdifficulty.Amonthago,forthefirsttime,she'dthoughtthatatlastshehadbeguntoovercomehergrief.Shewasabletothinkabouttheboywithoutcrying,tovisithisgravewithoutbeingovercomebygrief.Allthingsconsidered,shefeltreasonablygood,evencheerfultoadegree.Shewouldneverforgethim,thatsweetchildwhohadbeensuchalargepartofher,butshewouldnolongerhavetoliveherlifearoundthegapingholethathehadleftinit.Thewoundwasachinglytenderbuthealed.
That'swhatshehadthoughtamonthago.Foraweekortwoshehadcontinuedtomakeprogresstowardacceptance.Thenthenewdreamsbegan,andtheywerefarworsethanthedreamthatshe'dhadimmediatelyafterDannyhadbeenkilled.
Perhapsheranxietyaboutthepublic'sreactiontoMagyck!wascausinghertorecallthegreateranxietyshehadfeltaboutDanny.Inlessthanseventeenhours—at8:00P.M.,December30—theGoldenPyramidHotelwouldpresentaspecial,invitational,VIPpremiereofMagyck!,andthefollowingnight,NewYear'sEve,theshowwouldopentothegeneralpublic.IfaudiencereactionwasasstrongandaspositiveasTinahoped,herfinancialfuturewasassured,forhercontractgavehertwoandone-halfpercentofthegrossreceipts,minusliquorsales,afterthefirstfivemillion.IfMagyck!wasahitandpackedtheshowroomforfourorfiveyears,assometimeshappenedwithsuccessfulVegasshows,she'dbeamultimillionairebytheendoftherun.Ofcourse,iftheproductionwasaflop,ifitfailedtopleasetheaudience,shemightbebackworkingthesmallloungesagain,onherwaydown.Showbusiness,inanyform,wasamercilessenterprise.
Shehadgoodreasontobesufferingfromanxietyattacks.Herobsessivefearofintrudersinthehouse,herdisquietingdreamsaboutDanny,herrenewedgrief—allofthosethingsmightgrowfromherconcernaboutMagyck!Ifthatwerethecase,thenthosesymptomswoulddisappearassoonasthefateoftheshowwasevident.Sheneededonlytorideoutthenextfewdays,andintherelativecalm
evident.Sheneededonlytorideoutthenextfewdays,andintherelativecalmthatwouldfollow,shemightbeabletogetonwithhealingherself.
Inthemeantimesheabsolutelyhadtogetsomesleep.Atteno'clockinthemorning,shewasscheduledtomeetwithtwotour-bookingagentswhowereconsideringreservingeightthousandticketstoMagyck!duringthefirstthreemonthsofitsrun.Thenatoneo'clocktheentirecastandthecrewwouldassembleforthefinaldressrehearsal.
Shefluffedherpillows,rearrangedthecovers,andtuggedattheshortnightgowninwhichsheslept.Shetriedtorelaxbyclosinghereyesandenvisioningagentlenighttidelappingatasilverybeach.
Thump!
Shesatstraightupinbed.
Somethinghadfallenoverinanotherpartofthehouse.Itmusthavebeenalargeobjectbecause,thoughmuffledbytheinterveningwalls,thesoundwasloudenoughtorouseher.
Whateverithadbeen...ithadn'tsimplyfallen.Ithadbeenknockedover.Heavyobjectsdidn'tjustfalloftheirownaccordindesertedrooms.
Shecockedherhead,listeningclosely.Anotherandsoftersoundfollowedthefirst.Itdidn'tlastlongenoughforTinatoidentifythesource,buttherewasastealthinessaboutit.Thistimeshehadn'tbeenimaginingathreat.Someoneactuallywasinthehouse.
Asshesatupinbed,sheswitchedonthelamp.Shepulledopenthenightstanddrawer.Thepistolwasloaded.Sheflickedoffthetwosafetycatches.
Forawhileshelistened.
Inthebrittlesilenceofthedesertnight,sheimaginedthatshecouldsenseanintruderlisteningtoo,listeningforher.
Shegotoutofbedandsteppedintoherslippers.Holdingtheguninherrighthand,shewentquietlytothebedroomdoor.
Sheconsideredcallingthepolice,butshewasafraidofmakingafoolofherself.Whatiftheycame,lightsflashingandsirensscreaming—andfoundnoone?If
Whatiftheycame,lightsflashingandsirensscreaming—andfoundnoone?Ifshehadsummonedthepoliceeverytimethatsheimaginedhearingaprowlerinthehouseduringthepasttwoweeks,theywouldhavedecidedlongagothatshewasscramble-brained.Shewasproud,unabletobearthethoughtofappearingtobehystericaltoacoupleofmachocopswhowouldgrinatherand,lateroverdoughnutsandcoffee,makejokesabouther.Shewouldsearchthehouseherself,alone.
Pointingthepistolattheceiling,shejackedabulletintothechamber.
Takingadeepbreath,sheunlockedthebedroomdoorandeasedintothehall.
2
TINASEARCHEDTHEENTIREHOUSE,EXCEPTFORDanny'soldroom,butshedidn'tfindanintruder.Shealmostwouldhavepreferredtodiscoversomeonelurkinginthekitchenorcrouchinginaclosetratherthanbeforcedtolook,atlast,inthatfinalspacewheresadnessseemedtodwelllikeatenant.Nowshehadnochoice.
Alittlemorethanayearbeforehehaddied,Dannyhadbegunsleepingattheoppositeendofthesmallhousefromthemasterbedroom,inwhathadoncebeentheden.Notlongafterhistenthbirthday,theboyhadaskedformorespaceandprivacythanwasprovidedbyhisoriginal,tinyquarters.MichaelandTinahadhelpedhimmovehisbelongingstotheden,thenhadshiftedthecouch,armchair,coffeetable,andtelevisionfromthedenintothequarterstheboyhadpreviouslyoccupied.
Atthetime,TinawascertainthatDannywasawareofthenightlyargumentssheandMichaelwerehavingintheirownbedroom,whichwasnexttohis,andthathewantedtomoveintothedensohewouldn'tbeabletohearthembickering.SheandMichaelhadn'tyetbeguntoraisetheirvoicestoeachother;theirdisagreementshadbeenconductedinnormaltones,sometimeseveninwhispers,yetDannyprobablyhadheardenoughtoknowtheywerehavingproblems.
Shehadbeensorrythathe'dhadtoknow,butshehadn'tsaidawordtohim;she'dofferednoexplanations,noreassurances.Foronething,shehadn'tknownwhatshecouldsay.Shecertainlycouldn'tsharewithhimherappraisalofthesituation:Danny,sweetheart,don'tworryaboutanythingyoumighthaveheardthroughthewall.Yourfatherisonlysufferinganidentitycrisis.He'sbeenactinglikeanasslately,buthe'llgetoverit.Andthatwasanotherreasonshedidn'tattempttoexplainherandMichael'sproblemstoDanny—shethoughtthattheirestrangementwasonlytemporary.Shelovedherhusband,andshewassurethatthesheerpowerofherlovewouldrestorethelustertotheirmarriage.SixmonthslatersheandMichaelseparated,andlessthanfivemonthsaftertheseparation,theyweredivorced.
Now,anxioustocompletehersearchfortheburglar—whowasbeginningtolookasimaginaryasalltheotherburglarsshehadstalkedonothernights—she
lookasimaginaryasalltheotherburglarsshehadstalkedonothernights—sheopenedthedoortoDanny'sbedroom.Sheswitchedonthelightsandsteppedinside.
Noone.
Holdingthepistolinfrontofher,sheapproachedthecloset,hesitated,thenslidthedoorback.Noonewashidingthere,either.Inspiteofwhatshehadheard,shewasaloneinthehouse.
Asshestaredatthecontentsofthemuskycloset—theboy'sshoes,hisjeans,dressslacks,shirts,sweaters,hisblueDodgers'baseballcap,thesmallbluesuithehadwornonspecialoccasions—alumproseinherthroat.Shequicklyslidthedoorshutandputherbackagainstit.
Althoughthefuneralhadbeenmorethanayearago,shehadnotyetbeenabletodisposeofDanny'sbelongings.Somehow,theactofgivingawayhisclotheswouldbeevensadderandmorefinalthanwatchinghiscasketbeingloweredintotheground.
Hisclothesweren'ttheonlythingsthatshehadkept:Hisentireroomwasexactlyashehadleftit.Thebedwasproperlymade,andseveralscience-fiction-movieactionfigureswereposedonthedeepheadboard.Morethanahundredpaperbackswererankedalphabeticallyonafive-shelfbookcase.Hisdeskoccupiedonecorner;tubesofglue,miniaturebottlesofenamelineverycolor,andavarietyofmodel-craftingtoolsstoodinsoldierlyranksononehalfofthedesk,andtheotherhalfwasbare,waitingforhimtobeginwork.Ninemodelairplanesfilledadisplaycase,andthreeothershungonwiresfromtheceiling.Thewallsweredecoratedwithevenlyspacedposters—threebaseballstars,fivehideousmonstersfromhorrormovies—thatDannyhadcarefullyarranged.
Unlikemanyboyshisage,he'dbeenconcernedaboutorderlinessandcleanliness.Respectinghispreferenceforneatness,TinahadinstructedMrs.Neddler,thecleaningladywhocameintwiceaweek,tovacuumanddusthisunusedbedroomasifnothinghadhappenedtohim.Theplacewasasspotlessasever.
Gazingatthedeadboy'stoysandpathetictreasures,Tinarealized,notforthefirsttime,thatitwasn'thealthyforhertomaintainthisplaceasifitwereamuseum.Orashrine.Aslongasshelefthisthingsundisturbed,shecouldcontinuetoentertainthehopethatDannywasnotdead,thathewasjustaway
continuetoentertainthehopethatDannywasnotdead,thathewasjustawaysomewhereforawhile,andthathewouldshortlypickuphislifewherehehadleftoff.Herinabilitytocleanouthisroomsuddenlyfrightenedher;forthefirsttimeitseemedlikemorethanjustaweaknessofspiritbutanindicationofseriousmentalillness.Shehadtoletthedeadrestinpeace.Ifshewasevertostopdreamingabouttheboy,ifsheweretogetcontrolofhergrief,shemustbeginherrecoveryhere,inthisroom,byconqueringherirrationalneedtopreservehispossessionsinsitu.
SheresolvedtocleanthisplaceoutonThursday,NewYear'sDay.BoththeVIPpremiereandtheopeningnightofMagyck!wouldbebehindherbythen.She'dbeabletorelaxandtakeafewdaysoff.ShewouldstartbyspendingThursdayafternoonhere,boxingtheclothesandtoysandposters.
Assoonasshemadethatdecision,mostofhernervousenergydissipated.Shesagged,limpandwearyandreadytoreturntobed.
Asshestartedtowardthedoor,shecaughtsightoftheeasel,stopped,andturned.Dannyhadlikedtodraw,andtheeasel,completewithaboxofpencilsandpensandpaints,hadbeenabirthdaygiftwhenhewasnine.Itwasaneaselononesideandachalkboardontheother.Dannyhadleftitatthefarendoftheroom,beyondthebed,againstthewall,andthatwaswhereithadstoodthelasttimethatTinahadbeenhere.Butnowitlayatanangle,thebaseagainstthewall,theeaselitselfslanted,chalkboard-down,acrossagametable.AnElectronicBattleshipgamehadstoodonthattable,asDannyhadleftit,readyforplay,buttheeaselhadtoppledintoitandknockedittothefloor.
Apparently,thatwasthenoiseshehadheard.Butshecouldn'timaginewhathadknockedtheeaselover.Itcouldn'thavefallenbyitself.
Sheputhergundown,wentaroundthefootofthebed,andstoodtheeaselonitslegs,asitbelonged.Shestooped,retrievedthepiecesoftheElectronicBattleshipgame,andreturnedthemtothetable.
Whenshepickedupthescatteredsticksofchalkandthefelteraser,turningagaintothechalkboard,sherealizedthattwowordswerecrudelyprintedontheblacksurface:
NOTDEAD
NOTDEAD
Shescowledatthemessage.
ShewaspositivethatnothinghadbeenwrittenontheboardwhenDannyhadgoneawayonthatscoutingtrip.Andithadbeenblankthelasttimeshe'dbeeninthisroom.
Belatedly,asshepressedherfingertipstothewordsonthechalkboard,thepossiblemeaningofthemstruckher.Asaspongesoakedupwater,shetookachillfromthesurfaceoftheslate.Notdead.ItwasadenialofDanny'sdeath.Anangryrefusaltoaccepttheawfultruth.Achallengetoreality.
Inoneofherterribleseizuresofgrief,inamomentofcrazydarkdespair,hadshecomeintothisroomandunknowinglyprintedthosewordsonDanny'schalkboard?
Shedidn'trememberdoingit.Ifshehadleftthismessage,shemustbehavingblackouts,temporaryamnesiaofwhichshewastotallyunaware.Orshewaswalkinginhersleep.Eitherpossibilitywasunacceptable.
DearGod,unthinkable.
Therefore,thewordsmusthavebeenhereallalong.Dannymusthaveleftthembeforehedied.Hisprintingwasneat,likeeverythingelseabouthim,notsloppylikethisscrawledmessage.Nevertheless,hemusthavedoneit.Musthave.
Andtheobviousreferencethatthosetwowordsmadetothebusaccidentinwhichhehadperished?
Coincidence.Danny,ofcourse,hadbeenwritingaboutsomethingelse,andthedarkinterpretationthatcouldbedrawnfromthosetwowordsnow,afterhisdeath,wasjustamacabrecoincidence.
Sherefusedtoconsideranyotherpossibilitybecausethealternativesweretoofrightening.
Shehuggedherself.Herhandswereicy;theychilledhersideseventhroughhernightgown.
Shivering,shethoroughlyerasedthewordsonthechalkboard,retrievedherhandgun,andlefttheroom,pullingthedoorshutbehindher.
Shewaswideawake,butshehadtogetsomesleep.Therewassomuchtodointhemorning.Bigday.
Inthekitchen,shewithdrewabottleofWildTurkeyfromthecupboardbythesink.ItwasMichael'sfavoritebourbon.Shepouredtwoouncesintoawaterglass.Althoughshewasn'tmuchofadrinker,indulginginnothingmorethanaglassofwinenowandthen,withnocapacitywhatsoeverforhardliquor,shefinishedthebourbonintwoswallows.Grimacingatthebitternessofthespirits,wonderingwhyMichaelhadextolledthisbrand'ssmoothness,shehesitated,thenpouredanotherounce.Shefinisheditquickly,asthoughshewereachildtakingmedicine,andthenputthebottleaway.
Inbedagainshesnuggledinthecoversandclosedhereyesandtriednottothinkaboutthechalkboard.Butanimageofitappearedbehindhereyes.Whenshecouldn'tbanishthatimage,sheattemptedtoalterit,mentallywipingthewordsaway.Butinhermind'seye,thesevenlettersreappearedonthechalkboard:NOTDEAD.Althoughsherepeatedlyerasedthem,theystubbornlyreturned.Shegrewdizzyfromthebourbonandfinallyslippedintowelcomeoblivion.
3
TUESDAYAFTERNOONTLNAWATCHEDTHEFINALdressrehearsalofMagyck!fromaseatinthemiddleoftheGoldenPyramidshowroom.
Thetheaterwasshapedlikeanenormousfan,spreadingunderahighdomedceiling.Theroomsteppeddowntowardthestageinalternatingwideandnarrowgalleries.Onthewiderlevels,longdinnertables,coveredwithwhitelinen,weresetatrightanglestothestage.Eachnarrowgalleryconsistedofathree-foot-wideaislewithalowrailingononesideandacurvingrowofraised,plushlypaddedboothsontheotherside.Thefocusofalltheseatswastheimmensestage,amarvelofthesizerequiredforaLasVegasspectacular,morethanhalfagainaslargeasthelargeststageonBroadway.ItwassohugethataDC-9airlinercouldberolledontoitwithoutusinghalfthespaceavailable—afeatthathadbeenaccomplishedaspartofaproductionnumberonasimilarstageatahotelinRenoseveralyearsago.Alavishuseofbluevelvet,darkleather,crystalchandeliers,andthickbluecarpet,plusanexcellentsenseofdramaticlighting,gavethemammothchambersomeofthefeelingofacozycabaretinspiteofitssize.
Tinasatinoneofthethird-tierbooths,nervouslysippingicewaterasshewatchedhershow.
Thedressrehearsalranwithoutaproblem.Withsevenmassiveproductionnumbers,fivemajorvarietyacts,forty-twogirldancers,forty-twoboydancers,fifteenshowgirls,twoboysingers,twogirlsingers(onetemperamental),forty-sevencrewmenandtechnicians,atwenty-pieceorchestra,oneelephant,onelion,twoblackpanthers,sixgoldenretrievers,andtwelvewhitedoves,thelogisticsweremind-numbinglycomplicated,butayearofarduouslaborwasevidentintheslickandfaultlessunfoldingoftheprogram.
Attheend,thecastandcrewgatheredonstageandapplaudedthemselves,huggedandkissedoneanother.Therewaselectricityintheair,afeelingoftriumph,anervousexpectationofsuccess.
JoelBandiri,Tina'sco-producer,hadwatchedtheshowfromaboothinthefirsttier,theVIProw,wherehighrollersandotherfriendsofthehotelwouldbe
tier,theVIProw,wherehighrollersandotherfriendsofthehotelwouldbeseatedeverynightoftherun.Assoonastherehearsalended,Joelsprangoutofhisseat,racedtotheaisle,climbedthestepstothethirdtier,andhurriedtoTina.
"Wedidit!"Joelshoutedasheapproachedher."Wemadethedamnthingwork!"
Tinaslidoutofherboothtomeethim.
"Wegotahit,kid!"Joelsaid,andhehuggedherfiercely,plantingawetkissonhercheek.
Shehuggedhimenthusiastically."Youthinkso?Really?"
"Think?Iknow!Agiant.That'swhatwe'vegot.Arealgiant!Agargantua!"
'Thankyou,Joel.Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou.""Me?Whatareyouthankingmefor?""Forgivingmeachancetoprovemyself.""Hey,Ididyounofavors,kid.Youworkedyourbuttoff.Youearnedeverypennyyou'regonnamakeoutofthisbaby,justlikeIknewyouwould.We'reagreatteam.Anybodyelsetriedtohandleallthis,they'djustendupwithonegoddamnbigmishkadenzeontheirhands.Butyouandme,wemadeitintoahit."
Joelwasanoddlittleman:five-feet-four,slightlychubbybutnotfat,withcurlybrownhairthatappearedtohavefrizzedandkinkedinresponsetoajoltofelectricity.Hisface,whichwasasbroadandcomicasthatofaclown,couldstretchintoanendlessseriesofrubberyexpressions.Heworebluejeans,acheapblueworkshirt—andabouttwohundredthousanddollars'worthofrings.Sixringsbedeckedeachofhishands,somewithdiamonds,somewithemeralds,onewithalargeruby,onewithanevenlargeropal.Asalways,heseemedtobehighonsomething,burstingwithenergy.WhenhefinallystoppedhuggingTina,hecouldnotstandstill.HeshiftedfromfoottofootashetalkedaboutMagyck!,turnedthiswayandthat,gesturedexpansivelywithhisquick,gem-speckledhands,virtuallydoingajig.
Atforty-sixhewasthemostsuccessfulproducerinLasVegas,withtwentyyearsofhitshowsbehindhim.Thewords"JoelBandiriPresents"onamarqueewereaguaranteeoffirst-rateentertainment.HehadplowedsomeofhissubstantialearningsintoLasVegasrealestate,partsoftwohotels,anautomobiledealership,andaslot-machinecasinodowntown.Hewassorichthathecouldretireandlivetherestofhislifeinthehighstyleandsplendorfor
hecouldretireandlivetherestofhislifeinthehighstyleandsplendorforwhichhehadataste.ButJoelwouldneverstopwillingly.Helovedhiswork.Hewouldmostlikelydieonthestage,inthemiddleofpuzzlingoutatrickyproductionproblem.
HehadseenTina'sworkinsomeloungesaroundtown,andhehadsurprisedherwhenhe'dofferedherthechancetoco-produceMagyck!Atfirstshehadn'tbeensureifsheshouldtakethejob.Shewasawareofhisreputationasaperfectionistwhodemandedsuperhumaneffortsfromhispeople.Shewasalsoworriedaboutbeingresponsibleforaten-million-dollarbudget.Workingwiththatkindofmoneywasn'tmerelyastepupforher;itwasagiantleap.
Joelhadconvincedherthatshe'dhavenodifficultymatchinghispaceormeetinghisstandards,andthatshewasequaltothechallenge.Hehelpedhertodiscovernewreservesofenergy,newareasofcompetenceinherself.Hehadbecomenotjustavaluedbusinessassociate,butagoodfriendaswell,abigbrother.
Nowtheyseemedtohaveshapedahitshowtogether.
AsTinastoodinthisbeautifultheater,glancingdownatthecolorfullycostumedpeoplemillingaboutonthestage,thenlookingatJoel'srubberyface,listeningasherco-producerunblushinglyravedabouttheirhandiwork,shewashappierthanshehadbeeninalongtime.Iftheaudienceatthisevening'sVIPpremierereactedenthusiastically,shemighthavetobuyleadweightstokeepherselffromfloatingoffthefloorwhenshewalked.
Twentyminuteslater,at3:45,shesteppedontothesmoothcobblestonesinfrontofthehotel'smainentranceandhandedherclaimchecktothevaletparkingattendant.WhilehewenttofetchherHonda,shestoodinthewarmlate-afternoonsunshine,unabletostopgrinning.
SheturnedandlookedbackattheGoldenPyramidHotel-Casino.Herfuturewasinextricablylinkedtothatgaudybutundeniablyimpressivepileofconcreteandsteel.Theheavybronzeandglassrevolvingdoorsglitteredastheyspunwithasteadyflowofpeople.Rampartsofpalepinkstonestretchedhundredsoffeetonbothsidesoftheentrance;thosewallswerewindowlessandgarishlydecoratedwithgiantstonecoins,agushingtorrentofcoinsfloodingfromastonecornucopia.Directlyoverhead,theceilingoftheimmenseportecocherewaslinedwithhundredsoflights;noneofthebulbswereburningnow,butafternightfalltheywouldraindazzling,goldenluminosityupontheglossy
nightfalltheywouldraindazzling,goldenluminosityupontheglossycobblestonesbelow.ThePyramidhadbeenbuiltatacostinexcessoffourhundredmilliondollars,andtheownershadmadecertainthateverylastdimeshowed.Tinasupposedthatsomepeoplewouldsaythishotelwasgross,crass,tasteless,ugly—butshelovedtheplacebecauseitwasherethatshehadbeengivenherbigchance.Thusfar,thethirtiethofDecemberhadbeenabusy,noisy,excitingdayatthePyramid.AftertherelativequietofChristmasweek,anuninterruptedstreamofguestswaspouringthroughthefrontdoors.AdvancebookingsindicatedarecordNewYear'sholidaycrowdforLasVegas.ThePyramid,withalmostthreethousandrooms,wasbookedtocapacity,aswaseveryhotelinthecity.Atafewminutespasteleveno'clock,asecretaryfromSanDiegoputfivedollarsinaslotmachineandhitajackpotworth$495,000;wordofthatevenreachedbackstageintheshowroom.Shortlybeforenoon,twohighrollersfromDallassatdownatablackjacktableand,inthreehours,lostaquarterofamillionbucks;theywerelaughingandjokingwhentheyleftthetabletotryanothergame.CarolHirson,acocktailwaitresswhowasafriendofTina's,hadtoldherabouttheunluckyTexansafewminutesago.Carolhadbeenshiny-eyedandbreathlessbecausethehighrollershadtippedherwithgreenchips,asifthey'dbeenwinninginsteadoflosing;forbringingthemhalfadozendrinks,shehadcollectedtwelvehundreddollars.
Sinatrawasintown,atCaesar'sPalace,perhapsforthelasttime,andevenateightyyearsofage,hegeneratedmoreexcitementinVegasthananyotherfamousname.AlongtheentireStripandinthelessposhbutnonethelessjammedcasinosdowntown,thingswerejumping,sparking.
AndinjustfourhoursMagyck!wouldpremiere.
ThevaletbroughtTina'scar,andshetippedhim.
Hesaid,"Breakalegtonight,Tina."
"God,Ihopeso."
Shewashomeby4:15.Shehadtwoandahalfhourstofillbeforeshehadtoleaveforthehotelagain.
Shedidn'tneedthatmuchtimetoshower,applyhermakeup,anddress,soshedecidedtopacksomeofDanny'sbelongings.Nowwastherighttimetobegintheunpleasantchore.Shewasinsuchanexcellentmoodthatshedidn'tthinkeventhesightofhisroomwouldbeabletobringherdown,asitusuallydid.No
eventhesightofhisroomwouldbeabletobringherdown,asitusuallydid.NouseputtingitoffuntilThursday,asshehadplanned.Shehadatleastenoughtimetomakeastart,boxuptheboy'sclothes,ifnothingelse.
WhenshewentintoDanny'sbedroom,shesawatoncethattheeasel-chalkboardhadbeenknockedoveragain.Sheputitright.
Twowordswereprintedontheslate:
NOTDEAD
Achillsweptdownherback.
Lastnight,afterdrinkingthebourbon,hadshecomebackhereinsomekindoffugueand...?
No.
Shehadn'tblackedout.Shehadnotprintedthosewords.Shewasn'tgoingcrazy.Shewasn'tthesortofpersonwhowouldsnapoverathinglikethis.Notevenathinglikethis.Shewastough.Shehadalwayspridedherselfonhertoughnessandherresiliency.
Snatchingupthefelteraser,shevigorouslywipedtheslateclean.
Someonewasplayingasick,nastytrickonher.Someonehadcomeintothehousewhileshewasoutandhadprintedthosetwowordsonthechalkboardagain.Whoeveritwas,hewantedtorubherfaceinthetragedythatshewastryingsohardtoforget.
Theonlyotherpersonwhohadarighttobeinthehousewasthecleaningwoman,VivienneNeddler.Viviennehadbeenscheduledtoworkthisafternoon,butshe'dcanceled.Instead,shewascominginforafewhoursthisevening,whileTinawasatthepremiere.
ButevenifViviennehadkeptherscheduledappointment,sheneverwouldhavewrittenthosewordsonthechalkboard.Shewasasweetoldwoman,feistyandindependent-mindedbutnotthetypetoplaycruelpranks.
independent-mindedbutnotthetypetoplaycruelpranks.
ForamomentTinarackedhermind,searchingforsomeonetoblame,andthenanameoccurredtoher.Itwastheonlypossiblesuspect.Michael.Herex-husband.Therewasnosignthatanyonehadbrokenintothehouse,noobviousevidenceofforcedentry,andMichaelwastheonlyotherpersonwithakey.Shehadn'tchangedthelocksafterthedivorce.
Shatteredbythelossofhisson,MichaelhadbeenirrationallyviciouswithTinaformonthsafterthefuneral,accusingherofbeingresponsibleforDanny'sdeath.ShehadgivenDannypermissiontogoonthefieldtrip,andasfarasMichaelwasconcerned,thathadbeenequivalenttodrivingthebusoffthecliff.ButDannyhadwantedtogotothemountainsmorethananythingelseintheworld.Besides,Mr.Jaborski,thescoutmaster,hadtakenothergroupsofscoutsonwintersurvivalhikeseveryyearforsixteenyears,andnoonehadbeenevenslightlyinjured.Theydidn'thikeallthewayintothetruewilderness,justareasonabledistanceoffthebeatenpath,andtheyplannedforeverycontingency.Theexperiencewassupposedtobegoodforaboy.Safe.Carefullymanaged.Everyoneassuredhertherewasnochanceoftrouble.She'dhadnowayofknowingthatJaborski'sseventeenthtripwouldendindisaster,yetMichaelblamedher.She'dthoughthehadregainedhisperspectiveduringthelastfewmonths,butevidentlynot.
Shestaredatthechalkboard,thoughtofthetwowordsthathadbeenprintedthere,andangerswelledinher.Michaelwasbehavinglikeaspitefulchild.Didn'therealizethathergriefwasasdifficulttobearashis?Whatwashetryingtoprove?
Furious,shewentintothekitchen,pickedupthetelephone,anddialedMichael'snumber.Afterfiveringssherealizedthathewasatwork,andshehungup.
Inhermindthetwowordsburned,whiteonblack:NOTDEAD.
ThiseveningshewouldcallMichael,whenshegothomefromthepremiereandthepartyafterward.Shewascertaintobequitelate,butshewasn'tgoingtoworryaboutwakinghim.
Shestoodindecisivelyinthecenterofthesmallkitchen,tryingtofindthewillpowertogotoDanny'sroomandboxhisclothes,asshehadplanned.Butshehadlosthernerve.Shecouldn'tgointhereagain.Nottoday.Maybenotforafewdays.
fewdays.
DamnMichael.
Intherefrigeratorwasahalf-emptybottleofwhitewine.Shepouredaglassfulandcarrieditintothemasterbath.
Shewasdrinkingtoomuch.Bourbonlastnight.Winenow.Untilrecently,shehadrarelyusedalcoholtocalmhernerves—butnowitwashercureoffirstresort.OnceshehadgottenthroughthepremiereofMagyck!,she'dbetterstartcuttingbackonthebooze.Nowshedesperatelyneededit.
Shetookalongshower.Sheletthehotwaterbeatdownonherneckforseveralminutes,untilthestiffnessinhermusclesmeltedandflowedaway.
Aftertheshower,thechilledwinefurtherrelaxedherbody,althoughitdidlittletocalmhermindandallayheranxiety.Shekeptthinkingofthechalkboard.
NOTDEAD.
4
AT6:50TINAWASAGAINBACKSTAGEINTHEshowroom.Theplacewasrelativelyquiet,exceptforthemuffledoceanicroaroftheVIPcrowdthatwaitedinthemainshowroom,beyondthevelvetcurtains.
Eighteenhundredguestshadbeeninvited—LasVegasmoversandshakers,plushighrollersfromoutoftown.MorethanfifteenhundredhadreturnedtheirRSVPcards.
Already,aplatoonofwhite-coatedwaiters,waitressesincrispblueuniforms,andscurryingbusboyshadbegunservingthedinners.ThechoicewasfiletmignonwithBernaisesauceorlobsterinbuttersauce,becauseLasVegaswastheoneplaceintheUnitedStateswherepeopleatleasttemporarilysetasideconcernsaboutcholesterol.Inthehealth-obsessedfinaldecadeofthecentury,eatingfattyfoodswaswidelyregardedasafarmoredelicious—andmoredamning—sinthanenvy,sloth,thievery,andadultery.
Byseven-thirtythebackstageareawasbustling.Techniciansdouble-checkedthemotorizedsets,theelectricalconnections,andthehydraulicpumpsthatraisedandloweredportionsofthestage.Stagehandscountedandarrangedprops.Wardrobewomenmendedtearsandsewedupunraveledhemsthathadbeendiscoveredatthelastminute.Hairdressersandlightingtechniciansrushedaboutonurgenttasks.Maledancers,wearingblacktuxedosfortheopeningnumber,stoodtensely,aneye-pleasingcollectionoflean,handsometypes.
Dozensofbeautifuldancersandshowgirlswerebackstagetoo.Someworesatinandlace.Othersworevelvetandrhinestones—orfeathersorsequinsorfurs,andafewweretopless.Manywerestillinthecommunaldressingrooms,whileothergirls,alreadycostumed,waitedinthehallsorattheedgeofthebigstage,talkingaboutchildrenandhusbandsandboyfriendsandrecipes,asiftheyweresecretariesonacoffeebreakandnotsomeofthemostbeautifulwomenintheworld.
Tinawantedtostayinthewingsthroughouttheperformance,butshecoulddonothingmorebehindthecurtains.Magyck!wasnowinthehandsoftheperformersandtechnicians.
performersandtechnicians.
Twenty-fiveminutesbeforeshowtimeTinaleftthestageandwentintothenoisyshowroom.SheheadedtowardthecenterboothintheVIProw,whereCharlesMainway,generalmanagerandprincipalstockholderoftheGoldenPyramidHotel,waitedforher.
ShestoppedfirstattheboothnexttoMainway's.JoelBandiriwaswithEva,hiswifeofeightyears,andtwooftheirfriends.Evawastwenty-nine,seventeenyearsyoungerthanJoel,andatfivefooteight,shewasalsofourinchestallerthanhewas.Shewasanex-showgirl,blond,willowy,delicatelybeautiful.ShegentlysqueezedTina'shand."Don'tworry.You'retoogoodtofail."
"Wegotahit,kid,"JoelassuredTinaoncemore.
Inthenextsemicircularbooth,CharlesMainwaygreetedTinawithawarmsmile.Mainwaycarriedandheldhimselfasifhewereanaristocrat,andhismaneofsilverhairandhisclearblueeyescontributedtotheimagehewishedtoproject.However,hisfeatureswerelarge,square,andutterlywithoutevidenceofpatricianblood,andevenafterthemellowinginfluencesofelocutionteachers,hisnaturallylow,gravellyvoicebeliedhisoriginsinaroughBrooklynneighborhood.
AsTinaslidintotheboothbesideMainway,atuxedoedcaptainappearedandfilledherglasswithDomPérignon.
HelenMainway,Charlie'swife,satathisleftside.HelenwasbynatureeverythingthatpoorCharliestruggledtobe:impeccablywell-mannered,sophisticated,graceful,ateaseandconfidentinanysituation.Shewastall,slender,striking,fifty-fiveyearsoldbutabletopassforawell-preservedforty.
"Tina,mydear,Iwantyoutomeetafriendofours,"Helensaid,indicatingthefourthpersoninthebooth."ThisisElliotStryker.Elliot,thislovelyyoungladyisChristinaEvans,theguidinghandbehindMagyck!"
"Oneoftwoguidinghands,"Tinasaid."JoelBandiriismoreresponsiblefortheshowthanIam—especiallyifit'saflop."
Strykerlaughed."I'mpleasedtomeetyou,Mrs.Evans."
"JustplainTina,"shesaid.
"JustplainTina,"shesaid.
"AndI'mjustplainElliot."
Hewasarugged,good-lookingman,neitherbignorsmall,aboutforty.Hisdarkeyesweredeeplyset,quick,markedbyintelligenceandamusement.
"Elliot'smyattorney,"CharlieMainwaysaid.
"Oh,"Tinasaid,"IthoughtHarrySimpson—"
"Harry'sahotelattorney.Elliothandlesmyprivateaffairs."
"Andhandlesthemverywell,"Helensaid."Tina,ifyouneedanattorney,thisisthebestinLasVegas."
ToTina,Strykersaid,"Butifit'sflatteryyouneed:—andI'msureyoualreadygetalotofit,lovelyasyouare—nooneinVegascanflatterwithmorecharmandstylethanHelen."
"Youseewhathejustdid?"HelenaskedTina,clappingherhandswithdelight."Inonesentencehemanagedtoflatteryou,flatterme,andimpressallofuswithhismodesty.Youseewhatawonderfulattorneyheis?"
"Imaginehimarguingapointincourt,"Charliesaid.
"Averysmoothcharacterindeed,"Helensaid.
StrykerwinkedatTina."SmoothasImightbe,I'mnomatchforthesetwo."
Theymadepleasantsmalltalkforthenextfifteenminutes,andnoneofithadtodowithMagyck!Tinawasawarethattheyweretryingtotakehermindofftheshow,andsheappreciatedtheireffort.
Ofcoursenoamountofamusingtalk,noquantityoficyDomPerignoncouldrenderherunawareoftheexcitementthatwasbuildingintheshowroomascurtaintimedrewnear.Minutebyminutethecloudofcigarettesmokeoverheadthickened.Waitresses,waiters,andcaptainsrushedbackandforthtofillthedrinkordersbeforetheshowbegan.Theroarofconversationgrewlouderasthesoundstickedaway,andthequalityoftheroarbecamemorefrenetic,gayer,andmoreoftenpunctuatedwithlaughter.
Somehow,eventhoughherattentionwaspartlyonthemoodofthecrowd,partlyonHelenandCharlieMainway,TinawasneverthelessawareofElliotStryker'sreactiontoher.Hemadenogreatshowofbeingmorethanordinarilyinterestedinher,buttheattractionsheheldforhimwasevidentinhiseyes.Beneathhiscordial,witty,slightlycoolexterior,hissecretresponsewasthatofahealthymaleanimal,andherawarenessofitwasmoreinstinctualthanintellectual,likeamare'sresponsetothestallion'sfirstfaintstirringsofdesire.
Atleastayearandahalf,maybetwoyears,hadpassedsinceamanhadlookedatherinquitethatfashion.Orperhapsthiswasthefirsttimeinallthosemonthsthatshehadbeenawareofbeingtheobjectofsuchinterest.FightingwithMichael,copingwiththeshockofseparationanddivorce,grievingforDanny,andputtingtogethertheshowwithJoelBandirihadfilledherdaysandnights,soshe'dhadnochancetothinkofromance.
RespondingtotheunspokenneedinElliot'seyeswithaneedofherown,shewassuddenlywarm.
Shethought:MyGod,I'vebeenlettingmyselfdryup!HowcouldIhaveforgottenthis!
Nowthatshehadspentmorethanayeargrievingforherbrokenmarriageandforherlostson,nowthatMagyck!wasalmostbehindher,shewouldhavetimetobeawomanagain.Shewouldmaketime.
TimeforElliotStryker?Shewasn'tsure.Noreasontobeinahurrytomakeupforlostpleasures.Sheshouldn'tjumpatthefirstmanwhowantedher.Surelythatwasn'tthesmartthingtodo.Ontheotherhand,hewashandsome,andinhisfacewasanappealinggentleness.Shehadtoadmitthathesparkedthesamefeelingsinherthatsheapparentlyen-flamedinhim.
Theeveningwasturningouttobeevenmoreinterestingthanshehadexpected.
5
VIVIENNENEDDLERPARKEDHERVINTAGE1955NashRambleratthecurbinfrontoftheEvanshouse,beingcarefulnottoscrapethewhitewalls.Thecarwasimmaculate,inbettershapethanmostnewcarsthesedays.Inaworldofplannedobsolescence,Viviennetookpleasureingettinglong,fulluseoutofeverythingthatshebought,whetheritwasatoasteroranautomobile.Sheenjoyedmakingthingslast.
Shehadlastedquiteawhileherself.Shewasseventy,stillinexcellenthealth,ashortsturdywomanwiththesweetfaceofaBotticelliMadonnaandtheno-nonsensewalkofanarmysergeant.
Shegotoutofthecarand,carryingapursethesizeofasmallsuitcase,marchedupthewalktowardthehouse,anglingawayfromthefrontdoorandpastthegarage.
Thesulfur-yellowlightfromthestreetlampsfailedtoreachallthewayacrossthelawn.Besidethefrontwalkwayandthenalongthesideofthehouse,low-voltagelandscapelightingrevealedthepath.
Oleanderbushesrustledinthebreeze.Overhead,palmfrondsscrapedsoftlyagainstoneanother.
AsViviennereachedthebackofthehouse,thecrescentmoonslidoutfrombehindoneofthefewthinclouds,likeascimitarbeingdrawnfromascabbard,andthepaleshadowsofpalmsandmelaleucasshiveredonthelunar-silveredconcretepatio.
Vivienneletherselfinthroughthekitchendoor.She'dbeencleaningforTinaEvansfortwoyears,andshehadbeenentrustedwithakeynearlythatlong.
Thehousewassilentexceptforthesoftlyhummingrefrigerator.
Viviennebeganworkinthekitchen.Shewipedthecountersandtheappliances,spongedofftheslatsoftheLevolorblinds,andmoppedtheMexican-tilefloor.Shedidafirst-ratejob.Shebelievedinthemoralvalueofhardwork,andshe
Shedidafirst-ratejob.Shebelievedinthemoralvalueofhardwork,andshealwaysgaveheremployerstheirmoney'sworth.
Sheusuallyworkedduringtheday,notatnight.Thisafternoon,however,she'dbeenplayingapairofluckyslotmachinesattheMirageHotel,andshehadn'twantedtowalkawayfromthemwhiletheywerepayingoffsogenerously.Somepeopleforwhomshecleanedhouseinsistedthatshekeepregularlyscheduledappointments,andtheydidaslowburnifsheshowedupmorethanafewminuteslate.ButTinaEvanswassympathetic;sheknewhowimportanttheslotmachinesweretoVivienne,andshewasn'tupsetifVivienneoccasionallyhadtoreschedulehervisit.
Viviennewasanickelduchess.Thatwasthetermbywhichcasinoemployeesstillreferredtolocal,elderlywomenwhosesociallivesrevolvedaroundanobsessiveinterestinone-armedbandits,eventhoughthenickelmachineswereprettymuchancienthistory.Nickelduchessesalwaysplayedthecheapslotmachines—nickelsanddimesintheolddays,nowquarters—neverthedollar-orfive-dollarslots.Theypulledthehandlesforhoursatatime,oftenmakingatwenty-dollarbilllastalongafternoon.Theirgamingphilosophywassimple:Itdoesn'tmatterifyouwinorlose,aslongasyoustayinthegame.Withthatattitudeplusafewmoney-managementskills,theywereabletohangonlongerthanmostslotplayerswhoplungedatthedollarmachinesaftergettingnowherewithquarters,andbecauseoftheirpatienceandperseverance,theduchesseswonmorejackpotsthandidthetideoftouriststhatebbedandflowedaroundthem.Eventhesedays,whenmostmachinescouldbeplayedwithelectronicallyvalidatedvaluecards,thenickelduchessesworeblackglovestokeeptheirhandsfrombecomingfilthyafterhoursofhandlingcoinsandpullinglevers;theyalwayssatonstoolswhiletheyplayed,andtheyrememberedtoalternatehandswhenoperatingthemachinesinordernottostrainthemusclesofonearm,andtheycarriedbottlesoflinimentjustincase.
Theduchesses,whoforthemostpartwerewidowsandspinsters,oftenatelunchanddinnertogether.Theycheeredoneanotheronthoserareoccasionswhenoneofthemhitareallylargejackpot;andwhenoneofthemdied,theotherswenttothefuneralenmasse.Togethertheyformedanoddbutsolidcommunity,withasatisfyingsenseofbelonging.Inacountrythatworshipedyouth,mostelderlyAmericansdevoutlydesiredtodiscoveraplacewheretheybelonged,butunliketheduchesses,manyofthemneverfoundit.
Viviennehadadaughter,ason-in-law,andthreegrandchildreninSacramento.Forfiveyears,eversincehersixty-fifthbirthday,theyhadbeenpressuringherto
Forfiveyears,eversincehersixty-fifthbirthday,theyhadbeenpressuringhertolivewiththem.Shelovedthemasmuchaslifeitself,andsheknewtheytrulywantedherwiththem;theywerenotinvitingheroutofamisguidedsenseofguiltandobligation:Nevertheless,shedidn'twanttoliveinSacramento.Afterseveralvisitsthere,shehaddecidedthatitmustbeoneofthedullestcitiesintheworld.Viviennelikedtheaction,noise,lights,andexcitementofLasVegas.Besides,livinginSacramento,shewouldn'tbeanickelduchessanylonger;shewouldn'tbeanyonespecial;shewouldbejustanotherelderlylady,livingwithherdaughter'sfamily,playinggrandma,markingtime,waitingtodie.
Alifelikethatwouldbeintolerable.
Viviennevaluedherindependencemorethananythingelse.Sheprayedthatshewouldremainhealthyenoughtocontinueworkingandlivingonherownuntil,atlast,hertimecameandallthelittlewindowsonthemachineoflifeproducedlemons.
Asshewasmoppingthelastcornerofthekitchenfloor,asshewasthinkingabouthowdrearylifewouldbewithoutherfriendsandherslotmachines,sheheardasoundinanotherpartofthehouse.Towardthefront.Thelivingroom.
Shefroze,listening.
Therefrigeratormotorstoppedrunning.Aclocktickedsoftly.
Afteralongsilence,abriefclatteringechoedthroughthehousefromanotherroom,startlingVivienne.Thensilenceagain.
Shewenttothedrawernexttothesinkandselectedalong,sharpbladefromanassortmentofknives.
Shedidn'tevenconsidercallingthepolice.Ifshephonedforthemandthenranoutofthehouse,theymightnotfindanintruderwhentheycame.Theywouldthinkshewasjustafoolisholdwoman.VivienneNeddlerrefusedtogiveanyonereasontothinkherafool.
Besides,forthepasttwenty-oneyears,eversinceherHarrydied,shehadalwaystakencareofherself.Shehaddoneaprettydamngoodjobofittoo.
Shesteppedoutofthekitchenandfoundthelightswitchtotherightofthedoorway.Thediningroomwasdeserted.
doorway.Thediningroomwasdeserted.
Inthelivingroom,sheclickedonaStifellamp.Noonewasthere.
Shewasabouttoheadforthedenwhenshenoticedsomethingoddaboutfourframedeight-by-tenphotographsthatweregroupedonthewallabovethesofa.Thisdisplayhadalwayscontainedsixpictures,notjustfour.Butthefactthattwoweremissingwasn'twhatdrewVivienne'sattention.Allfouroftheremainingphotoswereswingingbackandforthonthepicturehooksthatheldthem.Noonewasnearthem,yetsuddenlytwophotosbegantorattleviolentlyagainstthewall,andthenbothflewofftheirmountingsandclatteredtothefloorbehindthebeige,brushed-corduroysofa.
Thiswasthesoundshehadheardwhenshe'dbeeninthekitchen—thisclatter.
"Whatthehell?"
Theremainingtwophotographsabruptlyflungthemselvesoffthewall.Onedroppedbehindthesofa,andtheothertumbledontoit.
Vivienneblinkedinamazement,unabletounderstandwhatshehadseen.Anearthquake?Butshehadn'tfeltthehousemove;thewindowshadn'trattled.Anytremortoomildtobefeltwouldalsobetoomildtotearthephotographsfromthewall.
Shewenttothesofaandpickedupthephotothathaddroppedontothecushions.Sheknewitwell.Shehaddusteditmanytimes.ItwasaportraitofDannyEvans,asweretheotherfivethatusuallyhungaroundit.Inthisone,hewastenorelevenyearsold,asweetbrown-hairedboywithdarkeyesandalovelysmile.
Viviennewonderediftherehadbeenanucleartest;maybethatwaswhathadshakenthingsup.TheNevadaNuclearTestSite,whereundergrounddetonationswereconductedseveraltimesayear,waslessthanahundredmilesnorthofLasVegas.Wheneverthemilitaryexplodedahigh-yieldweapon,thetallhotelsswayedinVegas,andeveryhouseintownshudderedalittle.
But,no,shewasstuckinthepast:TheColdWarwasover,andnucleartestshadn'tbeenconductedoutinthedesertforalongtime.Besides,thehousehadn'tshudderedjustaminuteago;onlythephotoshadbeenaffected.
Puzzled,frowningthoughtfully,Vivienneputdowntheknife,pulledoneendofthesofaawayfromthewall,andcollectedtheframedeight-by-tensthatwereon
thesofaawayfromthewall,andcollectedtheframedeight-by-tensthatwereonthefloorbehindit.Therewerefivephotographsinadditiontotheonethathaddroppedontothesofa;twowereresponsibleforthenoisesthathaddrawnherintothelivingroom,andtheotherthreewerethosethatshehadseenpoppingoffthepicturehooks.Sheputthembackwheretheybelonged,thenslidthesofaintoplace.
Aburstofhigh-pitchedelectronicnoiseblaredthroughthehouse:Aiii-eee...aiii-eee...aiii-eee...
Viviennegasped,turned.Shewasstillalone.
Herfirstthoughtwas:Burglaralarm.
ButtheEvanshousedidn'thaveanalarmsystem.
Viviennewincedastheshrillelectronicsquealgrewlouder,apiercingoscillation.Thenearbywindowsandthethickglasstopofthecoffeetablewerevibrating.Shefeltasympatheticresonanceinherteethandbones.
Shewasn'tabletoidentifythesourceofthesound.Itseemedtobecomingfromeverycomerofthehouse.
"Whatinthebluedevilisgoingonhere?"
Shedidn'tbotherpickinguptheknife,becauseshewassuretheproblemwasn'tanintruder.Itwassomethingelse,somethingweird.
Shecrossedtheroomtothehallwaythatservedthebedrooms,bathrooms,andden.Shesnappedonthelight.Thenoisewaslouderinthecorridorthanithadbeeninthelivingroom.Thenerve-frayingsoundbouncedoffthewallsofthenarrowpassage,echoingandreechoing.
Viviennelookedbothways,thenmovedtotheright,towardthecloseddoorattheendofthehall.TowardDanny'soldroom..
Theairwascoolerinthehallwaythanitwasintherestofthehouse.AtfirstViviennethoughtthatshewasimaginingthechangeintemperature,buttheclosershedrewtotheendofthecorridor,thecolderitgot.Bythetimeshereachedthecloseddoor,herskinwasgoose-pimpled,andherteethwerechattering.
chattering.
Stepbystep,hercuriositygavewaytofear.Somethingwasverywronghere.Anominouspressureseemedtocompresstheairaroundher.
Aiii-eee...aiii-eee...
Thewisestthingshecoulddowouldbetoturnback,walkawayfromthedoorandoutofthehouse.Butshewasn'tcompletelyincontrolofherself;shefeltabitlikeasleepwalker.Inspiteofheranxiety,apowershecouldsense—butwhichshecouldnotdefine—drewherinexorablytoDanny'sroom.
Aiii-eee...aiii-eee...aiii-eee...
Viviennereachedforthedoorknobbutstoppedbeforetouchingit,unabletobelievewhatshewasseeing.Sheblinkedrapidly,closedhereyes,openedthemagain,butstillthedoorknobappearedtobesheathedinathin,irregularjacketofice.
Shefinallytouchedit.Ice.Herskinalmoststucktotheknob.Shepulledherhandawayandexaminedherdampfingers.Moisturehadcondensedonthemetalandthenhadfrozen.
Buthowwasthatpossible?HowinthenameofGodcouldtherebeicehere,inawell-heatedhouseandonanightwhentheoutsidetemperaturewasatleasttwentydegreesabovethefreezingpoint?
Theelectronicsquealbegantowarblefaster,butitwasnoquieter,nolessbone-penetratingthanithadbeen.
Stop,Viviennetoldherself.Getawayfromhere.Getoutasfastasyoucan.
Butsheignoredherownadvice.Shepulledherblouseoutofherslacksandusedthetailtoprotectherhandfrom
theicymetaldoorknob.Theknobturned,butthedoorwouldn'topen.Theintensecoldhadcausedthewoodtocontractandwarp.Sheputhershoulderagainstit,pushedgently,thenharder,andfinallythedoorswunginward.
6
MAGYCK!WASTHEMOSTENTERTAININGVEGASshowthatElliotStrykerhadeverseen.
Theprogramopenedwithanelectrifyingrenditionof"ThatOldBlackMagic."Singersanddancers,brilliantlycostumed,performedinastunningsetconstructedofmirroredstepsandmirroredpanels.Whenthestagelightswereperiodicallydimmed,ascoreofrevolvingcrystalballroomchandelierscastswirlingsplintersofcolorthatseemedtocoalesceintosupernaturalformsthatcaperedundertheprosceniumarch.Thechoreographywascomplex,andthetwoleadsingershadstrong,clearvoices.
Theopeningnumberwasfollowedbyafirst-ratemagicactinfrontofthedrawncurtains.Lessthantenminuteslater,whenthecurtainsopenedagain,themirrorshadbeentakenaway,andthestagehadbeentransformedintoanicerink;thesecondproductionnumberwasdoneonskatesagainstawinterbackdropsorealthatitmadeElliotshiver.
AlthoughMagyck!excitedtheimaginationandcommandedtheeye,Elliotwasn'tabletogivehisundividedattentiontoit.HekeptlookingatChristinaEvans,whowasasdazzlingastheshowshehadcreated.
Shewatchedtheperformersintently,unawareofhisgaze.Aflickering,nervousscowlplayedacrossherface,alternatingwithatentativesmilethatappearedwhentheaudiencelaughed,applauded,orgaspedinsurprise.
Shewassingularlybeautiful.Hershoulder-lengthhair—deepbrown,almostblack,glossy—sweptacrossherbrow,featheredbackatthesides,andframedherfaceasthoughitwereapaintingbyagreatmaster.Thebonestructureofthatfacewasdelicate,clearlydefined,quintessentiallyfeminine.Dusky,olivecomplexion.Full,sensuousmouth.Andhereyes...Shewouldhavebeenlovelyenoughifhereyeshadbeendark,inharmonywiththeshadeofherhairandskin,buttheywerecrystallineblue.ThecontrastbetweenherItaliangoodlooksandherNordiceyeswasdevastating.
Elliotsupposedthatotherpeoplemightfindflawsinherface.Perhapssome
Elliotsupposedthatotherpeoplemightfindflawsinherface.Perhapssomewouldsaythatherbrowwastoowide.Hernosewassostraightthatsomemightthinkitwassevere.Othersmightsaythathermouthwastoowide,herchintoopointed.ToElliot,however,herfacewasperfect.
Butherphysicalbeautywasnotwhatmostexcitedhim.HewasinterestedprimarilyinlearningmoreaboutthemindthatcouldcreateaworklikeMagyck!Hehadseenlessthanone-fourthoftheprogram,yetheknewitwasahit—andfarsuperiortoothersofitskind.AVegasstageextravaganzacouldeasilygoofftherails.Ifthegiganticsetsandlavishcostumesandintricatechoreographywereoverdone,orifanyelementwasimproperlyexecuted,theproductionwouldquicklystumbleacrossthethinlinebetweencaptivatingshow-bizflashandsheervulgarity.Aglitteryfantasycouldmetamorphoseintoacrude,tasteless,andstupidboreifthewronghandguidedit.ElliotwantedtoknowmoreaboutChristinaEvans—andonamorefundamentallevel,hejustwantedher.
NowomanhadaffectedhimsostronglysinceNancy,hiswife,whohaddiedthreeyearsago.
Sittinginthedarktheater,hesmiled,notatthecomicmagicianwhowasperforminginfrontoftheclosedstagecurtains,butathisownsudden,youthfulexuberance.
7
THEWARPEDDOORGROANEDANDCREAKEDASVIvienneNeddlerforceditopen.
Aiii-eee,aiii-eee...
Awaveoffrigidairwashedoutofthedarkroom,intothehallway.
Viviennereachedinside,fumbledforthelightswitch,foundit,andenteredwarily.Theroomwasdeserted.
Aiii-eee,aii-eee...
Baseballstarsandhorror-moviemonstersgazedatViviennefrompostersstapledtothewalls.Threeintricatemodelairplanesweresuspendedfromtheceiling.Thesethingswereastheyalwayshadbeen,sinceshehadfirstcometoworkhere,beforeDannyhaddied.
Aiii-eee,aiii-eee,aiii-eee...
Themaddeningelectronicsquealissuedfromapairofsmallstereospeakersthathungonthewallbehindthebed.TheCDplayerandanaccompanyingAM-FMtunerandamplifierwerestackedononeofthenightstands.
AlthoughViviennecouldseewherethenoiseoriginated,shecouldn'tlocateanysourceforthebitterlycoldair.Neitherwindowwasopen,andevenifonehadbeenraised,thenightwasn'tfrigidenoughtoaccountforthechill.
JustasshereachedtheAM-FMtuner,thebansheewailstopped.Thesuddensilencehadanoppressiveweight.
Gradually,asherearsstoppedringing,Vivienneperceivedthesoftemptyhissofthestereospeakers.Thensheheardthethumpingofherownheart.
Themetalcasingoftheradiogleamedwithabrittlecrustofice.Shetoucheditwonderingly.Asliveroficebrokelooseunderherfingerandfellontothenightstand.Itdidn'tbegintomelt;theroomwascold.
nightstand.Itdidn'tbegintomelt;theroomwascold.
Thewindowwasfrosted.Thedressermirrorwasfrostedtoo,andherreflectionwasdimanddistortedandstrange.
Outside,thenightwascoolbutnotwintry.Maybefiftydegrees.Maybeevenfifty-five.
Theradio'sdigitaldisplaybegantochange,theorangenumbersescalatingacrossthefrequencyband,sweepingthroughonestationafteranother.Scrapsofmusic,split-secondflashesofdiscjockeys'chatter,singlewordsfromdifferentsomber-voicednewscasters,andfragmentsofcommercialjinglesblendedinacacophonousjumbleofmeaninglesssound.Theindicatorreachedtheendofthebandwidth,andthedigitaldisplaybegantosequencebackward.
Trembling,Vivienneswitchedofftheradio.
Assoonasshetookherfingeroffthepushswitch,theradioturneditselfonagain.
Shestaredatit,frightenedandbewildered.
Thedigitaldisplaybegantosequenceupthebandoncemore,andscrapsofmusicblastedfromthespeakers.
ShepressedtheON-OFFbaragain.
Afterabriefsilence,theradioturnedonspontaneously.
"Thisiscrazy,"shesaidshakily.
Whensheshutofftheradiothethirdtime,shekeptherfingerpressedagainsttheON-OFFbar.Forseveralsecondsshewascertainthatshecouldfeeltheswitchstrainingunderherfingertipasittriedtopopon.
Overhead,thethreemodelairplanesbegantomove.Eachwashungfrom,theceilingonalengthoffishingline,andtheupperendofeachlinewasknottedtoitsowneye-hookthathadbeenscrewedfirmlyintothedrywall.Theplanesjiggled,jerked,twisted,andtrembled.
Justadraft.
Butshedidn'tfeeladraft.
Themodelplanesbegantobounceviolentlyupanddownontheendsoftheirlines.
"Godhelpme,"Viviennesaid.
Oneoftheplanesswungintightcircles,fasterandfaster,theninwidercircles,steadilydecreasingtheanglebetweenthelineonwhichitwassuspendedandthebedroomceiling.Afteramomenttheothertwomodelsceasedtheirerraticdancingandbegantospinaroundandaround,likethefirstplane,asiftheywereactuallyflying,andtherewasnomistakingthisdeliberatemovementfortherandomeffectsofadraft.
Ghosts?Apoltergeist?
Butshedidn'tbelieveinghosts.Therewerenosuchthings.Shebelievedindeathandtaxes,intheinevitabilityofslot-machinejackpots,inall-you-can-eatcasinobuffetsfor$5.95perperson,intheLordGodAlmighty,inthetruthofalienabductionsandBigFoot,butshedidn'tbelieveinghosts.
Theslidingclosetdoorsbegantomoveontheirrunners,andVivienneNeddlerhadthefeelingthatsomeawfulthingwasgoingtocomeoutofthedarkspace,itseyesasredasbloodanditsrazor-sharpteethgnashing.Shefeltapresence,somethingthatwantedher,andshecriedoutasthedoorcameallthewayopen.
Buttherewasn'tamonsterinthecloset.Itcontainedonlyclothes.Onlyclothes.
Nevertheless,untouched,thedoorsglidedshut...andthenopenagain....
Themodelplaneswentaround,around.
Theairgrewevencolder.
Thebedstartedtoshake.Thelegsatthefootrosethreeorfourinchesbeforecrashingbackintothecastersthathadbeenputunderthemtoprotectthecarpet.Theyroseupagain.Hoveredabovethefloor.Thespringsbegantosingasifmetalfingerswerestrummingthem.
Viviennebackedintothewall,eyeswide,handsfistedathersides.
Asabruptlyasthebedhadstartedbouncingupanddown,itnowstopped.Theclosetdoorsclosedwithajarringcrash—buttheydidn'topenagain.Themodelairplanesslowed,swinginginsmallerandsmallercircles,untiltheyfinallyhungmotionless.
Theroomwassilent.
Nothingmoved.
Theairwasgettingwarmer.
GraduallyVivienne'sheartbeatsubsidedfromthehard,franticrhythmthatithadbeenkeepingforthepastcoupleofminutes.Shehuggedherselfandshivered.
Alogicalexplanation.Therehadtobealogicalexplanation.
Butshewasn'tabletoimaginewhatitcouldbe.
Astheroomgrewwarmagain,thedoorknobsandtheradiocasingandtheothermetalobjectsquicklyshedtheirfragileskinsofice,leavingshallowpuddlesonfurnitureanddampspotsinthecarpet.Thefrostedwindowcleared,andasthefrostfadedfromthedressermirror,Vivienne'sdistortedreflectionresolvedintoamorefamiliarimageofherself.
Nowthiswasonlyayoungboy'sbedroom,aroomlikecountlessthousandsofothers.
Except,ofcourse,thattheboywhohadoncesleptherehadbeendeadforayear.Andmaybehewascomingback,hauntingtheplace.
Viviennehadtoremindherselfthatshedidn'tbelieveinghosts.
Nevertheless,itmightbeagoodideaforTinaEvanstogetridoftheboy'sbelongingsatlast.
Viviennehadnologicalexplanationforwhathadhappened,butsheknewonethingforsure:Shewasn'tgoingtotellanyonewhatshehadseenheretonight.Regardlessofhowconvincinglyandearnestlyshedescribedthesebizarreevents,noonewouldbelieveher.Theywouldnodandsmilewoodenlyandagreethatitwasastrangeandfrighteningexperience,butallthewhiletheywouldbethinkingthatpooroldViviennewasfinallygettingsenile.Sooneror
wouldbethinkingthatpooroldViviennewasfinallygettingsenile.SoonerorlaterwordofherrantingsaboutpoltergeistsmightgetbacktoherdaughterinSacramento,andthenthepressuretomovetoCaliforniawouldbecomeunbearable.Viviennewasn'tgoingtojeopardizeherpreciousindependence.
Sheleftthebedroom,returnedtothekitchen,anddranktwoshotsofTinaEvans'sbestbourbon.Then,withcharacteristicstoicism,shereturnedtotheboy'sbedroomtowipeupthewaterfromthemeltedice,andshecontinuedhousecleaning.
Sherefusedtoletapoltergeistscareheroff.
Itmightbewise,however,togotochurchonSunday.Shehadn'tbeentochurchinalongtime.Maybesomechurchingwouldbegoodforher.Noteveryweek,ofcourse.JustoneortwoMassesamonth.Andconfessionnowandthen.Shehadn'tseentheinsideofaconfessionalinages.Bettersafethansorry.
8
EVERYONEINSHOWBUSINESSKNEWTHATNON-payingpreviewcrowdswereamongthetoughesttoplease.Freeadmissiondidn'tguaranteetheirappreciationoreventheiramicability.Thepersonwhopaidafairpriceforsomethingwaslikelytoplacefarmorevalueonitthantheonewhogotthesameitemfornothing.Thatoldsawappliedinspadestostageshowsandtoon-the-cuffaudiences.
Butnottonight.Thiscrowdwasn'tabletositonitshandsandkeepitscool.
Thefinalcurtaincamedownateightminutestillteno'clock,andtheovationcontinueduntilafterTina'swristwatchhadmarkedthehour.ThecastofMagyck!tookseveralbows,thenthecrew,thentheorchestra,allofthemflushedwiththeexcitementofbeingpartofanunqualifiedhit.Attheinsistenceofthehappy,boisterous,VIPaudience,bothJoelBandiriandTinawerespotlightedintheirboothsandwererewardedwiththeirownthunderousroundofapplause.
Tinawasonanadrenalinehigh,grinning,breathless,barelyabletoabsorbtheoverwhelmingresponsetoherwork.HelenMainwaychatteredexcitedlyaboutthespectacularspecialeffects,andElliotStrykerhadanendlesssupplyofcomplimentsaswellassomeastuteobservationsaboutthetechnicalaspectsoftheproduction,andCharlieMainwaypouredathirdbottleofDomPerignon,andthehouselightscameup,andtheaudiencereluctantlybegantoleave,andTinahardlyhadachancetosipherchampagnebecauseofallthepeoplewhostoppedbythetabletocongratulateher.
Byten-thirtymostoftheaudiencehadleft,andthosewhohadn'tgoneyetwereinline,movingupthestepstowardthereardoorsoftheshowroom.Althoughnosecondshowwasscheduledthisevening,aswouldbethecaseeverynighthenceforth,busboysandwaitresseswerebusilyclearingtables,resettingthemwithfreshlinenandsilverwareforthefollowingnight'seighto'clockperformance.
Whentheaisleinfrontofherboothwasfinallyemptyofwell-wishers,TinagotupandmetJoelashestartedtocometoher.Shethrewherarmsaroundhim
upandmetJoelashestartedtocometoher.Shethrewherarmsaroundhimand,muchtohersurprise,begantocrywithhappiness.Shehuggedhimhard,andJoelproclaimedtheshowtobea"gargantuaifIeversawone."
Bythetimetheygotbackstage,theopening-nightpartywasinfullswing.Thesetsandpropshadbeenmovedfromthemainfloorofthestage,andeightfoldingtableshadbeensetup.Thetablesweredrapedwithwhiteclothsandburdenedwithfood:fivehothorsd'oeuvres,lobstersalad,crabsalad,pastasalad,filetmignon,chickenbreastsintarragonsauce,roastedpotatoes,cakes,pies,tarts,freshfruits,berries,andcheeses.Hotelmanagementpersonnel,showgirls,dancers,magicians,crewmen,andmusicianscrowdedaroundthetables,samplingtheofferingswhilePhillippeChevalier,thehotel'sexecutivechef,personallywatchedovertheaffair.Knowingthisfeasthadbeenlaidonfortheparty,fewofthosepresenthadeatendinner,andmostofthedancershadeatennothingsincealightlunch.Theyexclaimedoverthefoodandclusteredaroundtheportablebar.Withthememoryoftheapplausestillfreshineveryone'smind,thepartywassoonjumping.
Tinamingled,movingbackandforth,upstageanddownstage,throughthecrowd,thankingeveryoneforhiscontributiontotheshow'ssuccess,complimentingeachmemberofthecastandcrewonhisdedicationandprofessionalism.SeveraltimessheencounteredElliotStryker,andheseemedgenuinelyinterestedinlearninghowthesplashystageeffectshadbeenachieved.EachTimethatTinamovedontotalktosomeoneelse,sheregrettedleavingElliot,andeachtimethatshefoundhimagain,shestayedwithhimlongerthanshehadbefore.Aftertheirfourthencounter,shelosttrackofhowlongtheyweretogether.Finallysheforgotallaboutcirculating.
Standingneartheleftprosceniumpillar,outofthemainflowoftheparty,theynibbledatpiecesofcake,talkingaboutMagyck!andthenaboutthelaw,CharlieandHelenMainway,LasVegasrealestate—and,bysomecircuitousroute,superheromovies.
Hesaid,"HowcanBatmanwearanarmoredrubbersuitallthetimeandnothaveachronicrash?"
"Yeah,butthereareadvantagestoarubbersuit."
"Suchas?"
"Youcangostraightfromofficeworktoscubadivingwithoutchanging
"Youcangostraightfromofficeworktoscubadivingwithoutchangingclothes."
"EattakeoutfoodattwohundredmilesanhourintheBatmobile,andnomatterhowmessyitgets—justhoseofflater."
"Exactly.Afteraharddayofcrime-fighting,youcangetstinkingdrunkandthrowuponyourself,anditdoesn'tmatter.Nodry-cleaningbills."
"Inbasicblackhe'sdressedforanyoccasion—"
"—fromanaudiencewiththePopetoaMarquisdeSadememorialsockhop."
Elliotsmiled.Hefinishedhiscake."Iguessyou'llhavetobeheremostnightsforalongtimetocome."
"No.There'sreallynoneedformetobe."
"Ithoughtadirector—"
"Mostofthedirector'sjobisfinished.Ijusthavetocheckontheshowonceeverycoupleofweekstomakesurethetoneofitisn'tdriftingawayfrommyoriginalintention."
"Butyou'realsotheco-producer."
"Well,nowthattheshow'sopenedsuccessfully,mostofmyshareoftheproducer'schoresarepublicrelationsandpromotionalstuff.Andalittlelogisticstokeeptheproductionrollingalongsmoothly.Butnearlyallofthatcanbehandledoutofmyoffice.Iwon'thavetohangaroundthestage.Infact,Joelsaysitisn'thealthyforaproducertobebackstageeverynight...orevenmostnights.HesaysI'djustmaketheperformersnervousandcausethetechnicianstolookovertheirshouldersforthebosswhentheyshouldhavetheireyesontheirwork."
"Butwillyoubeabletoresist?"
"Itwon'tbeeasystayingaway.Butthere'salotofsenseinwhatJoelsays,soI'mgoingtotrytoplayitcool."
"Still,Iguessyou'llbehereeverynightforthefirstweekorso."
"No,"shesaid."IfJoel'sright—andI'msureheis—thenit'sbesttogetinthehabitofstayingawayrightfromthestart."
"Tomorrownight?"
"Oh,I'llprobablypopinandoutafewtimes."
"Iguessyou'llbegoingtoaNewYear'sEveparty."
"IhateNewYear'sEveparties.Everyone'sdrunkandboring."
"Well,then...inbetweenallthatpoppinginandoutofMagyck!,doyouthinkyou'dhavetimefordinner?"
"Areyouaskingmeforadate?"
"I'lltrynottoslurpmysoup."
"Youareaskingmeforadate,"shesaid,pleased.
"Yes.Andit'sbeenalongtimesinceI'vebeenthisawkwardaboutit."
"Whyisthat?"
"You,Iguess."
"Imakeyoufeelawkward?"
"Youmakemefeelyoung.AndwhenIwasyoung,Iwasveryawkward."
"That'ssweet."
"I'mtryingtocharmyou."
"Andsucceeding,"shesaid.
Hehadsuchawarmsmile."SuddenlyIdon'tfeelsoawkwardanymore."
Shesaid,"Youwanttostartover?"
"Willyouhavedinnerwithmetomorrownight?"
"Sure.Howaboutseven-thirty?"
"Fine.Youpreferdressyorcasual?"
"Bluejeans."
Hefingeredhisstarchedcollarandthesatinlapelofhistuxedojacket."I'msogladyousaidthat."
"I'llgiveyoumyaddress."Shesearchedherpurseforapen.
"WecanstopinhereandwatchthefirstfewnumbersinMagyck!andthengototherestaurant."
"Whydon'twejustgostraighttotherestaurant?"
"Youdon'twanttopopinhere?"
"I'vedecidedtogocoldturkey."
"Joelwillbeproudofyou."
"IfIcanactuallydoit,I'llbeproudofme."
"You'lldoit.You'vegottruegrit."
"Inthemiddleofdinner,Imightbeseizedbyadesperateneedtodashoverhereandactlikeaproducer."
"I'llparkthecarinfrontoftherestaurantdoor,andI'llleavetheenginerunningjustincase."
Tinagaveheraddresstohim,andthensomehowtheyweretalkingaboutjazzandBennyGoodman,andthenaboutthemiserableserviceprovidedbytheLasVegasphonecompany,justchattingawayasiftheywereoldfriends.Hehadavarietyofinterests;amongotherthingshewasaskierandapilot,andhewasfulloffunnystoriesaboutlearningtoskiandfly.Hemadeherfeelcomfortable,yetatthesametimeheintriguedher.Heprojectedaninterestingimage:ablendofmalepowerandgentleness,aggressivesexualityandkindness.
Ahitshow...lotsofroyaltycheckstolookforwardto...aninfinityofnewopportunitiesmadeavailabletoherbecauseofthisfirstsmashingsuccess...
opportunitiesmadeavailabletoherbecauseofthisfirstsmashingsuccess...andnowtheprospectofanewandexcitinglover...
Asshelistedherblessings,Tinawasastonishedathowmuchdifferenceoneyearcouldmakeinalife.Frombitterness,pain,tragedy,andunrelentingsorrow,shehadturnedaroundtofaceahorizonlitbyrisingpromise.Atlastthefuturelookedworthliving.Indeed,shecouldn'tseehowanythingcouldgowrong.
9
THESKIRTSOFTHENIGHTWEREGATHEREDaroundtheEvanshouse,rustlinginadrydesertwind.
Aneighbor'swhitecat.creptacrossthelawn,stalkingawind-tossedscrapofpaper.Thecatpounced,misseditsprey,stumbled,scareditself,andflashedlightning-quickintoanotheryard.
Inside,thehousewasmostlysilent.Nowandthentherefrigeratorswitchedon,purringtoitself.Aloosewindow-paneinthelivingroomrattledslightlywheneverastronggustofwindstruckit.Theheatingsystemrumbledtolife,andforacoupleofminutesatatime,theblowerwhisperedwordlesslyashotairpushedthroughthevents.
Shortlybeforemidnight,Danny'sroombegantogrowcold.Onthedoorknob,ontheradiocasing,andonothermetalobjects,moisturebegantocondenseoutoftheair.Thetemperatureplungedrapidly,andthebeadsofwaterfroze.Frostformedonthewindow.
Theradioclickedon.
Forafewsecondsthesilencewassplitbyanelectronicsquealassharpasanaxblade.Thentheshrillnoiseabruptlystopped,andthedigitaldisplayflashedwithrapidlychangingnumbers.Snippetsofmusicandshardsofvoicescrackledinaneerieaudio-montagethatechoedandreechoedoffthewallsofthefrigidroom.
Noonewasinthehousetohearit.
Theclosetdooropened,closed,opened....
Insidethecloset,shirtsandjeansbegantoswingwildlyonthepolefromwhichtheyhung,andsomeclothesfelltothefloor.
Thebedshook.
Thedisplaycasethatheldninemodelairplanesrocked,bangingrepeatedlyagainstthewall.Oneofthemodelswasflungfromitsshelf,thentwomore,then
againstthewall.Oneofthemodelswasflungfromitsshelf,thentwomore,thenthreemore,thenanother,untilallninelayinapileonthefloor.
Onthewalltotheleftofthebed,aposterofthecreaturefromtheAlienmoviestoredownthemiddle.
Theradioceasedscanning,stoppingonanopenfrequencythathissedandpoppedwithdistantstatic.Thenavoiceblaredfromthespeakers.Itwasachild'svoice.Aboy.Therewerenowords.Justalong,agonizedscream.
Thevoicefadedafteraminute,butthebedbegantobangupanddown.
Theclosetdoorslammedopenandshutwithsubstantiallymoreforcethanithadearlier.
Otherthingsbegantomovetoo.Foralmostfiveminutestheroomseemedtohavecomealive.
Andthenitdied.
Silencereturned.
Theairgrewwarmagain.
Thefrostleftthewindow,andoutsidethewhitecatstillchasedthescrapofpaper.
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER31
10
TINADIDN'TGETHOMEFROMTHEOPENING-NIGHTpartyuntilshortlybeforetwoo'clockWednesdaymorning.Exhausted,slightlytipsy,shewentdirectlytobedandfellintoasoundsleep.
Later,afternomorethantwodreamlesshours,shesufferedanothernightmareaboutDanny.Hewastrappedatthebottomofadeephole.Sheheardhisfrightenedvoicecallingtoher,andshepeeredovertheedgeofthepit,andhewassofarbelowherthathisfacewasonlyatiny,palesmudge.Hewasdesperatetogetout,andshewasfrantictorescuehim;buthewaschained,unabletoclimb,andthesidesofthepitweresheerandsmooth,soshehadnowaytoreachhim.Thenamandressedentirelyinblackfromheadtofoot,hisfacehiddenbyshadows,appearedatthefarsideofthepitandbegantoshoveldirtintoit.Danny'scryescalatedintoascreamofterror;hewasbeingburiedalive.Tinashoutedatthemaninblack,butheignoredherandkeptshovelingdirtontopofDanny.Sheedgedaroundthepit,determinedtomakethehatefulbastardstopwhathewasdoing,buthetookastepawayfromherforeverystepthatshetooktowardhim,andhealwaysstayeddirectlyacrosstheholefromher.Shecouldn'treachhim,andshecouldn'treachDanny,andthedirtwasuptotheboy'sknees,andnowuptohiships,andnowoverhisshoulders.Dannywailedandshrieked,andnowtheearthwasevenwithhischin,butthemaninblackwouldn'tstopfillinginthehole.Shewantedtokillthebastard,clubhimtodeathwithhisownshovel.Whenshethoughtofclubbinghim,helookedather,andshesawhisface:afleshlessskullwithrottingskinstretchedoverthebones,burningredeyes,ayellow-toothedgrin.Adisgustingclusterofmaggotsclungtotheman'sleftcheekandtothecornerofhiseye,feedingoffhim.Tina'sterroroverDanny'simpendingentombmentwassuddenlymixedwithfearforherownlife.ThoughDanny'sscreamswereincreasinglymuffled,theywereevenmoreurgentthanbefore,becausethedirtbegantocoverhisfaceandpourintohismouth.Shehadtogetdowntohimandpushtheearthawayfromhisfacebeforehesuffocated,soinblindpanicshethrewherselfovertheedgeofthepit,intotheterribleabyss,fallingandfalling—
Gasping,shuddering,shewrenchedherselfoutofsleep.Shewasconvincedthatthemaninblackwasinherbedroom,standingsilentlyinthedarkness,grinning.Heartpounding,shefumbledwiththebedsidelamp.Sheblinkedinthesudden
Heartpounding,shefumbledwiththebedsidelamp.Sheblinkedinthesuddenlightandsawthatshewasalone.
"Jesus,"shesaidweakly.
Shewipedonehandacrossherface,sloughingoffafilmofperspiration.Shedriedherhandonthesheets.
Shedidsomedeep-breathingexercises,tryingtocalmherself.
Shecouldn'tstopshaking.
Inthebathroom,shewashedherface.Themirror
revealedapersonwhomshehardlyrecognized:ahaggard,bloodless,sunken-eyedfright.
Hermouthwasdryandsour.Shedrankaglassofcoldwater.
Backinbed,shedidn'twanttoturnoffthelight.Herfearmadeherangrywithherself,andatlastshetwistedtheswitch.
Thereturningdarknesswasthreatening.
Shewasn'tsureshewouldbeabletogetanymoresleep,butshehadtotry.Itwasn'tevenfiveo'clock.She'dbeenasleeplessthanthreehours.
Inthemorning,shewouldcleanoutDanny'sroom.Thenthedreamswouldstop.Shewasprettymuchconvincedofthat.
SherememberedthetwowordsthatshehadtwiceerasedfromDanny'schalkboard—NOTDEAD—andsherealizedthatshe'dforgottentocallMichael.Shehadtoconfronthimwithhersuspicions.Shehadtoknowifhe'dbeeninthehouse,inDanny'sroom,withoutherknowledgeorpermission.
IthadtobeMichael.
Shecouldturnonthelightandcallhimnow.Hewouldbesleeping,butshewouldn'tfeelguiltyifshewokehim,notafterallthesleeplessnightsthathehadgivenher.Rightnow,however,shedidn'tfeeluptothebattle.Herwitsweredulledbywineandexhaustion.AndifMichaelhadslippedintothehouselikea
dulledbywineandexhaustion.AndifMichaelhadslippedintothehouselikealittleboyplayingacruelprank,ifhehadwrittenthatmessageonthechalkboard,thenhishatredofherwasfargreaterthanshehadthought.Hemightevenbeadesperatelysickman.Ifhebecameverballyviolentandabusive,ifhewereirrational,shewouldneedtohaveaclearheadtodealwithhim.Shewouldcallhiminthemorningwhenshehadregainedsomeofherstrength.
Sheyawnedandturnedoveranddriftedofftosleep.Shedidn'tdreamanymore,andwhenshewokeatteno'clock,shewasrefreshedandnewlyexcitedbythepreviousnight'ssuccess.
ShephonedMichael,buthewasn'thome.Unlesshe'dchangedshiftsinthepastsixmonths,hedidn'tgotoworkuntilnoon.Shedecidedtotryhisnumberagaininhalfanhour.
Afterretrievingthemorningnewspaperfromthefrontstoop,shereadtheravereviewofMagyck!writtenbytheReview-Journal'sentertainmentcritic.Hecouldn'tfindanythingwrongwiththeshow.Hispraisewassoeffusivethat,evenreadingitbyherself,inherownkitchen,shewasslightlyembarrassedbytheeffusivenessofthepraise.
SheatealightbreakfastofgrapefruitjuiceandoneEnglishmuffin,thenwenttoDanny'sroomtopackhisbelongings.Whensheopenedthedoor,shegaspedandhalted.
Theroomwasamess.Theairplanemodelswerenolongerinthedisplaycase;theywerestrewnacrossthefloor,andafewwerebroken.Danny'scollectionofpaperbackshadbeenpulledfromthebookcaseandtossedintoeverycorner.Thetubesofglue,miniaturebottlesofenamel,andmodel-craftingtoolsthathadstoodonhisdeskwerenowonthefloorwitheverythingelse.Aposterofoneofthemoviemonstershadbeenrippedapart;ithungfromthewallinseveralpieces.Theactionfigureshadbeenknockedofftheheadboard.Theclosetdoorswereopen,andalltheclothesinsideappearedtohavebeenthrownonthefloor.Thegametablehadbeenoverturned.Theeasellayonthecarpet,thechalkboardfacingdown.
Shakingwithrage,Tinaslowlycrossedtheroom,carefullysteppingthroughthedebris.Shestoppedattheeasel,setitupasitbelonged,hesitated,thenturnedthechalkboardtowardher.
NOTDEAD
"Damn!"shesaid,furious.
VivienneNeddlerhadbeenintocleanlastevening,butthiswasn'tthekindofthingthatViviennewouldbecapableofdoing.IfthemesshadbeenherewhenViviennearrived,theoldwomanwouldhavecleaneditupandwouldhaveleftanoteaboutwhatshe'dfound.Clearly,theintruderhadcomeinafterMrs.Neddlerhadleft.
Fuming,Tinawentthroughthehouse,meticulouslycheckingeverywindowanddoor.Shecouldfindnosignofforcedentry.
Inthekitchenagain,shephonedMichael.Hestilldidn'tanswer.Sheslammeddownthehandset.
ShepulledthetelephonedirectoryfromadrawerandleafedthroughtheYellowPagesuntilshefoundtheadvertisementsforlocksmiths.Shechosethecompanywiththelargestad.
"AnderlingenLockandSecurity."
"YouradintheYellowPagessaysyoucanhaveaman'heretochangemylocksinonehour."
"That'souremergencyservice.Itcostsmore."
"Idon'tcarewhatitcosts,"Tinasaid.
"Butifyoujustputyournameonourworklist,we'llmostlikelyhaveamantherebyfouro'clockthisafternoon,tomorrowmorningatthelatest.Andtheregularserviceisfortypercentcheaperthananemergencyjob."
"Vandalswereinmyhouselastnight,"Tinasaid.
"Whataworldwelivein,"saidthewomanatAnderlingen.
"Theywreckedalotofstuff—"
"Oh,I'msorrytohearthat."
"Oh,I'msorrytohearthat."
"—soIwantthelockschangedimmediately."
"Ofcourse."
"AndIwantgoodlocksinstalled.Thebestyou'vegot."
"Justgivemeyournameandaddress,andI'llsendamanoutrightaway."
Acoupleofminuteslater,havingcompletedthecall,TinawentbacktoDanny'sroomtosurveythedamageagain.Asshelookedoverthewreckage,shesaid,"Whatthehelldoyouwantfromme,Mike?"
Shedoubtedthathewouldbeabletoanswerthatquestionevenifhewerepresenttohearit.Whatpossibleexcusecouldhehave?Whattwistedlogiccouldjustifythissortofsickbehavior?Itwascrazy,hateful.
Sheshivered.
11
TINAARRIVEDATBALLY'SHOTELATTENMINUTEStilltwo,Wednesdayafternoon,leavingherHondawithavaletparkingattendant.
Bally's,formerlytheMGMGrand,wasgettingtobeoneoftheolderestablishmentsonthecontinuouslyrejuvenatingLasVegasStrip,butitwasstilloneofthemostpopularhotelsintown,andonthislastdayoftheyearitwaspacked.Atleasttwoorthreethousandpeoplewereinthecasino,whichwaslargerthanafootballfield.Hundredsofgamblers—prettyyoungwomen,sweet-facedgrandmothers,meninjeansanddecorativelystitchedWesternshirts,retirement-agemeninexpensivebuttackyleisureoutfits,afewguysinthree-piecesuits,salesmen,doctors,mechanics,secretaries,AmericansfromalloftheWesternstates,junketeersfromtheEastCoast,Japanesetourists,afewArabmen—satatthesemiellipticalblackjacktables,pushingmoneyandchipsforward,sometimestakingbacktheirwinnings,eagerlygrabbingthecardsthatweredealtfromthefive-deckshoes,eachreactinginoneofseveralpredict-ableways:Someplayerssquealedwithdelight;somegrumbled;otherssmiledruefullyandshooktheirheads;someteasedthedealers,pleadinghalfseriouslyforbettercards;andstillothersweresilent,polite,attentive,andbusinesslike,asthoughtheythoughttheywereengagedinsomereasonableformofinvestmentplanning.Hundredsofotherpeoplestoodclosebehindtheplayers,watchingimpatiently,waitingforaseattoopen.Atthecrapstables,thecrowds,primarilymen,weremoreboisterousthantheblackjackaficionados;theyscreamed,howled,cheered,groaned,encouragedtheshooter,andprayedloudlytothedice.Ontheleft,slotmachinesrantheentirelengthofthecasino,bankafternerve-janglingbankofthem,brightlyandcolorfullylighted,attendedbygamblerswhoweremorevocalthanthecardplayersbutnotasloudasthecrapsshooters.Ontheright,beyondthecrapstables,halfwaydownthelongroom,elevatedfromthemainfloor,thewhite-marbleandbrassbaccaratpitcateredtoamoreaffluentandsedategroupofgamblers;atbaccarat,thepitboss,thefloorman,andthedealersworetuxedos.Andeverywhereinthegiganticcasino,therewerecocktailwaitressesinbriefcostumes,revealinglonglegsandcleavage;theybustledhereandthere,backandforth,asiftheywerethethreadsthatboundthecrowdtogether.
Tinapressedthroughthemillingonlookerswhofilledthewidecenteraisle,and
Tinapressedthroughthemillingonlookerswhofilledthewidecenteraisle,andshelocatedMichaelalmostatonce.Hewasdealingblackjackatoneofthefirsttables.Thegameminimumwasafive-dollarbet,andallsevenseatsweretaken.Michaelwasgrinning,chattingamicablywiththeplayers.Somedealerswerecoldanduncommunicative,butMichaelfeltthedaywentfasterwhenhewasfriendlywithpeople.Notunexpectedly,hereceivedconsiderablymoretipsthanmostdealersdid.
Michaelwasleanandblond,witheyesnearlyasblueasTina's.HesomewhatresembledRobertRedford,almosttoopretty.Itwasnosurprisethatwomenplayerstippedhimmoreoftenandmoregenerouslythandidmen.
WhenTinasqueezedintothenarrowgapbetweenthetablesandcaughtMichael'sattention,hisreactionwasfardifferentfromwhatshehadexpected.She'dthoughtthesightofherwouldwipethesmileoffhisface.Instead,hissmilebroadened,andthereseemedtobegenuinedelightinhiseyes.
Hewasshufflingcardswhenhesawher,andhecontinuedtoshufflewhilehespoke."Hey,hellothere.Youlookterrific,Tina.Asightforsoreeyes."
Shewasn'tpreparedforthispleasantness,nonplussedbythewarmthofhisgreeting.
Hesaid,"That'sanicesweater.Ilikeit.Youalwayslookedgoodinblue."
Shesmileduneasilyandtriedtorememberthatshehadcomeheretoaccusehimofcruellyharassingher."Michael,Ihavetotalktoyou."
Heglancedathiswatch."I'vegotabreakcomingupinfiveminutes."
"WhereshouldImeetyou?"
"Whydon'tyouwaitrightwhereyouare?Youcanwatchthesenicepeoplebeatmeoutofalotofmoney."
Everyplayeratthetablegroaned,andtheyallhadcommentstomakeabouttheunlikelypossibilitythattheymightwinanythingfromthisdealer.
MichaelgrinnedandwinkedatTina.
Shesmiledwoodenly.
Shesmiledwoodenly.
Shewaitedimpatientlyasthefiveminutescrawledby;shewasnevercomfortableinacasinowhenitwasbusy.Thefranticactivityandtheunrelentingexcitement,whichborderedonhysteriaattimes,abradedhernerves.
Thehugeroomwassonoisythattheblendofsoundsseemedtocoalesceintoavisiblesubstance—likeahumidyellowhazeintheair.Slotmachinesrangandbeepedandwhistledandbuzzed.Ballsclatteredaroundspinningroulettewheels.Afive-piecebandhammeredoutwildlyamplifiedpopmusicfromthesmallstageintheopencocktailloungebeyondandslightlyabovetheslotmachines.Thepagingsystemblarednames.Icerattledinglassesasgamblersdrankwhiletheyplayed.Andeveryoneseemedtobetalkingatonce.
WhenMichael'sbreaktimearrived,areplacementdealertookoverthetable,andMichaelsteppedoutoftheblackjackpit,intothecenteraisle."Youwanttotalk?"
"Nothere,"shesaid,half-shouting."Ican'thearmyselfthink."
"Let'sgodowntothearcade."
"Okay."
Toreachtheescalatorsthatwouldcarrythemdowntotheshoppingarcadeonthelowerlevel,theyhadtocrosstheentirecasino.Michaelledtheway,gentlypushingandelbowingthroughtheholidaycrowd,andTinafollowedquicklyinhiswake,beforethepaththathemadecouldcloseupagain.
Halfwayacrossthelongroom,theystoppedataclearingwhereamiddle-agedmanlayonhisback,unconscious,infrontofablackjacktable.Hewaswearingabeigesuit,adarkbrownshirt,andabeige-patternedtie.Anoverturnedstoollaybesidehim,andapproximatelyfivehundreddollars'worthofgreenchipswerescatteredonthecarpet.Twouniformedsecuritymenwereperformingfirstaidontheunconsciousman,looseninghistieandcollar,takinghispulse,whileathirdguardwaskeepingcuriouscustomersoutoftheway.
Michaelsaid,"Heartattack,Pete?"
Thethirdguardsaid,"Hi,Mike.Nan,Idon'tthinkit'shisheart.Probablyacombinationofblackjackblackoutandbingobladder.Hewassittinghereforeighthoursstraight."
eighthoursstraight."
Onthefloor,themaninthebeigesuitgroaned.Hiseyelidsfluttered.
Shakinghishead,obviouslyamused,Michaelmovedaroundtheclearingandintothecrowdagain.
Whenatlasttheyreachedtheendofthecasinoandwereontheescalators,headingdowntowardtheshoppingarcade,Tinasaid,"Whatisblackjackblackout?"
"It'sstupidiswhatitis,"Michaelsaid,stillamused."Theguysitsdowntoplaycardsandgetssoinvolvedhelosestrackoftime,whichis,ofcourse,exactlywhatthemanagementwantshimtodo.That'swhytherearen'tanywindowsorclocksinthecasino.Butonceinawhile,aguyreallylosestrack,doesn'tgetupforhoursandhours,justkeepsonplayinglikeazombie.Meanwhile,he'sdrinkingtoomuch.Whenhedoesfinallystandup,hemovestoofast.Theblooddrainsfromhishead—bang!—andhefaintsdeadaway.Blackjackblackout."
"Ah."
"Weseeitallthetime."
"Bingobladder?"
"Sometimesaplayergetssointerestedinthegamethathe'svirtuallyhypnotizedbyit.He'sbeendrinkingprettyregularly,buthe'ssodeepinatrancethathecancompletelyignorethecallofnatureuntil—bingo!—hehasabladderspasm.Ifit'sreallyabadone,hefindsouthispipeshaveblockedup.Hecan'trelievehimself,andhehastobetakentothehospitalandcatheterized."
"MyGod,areyouserious?"
"Yep."
Theysteppedofftheescalator,intothebustlingshoppingarcade.Crowdssurgedpastthesouvenirshops,artgalleries,jewelrystores,clothingstores,andotherretailbusinesses,buttheywereneithershoulder-to-shouldernorasinsistentastheywereupstairsinthecasino.
"Istilldon'tseeanyplacewherewecantalkprivately,"Tinasaid.
"Istilldon'tseeanyplacewherewecantalkprivately,"Tinasaid.
"Let'swalkdowntotheice-creamparlorandgetacoupleofpistachiocones.Whatdoyousay?Youalwayslikedpistachio."
"Idon'twantanyicecream,Michael."
Shehadlostthemomentumoccasionedbyheranger,andnowshewasafraidoflosingthesenseofpurposethathaddrivenhertoconfronthim.Hewastryingsohardtobenice,whichwasn'tlikeMichaelatall.Atleastitwasn'tliketheMichaelEvansshehadknownforthepastcoupleofyears.Whentheywerefirstmarried,he'dbeenfun,charming,easygoing,buthehadnotbeenthatwaywithherinalongtime.
"Noicecream,"sherepeated."Justsometalk."
"Well,ifyoudon'twantsomepistachio,Icertainlydo.I'llgetacone,andthenwecangooutside,walkaroundtheparkinglot.It'safairlywarmday."
"Howlongisyourbreak?"
"Twentyminutes.ButI'mtightwiththepitboss.He'llcoverformeifIdon'tgetbackintime."
Theice-creamparlorwasatthefarendofthearcade.Astheywalked,Michaelcontinuedtotrytoamuseherbytellingheraboutotherunusualmaladiestowhichgamblerswereprone.
'There'swhatwecall'jackpotattack,'"Michaelsaid."ForyearspeoplegohomefromVegasandtellalltheirfriendsthattheycameoutaheadofthegame.Lyingtheirheadsoff.Everyonepretendstobeawinner.Andwhenallofasuddensomeonedoeshititbig,especiallyonaslotmachinewhereitcanhappeninaflash,they'resosurprisedtheypassout.Heartattacksaremorefrequentaroundtheslotmachinesthananywhereelseinthecasino,andalotofthevictimsarepeoplewho'vejustlinedupthreebarsandwonabundle.
"Thenthere's'Vegassyndrome.'Someonegetssocarriedawaywithgamblingandrunningfromshowtoshowthatheforgetstoeatforawholedayorlonger.Heorshe—ithappenstowomennearlyasoftenasmen.Anyway,whenhefinallygetshungryandrealizeshehasn'teaten,hegulpsdownahugemeal,andthebloodrushesfromhisheadtohisstomach,andhepassesoutinthemiddleoftherestaurant.It'snotusuallydangerous,exceptifhehasamouthfuloffood
therestaurant.It'snotusuallydangerous,exceptifhehasamouthfuloffoodwhenhefaints,becausethenhemightchoketodeath.
"Butmyfavoriteiswhatwecallthe'time-warpsyndrome.'Peoplecomeherefromalotofdullplaces,andVegasislikeanadultDisneyland.There'ssomuchgoingon,somuchtoseeanddo,constantexcitement,sopeoplegetoutoftheirnormalrhythms.Theygotobedatdawn,getupintheafternoon,andtheylosetrackofwhatdayitis.Whentheexcitementwearsoffalittle,theygotocheckoutofthehotel,andtheydiscovertheirthree-dayweekendsomehowturnedintofivedays.Theycan'tbelieveit.Theythinkthey'rebeingovercharged,andtheyarguewiththedeskclerks.Whensomeoneshowsthemacalendarandadailynewspaper,they'rereallyshocked.They'vebeenthroughatimewarpandlostacoupleofdays.Isn'tthatweird?"
Michaelkeptupthefriendlypatterwhilehegothisconeoficecream.Then,astheysteppedoutoftherearentranceofthehotelandwalkedalongtheedgeoftheparkinglotintheseventy-degreewintersunshine,hesaid,"Sowhatdidyouwanttotalkabout?"
Tinawasn'tsurehowtobegin.HeroriginalintentionhadbeentoaccusehimofrippingapartDanny'sroom;shehadbeenpreparedtocomeonstrong,sothatevenifhedidn'twanthertoknowhe'ddoneit,hemightberattledenoughtorevealhisguilt.Butnow,ifshestartedmakingnastyaccusationsafterhe'dbeensopleasanttoher,shewouldseemtobeahystericalharpy,andifshestillhadanyadvantageleft,shewouldquicklyloseit.
Atlastshesaid,"Somestrangethingshavebeenhappeningatthehouse."
"Strange?Likewhat?"
"Ithinksomeonebrokein."
"Youthink?"
"Well...I'msureofit."
"Whendidthishappen?"
Rememberingthetwowordsonthechalkboard,shesaid,"Threetimesinthepastweek."
Hestoppedwalkingandstaredather."Threetimes?"
"Yes.Lasteveningwasthelatest."
"Whatdothepolicesay?"
"Ihaven'tcalledthem."
Hefrowned."Whynot?"
"Foronething,nothingwastaken."
"Somebodybrokeinthreetimesbutdidn'tstealanything?"
Ifhewasfakinginnocence,hewasamuchbetteractorthanshethoughthewas,andshethoughtsheknewhimwellindeed.Afterall,she'dlivedwithhimforalongtime,throughyearsofhappinessandyearsofmisery,andshe'dcometoknowthelimitsofhistalentfordeceptionandduplicity.She'dalwaysknownwhenhewaslying.Shedidn'tthinkhewaslyingnow.Therewassomethingpeculiarinhiseyes,aspeculativelook,butitwasn'tguile.Hetrulyseemedunawareofwhathadhappenedatthehouse.Perhapshe'dhadnothingtodowithit.
ButifMichaelhadn'ttornupDanny'sroom,ifMichaelhadn'twrittenthosewordsonthechalkboard,thenwhohad?
"Whywouldsomeonebreakinandleavewithouttakinganything?"Michaelasked.
"Ithinktheywerejusttryingtoupsetme,scareme."
"Whowouldwanttoscareyou?"Heseemedgenuinelyconcerned.
Shedidn'tknowwhattosay.
"You'veneverbeenthekindofpersonwhomakesenemies,"hesaid."You'readamnhardwomantohate."
"Youmanaged,"shesaid,andthatwasascloseasshecouldcometoaccusinghimofanything.
Heblinkedinsurprise."Oh,no.No,no,Tina.Ineverhatedyou.Iwas
Heblinkedinsurprise."Oh,no.No,no,Tina.Ineverhatedyou.Iwasdisappointedbythechangesinyou.Iwasangrywithyou.Angryandhurt.I'lladmitthat,allright.Therewasalotofbitternessonmypart.Definitely.Butitwasneverasbadashatred."
Shesighed.
Michaelhadn'twreckedDanny'sroom.Shewasabsolutelysureofthatnow.
"Tina?"
"I'msorry.Ishouldn'thavebotheredyouwiththis.I'mnotreallysurewhyIdid,"shelied."Ioughttohavecalledthepolicerightaway."
Helickedhisice-creamcone,studiedher,andthenhesmiled."Iunderstand.It'shardforyoutogetaroundtoit.Youdon'tknowhowtobegin.Soyoucometomewiththisstory."
"Story?"
"It'sokay."
"Michael,it'snotjustastory."
"Don'tbeembarrassed."
"I'mnotembarrassed.WhyshouldIbeembarrassed?"
"Relax.It'sallright,Tina,"hesaidgently.
"Someonehasbeenbreakingintothehouse."
"Iunderstandhowyoufeel."Hissmilechanged;itwassmugnow.
"Michael—"
"Ireallydounderstand,Tina."Hisvoicewasreassuring,buthistonewascondescending."Youdon'tneedanexcusetoaskmewhatyou'vecomeheretoask.Honey,youdon'tneedastoryaboutsomeonebreakingintothehouse.Iunderstand,andI'mwithyou.Ireallyam.Sogoahead.Don'tfeelawkwardaboutit.Justgetrightdowntoit.Goaheadandsayit."
Shewasperplexed."Saywhat?"
"Weletthemarriagegoofftherails.Butthereatfirst,foragoodmanyyears,wehadagreatthinggoing.Wecanhaveitagainifwereallywanttotryforit."
Shewasstunned."Areyouserious?"
"I'vebeenthinkingaboutitthepastfewdays.WhenIsawyouwalkintothecasinoawhileago,IknewIwasright.AssoonasIsawyou,IkneweverythingwasgoingtoturnoutexactlylikeIhaditfigured."
"Youareserious."
"Sure."Hemistookherastonishmentforsurpriseddelight."Nowthatyou'vehadyourflingasaproducer,you'rereadytosettledown.Thatmakesalotofsense,Tina."
Fling!shethoughtangrily.
HestillpersistedinregardingherasaflightywomanwhowantedtotakeaflingatbeingaVegasproducer.Theinsufferablebastard!Shewasfurious,butshesaidnothing;shedidn'ttrustherselftospeak,afraidthatshewouldstartscreamingathimtheinstantsheopenedhermouth.
"There'smoretolifethanjusthavingaflashycareer,"Michaelsaidpontifically."Homelifecountsforsomething.Homeandfamily.Thathastobeapartoflifetoo.Maybeit'sthemostimportantpart."Henoddedsanctimoniously."Family.Theselastfewdays,asyourshow'sbeengettingreadytoopen,I'vehadthefeelingyoumightfinallyrealizeyouneedsomethingmoreinlife,somethingalotmoreemotionallysatisfyingthanwhateveritisyoucangetoutofjustproducingstageshows."
Tina'sambitionwas,inpart,whathadledtothedissolutionoftheirmarriage.Well,notherambitionasmuchasMichael'schildishattitudetowardit.Hewashappybeingablackjackdealer;hissalaryandhisgoodtipswereenoughforhim,andhewascontenttocoastthroughtheyears.Butmerelydriftingalonginthecurrentsoflifewasn'tenoughforTina.Asshehadstruggledtomoveupfromdancertocostumertochoreographertolounge-revuecoordinatortoproducer,Michaelhadbeendispleasedwithhercommitmenttowork.ShehadneverneglectedhimandDanny.Shehadbeendeterminedthatneitherofthemwouldhavereasontofeelthathisimportanceinherlifehaddiminished.Danny
wouldhavereasontofeelthathisimportanceinherlifehaddiminished.Dannyhadbeenwonderful;Dannyhadunderstood.Michaelcouldn'torwouldn't.GraduallyMichael'sdispleasureoverherdesiretosucceedwascomplicatedbyadarkeremotion:Hegrewjealousofhersmallestachievements.Shehadtriedtoencouragehimtoseekadvancesinhisowncareer—fromdealertofloormantopitbosstohighercasinomanagement—buthehadnointerestinclimbingthatladder.Hebecamewaspish,petulant.Eventuallyhestartedseeingotherwomen.Shewasshockedbyhisreaction,thenconfused,andatlastdeeplysaddened.Theonlywayshecouldhaveheldontoherhusbandwouldhavebeentoabandonhernewcareer,andshehadrefusedtodothat.
IntimeMichaelhadmadeitcleartoherthathehadn'tactuallyeverlovedtherealChristina.Hedidn'ttellherdirectly,buthisbehaviorsaidasmuch.Hehadadoredonlytheshowgirl,thedancer,thecutelittlethingthatothermencoveted,theprettywomanwhosepresenceathissidehadinflatedhisego.Aslongassheremainedadancer,aslongasshedevotedherlifetohim,aslongasshehungonhisarmandlookeddelicious,heapprovedofher.Butthemomentthatshewantedtobesomethingmorethanatrophywife,herebelled.
Badlyhurtbythatdiscovery,shehadgivenhimthefreedomthathewanted.
Andnowheactuallythoughtthatshewasgoingtocrawlbacktohim.Thatwaswhyhe'dsmiledwhenhe'dseenherathisblackjacktable.Thatwaswhyhehadbeensocharming.Thesizeofhisegoastoundedher.
Standingbeforeherinthesunshine,hiswhiteshirtshimmeringwithsquigglesofreflectedlightthatbouncedofftheparkedcars,hefavoredherwiththatself-satisfied,superiorsmilethatmadeherfeelascoldasthiswinterdayoughttohavebeen.
Once,longago,shehadlovedhimverymuch.Nowshecouldn'timaginehoworwhyshehadevercared.
"Michael,incaseyouhaven'theard,Magyck!isahit.Abighit.Huge."
"Sure,"hesaid."Iknowthat,baby.AndI'mhappyforyou.I'mhappyforyouandme.Nowthatyou'veprovedwhateveryouneededtoprove,youcanrelax."
"Michael,Iintendtocontinueworkingasaproducer.I'mnotgoingto—"
"Oh,Idon'texpectyoutogiveitup,"hesaidmagnanimously.
"Oh,Idon'texpectyoutogiveitup,"hesaidmagnanimously.
"Youdon't,huh?"
"No,no.Ofcoursenot.It'sgoodforyoutohavesomethingtodabblein.Iseethatnow.Igetthemessage.ButwithMagyck!runningsuccessfully,youwon'thaveallthatmuchtodo.Itwon'tbelikebefore."
"Michael—"shebegan,intendingtotellhimthatshewasgoingtostageanothershowwithinthenextyear,thatshedidn'twanttoberepresentedbyonlyoneproductionatatime,andthatsheevenhaddistantdesignsonNewYorkandBroadway,wherethereturnofBusbyBerkeley-stylemusicalsmightbegreetedwithcheers.
Buthewassoinvolvedwithhisfantasythathewasn'tawarethatshehadnodesiretobeapartofit.Heinterruptedherbeforeshe'dsaidmorethanhisname."Wecandoit,Tina.Itwasgoodforusonce,thoseearlyyears.Itcanbegoodagain.We'restillyoung.Wehavetimetostartanotherfamily.Maybeeventwoboysandtwogirls.That'swhatI'vealwayswanted."
Whenhepausedtolickhisice-creamcone,shesaid,"Michael,that'snotthewayit'sgoingtobe."
"Well,maybeyou'reright.Maybealargefamilyisn'tsuchawiseideathesedays,whatwiththeeconomyintroubleandalltheturmoilintheworld.Butwecantakecareoftwoeasilyenough,andmaybewe'llgetluckyandhaveoneboyandonegirl.Ofcoursewe'llwaitayearorso.I'msurethere'salotofworktodoonashowlikeMagyck!evenafteritopens.We'llwaituntilit'srunningsmoothly,untilitdoesn'tneedmuchofyourtime.Thenwecan—"
"Michael,stopit!"shesaidharshly.
Heflinchedasifshe'dslappedhim.
"I'mnotfeelingunfulfilledthesedays,"shesaid."I'mnotpiningforthedomesticlife.Youdon'tunderstandmeonebitbetternowthanyoudidwhenwedivorced."
Hisexpressionofsurpriseslowlysettledintoafrown.
Shesaid,"Ididn'tmakeupthatstoryaboutsomeonebreakingintothehousejustsoyoucouldplaythestrong,reliablemantomyweak,frightenedfemale.
soyoucouldplaythestrong,reliablemantomyweak,frightenedfemale.Someonereallydidbreakin.IcametoyoubecauseIthought...Ibelieved...Well,thatdoesn'tmatteranymore."
Sheturnedawayfromhimandstartedtowardtherearentranceofthehotel,outofwhichthey'dcomeafewminutesago.
"Wait!"Michaelsaid."Tina,wait!"
Shestoppedandregardedhimwithcontemptandsorrow.
Hehurriedtoher."I'msorry.It'smyfault,Tina.Ibotchedit.Jesus,Iwasbabblinglikeanidiot,wasn'tI?Ididn'tletyoudoityourway.Iknewwhatyouwantedtosay,butIshouldhaveletyousayitatyourownspeed.Iwaswrong.It'sjust—Iwasexcited,Tina.That'sall.Ishould'veshutupandletyougetaroundtoitfirst.I'msorry,baby."Hisingratiating,boyishgrinwasback."Don'tgetmadatme,okay?Webothwantthesamething—ahomelife,agoodfamilylife.Let'snotthrowawaythischance."
Sheglaredathim."Yes,you'reright,Idowantahomelife,asatisfyingfamilylife.You'rerightaboutthat.Butyou'rewrongabouteverythingelse.Idon'twanttobeaproducermerelybecauseIneedasidelinetodabblein,Dabble!Michael,that'sstupid.NoonegetsashowlikeMagyck!offthegroundbydabbling.Ican'tbelieveyousaidthat!Itwasn'tafling.Itwasamentallyandphysicalydebilitatingexperience—itwashard—andIlovedeveryminuteofit!Godwilling,I'mgoingtodoitagain.Andagainandagain.I'mgoingtoproduceshowsthat'llmakeMagyck!lookamateurishbycomparison.SomedayImayalsobeamotheragain.AndI'llbeadamngoodmothertoo.Agoodmotherandagoodproducer.Ihavetheintelligenceandthetalenttobemorethanjustonething.AndIcertainlycanbemorethanjustyourtrinketandyourhousekeeper."
"Now,waitaminute,"hesaid,beginningtogetangry."Waitjustadamnminute.Youdon't—"
Sheinterruptedhim.Foryearsshehadbeenfilledwithhurtandbitterness.Shehadneverventedanyofherblackangerbecause,initially,she'dwantedtohideitfromDanny;shehadn'twantedtoturnhimagainsthisfather.Later,afterDannywasdead,she'drepressedherfeelingsbecauseshe'dknownthatMichaelhadbeentrulysufferingfromthelossofhischild,andshehadn'twantedtoaddtohismisery.Butnowsheventedsomeoftheacidthathadbeeneatingatherforsolong,cuttinghimoffinmidsentence.
solong,cuttinghimoffinmidsentence.
"YouwerewrongtothinkI'dcomecrawlingback.WhyonearthwouldI?WhatdoyouhavetogivemethatIcan'tgetelsewhere?You'veneverbeenmuchofagiveranyway,Michael.Youonlygivewhenyou'resureofgettingbacktwiceasmuch.You'rebasicallyataker.Andbeforeyougivemeanymoreofthattreaclytalkaboutyourgreatloveoffamily,letmeremindyouthatitwasn'tmewhotoreourfamilyapart.Itwasn'tmewhojumpedfrombedtobed."
"Now,wait—"
"Youweretheonewhostartedfuckinganythingthatbreathed,andthenyouflauntedeachcheaplittleaffairtohurtme.Itwasyouwhodidn'tcomehomeatnight.Itwasyouwhowentawayforweekendswithyourgirlfriends.Andthosebed-hoppingweekendsbrokemyheart,Michael,brokemyheart—whichiswhatyouhopedtodo,sothatwasallrightwithyou.ButdidyoueverstoptorealizewhateffectyourabsenceshadonDanny?Ifyoulovedfamilylifesomuch,whydidn'tyouspendallthoseweekendswithyourson?"
Hisfacewasflushed,andtherewasafamiliarmeannessinhiseyes."SoI'mnotagiver,huh?Thenwhogaveyouthehouseyou'relivingin?Huh?Whowasithadtomoveintoanapartmentwhenweseparated,andwhowasitkeptthehouse?"
Hewastryingdesperatelytodeflectherandchangethecourseoftheargument.Shecouldseewhathewasupto,andshewasnotgoingtobedistractedfromhermainintention.
Shesaid,"Don'tbepathetic,Michael.Youknowdamnwellthedownpaymentforthehousecameoutofmyearnings.Youalwaysspentyourmoneyonfastcars,goodclothes.Ipaideveryloaninstallment.Youknowthat.AndIneveraskedforalimony.Anyway,allofthat'sbesidethepoint.Weweretalkingaboutfamilylife,aboutDanny."
"Now,youlistentome—"
"No.It'syourturntolisten.Afteralltheseyearsit'sfinallyyourturntolisten.Ifyouknowhow.YoucouldhavetakenDannyawayfortheweekendifyoudidn'twanttobenearme.Youcouldhavegonecampingwithhim.YoucouldhavetakenhimdowntoDisneylandforacoupledays.OrtotheColoradoRivertodosomefishing.Butyouweretoobusyusingallthosewomentohurtmeandto
somefishing.Butyouweretoobusyusingallthosewomentohurtmeandtoprovetoyourselfwhatastudyouwere.Youcouldhaveenjoyedthattimewithyourson.Hemissedyou.Youcouldhavehadthatprecioustimewithhim.Butyoudidn'twantit.Andasitturnedout,Dannydidn'thavemuchtimeleft."
Michaelwasmilk-white,trembling.Hiseyesweredarkwithrage."You'rethesamegoddamnbitchyoualwayswere."
Shesighedandsagged.Shewasexhausted.Finishedtellinghimoff,shefeltpleasantlywrungout,asifsomeevil,nervousenergyhadbeendrainedfromher.
"You'rethesameball-breakingbitch,"Michaelsaid.
"Idon'twanttofightwithyou,Michael.I'mevensorryifsomeofwhatIsaidaboutDannyhurtyou,although,Godknows,youdeservetohearit.Idon'treallywanttohurtyou.Oddlyenough,Idon'treallyhateyouanymore.Idon'tfeelanythingforyou.Notanythingatall."
Turningaway,shelefthiminthesunshine,withtheicecreammeltingdowntheconeandontohishand.
Shewalkedbackthroughtheshoppingarcade,rodetheescalatoruptothecasino,andmadeherwaythroughthenoisycrowdtothefrontdoors.Oneofthevalet-parkingattendantsbroughthercar,andshedrovedownthehotel'ssteeplyslantedexitdrive.
SheheadedtowardtheGoldenPyramid,whereshehadanoffice,andwhereworkwaswaitingtobedone.
Aftershehaddrivenonlyablock,shewasforcedtopulltothesideoftheroad.Shecouldn'tseewhereshewasgoing,becausehottearsstreameddownherface.Sheputthecarinpark.Surprisingherself,shesobbedloudly.
Atfirstshewasn'tsurewhatshewascryingabout.Shejustsurrenderedtotherackinggriefthatsweptthroughheranddidnotquestionit.
AfterawhileshedecidedthatshewascryingforDanny.Poor,sweetDanny.He'dhardlybeguntolive.Itwasn'tfair.Andshewascryingforherselftoo,andforMichael.Shewascryingforallthethingsthatmighthavebeen,andforwhatcouldneverbeagain.
Inafewminutesshegotcontrolofherself.Shedriedhereyesandblewhernose.
Shehadtostopbeingsogloomy.She'dhadenoughgloominherlife.Awholehellofalotofgloom.
"Thinkpositive,"shesaidaloud."Maybethepastwasn'tsogreat,butthefutureseemsprettydamngood."
Sheinspectedherfaceintherearviewmirrortoseehowmuchdamagethecryingjaghaddone.Shelookedbetterthansheexpected.Hereyeswerered,butshewouldn'tpassforDracula.Sheopenedherpurse,foundhermakeup,andcoveredthetearstainsasbestshecould.
ShepulledtheHondabackintotrafficandheadedforthePyramidagain.
Ablockfarther,asshewaitedataredlight,sherealizedthatshestillhadamysteryonherhands.ShewaspositivethatMichaelhadnotdonethedamageinDanny'sbedroom.Butthen,whohaddoneit?Nooneelsehadakey.Onlyaskilledburglarcouldhavebrokeninwithoutleavingatrace.Andwhywouldafirst-rateburglarleavewithouttakinganything?WhybreakinmerelytowriteonDanny'schalkboardandtowreckthedeadboy'sthings?
Weird.
WhenshehadsuspectedMichaelofdoingthedirtywork,shehadbeendisturbedanddistressed,butshehadn'tbeenfrightened.Ifsomestrangerwantedhertofeelmorepainoverthelossofherchild,however,thatwasdefinitelyunsettling.Thatwasscarybecauseitdidn'tmakesense.Astranger?Itmustbe.MichaelwastheonlypersonwhohadeverblamedherforDanny'sdeath.Notoneotherrelativecacquaintancehadeversuggestedthatshewasevenindirectlyresponsible.Yetthetauntingwordsonthechalkboardandthedestructioninthebedroomseemedtobetheworkofsomeonewhofeltthatsheshouldbeheldaccountablefortheaccident.Whichmeantithadtobesomeoneshedidn'tevenknow.WhywouldastrangerharborsuchpassionatefeelingsaboutDanny'sdeath?
Theredtrafficlightchanged.
Ahorntootedbehindher.
AsshedroveacrosstheintersectionandintotheentrancedrivethatledtotheGoldenPyramidHotel,Tinacouldn'tshakethecreepyfeelingthatshewasbeingwatchedbysomeonewhomeanttoharmher.Shecheckedtherearviewmirrortoseeifshewasbeingfollowed.Asfarasshecouldtell,noonewastailingher.
12
THETHIRDFLOOROFTHEGOLDENPYRAMIDHOtelwasoccupiedbymanagementandclericalpersonnel.Here,therewasnoflash,noVegasglamour,Thiswaswheretheworkgotdone.Thethirdfloorhousedthemachinerythatsupportedthewallsoffantasy,beyondwhichthetouristsgamboled.
Tina'sofficewaslarge,paneledinwhitewashedpine,withcomfortablecontemporaryupholstery.Onewallwascoveredbyheavydrapesthatblockedoutthefiercedesertsun.ThewindowsbehindthedrapesfacedtheLasVegasStrip.
AtnightthefabledStripwasadazzlingsight,asurgingriveroflight:red,blue,green,yellow,purple,pink,turquoise—everycolorwithinthevisualspectrumofthehumaneye;incandescentandneon,fiberopticsandlasers,flashingandrippling.Hundred-foot-longsigns—five-hundred-foot-longsigns—toweredfiveoreventenstoriesabovethestreet,glittering,winking,thousandsofmilesofbrightglasstubingfilledwithglowinggas,blinking,swirling,hundredsofthousandsofbulbs,spellingouthotelnames,formingpictureswithlight.Computer-controlleddesignsebbedandflowed,ariotousandmad—butcuriouslybeautiful—excessofenergyconsumption.
Duringtheday,however,themercilesssunwasunkindtotheStrip.Inthehardlighttheenormousarchitecturalconfectionswerenotalwaysappealing;attimes,inspiteofthebillionsofdollarsofvaluethatitrepresented,theStriplookedgrubby.
TheviewofthelegendaryboulevardwaswastedonTina;shedidn'toftenmakeuseofit.Becauseshewasseldominherofficeatnight,thedrapeswererarelyopen.Thisafternoon,asusual,thedrapeswereclosed.Theofficewasshadowy,andshewasatherdeskinapoolofsoftlight.
AsTinaporedoverafinalbillforcarpentryworkonsomeoftheMagyck!sets,Angela,hersecretary,steppedinfromtheouteroffice."IsthereanythingmoreyouneedbeforeIleave?"
Tinaglancedatherwatch."It'sonlyaquartertofour."
Tinaglancedatherwatch."It'sonlyaquartertofour."
"Iknow.Butwegetoffatfourtoday—NewYear'sEve."
"Oh,ofcourse,"Tinasaid."Icompletelyforgotabouttheholiday."
"Ifyouwantmeto,Icouldstayalittlelonger."
"No,no,no,"Tinasaid."Yougohomeatfourwiththeothers."
"Soisthereanythingmoreyouneed?"
Leaningbackinherchair,Tinasaid,"Yes.Infact,thereissomething.Alotofourregularjunketeersandhighrollerscouldn'tmakeittotheVIPopeningofMagyck!I'dlikeyoutogettheirnamesfromthecomputer,plusalistoftheweddinganniversariesofthosewho'remarried."
"Cando,"Angelasaid."What'veyougotinmind?"
"Duringtheyear,I'mgoingtosendspecialinvitationstothemarriedones,askingthemtospendtheiranniversarieshere,witheverythingcompedforthreedays.We'llsellitthisway:'SpendthemagicnightofyouranniversaryinthemagicworldofMagyck!'Somethinglikethat.We'llmakeitveryromantic.We'llservethemchampagneattheshow.It'llbeagreatpromotion,don'tyouthink?"Sheraisedherhands,asifframinghernextwords,"TheGoldenPyramid—aMagyck!placeforlovers."
"Thehoteloughttobehappy,"Angelasaid."We'llgetlotsoffavorablemediacoverage."
"Thecasinobosseswilllikeittoo,'causealotofourhighrollerswillprobablymakeanextratripthisyear.Theaveragegamblerwon'tcancelotherplannedtripstoVegas.He'lljustaddonanextratripforhisanniversary.AndI'llbehappybecausethewholestuntwillgeneratemoretalkabouttheshow."
"It'sagreatidea,"Angelasaid."I'llgetthelist."
Tinareturnedtoherinspectionofthecarpenter'sbill,andAngelawasbackatfiveminutespastfourwiththirtypagesofdata.
"Thankyou,"Tinasaid.
"Notrouble."
"Areyoushivering?"
"Yeah,"Angelasaid,huggingherself."Mustbeaproblemwiththeairconditioning.Thelastfewminutes—myofficegotchilly."
"It'swarmenoughinhere,"Tinasaid.
"Maybeit'sjustme.MaybeI'mcomingdownwithsomething.Isurehopenot.I'vegotbigplanstonight."
"Party?"
"Yeah.BigbashoveronRanchoCircle."
"Millionaire'sRow?"
"Myboyfriend'sbosslivesoverthere.Anyway..happynewyear,Tina."
"Happynewyear."
"SeeyouMonday."
"Oh?Oh,yeah,that'sright.It'safour-dayweekend.Well,justwatchoutforthathangover."
Angelagrinned."There'satleastoneouttherewithmynameonit."
Tinafinishedcheckingthecarpenter'sbillandapproveditforpayment.
Alonenowonthethirdfloor,shesatinthepoolofamberlightatherdesk,surroundedbyshadows,yawning.She'dworkforanotherhour,untilfiveo'clock,andthengohome.She'dneedtwohourstogetreadyforherdatewithElliotStryker.
Shesmiledwhenshethoughtofhim,thenpickedupthesheafofpapersthatAngelahadgivenher,anxioustofinishherwork.
Thehotelpossessedanamazingwealthofinformationaboutitsmostfavoredcustomers.Ifsheneededtoknowhowmuchmoneyeachofthesepeopleearnedinayear,thecomputercouldtellher.Itcouldtellhereachman'spreferredbrand
inayear,thecomputercouldtellher.Itcouldtellhereachman'spreferredbrandofliquor,eachwife'sfavoriteflowerandperfume,themakeofcartheydrove,thenamesandagesoftheirchildren,thenatureofanyillnessesorothermedicalconditionstheymighthave,theirfavoritefoods,theirfavoritecolors,theirtastesinmusic,theirpoliticalaffiliations,andscoresofotherfactsbothimportantandtrivial.Thesewerecustomerstowhomthehotelwasespeciallyanxioustocater,andthemorethePyramidknewaboutthem,thebetteritcouldservethem.Althoughthehotelcollectedthisdatawith,forthemostpart,thecustomers'happinessinmind,TinawonderedhowpleasedthesepeoplewouldbetolearnthattheGoldenPyramidmaintainedfatdossiersonthem.
ShescannedthelistofVIPcustomerswhohadn'tattendedtheopeningofMagyck!Usingaredpencil,shecircledthosenamesthatwerefollowedbyanniversarydates,tryingtoascertainhowlargeapromotionshewasproposing.Shehadcountedonlytwenty-twonameswhenshecametoanincrediblemessagethatthecomputerhadinsertedinthelist.
Herchesttightened.Shecouldn'tbreathe.
Shestaredatwhatthecomputerhadprinted,andfearwelledinher—dark,cold,oilyfear.
Betweenthenamesoftwohighrollerswerefivelinesoftypethathadnothingtodowiththeinformationshehadrequested:
NOTDEAD
NOTDEAD
NOTDEAD
NOTDEAD
NOTDEAD
Thepaperrattledasherhandsbegantoshake.
Firstathome.InDanny'sbedroom.Nowhere.Whowasdoingthistoher?
Firstathome.InDanny'sbedroom.Nowhere.Whowasdoingthistoher?
Angela?
No.Absurd.
Angelawasasweetkid.Shewasn'tcapableofanythingasviciousasthis.Angelahadn'tnoticedthisinterruptionintheprintoutbecauseshehadn'thadtimetoscanit.
Besides,Angelacouldn'thavebrokenintothehouse.Angelawasn'tamasterburglar,forGod'ssake.
Tinaquicklyshuffledthroughthepages,seekingmoreofthesickprankster'swork.Shefounditafteranothertwenty-sixnames.
DANNYALIVE
DANNYALIVE
HELP
HELP
HELPME
Herheartseemedtobepumpingarefrigerantinsteadofblood,andanicinessradiatedfromit.
Suddenlyshewasawareofhowaloneshewas.Morelikelythannot,shewastheonlypersonontheentirethirdfloor.
Shethoughtofthemaninhernightmare,themaninblackwhosefacehadbeenlumpywithmaggots,andtheshadowsinthecomerofherofficeseemeddarkeranddeeperthantheyhadbeenamomentago.
Shescannedanotherfortynamesandcringedwhenshesawwhatelsethecomputerhadprinted.
computerhadprinted.
I'MAFRAID
I'MAFRAID
GETMEOUT
GETMEOUTOFHERE
PLEASE...PLEASE
HELPHELPHELPHELP
Thatwasthelastdisturbinginsertion.Theremainderofthelistwasasitshouldbe.
Tinathrewtheprintoutonthefloorandwentintotheouteroffice.
Angelahadturnedthelightoff.Tinaturnediton.
ShewenttoAngela'sdesk,satinherchair,andswitchedonthecomputer.Thescreenfilledwithasoftbluelight.
Inthelockedcenterdrawerofthedeskwasabookwiththecodenumbersthatpermittedaccesstothesensitiveinformationstorednotondiskettebutonlyinthecentralmemory.Tinapagedthroughthebookuntilshefoundthecodethatsheneededtocallupthelistofthehotel'sbestcustomers.Thenumberwas1001012,identifiedastheaccessfor"Comps,"whichmeant"complimentaryguests,"aeuphemismfor"biglosers,"whowereneveraskedtopaytheirroomchargesorrestaurantbillsbecausetheyroutinelydroppedsmallfortunesinthecasino.
Tinatypedherpersonalaccessnumber—E013331555.Becausesomuchmaterialinthehotel'sfileswasextremelyconfidentialinformationabouthighrollers,andbecausethePyramid'slistoffavoredcustomerswouldbeofenormousvaluetocompetitors,onlyapprovedpeoplecouldobtainthisdata,andarecordwaskeptofeveryonewhoaccessedit.Afteramoment'shesitationthe
arecordwaskeptofeveryonewhoaccessedit.Afteramoment'shesitationthecomputeraskedforhername;sheenteredthat,andthecomputermatchedhernumberandname.Then:
CLEARED
Shetypedinthecodeforthelistofcomplimentaryguests,andthemachinerespondedatonce.
PROCEED
Herfingersweredamp.Shewipedthemonherslacksandthenquicklytappedoutherrequest.SheaskedthecomputerforthesameinformationthatAngelahadrequestedawhileago.ThenamesandaddressesofVIPcustomerswhohadmissedtheopeningofMagyck!—alongwiththeweddinganniversariesofthosewhoweremarried—begantoappearonthescreen,scrollingupward.Simultaneouslythelaserprinterbegantochurnoutthesamedata.
Tinasnatchedeachpagefromtheprintertrayasitarrived.Thelaserwhisperedthroughtwentynames,forty,sixty,seventy,withoutproducingthelinesaboutDannythathadbeenonthefirstprintout.TinawaiteduntilatleastahundrednameshadbeenlistedbeforeshedecidedthatthesystemhadbeenprogrammedtoprintthelinesaboutDannyonlyonetime,onlyonheroffice'sfirstdatarequestoftheafternoon,andonnolatercall-up.
Shecanceledthisdatarequestandclosedoutthefile.Theprinterstopped.
Justacoupleofhoursagoshehadconcludedthatthepersonbehindthisharassmenthadtobeastranger.Buthowcouldanystrangersoeasilygainentrancetobothherhouseandthehotelcomputer?Didn'the,afterall,havetobesomeonesheknew?
Butwho?
Butwho?
Andwhy?
Whatstrangercouldpossiblyhatehersomuch?
Fear,likeanuncoilingsnake,twistedandslitheredinsideofher,andsheshivered.
Thensherealizeditwasn'tonlyfearthatmadeherquiver.Theairwaschilly.
SherememberedthecomplaintthatAngelahadmadeearlier.Ithadn'tseemedimportantatthetime.
ButtheroomhadbeenwarmwhenTinahadfirstcomeintousethecomputer,andnowitwascool.Howcouldthetemperaturehavedroppedsofarinsuchashorttime?Shelistenedforthesoundoftheairconditioner,butthetelltalewhisperwasn'tissuingfromthewallvents.Nevertheless,theroomwasmuchcoolerthanithadbeenonlyminutesago.
Withasharp,loud,electronicsnapthatstartledTina,thecomputerabruptlybegantochurnoutadditionaldata,althoughshehadn'trequestedany.Sheglancedattheprinter,thenatthewordsthatflickeredacrossthescreen.
NOTDEADNOTDEAD
NOTDEADNOTDEAD
NOTINTHEGROUND
NOTDEAD
GETMEOUTOFHERE
GETMEOUTOUTOUT
Themessageblinkedandvanishedfromthescreen.Theprinterfellsilent.
Theroomwasgrowingcolderbythesecond.
Theroomwasgrowingcolderbythesecond.
Orwasitherimagination?
Shehadthecrazyfeelingthatshewasn'talone.Themaninblack.Eventhoughhewasonlyacreaturefromanightmare,andeventhoughitwasutterlyimpossibleforhimtobehereintheflesh,shecouldn'tshaketheheart-clenchingfeelingthathewasintheroom.Themaninblack.Themanwiththeevil,fieryeyes.Theyellow-toothedgrin.Behindher.Reachingtowardherwithahandthatwouldbecoldanddamp.Shespunaroundinherchair,butnoonehadcomeintotheroom.
Ofcourse.Hewasonlyanightmaremonster.Howstupidofher.
Yetshefeltthatshewasnotalone.
Shedidn'twanttolookatthescreenagain,butshedid.Shehadto.
Thewordsstillburnedthere.
Thentheydisappeared.
Shemanagedtobreakthegripoffearthathadparalyzedher,andsheputherfingersonthekeyboard.SheintendedtodetermineifthewordsaboutDannyhadbeenpreviouslyprogrammedtoprintoutonhermachineoriftheyhadbeensenttoherjustsecondsagobysomeoneatanothercomputerinanotherofficeinthehotel'selaboratelynetworkedseriesofworkstations.
Shehadanalmostpsychicsensethattheperpetratorofthisviciousnesswasinthebuildingnow,perhapsonthethirdfloorwithher.Sheimaginedherselfleavingheroffice,walkingdownthelonghallway,openingdoors,peeringintosilent,desertedoffices,untilatlastshefoundamansittingatanotherterminal.Hewouldturntowardher,surprised,andshewouldfinallyknowwhohewas.
Andthenwhat?
Wouldheharmher?Killher?
Thiswasanewthought:thepossibilitythathisultimategoalwastodosomethingworsethantormentandscareher.
Shehesitated,fingersonthekeyboard,notcertainifsheshouldproceed.She
Shehesitated,fingersonthekeyboard,notcertainifsheshouldproceed.Sheprobablywouldn'tgettheanswerssheneeded,andshewouldonlybeacknowledgingherpresencetowhomevermightbeoutthereatanotherworkstation.Thensherealizedthat,ifhereallywasnearby,healreadyknewshewasinheroffice,alone.Shehadnothingtolosebytryingtofollowthedatachain.Butwhensheattemptedtotypeinherinstruction,thekeyboardwaslocked;thekeyswouldn'tdepress.
Theprinterhummed.
Theroomwaspositivelyarctic.
Onthescreen,scrollingup:
I'MCOLDANDIHURT
MOM?CANYOUHEAR?
I'MSOCOLD
IHURTBAD
GETMEOUTOFHERE
PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE
NOTDEADNOTDEAD
Thescreenglowedwiththosewords—thenwentblank.
Again,shetriedtofeedinherquestions.Butthekeyboardremainedfrozen.
Shewasstillawareofanotherpresenceintheroom.Indeedthefeelingofinvisibleanddangerouscompanionshipwasgrowingstrongerastheroomgrewcolder.
Howcouldhemaketheroomcolderwithoutusingtheairconditioner?Whoeverhewas,hecouldoverridehercomputerfromanotherterminalinthebuilding;
hewas,hecouldoverridehercomputerfromanotherterminalinthebuilding;shecouldacceptthat.Buthowcouldhepossiblymaketheairgrowsocoldsofast?
Suddenly,asthescreenbegantofillwiththesameseven-linemessagethathadjustbeenwipedfromit,Tinahadenough.Sheswitchedthemachineoff,andtheblueglowfadedfromthescreen.
Asshewasgettingupfromthelowchair,theterminalswitcheditselfon.
I'MCOLDANDIHURT
GETMEOUTOFHERE
PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE
"Getyououtofwhere?"shedemanded."Thegrave?"
GETMEOUTOUTOUT
Shehadtogetagriponherself.ShehadjustspokentothecomputerasifsheactuallythoughtshewastalkingtoDanny.Itwasn'tDannytappingoutthosewords.Goddamnit,Dannywasdead!
Shesnappedthecomputeroff.
Itturneditselfon.
Ahotwellingoftearsblurredhervision,andshestruggledtorepressthem.Shehadtobelosinghermind.Thedamnedthingcouldn'tbeswitchingitselfon.
Shehurriedaroundthedesk,bangingherhipagainstonecorner,headingforthewallsocketastheprinterhummedwiththeproductionofmorehatefulwords.
GETMEOUTOFHERE
GETMEOUTOUT
OUT
OUT
Tinastoopedbesidethewalloutletfromwhichthecomputerreceiveditselectricalpoweranditsdatafeed.Shetookholdofthetwolines—oneheavycableandoneordinaryinsulatedwire—andtheyseemedtocomealiveinherhands,likeapairofsnakes,resistingher.Shejerkedonthemandpulledbothplugs.
Themonitorwentdark.
Itremaineddark.
Immediately,rapidly,theroombegantogrowwarmer.
"ThankGod,"shesaidshakily.
ShestartedaroundAngela'sdesk,wantingnothingmoreatthemomentthantogetoffherrubberylegsandontoachair—andsuddenlythedoortothehallopened,andshecriedoutinalarm.
Themaninblack?
ElliotStrykerhaltedonthethreshold,surprisedbyherscream,andforaninstantshewasrelievedtoseehim.
"Tina?What'swrong?Areyouallright?"
Shetookasteptowardhim,butthensherealizedthathemighthavecomeherestraightfromacomputerinoneoftheotherthird-flooroffices.Couldhebethemanwho'dbeenharassingher?
"Tina?MyGod,you'rewhiteasaghost!"
"Tina?MyGod,you'rewhiteasaghost!"
Hemovedtowardher.
Shesaid,"Stop!Wait!"
Hehalted,perplexed.
Voicequavery,shesaid,"Whatareyoudoinghere?"
Heblinked."Iwasinthehotelonbusiness.Iwonderedifyoumightstillbeatyourdesk.Istoppedintosee.Ijustwantedtosayhello."
"Wereyouplayingaroundwithoneoftheothercomputers?"
"What?"heasked,obviouslybaffledbyherquestion.
"Whatwereyoudoingonthethirdfloor?"shedemanded."Whocouldyoupossiblyhavebeenseeing?They'veallgonehome.I'mtheonlyonehere."
Stillpuzzledbutbeginningtogetimpatientwithher,Elliotsaid,"Mybusinesswasn'tonthethirdfloor.IhadameetingwithCharlieMainwayovercoffee,downstairsintherestaurant.Whenwefinishedourworkacoupleminutesago,Icameuptoseeifyouwerehere.What'swrongwithyou?"
Shestaredathimintently.
"Tina?What'shappened?"
Shesearchedhisfaceforanysignthathewaslying,buthisbewildermentseemedgenuine.Andifhewerelying,hewouldn'thavetoldherthestoryaboutCharlieandcoffee,forthatcouldbesubstantiatedordisprovedwithonlyaminimumofeffort;hewouldhavecomeupwithabetteralibiifhereallyneededone.Hewastellingthetruth.
Shesaid,"I'msorry.Ijust...Ihad...an...anexperiencehere...aweird..."
Hewenttoher."Whatwasit?"
Ashedrewnear,heopenedhisarms,asifitwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldforhimtoholdandcomforther,asifhehadheldhermanytimesbefore,andsheleanedagainsthiminthesamespiritoffamiliarity.Shewasnolonger
andsheleanedagainsthiminthesamespiritoffamiliarity.Shewasnolongeralone.
13
TINAKEPTAWELL-STOCKEDBARINONECORNEROFherofficeforthoseinfrequentoccasionswhenabusinessassociateneededadrinkafteralongworksession.Thiswasthefirsttimeshe'deverhadtheneedtotapthosestoresforherself.
Atherrequest,ElliotpouredRémyMartinintotwosniftersandgaveoneglasstoher.Shecouldn'tpourforthembecauseherhandswereshakingtoobadly.
Theysatonthebeigesofa,moreintheshadowsthanintheglowfromthelamps.Shewasforcedtoholdherbrandysnifterinbothhandstokeepitsteady.
"Idon'tknowwheretobegin.IguessIoughttostartwithDanny.DoyouknowaboutDanny?"
"Yourson?"heasked.
"Yes."
"HelenMainwaytoldmehediedalittleoverayearago."
"Didshetellyouhowithappened?"
"HewasoneoftheJaborskigroup.Frontpageofthepapers."
BillJaborskihadbeenawildernessexpertandascoutmaster.Everywinterforsixteenyears,hehadtakenagroupofscoutstonorthernNevada,beyondReno,intotheHighSierras,onaseven-daywildernesssurvivalexcursion.
"Itwassupposedtobuildcharacter,"Tinasaid."Andtheboyscompetedhardallyearforthechancetobeoneofthoseselectedtogoonthetrip.Itwassupposedtobeperfectlysafe.BillJaborskiwassupposedtobeoneofthetentopwinter-survivalexpertsinthecountry.That'swhateveryonesaid.Andtheotheradultwhowentalong,TomLincoln—hewassupposedtobealmostasgoodasBill.Supposedtobe."Hervoicehadgrownthinandbitter."Ibelievedthem,thoughtitwassafe."
"Youcan'tblameyourselfforthat.Allthoseyearsthey'dtakenkidsintothemountains,nobodywasevenscratched."
Tinaswallowedsomecognac.Itwashotinherthroat,butitdidn'tburnawaythechillatthecenterofher.
AyearagoJaborski'sexcursionhadincludedfourteenboysbetweentheagesoftwelveandeighteen.Allofthemweretopnotchscouts—andallofthemdiedalongwithJaborskiandTomLincoln.
"Havetheauthoritieseverfiguredoutexactlywhyithappened?"Elliotasked.
"Notwhy.Theyneverwill.Alltheyknowishow.Thegroupwentintothemountainsinafour-wheel-driveminibusbuiltforuseonbackroadsinthewinter.Hugetires.Chains.Evenasnowplowonthefront.Theyweren'tsupposedtogointothetrueheartofthewilderness.Justintothefringes.NooneinhisrightmindwouldtakeboysasyoungastwelveintothedeepestpartsoftheSierras,nomatterhowwellprepared,supplied,andtrainedtheywere,nomatterhowstrong,nomatterhowmanybigbrothersweretheretolookoutforthem."
Jaborskihadintendedtodrivetheminibusoffthemainhighway,ontoanoldloggingtrail,ifconditionspermitted.Fromtheretheyweregoingtohikeforthreedayswithsnowshoesandbackpacks,makingawidecirclearoundthebus,comingbacktoitattheendoftheweek.
"Theyhadthebestwildernessclothingandthebestdown-linedsleepingbags,thebestwintertents,plentyofcharcoalandotherheatsources,plentyoffood,andtwowildernessexpertstoguidethem.Perfectlysafe,everyonesaid.Absolutely,perfectlysafe.Sowhatthefuckwentwrong?"
Tinacouldnolongersitstill.Shegotupandbegantopace,takinganotherswallowofcognac.
Elliotsaidnothing.Heseemedtoknowthatshehadtogothroughthewholestorytogetitoffhermind.
"Somethingsureashellwentwrong,"shesaid."Somehow,forsomereason,theydrovethebusmorethanfourmilesoffthemainhighway,fourmilesoffandahellofalongwayup,rightuptothedamnclouds.Theydroveupasteep,abandonedloggingtrail,adeteriorateddirtroadsotreacherous,sochokedwith
abandonedloggingtrail,adeteriorateddirtroadsotreacherous,sochokedwithsnow,soicythatonlyafoolwouldhaveattemptedtonegotiateitanywaybutonfoot."
Thebushadrunofftheroad.Therewerenoguardrailsinthewilderness,nowideshouldersattheroadsidewithgentleslopesbeyond.Thevehicleskidded,thendroppedahundredfeetstraightontorocks.Thefueltankexploded.Thebusopenedlikeatincanandrolledanotherhundredfeetintothetrees.
"Thekids...everyone...killed."Thebitternessinhervoicedismayedherbecauseitrevealedhowlittleshehadhealed."Why?WhydidamanlikeBillJaborskidosomethingsostupidasthat?"
Stillsittingonthecouch,Elliotshookhisheadandstareddownathiscognac.
Shedidn'texpecthimtoanswer.Shewasn'tactuallyaskingthequestionofhim;ifshewasaskinganyone,shewasaskingGod.
"Why?Jaborskiwasthebest.Theverybest.HewassogoodthathecouldsafelytakeyoungboysintotheSierrasforsixteenyears,achallengealotofotherwintersurvivalexpertswouldn'ttouch.BillJaborskiwassmart,tough,clever,andfilledwithrespectforthedangerinwhathedid.Hewasn'tfoolhardy.Whywouldhedosomethingsodumb,soreckless,astodrivethatfaralongthatroadinthoseconditions?"
Elliotlookedupather.Kindnessmarkedhiseyes,adeepsympathy."You'llprobablyneverlearntheanswer.Iunderstandhowharditmustbenevertoknowwhy."
"Hard,"shesaid."Veryhard."
Shereturnedtothecouch.
Hetookherglassoutofherhand.Itwasempty.Shedidn'trememberfinishinghercognac.Hewenttothebar.
"Nomoreforme,"shesaid."Idon'twanttogetdrunk."
"Nonsense,"hesaid."Inyourcondition,throwingoffallthatnervousenergythewayyouare,twosmallbrandieswon'taffectyouintheslightest."
HereturnedfromthebarwithmoreRémyMartin.Thistimeshewasabletoholdtheglassinonehand.
"Thankyou,Elliot."
"Justdon'taskforamixeddrink,"hesaid."I'mtheworld'sworstbartender.Icanpouranythingstraightoroverice,butIcan'tevenmixvodkaandorangejuiceproperly."
"Iwasn'tthankingyouforthedrink.Iwasthankingyoufor...beingagoodlistener."
"Mostattorneystalktoomuch."
Foramomenttheysatinsilence,sippingcognac.
Tinawasstilltense,butshenolongerfeltcoldinside.
Elliotsaid,"Losingachildlikethat...devastating.Butitwasn'tanyrecollectionofyoursonthathadyousoupsetwhenIwalkedinalittlewhileago."
"Inawayitwas."
"Butsomethingmore."
Shetoldhimaboutthebizarrethingsthathadbeenhappeningtoherlately:themessagesonDanny'schalkboard;thewreckageshe'dfoundintheboy'sroom;thehateful,tauntingwordsthatappearedinthecomputerlistsandonthemonitor.
Elliotstudiedtheprintouts,andtogethertheyexaminedthecomputerinAngela'soffice.Theypluggeditinandtriedtogetittorepeatwhatithaddoneearlier,buttheyhadnoluck;themachinebehavedexactlyasitwasmeanttobehave.
"SomeonecouldhaveprogrammedittospewoutthisstuffaboutDanny,"Elliotsaid."ButIdon'tseehowhecouldmaketheterminalswitchitselfon."
"Ithappened,"shesaid.
"Idon'tdoubtyou.Ijustdon'tunderstand."
"Idon'tdoubtyou.Ijustdon'tunderstand."
"Andtheair...socold..."
"Couldthetemperaturechangehavebeensubjective?"
Tinafrowned."AreyouaskingmeifIimaginedit?"
"Youwerefrightened—"
"ButI'msureIdidn'timagineit.Angelafeltthechillfirst,whenshegottheinitialprintoutwiththoselinesaboutDanny.Itisn'tlikelyAngelaandIbothjustimaginedit."
"True."Hestaredthoughtfullyatthecomputer."Comeon."
"Where?"
"Backinyouroffice.Ileftmydrinkthere.Needtolubricatemythoughts."
Shefollowedhimintothewood-paneledinnersanctum.
Hepickeduphisbrandysnifterfromthelowtableinfrontofthesofa,andhesatontheedgeofherdesk."Who?Whocouldbedoingittoyou?"
"Ihaven'taclue."
"Youmusthavesomebodyinmind."
"IwishIdid."
"Obviously,it'ssomebodywhoattheveryleastdislikesyou,ifhedoesn'tactuallyhateyou.Someonewhowantsyoutosuffer.HeblamesyouforDanny'sdeath...andit'sapparentlyapersonallosstohim,soitcanhardlybeastranger."
Tinawasdisturbedbyhisanalysisbecauseitmatchedherown,anditledherintothesameblindalleythatshe'dtraveledbefore.Shepacedbetweenthedeskandthedrapery-coveredwindows."ThisafternoonIdecidedithastobeastranger.Ican'tthinkofanyoneIknowwho'dbecapableofthissortofthingeveniftheydidhatemeenoughtocontemplateit.AndIdon'tknowofanyonebutMichaelwhoplacesanyoftheblameforDanny'sdeathonme."
Elliotraisedhiseyebrows."Michael'syourex-husband?"
"Yes,"
"AndheblamesyouforDanny'sdeath?"
"HesaysInevershouldhavelethimgowithJaborski.Butthisisn'tMichael'sdirtywork."
"Hesoundslikeanexcellentcandidatetome."
"No."
"Areyoucertain?"
"Absolutely.It'ssomeoneelse."
Elliottastedhiscognac."You'llprobablyneedprofessionalhelptocatchhiminoneofhistricks."
"Youmeanthepolice?"
"Idon'tthinkthepolicewouldbemuchhelp.Theyprobablywon'tthinkit'sseriousenoughtowastetheirtime.Afterall,youhaven'tbeenthreatened."
"There'sanimplicitthreatinallofthis."
"Oh,yeah,Iagree.It'sscary.Butthecopsarealiteralbunch,notmuchimpressedbyimpliedthreats.Besides,toproperlywatchyourhouse...thatalonewillrequirealotmoremanpowerthanthepolicecanspareforanythingexceptamurdercase,ahotkidnapping,ormaybeanarcoticsinvestigation."
Shestoppedpacing."ThenwhatdidyoumeanwhenyousaidI'dprobablyneedprofessionalhelptocatchthiscreep?"
"Privatedetectives."
"Isn'tthatmelodramatic?"
Hesmiledsourly."Well,thepersonwho'sharassingyouhasamelodramaticstreakamilewide."
Shesighedandsippedsomecognacandsatontheedgeofthecouch."Idon'tknow...MaybeI'dhireprivatedetectives,andtheywouldn'tcatchanyonebutme."
"Sendthatonebymeagain."
Shehadtotakeanothersmallsipofcognacbeforeshewasabletosaywhatwasonhermind,andsherealizedthathehadbeenrightabouttheliquorhavinglittleeffectonher.Shefeltmorerelaxedthanshe'dbeentenminutesago,butshewasn'tevenslightlytipsy."It'soccurredtome...maybeIwrotethosewordsonthechalkboard.Maybe/wreckedDanny'sroom."
"You'velostme."
"Couldhavedoneitinmysleep."
'That'sridiculous,Tina."
"Isit?IthoughtI'dbeguntogetoverDanny'sdeathbackinSeptember.Istartedsleepingwellthen.Ididn'tdwellonitwhenIwasalone,likeI'ddoneforsolong.IthoughtI'dputtheworstpainbehindme.ButamonthagoIstarteddreamingaboutDannyagain.Thefirstweek,ithappenedtwice.Thesecondweek,fournights.Andthepasttwoweeks,I'vedreamedabouthimeverynightwithoutfail.Thedreamsgetworseallthetime.They'refull-fledgednightmaresnow."
Elliotreturnedtothecouchandsatbesideher."Whataretheylike?"
"Idreamhe'salive,trappedsomewhere,usuallyinadeeppitoragorgeorawell,someplaceunderground.He'scallingtome,beggingmetosavehim.ButIcan't.I'mneverabletoreachhim.Thentheearthstartsclosinginaroundhim,andIwakeupscreaming,soakedwithsweat.AndI...IalwayshavethispowerfulfeelingthatDannyisn'treallydead.Itneverlastsforlong,butwhenIfirstwakeup,I'msurehe'salivesomewhere.Yousee,I'veconvincedmyconsciousmindthatmyboyisdead,butwhen|'masleepit'smysubconsciousmindthat'sincharge;andmysubconsciousjustisn'tconvincedthatDanny'sgone."
"Soyouthinkyou're—what,sleepwalking?Inyoursleep,you'rewritingarejectionofDanny'sdeathonhischalkboard?"
"Don'tyoubelievethat'spossible?"
"No.Well...maybe.Iguessitis,"Elliotsaid."I'mnopsychologist.ButIdon'tbuyit.I'lladmitIdon'tknowyouallthatwellyet,butIthinkIknowyouwellenoughtosayyouwouldn'treactthatway.You'reapersonwhomeetsproblemshead-on.IfyourinabilitytoacceptDanny'sdeathwasaseriousproblem,youwouldn'tpushitdownintoyoursubconscious.You'dlearntodealwithit."
Shesmiled."Youhaveaprettyhighopinionofme."
"Yes,"hesaid."Ido.Besides,ifitwasyouwhowroteonthechalkboardandsmashedthingsintheboy'sroom,thenitwasalsoyouwhocameinhereduringthenightandprogrammedthehotelcomputertospewoutthatstuffaboutDanny.Doyoureallythinkyou'resofargonethatyoucoulddosomethinglikethatandnotrememberit?Doyouthinkyou'vegotmultiplepersonalitiesandonedoesn'tknowwhattheothersareupto?"
Shesankbackonthesofa,sloucheddown."No."
"Good."
"Sowheredoesthatleaveus?"
"Don'tdespair.We'remakingprogress."
"Weare?"
"Sure,"hesaid."We'reeliminatingpossibilities.We'vejustcrossedyouoffthelistofsuspects.AndMichael.AndI'mpositiveitcan'tbeastranger,whichrulesoutmostoftheworld."
"AndI'mjustaspositiveitisn'tafriendorarelative.Soyouknowwherethatleavesme?"
"Where?"
Sheleanedforward,putherbrandysnifteronthetable,andforamomentsatwithherfaceinherhands.
"Tina?"
Sheliftedherhead."I'mjusttryingtothinkhowbesttophrasewhat'sonmymind.It'sawildidea.Ludicrous.Probablyevensick."
"I'mnotgoingtothinkyou'renuts,"Elliotassuredher."Whatisit?Tellme."
Shehesitated,tryingtohearhowitwasgoingtosoundbeforeshesaidit,wonderingifshereallybelieveditenougheventogivevoicetoit.Thepossibilityofwhatshewasgoingtosuggestwasremote.
Atlastshejustplungedintoit:"WhatI'mthinking...maybeDannyisalive."
Elliotcockedhishead,studiedherwiththoseprobing,darkeyes."Alive?"
"Ineversawhisbody."
"Youdidn't?Whynot?"
"Thecoronerandundertakersaiditwasinterriblecondition,horriblymutilated.Theydidn'tthinkitwasagoodideaformeorMichaeltoseeitNeitherofuswouldhavebeenanxioustoviewthebodyevenifithadbeeninperfectshape,soweacceptedthemortician'srecommendations.Itwasaclosed-coffinfuneral."
"Howdidtheauthoritiesidentifythebody?"
"TheyaskedforpicturesofDanny.ButmainlyIthinktheyuseddentalrecords."
"Dentalrecordsarealmostasgoodasfingerprints."
"Almost.ButmaybeDannydidn'tdieinthataccident.Maybehesurvived.Maybesomeoneoutthereknowswhereheis.MaybethatsomeoneistryingtotellmethatDannyisalive.Maybethereisn'tanythreatinthesestrangethingshappeningtome.Maybesomeone'sjustdroppingaseriesofhints,tryingtowakemeuptothefactthatDannyisn'tdead."
'Toomanymaybes,"hesaid.
"Maybenot."
Elliotputhishandonhershoulderandsqueezedgently.
"Tina,youknowthistheorydoesn'tmakesense.Dannyisdead."
"See?YoudothinkI'mcrazy."
"No.Ithinkyou'redistraught,andthat'sunderstandable."
"Won'tyouevenconsiderthepossibilitythathe'salive?"
"Howcouldhebe?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Howcouldhehavesurvivedtheaccidentyoudescribed?"Elliotasked.
"Idon'tknow."
"Andwherewouldhehavebeenallthistimeifnot...inthegrave?"
"Idon'tknowthat,either."
"Ifhewerealive,"Elliotsaidpatiently,"someonewouldsimplycomeandtellyou.Theywouldn'tbethismysteriousaboutit,wouldthey?"
"Maybe."
Awarethatheranswerhaddisappointedhim,shelookeddownatherhands,whichwerelacedtogethersotightlythatherknuckleswerewhite.
Elliottouchedherface,turningitgentlytowardhim.
Hisbeautiful,expressiveeyesseemedtobefilledwithconcernforher.
"Tina,youknowthereisn'tanymaybeaboutit.Youknowbetterthanthat.IfDannywerealive,andifsomeoneweretryingtogetthatnewstoyou,itwouldn'tbedonelikethis,notwithallthesedramatichints.AmIright?"
"Probably."
"Dannyisgone."
Shesaidnothing.
"Ifyouconvinceyourselfhe'salive,"Elliotsaid,"you'reonlysettingyourselfupforanotherfall."
foranotherfall."
Shestareddeeplyintohiseyes.Eventuallyshesighedandnodded."You'reright."
"Danny'sgone."
"Yes,"shesaidthinly.
"You'rereallyconvincedofthat?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Tinagotupfromthecouch,wenttothewindow,andpulledopenthedrapes.ShehadasuddenurgetoseetheStrip.Aftersomuchtalkaboutdeath,sheneededaglimpseofmovement,action,life;andalthoughtheStripsometimeswasgrubbyintheflatglareofthedesertsun,theboulevardwasalways,dayornight,bustlingandfilledwithlife.
Nowtheearlywinterdusksettledoverthecity.Inwavesofdazzlingcolor,millionsoflightswinkedonintheenormoussigns.Hundredsofcarsprogressedsluggishlythroughthebusystreet,taxicabsdartinginandout,recklesslyseekinganysmalladvantage.Crowdsstreamedalongthesidewalks,ontheirwayfromthiscasinotothatcasino,fromoneloungetoanother,fromoneshowtothenext.
TinaturnedtoElliotagain."YouknowwhatIwanttodo?"
"What?"
"Reopenthegrave."
"HaveDanny'sbodyexhumed?"
"Yes.Ineversawhim.That'swhyI'mhavingsuchahardtimeacceptingthathe'sgone.That'swhyI'mhavingnightmares.IfI'dseenthebody,thenI'dhaveknownforsure.Iwouldn'tbeabletofantasizeaboutDannystillbeingalive."
"Buttheconditionofthecorpse..."
"Idon'tcare,"shesaid.
"Idon'tcare,"shesaid.
Elliotfrowned,notconvincedofthewisdomofexhumation."Thebody'sinanairtightcasket,butit'llbeevenmoredeterioratednowthanitwasayearagowhentheyrecommendedyounotlookatit."
"I'vegottosee."
"You'dbelettingyourselfinforahorrible—"
"That'stheidea,"shesaidquickly."Shock.Apowerfulshocktreatmentthat'llfinallyblowawayallmylingeringdoubts.IfIseeDanny's...remains,Iwon'tbeabletoentertainanymoredoubts.Thenightmareswillstop."
"Perhaps.Orperhapsyou'llwindupwithevenworsedreams."
Sheshookherhead."NothingcouldbeworsethantheonesI'mhavingnow."
"Ofcourse,"hesaid,"exhumationofthebodywon'tanswerthemainquestion.Itwon'thelpyoudiscoverwho'sbeenharassingyou."
"Itmight,"Tinasaid."Whoeverthecreepis,whateverhismotivationsare,he'snotwell-balanced.He'sonesortofsickieoranother.Right?Whoknowswhatmightmakeapersonlikethatrevealhimself?Ifhefindsoutthere'sgoingtobeanexhumation,maybehe'llreactstrongly,givehimselfaway.Anything'spossible."
"Isupposeyoucouldberight."
"Anyway,"shesaid,"evenifreopeningthegravedoesn'thelpmefindwho'sresponsibleforthesesickjokes—orwhateverthehelltheyare—atleastit'llsettlemymindaboutDanny.That'llimprovemypsychologicalconditionforsure,andI'llbebetterabletodealwiththecreep,whoeverheis.Soit'llworkoutforthebesteitherway."Shereturnedfromthewindow,satonthecouchagain,besideElliot."I'llneedanattorneytohandlethis,won'tI?"
"Theexhumation?Yeah."
"Willyourepresentme?"
Hedidn'thesitate."Sure."
"Howdifficultwillitbe?"
"Well,there'snourgentlegalreasontohavethebodyexhumed.Imean,thereisn'tanydoubtaboutthecauseofdeath,nocourttrialhingingonanewcoroner'sreport.Ifthatwerethesituation,we'dhavethegraveopenedveryquickly.Butevenso,thisshouldn'tbeterriblydifficult.I'llplayupthemother-suffering-distressangle,andthecourtoughttobesympathetic."
"Haveyoueverhandledanythinglikethisbefore?"
"Infact,Ihave,"Elliotsaid."Fiveyearsago.Thiseight-year-oldgirldiedunexpectantlyofacongenitalkidneydisease.Bothkidneysfailedvirtuallyovernight.Onedayshewasahappy,normalkid.Thenextdaysheseemedtohaveatouchofflu,andthethirddayshewasdead.Hermotherwasshattered,couldn'tbeartoviewthebody,thoughthedaughterhadn'tsufferedsubstantialphysicaldamage,thewayDannydid.Themotherwasn'tevenabletoattendtheservice.Acoupleweeksafterthelittlegirlwasburied,themotherstartedfeelingguiltyaboutnotpayingherlastrespects."
Rememberingherownordeal,Tinasaid,"Iknow.Oh,Iknowhowitis."
"Theguilteventuallydevelopedintoseriousemotionalproblems.Becausethemotherhadn'tseenthebodyinthefuneralhome,shejustcouldn'tbringherselftobelieveherdaughterwasreallydead.Herinabilitytoacceptthetruthwasalotworsethanyours.Shewashystericalmostofthetime,inaslow-motionbreakdown.Iarrangedtohavethegravereopened.Inthecourseofpreparingtheexhumationrequestfortheauthorities,Idiscoveredthatmyclient'sreactionwastypical.Apparently,whenachilddies,oneoftheworstthingsaparentcandoisrefusetolookatthebodywhileit'slyinginacasket.Youneedtospendtimewiththedeceased,enoughtoacceptthatthebodyisnevergoingtobeanimatedagain."
"Wasyourclienthelpedbyexhumation?"
"Oh,yes.Enormously."
"Yousee?"
"Butdon'tforget,"Elliotsaid,"herdaughter'sbodywasn'tmutilated."
Tinanoddedgrimly.
Tinanoddedgrimly.
"Andwereopenedthegraveonlytwomonthsafterthefuneral,notawholeyearlater.Thebodywasstillinprettygoodcondition.ButwithDanny...itwon'tbethatway."
"I'mawareofthat,"shesaid."Godknows,I'mnothappyaboutthis,butI'mconvincedit'ssomethingI'vegottodo."
"Okay.I'lltakecareofit."
"Howlongwillyouneed?"sheasked.
"Willyourhusbandcontestit?"
SherecalledthehatredinMichael'sfacewhenshe'dlefthimafewhoursago."Yes.Heprobablywill."
Elliotcarriedtheiremptybrandyglassestothebarinthecornerandswitchedonthelightabovethesink."Ifyourhusband'slikelytocausetrouble,thenwe'llmovefastandwithoutfanfare.Ifwe'reclever,hewon'tknowwhatwe'redoinguntiltheexhumationisafaitaccompli.Tomorrow'saholiday,sowecan'tgetanythingdoneofficiallyuntilFriday."
"Probablynoteventhen,whatwiththefour-dayweekend."
Elliotfoundthebottleofliquidsoapandthedishcloththatwerestoredunderthesink."OrdinarilyI'dsaywe'dhavetowaituntilMonday.ButithappensIknowaveryreasonablejudge.HaroldKennebeck.WeservedinArmyIntelligencetogether.Hewasmyseniorofficer.IfI—"
"ArmyIntelligence?Youwereaspy?"
"Nothingasgrandasthat.Notrenchcoats.Noskulkingaboutindarkalleys."
"Karate,cyanidecapsules,thatsortofstuff?"sheasked.
"Well,I'vehadalotofmartialartstraining.Istillworkatthatacoupleofdaysaweekbecauseit'sagoodwaytokeepinshape.Really,though,itwasn'tlikewhatyouseeinthemovies.NoJamesBondcarswithmachinegunshiddenbehindtheheadlights.Itwasmostlydullinformationgathering."
"Somehow,"shesaid,"Igetthefeelingitwasconsiderablymore...interestingthanyoumakeitouttobe."
"Nope.Documentanalysis,tediousinterpretationofsatellitereconnaissancephotographs,thatsortofthing.Boringashellmostofthetime.Anyway,JudgeKennebeckandIgobackalongway.Werespecteachother,andI'msurehe'lldosomethingformeifhecan.I'llbeseeinghimtomorrowafternoonataNewYear'sDayparty.I'lldiscussthesituationwithhim.Maybehe'llbewillingtoslipintothecourthouselongenoughonFridaytoreviewmyexhumationrequestandruleonit.He'donlyneedafewminutes.ThenwecouldopenthegraveearlySaturday."
Tinawenttothebarandsatononeofthethreestools,acrossthecounterfromElliot.'Thesoonerthebetter.NowthatI'vemadeupmymindtodoit,I'manxioustogetitoverwith."
"That'sunderstandable.Andthere'sanotheradvantageindoingitthisweekend.Ifwemovefast,itisn'tlikelyMichaelwillfindoutwhatwe'reupto.Evenifhedoessomehowgetawhiffofit,he'llhavetolocateanotherjudgewho'llbewillingtostayorvacatetheexhumationorder."
"Youthinkhe'llbeabletodothat?"
"No.That'smypoint.Therewon'tbemanyjudgesaroundovertheholiday.Thoseondutywillbeswampedwitharraignmentsandbailhearingsfordrunkendriversandforpeopleinvolvedindrunkenassaults.Mostlikely,Michaelwon'tbeabletogetholdofajudgeuntilMondaymorning,andbythenit'llbetoolate."
"Sneaky."
"That'smymiddlename."Hefinishedwashingthefirstbrandysnifter,rinseditinhotwater,andputitinthedrainageracktodry.
"ElliotSneakyStryker,"shesaid.
Hesmiled."Atyourservice."
"I'mgladyou'remyattorney."
"Well,let'sseeifIcanactuallypullitoff."
"Well,let'sseeifIcanactuallypullitoff."
"Youcan.You'rethekindofpersonwhomeetseveryproblemhead-on."
"Youhaveaprettyhighopinionofme,"hesaid,repeatingwhatshehadsaidtohimearlier.
Shesmiled."Yes,Ido."
Allthetalkaboutdeathandfearandmadnessandpainseemedtohavetakenplacefurtherbackinthepastthanamerefewsecondsago.Theywantedtohavealittlefunduringtheeveningthatlayahead,andnowtheybeganputtingthemselvesinthemoodforit.
AsElliotrinsedthesecondsnifterandplaceditintherack,Tinasaid,"Youdothatverywell."
"ButIdon'twashwindows."
"Iliketoseeamanbeingdomestic."
"Thenyoushouldseemecook."
"Youcook?"
"Likeadream."
"What'syourbestdish?"
"EverythingImake."
"Obviously,youdon'tmakehumblepie."
"Everygreatchefmustbeanegomaniacwhenitcomestohisculinaryart.Hemustbetotallysecureinhisestimationofhistalentsifheistofunctionwellinthekitchen."
"Whatifyoucookedsomethingforme,andIdidn'tlikeit?"
"ThenI'deatyourservingaswellasmine."
"AndwhatwouldIeat?"
"AndwhatwouldIeat?"
"Yourheartout."
Aftersomanymonthsofsorrow,howgooditfelttobesharinganeveningwithanattractiveandamusingman.
Elliotputawaythedishwashingliquidandthewetdishcloth.Ashedriedhishandsonthetowel,hesaid,"Whydon'tweforgetaboutgoingouttodinner?Letmecookforyouinstead."
"Onsuchshortnotice?"
"Idon'tneedmuchtimetoplanameal.I'mawhiz.Besides,youcanhelpbydoingthedrudgery,likecleaningthevegetablesandchoppingtheonions."
"Ishouldgohomeandfreshenup,"shesaid.
"You'realreadytoofreshforme."
"Mycar—"
"Youcandriveit.Followmetomyplace."
Theyturnedoutthelightsandlefttheroom,closingthedoorafterthem.
Astheycrossedthereceptionareaontheirwaytowardthehall,TinaglancednervouslyatAngela'scomputer.Shewasafraiditwasgoingtoclickonagain,allbyitself.
ButsheandElliotlefttheouteroffice,flickingoffthelightsastheywent,andthecomputerremaineddarkandsilent.
14
ELLIOTSTRYKERLIVEDINALARGE,PLEASANT,contemporaryhouseoverlookingthegolfcourseattheLasVegasCountryClub.Theroomswerewarm,inviting,decoratedinearthtones,withJ.RobertScottfurniturecomplementedbyafewantiquepieces,andrichlytexturedEdwardFieldscarpets.HeownedafinecollectionofpaintingsbyEyvindEarle,JasonWilliamson,LarryW.Dyke,CharlotteArmstrong,CarlJ.Smith,andotherartistswhomadetheirhomesinthewesternUnitedStatesandwhousuallytooktheirsubjectmatterfromeithertheoldorthenewWest.
Asheshowedherthroughthehouse,hewaseagertohearherreactiontoit,andshedidn'tmakehimwaitlong.
"It'sbeautiful,"shesaid."Stunning.Whowasyourinteriordecorator?"
"You'relookingathim."
"Really?"
"WhenIwaspoor,IlookedforwardtothedaywhenI'dhavealovelyhomefullofbeautifulthings,allarrangedbytheverybestinteriordecorator.Then,whenIhadthemoney,Ididn'twantsomestrangerfurnishingitforme.Iwantedtohaveallthefunmyself.Nancy,mylatewife,andIdecoratedourfirsthome.Theprojectbecameavocationforher,andIspentnearlyasmuchtimeonitasIdidonmylegalpractice.ThetwoofushauntedfurniturestoresfromVegastoLosAngelestoSanFrancisco,antiqueshops,galleries,everythingfromfleamarketstothemostexpensivestoreswecouldfind.Wehadadamngoodtime.Andwhenshedied...IdiscoveredIcouldn'tlearntocopewiththelossifIstayedinaplacethatwassocrowdedwithmemoriesofher.ForfiveorsixmonthsIwasanemotionalwreckbecauseeveryobjectinthehouseremindedmeofNancy.FinallyItookafewmementos,adozenpiecesbywhichI'llalwaysrememberher,andImovedout,soldthehouse,boughtthisone,andstarteddecoratingalloveragain."
"Ididn'trealizeyou'dlostyourwife,"Tinasaid."Imean,Ithoughtitmusthavebeenadivorceorsomething."
beenadivorceorsomething."
"Shepassedawaythreeyearsago."
"Whathappened?"
"Cancer."
"I'msosorry,Elliot."
"Atleastitwasfast.Pancreaticcancer,exceedinglyvirulent.Shewasgonetwomonthsaftertheydiagnosedit."
"Wereyoumarriedlong?"
"Twelveyears."
Sheputahandonhisarm."Twelveyearsleavesabigholeintheheart."
Herealizedtheyhadevenmoreincommonthanhehadthought."That'sright.YouhadDannyfornearlytwelveyears."
"Withme,ofcourse,it'sonlybeenlittlemorethanayearsinceI'vebeenalone.Withyou,it'sbeenthreeyears.Maybeyoucantellme..."
"What?"
"Doesiteverstop?"sheasked.
"Thehurting?"
"Yes."
"Sofarithasn't.Maybeitwillafterfouryears.Orfive.Orten.Itdoesn'thurtasbadnowasitoncedid.Andtheacheisn'tconstantanymore.Butstilltherearemomentswhen..."
Heshowedherthroughtherestofthehouse,whichshewantedtosee.Herabilitytocreateastylishstageshowwasnotafluke;shehadtasteandasharpeyethatinstantlyknewthedifferencebetweenprettinessandgenuinebeauty,betweenclevernessandart.Heenjoyeddiscussingantiquesandpaintingswithher,andanhourpassedinwhatseemedtobeonlytenminutes.
her,andanhourpassedinwhatseemedtobeonlytenminutes.
Thetourendedintheenormouskitchen,whichboastedacopperceiling,aSantaFetilefloor,andrestaurant-qualityequipment.Shecheckedthewalk-incooler,inspectedtheyard-squaregrill,thegriddle,thetwoWolfranges,themicrowave,andthearrayoflabor-savingappliances."You'vespentasmallfortunehere.Iguessyourlawpracticeisn'tjustanotherVegasdivorcemill."
Elliotgrinned."I'moneofthefoundingpartnersofStryker,West,Dwyer,Coffey,andNichols.We'reoneofthelargestlawfirmsintown.Ican'ttakeawholelotofcreditforthat.Wewerelucky.Wewereintherightplaceattherighttime.OwenWestandIopenedforbusinessinacheapstorefrontofficetwelveyearsago,rightatthestartofthebiggestboomthistownhaseverseen.Werepresentedsomepeoplenooneelsewouldtouch,entrepreneurswhohadalotofgoodideasbutnotmuchmoneyforstart-uplegalfees.SomeofourclientsmadesmartmovesandwerecarriedrighttothetopbytheexplosivegrowthofthegamingindustryandtheVegasreal-estatemarket,andwejustsortofshotuptherealongwiththem,hangingontotheircoattails."
"Interesting,"Tinasaid.
"Itis?"
"Youare."
"Iam?"
"You'resomodestabouthavingbuiltasplendidlawpractice,yetyou'reanegomaniacwhenitcomestoyourcooking."
Helaughed."That'sbecauseI'mabettercookthanattorney.Listen,whydon'tyoumixusacoupleofdrinkswhileIchangeoutofthissuit.I'llbebackinfiveminutes,andthenyou'llseehowatrueculinarygeniusoperates."
"Ifitdoesn'tworkout,wecanalwaysjumpinthecarandgotoMcDonald'sforahamburger."
"Philistine."
"Theirhamburgersarehardtobeat."
"I'llmakeyoueatcrow."
"I'llmakeyoueatcrow."
"Howdoyoucookit?"
"Veryfunny."
"Well,ifyoucookitveryfunny,Idon'tknowifIwanttoeatit."
"IfIdidcookcrow,"hesaid,"itwouldbedelicious.Youwouldeateveryscrapofit,lickyourfingers,andbegformore."
Hersmilewassolovelythathecouldhavestoodthereallevening,juststaringatthesweetcurveofherlips.
•••
ElliotwasamusedbytheeffectthatTinahadonhim.Hecouldnotremembereverhavingbeenhalfsoclumsyinthekitchenashewasthisevening.Hedroppedspoons.Heknockedovercansandbottlesofspices.Heforgottowatchapot,anditboiledover.Hemadeamistakeblendingthesaladdressingandhadtobeginagainfromscratch.Sheflusteredhim,andhelovedit.
"Elliot,areyousureyouaren'tfeelingthosecognacswehadatmyoffice?"
"Absolutelynot."
"Thenthedrinkyou'vebeensippingonhere."
"No.Thisisjustmykitchenstyle."
"Spillingthingsisyourstyle?"
"Itgivesthekitchenapleasantusedlook."
"Areyousureyoudon'twanttogotoMcDonald's?"
"Dotheybothertogivetheirkitchenapleasantusedlook?"
"Theynotonlyhavegoodhamburgers—"
"Theirhamburgershaveapleasantusedlook."
"—theirFrenchfriesareterrific."
"SoIspillthings,"hesaid."Acookdoesn'thavetobegracefultobeagoodcook."
"Doeshehavetohaveagoodmemory?"
"Huh?"
"Thatmustardpowderyou'rejustabouttoputintothesaladdressing."
"Whataboutit?"
"Youalreadyputitinaminuteago."
"Idid?Thanks.Iwouldn'twanttohavetomixthisdamnstuffthreetimes."
ShehadathroatylaughthatwasnotunlikeNancy'shadbeen.
AlthoughshewasdifferentfromNancyinmanyways,beingwithherwaslikebeingwithNancy.Shewaseasytotalkto—bright,funny,sensitive.
Perhapsitwastoosoontotellforsure,buthewasbeginningtothinkthatfate,inanuncharacteristicflushofgenerosity,hadgivenhimasecondchanceathappiness.
•••
WhenheandTinafinisheddessert,Elliotpouredsecondcupsofcoffee."StillwanttogotoMcDonald'sforahamburger?"
Themushroomsalad,thefettuccineAlfredo,andthezabaglionehadbeenexcellent."Youreallycancook."
"WouldIlietoyou?"
"IguessI'llhavetoeatthatcrownow."
"Ibelieveyoujustdid."
"AndIdidn'tevennoticethefeathers."
WhileTinaandElliothadbeenjokinginthekitchen,evenbeforedinnerhadbeencompletelyprepared,shehadbeguntothinktheymightgotobedtogether.Bythetimetheyfinishedeatingdinner,sheknewtheywould.Elliotwasn'tpushingher.Forthatmatter,shewasn'tpushinghim,either.Theywerebothbeingdrivenbynaturalforces.Liketherushofwaterdownstream.Liketherelentlessbuildingofastormwindandthenthelightning.Theybothrealizedthattheywereinneedofeachother,physicallyandmentallyandemotionally,andthatwhateverhappenedbetweenthemwouldbegood.
Itwasfastbutright,inevitable.
Atthestartoftheevening,theundercurrentofsexualtensionmadehernervous.Shehadn'tbeentobedwithanymanbutMichaelinthepastfourteenyears,sinceshewasnineteen.Shehadn'tbeentobedwithanyoneatallforalmosttwoyears.Suddenlyitseemedtoherthatshehaddoneamad,stupidthingwhenshe'dhiddenawaylikeanunfortwoyears.Ofcourse,duringthefirstofthosetwoyears,she'dstillbeenmarriedtoMichaelandhadfeltcompelledtoremainfaithfultohim,eventhoughaseparationandthenadivorcehadbeenintheworks,andeventhoughhehadnotfeltconstrainedbyanysimilarmoralsense.Later,withthestageshowtoproduceandwithpoorDanny'sdeathweighingheavilyonher,shehadn'tbeeninthemoodforromance.Nowshefeltlikeaninexperiencedgirl.Shewonderedifshewouldknowwhattodo.Shewasafraidthatshewouldbeinept,clumsy,ridiculous,foolishinbed.Shetoldherselfthatsexwasjustlikeridingabicycle,impossibletounlearn,butthefrivolousnessofthatanalogydidn'tincreaseherself-confidence.
Gradually,however,assheandElliotwentthroughthestandardritesofcourtship,theindirectsexualthrustsandparriesofabuddingrelationship,albeitatanacceleratedpace,thefamiliarityofthegamesreassuredher.Amazingthatitshouldbesofamiliar.Maybeitreallywasabitlikeridingabicycle.
Afterdinnertheyadjournedtotheden,whereElliotbuiltafireintheblack-granitefireplace.Althoughwinterdaysinthedesertwereoftenaswarmas
granitefireplace.Althoughwinterdaysinthedesertwereoftenaswarmasspringtimeelsewhere,winternightswerealwayscool,sometimesdownrightbitter.Withachillynightwindmoaningatthewindowsandhowlingincessantlyundertheeaves,theblazingfirewaswelcome.
Tinakickedoffhershoes.
Theysatsidebysideonthesofainfrontofthefireplace,watchingtheflamesandtheoccasionalburstsoforangesparks,listeningtomusic,andtalking,talking,talking.Tinafeltasiftheyhadtalkedwithoutpauseallevening,speakingwithquieturgency,asifeachhadavastquantityofearthshakinglyimportantinformationthathemustpassontotheotherbeforetheyparted.Themoretheytalked,themoretheyfoundincommon.Asanhourpassedinfrontofthefire,andthenanotherhour,TinadiscoveredthatshelikedElliotStrykermorewitheachnewthingshelearnedabouthim.
Sheneverwassurewhoinitiatedthefirstkiss.Hemayhaveleanedtowardher,orperhapsshetiltedtowardhim.Butbeforesherealizedwhatwashappening,theirlipsmetsoftly,briefly.Thenagain.Andathirdtime.Andthenhebeganplantingsmallkissesonherforehead,onhereyes,onhercheeks,hernose,thecornersofhermouth,herchin.Hekissedherears,hereyesagain,andleftachainofkissesalongherneck,andwhenatlasthereturnedtohermouth,hekissedhermoredeeplythanbefore,andsherespondedatonce,openinghermouthtohim.
Hishandsmovedoverher,testingthefirmnessandresilienceofher,andshetouchedhimtoo,gentlysqueezinghisshoulders,hisarms,thehardmusclesofhisback.Nothinghadeverfeltbettertoherthanhefeltatthatmoment.
Asifdriftinginadream,theyleftthedenandwentintothebedroom.Heswitchedonasmalllampthatstooduponthedresser,andheturneddownthesheets.
Duringtheminutethathewasawayfromher,shewasafraidthespellwasbroken.Butwhenhereturned,shekissedhimtentatively,foundthatnothinghadchanged,andpressedagainsthimoncemore.
Shefeltasifthetwoofthemhadbeenhere,likethis,lockedinanembrace,manytimesbefore.
"Wehardlyknoweachother,"shesaid.
"Wehardlyknoweachother,"shesaid.
"Isthatthewayyoufeel?"
"No."
"Me,neither."
"Iknowyousowell."
"Forages."
"Yetit'sonlybeentwodays."
'Toofast?"heasked.
"Whatdoyouthink?"
"Nottoofastforme."
"Nottoofastatall,"sheagreed.
"Sure?"
"Positive."
"You'relovely."
"Loveme."
Hewasnotaparticularlylargeman,buthepickedherupinhisarmsasifshewereachild.
Sheclungtohim.Shesawalongingandaneedinhisdarkeyes,apowerfulwantingthatwasonlypartlysex,andsheknewthesameneedtobelovedandvaluedmustbeinhereyesforhimtosee.
Hecarriedhertothebed,putherdown,andurgedhertolieback.Withouthaste,withabreathlessanticipationthatlituphisface,heundressedher.
Hequicklystrippedoffhisownclothesandjoinedheronthebed,tookherinhisarms.
arms.
Heexploredherbodyslowly,deliberately,firstwithhiseyes,thenwithhislovinghands,thenwithhislipsandtongue.
Tinarealizedthatshehadbeenwrongtothinkthatcelibacyshouldbeapartofherperiodofmourning.Justtheoppositewastrue.Good,healthylovemakingwithamanwhocaredforherwouldhavehelpedherrecovermuchfasterthanshehaddone,forsexwastheantithesisofdeath,ajoyouscelebrationoflife,adenialofthetomb'sexistence.
Theamberlightmoldedtohismuscles.
Heloweredhisfacetohers.Theykissed.
Sheslidahandbetweenthem,squeezedandstrokedhim.
Shefeltwanton,shameless,insatiable.
Asheenteredher,sheletherhandstraveloverhisbody,alonghisleanflanks.
"You'resosweet,"hesaid.
Hebegantheage-oldrhythmoflove.Foralong,longtime,theyforgotthatdeathexisted,andtheyexploredthedelicious,silkensurfacesoflove,anditseemedtothem,inthoseshininghours,thattheywouldbothliveforever.
THURSDAY,
JANUARY1
15
TINASTAYEDTHENIGHTWITHELLIOT,ANDHErealizedthathehadforgottenhowpleasantitcouldbetosharehisbedwithsomeoneforwhomhetrulycared.He'dhadotherwomeninthisbedduringthepasttwoyears,andafewhadstayedthenight,butnotoneofthoseotherlovershadmadehimfeelcontentmerelybythefactofherpresence,asTinadid.Withher,sexwasadelightfulbonus,alagniappe,butitwasn'tthemainreasonhewantedherbesidehim.Shewasanexcellentlover—silken,smooth,anduninhibitedinthepursuitofherownpleasure—butshewasalsovulnerableandkind.Thevague,shadowyshapeofherunderthecovers,inthedarkness,wasatalismantowardoffloneliness.
Eventuallyhefellasleep,butatfouro'clockinthemorning,hewasawakenedbycriesofdistress.
Shesatstraightup,thesheetsknottedinherfists,catapultedoutofanightmare.Shewasquaking,gaspingaboutamandressedallinblack,themonstrousfigurefromherdream.
Elliotswitchedonthebedsidelamptoprovetoherthattheywerealoneintheroom.
Shehadtoldhimaboutthedreams,buthehadn'trealized,untilnow,howterribletheywere.TheexhumationofDanny'sbodywouldbegoodforher,regardlessofthehorrorthatshemighthavetoconfrontwhenthecoffinlidwasraised.Ifseeingtheremainswouldputanendtothesebloodcurdlingnightmares,shewouldgainanadvantagefromthegrimexperience.
Heswitchedoffthebedsidelampandpersuadedhertoliedownagain.Heheldheruntilshestoppedshuddering.
Tohissurprise,herfearrapidlychangedtodesire.Theyfelleasilyintothepaceandrhythmthathadearlierbestpleasedthem.Afterward,theyslippedintosleepagain.
•••
OverbreakfastheaskedhertogowithhimtotheafternoonpartyatwhichhewasgoingtocornerJudgeKennebecktoaskabouttheexhumation.ButTinawantedtogobacktoherplaceandcleanoutDanny'sroom.Shefeltuptothechallengenow,andsheintendedtofinishthetaskbeforeshelosthernerveagain.
"We'llseeeachothertonight,won'twe?"heasked.
"Yes."
"I'llcookforyouagain."
Shesmiledlasciviously."Inwhatsensedoyoumeanthat?"
Sheroseoutofherchair,leanedacrossthetable,kissedhim.
Thesmellofher,thevibrantblueofhereyes,thefeelofhersuppleskinasheputahandtoherface—thosethingsgeneratedwavesofaffectionandlongingwithinhim.
HewalkedhertoherHondainthedrivewayandleanedinthewindowaftershewasbehindthewheel,delayingherforanotherfifteenminuteswhileheplanned,tohersatisfaction,everydishofthisevening'sdinner.
Whenatlastshedroveaway,hewatchedhercaruntilitturnedthecorneranddisappeared,andwhenshewasgoneheknewwhyhehadnotwantedtolethergo.He'dbeentryingtopostponeherdeparturebecausehewasafraidthathewouldneverseeheragainaftershedroveoff.
Hehadnorationalreasontoentertainsuchdarkthoughts.Certainly,theunknownpersonwhowasharassingTinamighthaveviolentintentions.ButTinaherselfdidn'tthinktherewasanyseriousdanger,andElliottendedtoagreewithher.Themalicioustormentorwantedhertosuffermentalanguishandspiritualpain;buthedidn'twanthertodie,becausethatwouldspoilhisfun.
ThefearElliotfeltatherdeparturewaspurelysuperstitious.Hewasconvincedthat,withherarrivalonthescene,hehadbeengrantedtoomuchhappiness,toofast,toosoon,tooeasily.Hehadanawfulsuspicionthatfatewassettinghimupforanotherhardfall.HewasafraidTinaEvanswouldbetakenawayfromhimjustasNancyhadbeen.
Unsuccessfullytryingtoshrugoffthegrimpremonition,hewentintothehouse.
Hespentanhourandahalfinhislibrary,pagingthroughlegalcasebooks,boninguponprecedentsfortheexhumationofabodythat,asthecourthadputit,"wastobedisinterredintheabsenceofapressinglegalneed,solelyforhumanereasons,inconsiderationofcertainsurvivorsofthedeceased."Elliotdidn'tthinkHaroldKennebeckwouldgivehimanytrouble,andhedidn'texpectthejudgetorequestalistofprecedentsforsomethingasrelativelysimpleandharmlessasreopeningDanny'sgrave,butheintendedtobewellprepared.InArmyIntelligence,Kennebeckhadbeenafairbutalwaysdemandingsuperiorofficer.
Atoneo'clockElliotdrovehissilverMercedesS600sportscoupetotheNewYear'sDaypartyonSunriseMountain.Theskywasceruleanblueandclear,andhewishedhehadtimetotaketheCessnaupforafewhours.Thiswasperfectweatherforflying,oneofthosecrystallinedayswhenbeingabovetheearthwouldmakehimfeelcleanandfree.
OnSunday,whentheexhumationwasoutoftheway,maybehewouldflyTinatoArizonaortoLosAngelesfortheday.
OnSunriseMountainmostofthebig,expensivehousesfeaturednaturallandscaping—whichmeantrocks,coloredstones,andartfullyarrangedcactiinsteadofgrass,shrubs,andtrees—inacknowledgmentthatman'sgriponthisportionofthedesertwasnewandperhapstenuous.AtnighttheviewofLasVegasfromthemountainsidewasundeniablyspectacular,butElliotcouldn'tunderstandwhatotherreasonsanyonecouldpossiblyhaveforchoosingtolivehereratherthaninthecity'solder,greenerneighborhoods.Onhotsummerdaysthesebarren,sandyslopesseemedgodforsaken,andtheywouldnotbemadelushandgreenforanothertenyearsatleast.Onthebrownhills,thehugehousesthrustlikethebleakmonumentsofanancient,deadreligion.TheresidentsofSunriseMountaincouldexpecttosharetheirpatiosanddecksandpoolapronswithoccasionalvisitingscorpions,tarantulas,andrattlesnakes.Onwindydaysthedustwasasthickasfog,anditpusheditsdirtylittlecatfeetunderdoors,
thedustwasasthickasfog,anditpusheditsdirtylittlecatfeetunderdoors,aroundwindows,andthroughatticvents.
ThepartywasatalargeTuscan-stylehouse,halfwayuptheslopes.Athree-sided,fan-shapedtenthadbeenerectedonthebacklawn,toonesideofthesixty-footpool,withtheopensidefacingthehouse.Aneighteen-pieceorchestraperformedattherearofthegailystripedcanvasstructure.Approximatelytwohundredguestsdancedormilledaboutbehindthehouse,andanotherhundredpartiedwithinitstwentyrooms.
ManyofthefaceswerefamiliartoElliot.Halfoftheguestswereattorneysandtheirwives.Althoughajudicialpuristmighthavedisapproved,prosecutorsandpublicdefendersandtaxattorneysandcriminallawyersandcorporatecounselwereminglingandgettingpleasantlydrunkwiththejudgesbeforewhomtheyarguedcasesmosteveryweek.LasVegashadajudicialstyleandstandardsofitsown.
Aftertwentyminutesofdiligentmixing,ElliotfoundHaroldKennebeck.Thejudgewasatall,dour-lookingmanwithcurlywhitehair.HegreetedElliotwarmly,andtheytalkedabouttheirmutualinterests:cooking,flying,andriver-rafting.
Elliotdidn'twanttoaskKennebeckforafavorwithinhearingofadozenlawyers,andtodaytherewasnowhereinthehousewheretheycouldbeassuredofprivacy.Theywentoutsideandstrolleddownthestreet,pasttheparty-goers'cars,whichranthegamutfromRolls-RoycestoRangeRovers.
KennebecklistenedwithinteresttoElliot'sunofficialfeeleraboutthechancesofgettingDanny'sgravereopened.Elliotdidn'ttellthejudgeaboutthemaliciousprankster,forthatseemedlikeanunnecessarycomplication;hestillbelievedthatoncethefactofDanny'sdeathwasestablishedbytheexhumation,thequickestandsurestwayofdealingwiththeharassmentwastohireafirst-ratefirmofprivateinvestigatorstotrackdowntheperpetrator.Now,forthejudge'sbenefit,andtoexplainwhyanexhumationhadsuddenlybecomesuchavitalmatter,ElliotexaggeratedtheanguishandconfusionthatTinahadundergoneasadirectconsequenceofneverhavingseenthebodyofherchild.
HarryKennebeckhadapokerfacethatalsolookedlikeapoker—hardandplain,dark—anditwasdifficulttotellifhehadanysympathywhatsoeverforTina'splight.AsheandElliotambledalongthesun-splashedstreet,Kennebeckmulledovertheprobleminsilenceforalmostaminute.Atlasthesaid,"Whataboutthe
overtheprobleminsilenceforalmostaminute.Atlasthesaid,"Whataboutthefather?"
"Iwashopingyouwouldn'task."
"Ah,"Kennebecksaid.
"Thefatherwillprotest."
"You'repositive?"
"Yes."
"Onreligiousgrounds?"
"No.Therewasabitterdivorceshortlybeforetheboydied.MichaelEvanshateshisex-wife."
"Ah.Sohe'dcontesttheexhumationfornootherreasonbuttocausehergrief?"
"That'sright,"Elliotsaid."Nootherreason.Nolegitimatereason."
"Still,I'vegottoconsiderthefather'swishes."
"Aslongastherearen'tanyreligiousobjections,thelawrequiresthepermissionofonlyoneparentinacaselikethis,"Elliotsaid.
"Nevertheless,Ihaveadutytoprotecteveryone'sinterestsinthematter."
"Ifthefatherhasachancetoprotest,"Elliotsaid,"we'llprobablygetinvolvedinaknock-down-drag-outlegalbattle.It'lltieupahellofalotofthecourt'stime."
"Iwouldn'tlikethat,"Kennebecksaidthoughtfully."Thecourt'scalendarisoverloadednow.Wesimplydon'thaveenoughjudgesorenoughmoney.Thesystem'screakingandgroaning."
"Andwhenthedustfinallysettled,"Elliotsaid,"myclientwouldwintherighttoexhumethebodyanyway."
"Probably."
"Definitely,"Elliotsaid."Herhusbandwouldbeengagedinnothingmorethanspitefulobstructionism.Intheprocessoftryingtohurthisex-wife,he'dwaste
spitefulobstructionism.Intheprocessoftryingtohurthisex-wife,he'dwasteseveraldaysofthecourt'stime,andtheendresultwouldbeexactlythesameasifhe'dneverbeengivenachancetoprotest."
"Ah,"Kennebecksaid,frowningslightly.
Theystoppedattheendofthenextblock.Kennebeckstoodwithhiseyesclosedandhisfaceturneduptothewarmwintersun.
Atlastthejudgesaid,"You'reaskingmetocutcorners."
"Notreally.Simplyissueanexhumationorderonthemother'srequest.Thelawallowsit."
"Youwanttheorderrightaway,Iassume."
"Tomorrowmorningifpossible."
"Andyou'llhavethegravereopenedbytomorrowafternoon."
"Saturdayatthelatest."
"Beforethefathercangetarestrainingorderfromanotherjudge,"Kennebecksaid.
"Ifthere'snohitch,maybethefatherwon'teverfindoutabouttheexhumation."
"Ah."
"Everyonebenefits.Thecourtsavesalotoftimeandeffort.Myclientissparedagreatdealofunnecessaryanguish.Andherhusbandsavesabundleinattorney'sfeesthathe'djustbethrowingawayinahopelessattempttostopus."
"Ah,"Kennebecksaid.
Insilencetheywalkedbacktothehouse,wherethepartywasgettinglouderbytheminute.
Inthemiddleoftheblock,Kennebeckfinallysaid,"I'llhavetochewonitforawhile,Elliot."
"Howlong?"
"Howlong?"
"Ah.Willyoubehereallafternoon?"
"Idoubtit.Withalltheseattorneys,it'ssortofabusman'sholiday,don'tyouthink?"
"Goinghomefromhere?"Kennebeckasked.
"Yes."
"Ah."Hepushedacurlystrandofwhitehairbackfromhisforehead."ThenI'llcallyouathomethisevening."
"Canyouatleasttellmehowyou'releaning?"
"Inyourfavor,Isuppose."
"YouknowI'mright,Harry."
Kennebecksmiled."I'veheardyourargument,counselor.Let'sleaveitatthatfornow.I'llcallyouthisevening,afterI'vehadachancetothinkaboutit."
AtleastKennebeckhadn'trefusedtherequest;nevertheless,Elliothadexpectedaquickerandmoresatisfyingresponse.Hewasn'taskingthejudgeformuchofafavor.Besides,thetwoofthemwentbackalongwayindeed.HeknewthatKennebeckwasacautiousman,butusuallynotexcessivelyso.Thejudge'shesitationinthisrelativelysimplematterstruckElliotasodd,buthesaidnothingmore.HehadnochoicebuttowaitforKennebeck'scall.
Astheyapproachedthehouse,theytalkedaboutthedelightsofpastaservedwithathin,lightsauceofoliveoil,garlic,andsweetbasil.
•••
Elliotremainedatthepartyonlytwohours.Thereweretoomanyattorneysandnotenoughcivilianstomakethebashinteresting.Everywherehewent,heheardtalkabouttorts,writs,briefs,suits,countersuits,motionsforcontinuation,
talkabouttorts,writs,briefs,suits,countersuits,motionsforcontinuation,appeals,pleabargaining,andthelatesttaxshelters.Theconversationswerelikethoseinwhichhewasinvolvedatwork,eightortenhoursaday,fivedaysaweek,andhedidn'tintendtospendaholidaynatteringaboutthesamedamnedthings.
Byfouro'clockhewashomeagain,workinginthekitchen.Tinawassupposedtoarriveatsix.Hehadafewchorestofinishbeforeshecame,sotheywouldn'thavetospendalotoftimedoinggalleylaborastheyhaddonelastnight.Standingatthesink,hepeeledandchoppedasmallonion,cleanedsixstalksofcelery,andpeeledseveralslendercarrots.Hehadjustopenedabottleofbalsamicvinegarandpouredfourouncesintoameasuringcupwhenheheardmovementbehindhim.
Turning,hesawastrangemanenterthekitchenfromthediningroom.Theguywasaboutfivefeeteightwithanarrowfaceandaneatlytrimmedblondbeard.Heworeadarkbluesuit,whiteshirt,andbluetie,andhecarriedaphysician'sbag.Hewasnervous.
"Whatthehell?"Elliotsaid.
Asecondmanappearedbehindthefirst.Hewasconsiderablymoreformidablethanhisassociate:tall,rough-edged,withlarge,big-knuckled,leatheryhands—likesomethingthathadescapedfromarecombinantDNAlabexperimentinginthecrossbreedingofhumanbeingswithbears.Infreshlypressedslacks,acrispblueshirt,apatternedtie,andagraysportsjacket,hemighthavebeenaprofessionalhitmanuncomfortablygottenupforthebaptismofhisMafiadon'sgrandchild.Buthedidn'tappeartobenervousatall.
"Whatisthis?"Elliotdemanded.
Bothintrudersstoppedneartherefrigerator,twelveorfourteenfeetfromElliot.Thesmallmanfidgeted,andthetallmansmiled.
"How'dyougetinhere?"
"Alock-releasegun,"thetallmansaid,smilingcordiallyandnodding."Bobhere"—heindicatedthesmallerman—"hastheneatestsetoftools.Makesthingseasier."
"Whatthehellisthisabout?"
"Whatthehellisthisabout?"
"Relax,"saidthetallman.
"Idon'tkeepalotofmoneyhere."
"No,no,"thetallmansaid."It'snotmoney."
Bobshookhisheadinagreement,frowning,asifhewasdismayedtothinkthathecouldbemistakenforacommonthief.
"Justrelax,"thetallmanrepeated.
"You'vegotthewrongguy,"Elliotassuredthem.
"You'retheone,allright."
"Yes,"Bobsaid."You'retheone.There'snomistake."
Theconversationhadthedisorientingqualityoftheoff-kilterexchangesbetweenAliceandthescrawnydenizensofWonderland.
Puttingdownthevinegarbottleandpickinguptheknife,Elliotsaid,"Getthefuckoutofhere."
"Calmdown,Mr.Stryker,"thetallonesaid.
"Yes,"Bobsaid."Pleasecalmdown."
Elliottookasteptowardthem.
Thetallmanpulledasilencer-equippedpistoloutofashoulderholsterthatwasconcealedunderhisgraysportsjacket."Easy.Justyoutakeitrealniceandeasy."
Elliotbackedupagainstthesink.
"That'sbetter,"thetallmansaid.
"Muchbetter,"Bobsaid.
"Puttheknifedown,andwe'llallbehappy."
"Let'skeepthishappy,"Bobagreed.
"Yeah,niceandhappy."
TheMadHatterwouldbealonganyminutenow.
"Downwiththeknife,"saidthetallman."Comeon,comeon."
FinallyElliotputitdown.
"Pushitacrossthecounter,outofreach."
Elliotdidashewastold."Whoareyouguys?"
"Aslongasyoucooperate,youwon'tgethurt,"thetallmanassuredhim.
Bobsaid,"Let'sgetonwithit,Vince."
Vince,thetallman,said,"We'llusethebreakfastareaoverthereinthecorner."
Bobwenttotheroundmapletable.Heputdowntheblack,physician'sbag,openedit,andwithdrewacompactcassettetaperecorder.Heremovedotherthingsfromthebagtoo:alengthofflexiblerubbertubing,asphygmomanometerformonitoringbloodpressure,twosmallbottlesofamber-coloredfluid,andapacketofdisposablehypodermicsyringes.
Elliot'smindracedthroughalistofcasesthathislawfirmwascurrentlyhandling,searchingforsomeconnectionwiththesetwointruders,buthecouldn'tthinkofone.
Thetallmangesturedwiththegun."Goovertothetableandsitdown."
"Notuntilyoutellmewhatthisisallabout."
"I'mgivingtheordershere."
"ButI'mnottakingthem."
"I'llputaholeinyouifyoudon'tmove."
"No.Youwon'tdothat,"Elliotsaid,wishingthathefeltasconfidentashesounded."You'vegotsomethingelseinmind,andshootingmewouldruinit."
sounded."You'vegotsomethingelseinmind,andshootingmewouldruinit."
"Moveyourassovertothattable."
"Notuntilyouexplainyourself."
Vinceglaredathim.
Elliotmetthestranger'seyesanddidn'tlookaway.
AtlastVincesaid,"Bereasonable.We'vejustgottoaskyousomequestions."
Determinednottoletthemseethathewasfrightened,awarethatanysignoffearwouldbetakenasproofofweakness,Elliotsaid,"Well,you'vegotonehellofaweirdapproachforsomeonewho'sjusttakingapublicopinionsurvey."
"Move."
"Whatarethehypodermicneedlesfor?"
"Move."
"Whataretheyfor?"
Vincesighed."Wegottabesureyoutellusthetruth."
"Theentiretruth,"saidBob.
"Drugs?"Elliotasked.
"They'reeffectiveandreliable,"saidBob.
"Andwhenyou'vefinished,I'llhaveabraintheconsistencyofgrapejelly."
"No,no,"Bobsaid."Thesedrugswon'tdoanylastingphysicalormentaldamage."
"Whatsortofquestions?"Elliotasked.
"I'mlosingmypatiencewithyou,"Vincesaid.
"It'smutual,"Elliotassuredhim.
"It'smutual,"Elliotassuredhim.
"Move."
Elliotdidn'tmoveaninch.Herefusedtolookatthemuzzleofthepistol.Hewantedthemtothinkthatgunsdidn'tscarehim.Inside,hewasvibratinglikeatuningfork.
"Yousonofabitch,move!"
"Whatsortofquestionsdoyouwanttoaskme?"
Thebigmanscowled.
Bobsaid,"ForChrist'ssake,Vince,tellhim.He'sgoingtohearthequestionsanywaywhenhefinallysitsdown.Let'sgetthisoverwithandsplit."
Vincescratchedhisconcrete-blockchinwithhisshovelofahandandthenreachedinsidehisjacket.Fromaninnerpocket,hewithdrewafewsheetsoffoldedtypingpaper.
Thegunwavered,butitdidn'tmoveofftargetfarenoughtogiveElliotachance.
"I'msupposedtoaskyoueveryquestiononthislist,"Vincesaid,shakingthefoldedpaperatElliot."It'salot,thirtyorfortyquestionsaltogether,butitwon'ttakelongifyoujustsitdownoverthereandcooperate."
"Questionsaboutwhat?"Elliotinsisted.
"ChristinaEvans."
ThiswasthelastthingElliotexpected.Hewasdumbfounded."TinaEvans?Whatabouther?"
"Gottoknowwhyshewantsherlittleboy'sgravereopened."
Elliotstaredathim,amazed."Howdoyouknowaboutthat?"
"Nevermind,"Vincesaid.
"Yeah,"Bobsaid."Nevermindhowweknow.Theimportantthingiswedoknow."
"Areyouthebastardswho'vebeenharassingTina?"
"Huh?"
"Areyoutheoneswhokeepsendinghermessages?"
"Whatmessages?"Bobasked.
"Areyoutheoneswhowreckedtheboy'sroom?"
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Vinceasked."Wehaven'theardanythingaboutthis."
"Someone'ssendingmessagesaboutthekid?"Bobasked.
Theyappearedtobegenuinelysurprisedbythisnews,andElliotwasprettysuretheyweren'tthepeoplewhohadbeentryingtoscareTina.Besides,thoughtheybothstruckhimasslightlywacky,theydidn'tseemtobemerelyhoaxersorborderlinepsychopathswhogottheirkicksbyscaringdefenselesswomen.Theylookedandactedlikeorganizationmen,eventhoughthebigonewasroughenoughattheedgestopassforacommonthug.Asilencer-equippedpistol,lock-releasegun,truthserums—theirapparatusindicatedthattheseguyswerepartofasophisticatedoutfitwithsubstantialresources.
"Whataboutthemessagesshe'sbeengetting?"Vinceasked,stillwatchingElliotclosely.
"Iguessthat'sjustonemorequestionyou'renotgoingtogetananswerfor,"Elliotsaid.
"We'llgettheanswer,"Vincesaidcoldly.
"We'llgetalltheanswers,"Bobagreed.
"Now,"Vincesaid,"counselor,areyougoingtowalkovertothetableandsityourassdown,oramIgoingtohavetomotivateyouwiththis?"Hegesturedwithhispistolagain.
"Kennebeck!"Elliotsaid,startledbyasuddeninsight."TheonlywayyoucouldhavefoundoutabouttheexhumationsoquicklyisifKennebecktoldyou."
Thetwomenglancedateachother.Theywereunhappytohearthejudge'sname.
"Who?"Vinceasked,butitwastoolatetocovertherevealinglooktheyhadexchanged.
"That'swhyhestalledme,"Elliotsaid."Hewantedtogiveyoutimetogettome.WhyinthehellshouldKennebeckcarewhetherornotDanny'sgraveisreopened?Whyshouldyoucare?Whothehellareyoupeople?"
TheUrsineescapeefromtheislandofDr.Moreauwasnolongermerelyimpatient;hewasangry."Listen,youstupidfuck,I'mnotgonnahumoryouanylonger.I'mnotgonnaansweranymorequestions,butIamgonnaputabulletinyourcrotchifyoudon'tmoveovertothetableandsitdown."
Elliotpretendednottohaveheardthethreat.Thepistolstillfrightenedhim,buthewasnowthinkingofsomethingelsethatscaredhimmorethanthegun.Achillspreadfromthebaseofhisspine,uphisback,asherealizedwhatthepresenceofthesemenimpliedabouttheaccidentthathadkilledDanny.
"There'ssomethingaboutDanny'sdeath...somethingstrangeaboutthewayallthosescoutsdied.Thetruthofitisn'tanythingliketheversioneveryone'sbeentold.Thebusaccident...that'salie,isn'tit?"
Neithermanansweredhim.
"Thetruthisalotworse,"Elliotsaid."Somethingsoterriblethatsomepowerfulpeoplewanttohushitup.Kennebeck...onceanagent,alwaysanagent.Whichsetoflettersdoyouguysworkfor?NottheFBI.They'reallIvyLeaguersthesedays,polished,educated.SamefortheCIA.You'retoocrude.NottheCID,forsure;there'snomilitarydisciplineaboutyou.Letmeguess.Youworkforsomesetoflettersthepublichasn'tevenheardaboutyet.Somethingsecretanddirty."
Vince'sfacedarkenedlikeaslabofSpamonahotgriddle."Goddamnit,Isaidyouweregoingtoanswerthequestionsfromnowon."
"Relax,"Elliotsaid."I'veplayedyourgame.IwasinArmyIntelligencebackwhen.I'mnotexactlyanoutsider.Iknowhowitworks—therules,themoves.Youdon'thavetobesohard-assedwithme.Openup.Givemeabreak,andI'llgiveyouabreak."
EvidentlysensingVince'sonrushingblowupandawarethatitwouldn'thelpthemaccomplishtheirmission,Bobquicklysaid,"Listen,Stryker,wecan'tanswermostofyourquestionsbecausewedon'tknow.Yes,weworkforagovernmentagency.Yes,it'soneyou'veneverheardofandprobablyneverwill.Butwedon'tknowwhythisDannyEvanskidissoimportant.Wehaven'tbeentoldthedetails,notevenhalfofthem.Andwedon'twanttoknowallofit,either.YouunderstandwhatI'msaying—thelessaguyknows,thelesshecanbenailedforlater.Christ,we'renotbigshotsinthisoutfit.We'restrictlyhiredhelp.Theyonlytellusasmuchasweneedtoknow.Sowillyoucoolit?Justcomeoverhere,sitdown,letmeinjectyou,giveusafewanswers,andwecanallgetonwithourlives.Wecan'tjuststandhereforever."
"Ifyou'reworkingforagovernmentintelligenceagency,thengoawayandcomebackwiththelegalpapers,"Elliotsaid."Showmesearchwarrantsandsubpoenas."
"Youknowbetterthanthat,"Vincesaidharshly.
"Theagencyweworkfordoesn'tofficiallyexist,"Bobsaid."Sohowcananagencythatdoesn'texistgotocourtforasubpoena?Getserious,Mr.Stryker."
"IfIdosubmittothedrug,whathappenstomeafteryou'vegotyouranswers?"Elliotasked.
"Nothing,"Vincesaid.
"Nothingatall,"Bobsaid.
"HowcanIbesure?"
Atthisindicationofimminentsurrender,thetallmanrelaxedslightly,althoughhislumpishfacewasstillflushedwithanger."Itoldyou.Whenwe'vegotwhatwewant,we'llleave.WejusthavetofindoutexactlywhytheEvanswomanwantsthegravereopened.Wehavetoknowifsomeone'srattedtoher.Ifsomeonehas,thenwegottaspikehisasstoabarndoor.Butwedon'thaveanythingagainstyou.Notpersonally,youknow.Afterwefindoutwhatwewanttoknow,we'llleave."
"Andletmegotothepolice?"Elliotasked.
"Copsdon'tscareus,"Vincesaidarrogantly."Hell,youwon'tbeabletotell
"Copsdon'tscareus,"Vincesaidarrogantly."Hell,youwon'tbeabletotellthemwhowewereorwheretheycanstartlookingforus.Theywon'tgetanywhere.Nowhere.Zip.Andiftheydopickupourtrailsomehow,wecanputpressureonthemtodropitfast.Thisisnationalsecuritybusiness,pal,thebiggestofthebigtime.Thegovernmentisallowedtobendtherulesifitwants.Afterall,itmakesthem."
"That'snotquitethewaytheyexplainedthesysteminlawschool,"Elliotsaid.
"Yeah,well,that'sivorytowerstuff,"Bobsaid,nervouslystraighteninghistie.
"Right,"Vincesaid."Andthisisreallife.Nowsitdownatthetablelikeagoodboy."
"Please,Mr.Stryker,"Bobsaid.
"No."
Whentheygottheiranswers,theywouldkillhim.Iftheyhadintendedtolethimlive,theywouldn'thaveusedtheirrealnamesinfrontofhim.Andtheywouldn'thavewastedsomuchtimecoaxinghimtocooperate;theywouldhaveusedforcewithouthesitation.Theywantedtogainhiscooperationwithoutviolencebecausetheywerereluctanttomarkhim;theirintentionwasthathisdeathshouldappeartobeanaccidentorasuicide.Thescenario*wasobvious.Probablyasuicide.Whilehewasstillundertheinfluenceofthedrug,theymightbeabletomakehimwriteasuicidenoteandsignitinalegible,identifiablescript.Thentheywouldcarryhimouttothegarage,prophimupinhislittleMercedes,puttheseatbeltsnuglyaroundhim,andstarttheenginewithoutopeningthegaragedoor.Hewouldbetoodruggedtomove,andthecarbonmonoxidewoulddotherest.Inadayortwosomeonewouldfindhimoutthere,hisfaceblue-green-gray,histonguedarkandlolling,hiseyesbulgingintheirsocketsashestaredthroughthewindshieldasifonadrivetoHell.Iftherewerenounusualmarksonhisbody,noinjuriesincompatiblewiththecoroner'sdeterminationofsuicide,thepolicewouldbequicklysatisfied."No,"hesaidagain,louderthistime."Ifyoubastardswantmetositdownatthattable,you'regoingtohavetodragmethere."
16
TINARESOLUTELYCLEANEDUPTHEMESSINDanny'sroomandpackedhisbelongings.SheintendedtodonateeverythingtoGoodwillIndustries.
Severaltimesshewasonthevergeoftearsasthesightofoneobjectoranotherreleasedafloodofmemories.Shegrittedherteeth,however,andrestrainedtheurgetoleavetheroomwiththejobuncompleted.
Notmuchremainedtobedone:Thecontentsofthreecartonsinthebackofthedeepclosethadtobesorted.Shetriedtoliftoneofthem,butitwastooheavy.Shedraggeditintothebedroom,acrossthecarpet,intotheshaftsofreddish-goldafternoonsunlightthatfilteredthroughtheshelteringtreesoutsideandthenthroughthedust-filmedwindow.
Whensheopenedthecarton,shesawthatitcontainedpartofDanny'scollectionofcomicbooksandgraphicnovels.Theyweremostlyhorrorcomics.
She'dneverbeenabletounderstandthismorbidstreakinhim.Monstermovies.Horrorcomics.Vampirenovels.Scarystoriesofeverykind,ineverymedium.Initiallyhisgrowingfascinationwiththemacabrehadnotseemedentirelyhealthytoher,butshehadneverdeniedhimthefreedomtopursueit.Mostofhisfriendshadsharedhisavidinterestinghostsandghouls;besides,thegrotesquehadn'tbeenhisonlyinterest,soshehaddecidednottoworryaboutit.
Inthecartonweretwostacksofcomicbooks,andthetwoissuesontopsportedgruesome,full-colorcovers.Onthefirst,ablackcarriage,drawnbyfourblackhorseswithevilglaringeyes,rushedalonganighthighway,beneathagibbousmoon,andaheadlessmanheldthereins,urgingthefrenziedhorsesforward.Brightbloodstreamedfromtheraggedstumpofthecoachman'sneck,andgelatinousclotsofbloodclungtohiswhite,ruffledshirt.Hisgrislyheadstoodonthedriver'sseatbesidehim,grinningfiendishly,filledwithmalevolentlifeeventhoughithadbeenbrutallyseveredfromhisbody.
Tinagrimaced.IfthiswaswhatDannyhadreadbeforegoingtobedatnight,howhadhebeenabletosleepsowell?He'dalwaysbeenadeep,unmovingsleeper,nevertroubledbybaddreams.
sleeper,nevertroubledbybaddreams.
Shedraggedanothercartonoutofthecloset.Itwasasheavyasthefirst,andshefigureditcontainedmorecomicbooks,butsheopenedittobesure.
Shegaspedinshock.
Hewasglaringupatherfrominsidethebox.Fromthecoverofagraphicnovel.Him.Themandressedallinblack.Thatsameface.Mostlyskullandwitheredflesh.Prominentsocketsofbone,andthemenacing,inhumancrimsoneyesstaringoutwithintensehatred.Theclusterofmaggotssquirmingonhischeek,atthecornerofoneeye.Therotten,yellow-toothedgrin.Ineveryrepulsivedetail,hewaspreciselylikethehideouscreaturethatstalkedhernightmares.
Howcouldshehavedreamedaboutthishideouscreaturejustlastnightandthenfinditwaitingforherhere,today,onlyhourslater?
Shesteppedbackfromthecardboardbox.
Theburning,scarleteyesofthemonstrousfigureinthedrawingseemedtofollowher.
ShemusthaveseenthisluridcoverillustrationwhenDannyhadfirstbroughtthemagazineintothehouse.Thememoryofitwasfixedinhersubconscious,festering,untilsheeventuallyincorporateditintohernightmares.
Thatseemedtobetheonlylogicalexplanation.
Butsheknewitwasn'ttrue.
Shehadneverseenthisdrawingbefore.WhenDannyhadfirstbeguncollectinghorrorcomicswithhisallowance,shehadcloselyexaminedthosebookstodecidewhetherornottheywereharmfultohim.Butaftershehadmadeuphermindtolethimreadsuchstuff,sheneverthereafterevenglancedathispurchases.
Yetshehaddreamedaboutthemaninblack.
Andherehewas.Grinningather.
Curiousaboutthestoryfromwhichtheillustrationhadbeentaken,Tinasteppedtotheboxagaintopluckoutthegraphicnovel.Itwasthickerthanacomicbook
totheboxagaintopluckoutthegraphicnovel.Itwasthickerthanacomicbookandprintedonslickpaper.
Asherfingerstouchedtheglossycover,abellrang.
Sheflinchedandgasped.
Thebellrangagain,andsherealizedthatsomeonewasatthefrontdoor.
Heartthumping,shewenttothefoyer.
Throughthefish-eyelensinthedoor,shesawayoung,clean-cutmanwearingabluecapwithanunidentifiableemblemonit.Hewassmiling,waitingtobeacknowledged.
Shedidn'topenthedoor."Whatdoyouwant?"
"Gas-companyrepair.Weneedtocheckourlineswheretheycomeintoyourhouse."
Tinafrowned."OnNewYear'sDay?"
"Emergencycrew,"therepairmansaidthroughthecloseddoor."We'reinvestigatingapossiblegasleakintheneighborhood."
Shehesitated,butthenopenedthedoorwithoutremovingtheheavy-dutysecuritychain.Shestudiedhimthroughthenarrowgap."Gasleak?"
Hesmiledreassuringly."Thereprobablyisn'tanydanger.We'velostsomepressureinourlines,andwe'retryingtofindthecauseofit.Noreasontoevacuatepeopleorpanicoranything.Butwe'retryingtocheckeveryhouse.Doyouhaveagasstoveinthekitchen?"
"No.Electric."
"Whatabouttheheatingsystem?"
"Yes.There'sagasfurnace."
"Yeah.Ithinkallthehousesinthisareahavegasfurnaces.I'dbetterhavealookatit,checkthefittings,theincomingfeed,allthat."
Shelookedhimovercarefully.Hewaswearingagas-companyuniform,andhewascarryingalargetoolkitwiththegas-companyemblemonit.
Shesaid,"CanIseesomeidentification?"
"Sure."Fromhisshirtpocket,hewithdrewalaminatedIDcardwiththegas-companyseal,hispicture,hisname,andhisphysicalstatistics.
Feelingslightlyfoolish,likeaneasilyspookedoldwoman,Tinasaid,"I'msorry.It'snotthatyoustrikemeasadangerouspersonoranything.Ijust—"
"Hey,it'sokay.Don'tapologize.Youdidtherightthing,askingforanID.Thesedays,you'recrazyifyouopenyourdoorwithoutknowingexactlywho'sontheothersideofit."
Sheclosedthedoorlongenoughtoslipoffthesecuritychain.Thensheopeneditagainandsteppedback."Comein."
"Where'sthefurnace?Inthegarage?"
FewVegashouseshadbasements."Yes.Thegarage."
"Ifyouwant,Icouldjustgointhroughthegaragedoor."
"No.That'sallright.Comein."
Hesteppedacrossthethreshold.
Sheclosedandlockedthedoor.
"Niceplaceyou'vegothere."
"Thankyou."
"Cozy.Goodsenseofcolor.Alltheseearthtones.Ilikethat.It'salittlebitlikeourhouse.Mywifehasarealgoodsenseofcolor."
"It'srelaxing,"Tinasaid.
"Isn'tit?Soniceandnatural."
"Thegarageisthisway,"shesaid.
"Thegarageisthisway,"shesaid.
Hefollowedherpastthekitchen,intotheshorthall,intothelaundryroom,andfromthereintothegarage.
Tinaswitchedonthelight.Thedarknesswasdispelled,butshadowsremainedalongthewallsandinthecorners.
Thegaragewasslightlymusty,butTinawasn'tabletodetecttheodorofgas.
"Doesn'tsmelllikethere'stroublehere,"shesaid.
"You'reprobablyright.Butyounevercantell.Itcouldbeanundergroundbreakonyourproperty.Gasmightbeleakingundertheconcreteslabandbuildingupdownthere,inwhichcaseit'spossibleyouwouldn'tdetectitrightaway,butyou'dstillbesittingontopofabomb."
"Whatalovelythought."
"Makeslifeinteresting."
"It'sagoodthingyou'renotworkinginthegascompany'spublicrelationsdepartment."
Helaughed."Don'tworry.IfIreallybelievedtherewaseventhetiniestchanceofanythinglikethat,wouldIbestandingheresocheerful?"
"Iguessnot."
"Youcanbetonit.Really.Don'tworry.Thisisjustgoingtobearoutinecheck."
Hewenttothefurnace,puthisheavytoolkitonthefloor,andhunkereddown.Heopenedahingedplate,exposingthefurnace'sworkings.Aringofbrilliant,pulsingflamewasvisibleinthere,anditbathedhisfaceinaneeriebluelight.
"Well?"shesaid.
Helookedupather."Thiswilltakememaybefifteenortwentyminutes."
"Oh.Ithoughtitwasjustasimplething."
"It'sbesttobethoroughinasituationlikethis."
"It'sbesttobethoroughinasituationlikethis."
"Byallmeans,bethorough."
"Hey,ifyou'vegotsomethingtodo,feelfreetogoaheadwithit.Iwon'tbeneedinganything."
Tinathoughtofthegraphicnovelwiththemaninblackonitscover.Shewascuriousaboutthestoryoutofwhichthatcreaturehadstepped,forshehadthepeculiarfeelingthat,insomeway,itwouldbesimilartothestoryofDanny'sdeath.Thiswasabizarrenotion,andshedidn'tknowwhereithadcomefrom,butshecouldn'tdispelit.
"Well,"shesaid,"Iwascleaningthebackroom.Ifyou'resure—"
"Oh,certainly,"hesaid."Goahead.Don'tletmeinterruptyourhousework."
Shelefthimthereintheshadowygarage,hisfacepaintedbyshimmeringbluelight,hiseyesgleamingwithtwinreflectionsoffire.
17
WHENELLIOTREFUSEDTOMOVEAWAYFROMTHEsinktothebreakfasttableinthefarcornerofthebigkitchen,Bob,thesmallerofthetwomen,hesitated,thenreluctantlytookasteptowardhim.
"Wait,"Vincesaid.
Bobstopped,obviouslyrelievedthathishulkingaccomplicewasgoingtodealwithElliot.
"Don'tgetinmyway,"Vinceadvised.Hetuckedthesheafoftypewrittenquestionsintohiscoatpocket."Letmehandlethisbastard."
Bobretreatedtothetable,andElliotturnedhisattentiontothelargerintruder.
Vinceheldthepistolinhisrighthandandmadeafistwithhisleft."Youreallythinkyouwanttotanglewithme,littleman?Hell,myfistisjustaboutasbigasyourhead.Youknowwhatthisfistisgoingtofeellikewhenithits,littleman?"
Elliothadaprettygoodideaofwhatitwouldfeellike,andhewassweatingunderhisarmsandinthesmallofhisback,buthedidn'tmove,andhedidn'trespondtothestranger'staunting.
"It'sgoingtofeellikeafreighttrainrammingstraightthroughyou,"Vincesaid."Sostopbeingsodamnstubborn."
Theyweregoingtogreatlengthstoavoidusingviolence,whichconfirmedElliot'ssuspicionthattheywantedtoleavehimunmarked,sothatlaterhisbodywouldbearnocutsorbruisesincompatiblewithsuicide.
Thebear-who-would-be-a-manshambledtowardhim."Youwanttochangeyourmind,becooperative?"
Elliotheldhisground.
"Onegoodpunchinthebelly,"Vincesaid,"andyou'llbepukingyourgutsoutonyourshoes."
onyourshoes."
Anotherstep.
"Andwhenyou'redonepukingyourgutsout,"Vincesaid,"I'mgoingtograbyoubyyourballsanddragyouovertothetable."
Onemorestep.
Thenthebigmanstopped.
Theywereonlyanarm'slengthapart.
ElliotglancedatBob,whowasstillstandingatthebreakfasttable,thepacketofsyringesinhishand.
"Lastchancetodoittheeasyway,"Vincesaid.
Inonesmoothlightning-fastmovement,Elliotseizedthemeasuringcupintowhichhehadpouredfourouncesofvinegarafewminutesago,andhethrewthecontentsinVince'sface.Thebigmancriedoutinsurpriseandpain,temporarilyblinded.Elliotdroppedthemeasuringcupandseizedthegun,butVincereflexivelysqueezedoffashotthatbreezedpastElliot'sfaceandsmashedthewindowbehindthesink.Elliotduckedawildroundhousepunch,steppedinclose,stillholdingontothepistolthattheothermanwouldn'tsurrender.Heswungonearmaround,slamminghisbentelbowintoVince'sthroat.Thebigman'sheadsnappedback,andElliotchoppedtheexposedAdam'sapplewiththeflatbladeofhishand.Herammedhiskneeintohisadversary'scrotchandtorethegunoutofthebear-pawhandasthoseclutchingfingerswentslack.Vincebentforward,gagging,andElliotslammedthebuttofthegunagainstthesideofhishead,withasoundlikestonemeetingstone.
Elliotsteppedback.
Vincedroppedtohisknees,thenontohisface.Hestayedthere,tongue-kissingthefloortiles.
Theentirebattlehadtakenlessthantenseconds.
Thebigmanhadbeenoverconfident,certainthathissix-inchadvantageinheightandhisextraeightypoundsofmusclemadehimunbeatable.Hehadbeen
heightandhisextraeightypoundsofmusclemadehimunbeatable.Hehadbeenwrong.
Elliotswungtowardtheotherintruder,pointingtheconfiscatedpistol.
Bobwasalreadyoutofthekitchen,inthediningroom,runningtowardthefrontofthehouse.Evidentlyhewasn'tcarryingagun,andhewasimpressedbythespeedandeasewithwhichhispartnerhadbeentakenoutofaction.
Elliotwentafterhimbutwasslowedbythedining-roomchairs,whichthefleeingmanhadoverturnedinhiswake.Inthelivingroom,otherfurniturewasknockedover,andbookswerestrewnonthefloor.Theroutetotheentrancefoyerwasanobstaclecourse.
BythetimeElliotreachedthefrontdoorandrushedoutofthehouse,Bobhadrunthelengthofthedrivewayandcrossedthestreet.Hewasclimbingintoadark-green,unmarkedChevysedan.ElliotgottothestreetintimetowatchtheChevypullaway,tiressquealing,engineroaring.
Hecouldn'tgetthelicensenumber.Theplatesweresmearedwithmud.
Hehurriedbacktothehouse.
Themaninthekitchenwasstillunconsciousandwouldprobablyremainthatwayforanothertenorfifteenminutes.Elliotcheckedhispulseandpulledbackoneofhiseyelids.Vincewouldsurvive,althoughhemightneedhospitalization,andhewouldn'tbeabletoswallowwithoutpainfordaystocome.
Elliotwentthroughthethug'spockets.Hefoundsomesmallchange,acomb,awallet,andthesheafofpapersonwhichweretypedthequestionsthatElliothadbeenexpectedtoanswer.
Hefoldedthepagesandstuffedthemintohishippocket.
Vince'swalletcontainedninety-twodollars,nocreditcards,nodriver'slicense,noidentificationofanykind.DefinitelynotFBI.Bureaumencarriedthepropercredentials.NotCIA,either.CIAoperativeswereloadedwithID,evenifitwasinaphonyname.AsfarasElliotwasconcerned,theabsenceofIDwasmoresinisterthanacollectionofpatentlyfalsepaperswouldhavebeen,becausethisabsoluteanonymitysmackedofasecretpoliceorganization.
Secretpolice.SuchapossibilityscaredthehelloutofElliot.Notinthegoodold
Secretpolice.SuchapossibilityscaredthehelloutofElliot.NotinthegoodoldU.S.ofA.Surelynot.InChina,inthenewRussia,inIranorIraq—yes.InaSouthAmericanbananarepublic—yes.Inhalfthecountriesintheworld,thereweresecretpolice,moderngestapos,andcitizenslivedinfearofalate-nightknockonthedoor.ButnotinAmerica,damnit.
Evenifthegovernmenthadestablishedasecretpoliceforce,however,whywasitsoanxioustocoverupthetruefactsofDanny'sdeath?WhatweretheytryingtohideabouttheSierratragedy?Whatreallyhadhappenedupinthosemountains?
Tina.
Suddenlyherealizedshewasinasmuchdangerashewas.Ifthesepeopleweredeterminedtokillhimjusttostoptheexhumation,theywouldhavetokillTina.Infact,shemustbetheirprimarytarget.
Herantothekitchenphone,snatchedupthehandset,andrealizedthathedidn'tknowhernumber.Hequicklyleafedthroughthetelephonedirectory.ButtherewasnolistingforChristinaEvans.
Hewouldneverbeabletoconanunlistednumberoutofthedirectory-assistanceoperator.Bythetimehecalledthepoliceandmanagedtoexplainthesituation,theymightbetoolatetohelpTina.
Brieflyhestoodinterribleindecision,incapacitatedbytheprospectoflosingTina.Hethoughtofherslightlycrookedsmile,hereyesasquickanddeepandcoolandblueasapuremountainstream.Thepressureinhischestgrewsogreatthathecouldn'tgethisbreath.
Thenherememberedheraddress.Shehadgivenittohimtwonightsago,atthepartyafterthepremiereofMagyck!Shedidn'tlivefarfromhim.Hecouldbeatherplaceinfiveminutes.
Hestillhadthesilencer-equippedpistolinhishand,andhedecidedtokeepit.
Herantothecarinthedriveway.
18
TINALEFTTHEREPAIRMANFROMTHEGASCOMPANYinthegarageandreturnedtoDanny'sroom.Shetookthegraphicnoveloutofthecartonandsatontheedgeofthebedinthetarnished-coppersunlightthatfelllikeashowerofpenniesthroughthewindow.
Themagazinecontainedhalfadozenillustratedhorrorstories.Theonefromwhichthecoverpaintinghadbeendrawnwassixteenpageslong.Inlettersthatweresupposedtolookasiftheyhadbeenformedfromrottingshroudcloth,theartisthademblazonedthetitleacrossthetopofthefirstpage,aboveasomber,well-detailedsceneofarain-sweptgraveyard.Tinastaredatthosewordsinshockeddisbelief.
THEBOYWHOWASNOTDEAD
Shethoughtofthewordsonthechalkboardandonthecomputerprintout:Notdead,notdead,notdead....
Herhandsshook.Shehadtroubleholdingthemagazinesteadyenoughtoread.
Thestorywassetinthemid-nineteenthcentury,whenaphysician'sperceptionofthethinlinebetweenlifeanddeathwasoftencloudy.Itwasthetaleofaboy,Kevin,whofelloffaroofandtookabadknockonthehead,thereafterslippingintoadeepcoma.Theboy'svitalsignswereundetectabletothemedicaltechnologyofthatera.Thedoctorpronouncedhimdead,andhisgrievingparentscommittedKevintothegrave.Inthosedaysthecorpsewasnotembalmed;therefore,theboywasburiedwhilestillalive.Kevin'sparentswentawayfromthecityimmediatelyafterthefuneral,intendingtospendamonthattheirsummerhouseinthecountry,wheretheycouldbefreefromthepressofbusinessandsocialduties,thebettertomourntheirlostchild.Butthefirstnightinthecountry,themotherreceivedavisioninwhichKevinwasburiedaliveandcallingforher.Thevisionwassovivid,sodisturbing,thatsheandherhusband
callingforher.Thevisionwassovivid,sodisturbing,thatsheandherhusbandracedbacktothecitythatverynighttohavethegravereopenedatdawn.ButDeathdecidedthatKevinbelongedtohim,becausethefuneralhadbeenheldalreadyandbecausethegravehadbeenclosed.Deathwasdeterminedthattheparentswouldnotreachthecemeteryintimetosavetheirson.MostofthestorydealtwithDeath'sattemptstostopthemotherandfatherontheirdesperatenightjourney;theywereassaultedbyeveryformofthewalkingdead,everymanneroflivingcorpseandvampireandghoulandzombieandghost,buttheytriumphed.Theyarrivedatthegravebydawn,haditopened,andfoundtheirsonalive,releasedfromhiscoma.ThelastpaneloftheillustratedstoryshowedtheparentsandtheboywalkingoutofthegraveyardwhileDeathwatchedthemleave.Deathwassaying,"Onlyatemporaryvictory.You'llallbeminesoonerorlater.You'llbebacksomeday.I'llbewaitingforyou."
Tinawasdry-mouthed,weak.
Shedidn'tknowwhattomakeofthedamnedthing.
Thiswasjustasillycomicbook,anabsurdhorrorstory.Yet...strangeparallelsexistedbetweenthisgruesometaleandtherecentuglinessinherownlife.
Sheputthemagazineaside,cover-down,soshewouldn'thavetomeetDeath'swormy,red-eyedgaze.
TheBoyWhoWasNotDead.
Itwasweird.
ShehaddreamedthatDannywasburiedalive.Intoherdreamsheincorporatedagrislycharacterfromanoldissueofahorror-comicsmagazinethatwasinDanny'scollection.Theleadstoryinthisissuewasaboutaboy,approximatelyDanny'sage,mistakenlypronounceddead,thenburiedalive,andthenexhumed.
Coincidence?
Yeah,sure,justaboutascoincidentalassunrisefollowingsunset.
Crazily,Tinafeltasifhernightmarehadnotcomefromwithinher,butfromwithout,asifsomepersonorforcehadprojectedthedreamintohermindinaneffortto—
Towhat?
Towhat?
TotellherthatDannyhadbeenburiedalive?
Impossible.Hecouldnothavebeenburiedalive.Theboyhadbeenbattered,burned,frozen,horriblymutilatedinthecrash,deadbeyondanyshadowofadoubt.That'swhatboththeauthoritiesandthemorticianhadtoldher.Furthermore,thiswasnotthemid-nineteenthcentury;thesedays,doctorscoulddetecteventhevaguestheartbeat,theshallowestrespiration,thedimmesttracesofbrainwaveactivity.
Dannycertainlyhadbeendeadwhentheyhadburiedhim.
Andif,bysomemillion-to-onechance,theboyhadbeenalivewhenhe'dbeenburied,whywouldittakeanentireyearforhertoreceiveavisionfromthespiritworld?
Thislastthoughtprofoundlyshockedher.Thespiritworld?Visions?Clairvoyantexperiences?Shedidn'tbelieveinanyofthatpsychic,supernaturalstuff.Atleastshe'dalwaysthoughtshedidn'tbelieveinit.Yetnowshewasseriouslyconsideringthepossibilitythatherdreamshadsomeotherworldlysignificance.Thiswassheerclaptrap.Utternonsense.Therootsofalldreamsweretobefoundinthestoreofexperiencesinthepsyche;dreamswerenotsentlikeetherealtelegramsfromspiritsorgodsordemons.Hersuddengullibilitydismayedandalarmedher,becauseitindicatedthatthedecisiontohaveDanny'sbodyexhumedwasnothavingthestabilizingeffectonheremotionsthatshehadhopeditwould.
Tinagotupfromthebed,wenttothewindow,andgazedatthequietstreet,thepalms,theolivetrees.
Shehadtoconcentrateontheindisputablefacts.Ruleoutallofthisnonsenseaboutthedreamhavingbeensentbysomeoutsideforce.Itwasherdream,entirelyofhermaking.
Butwhataboutthehorrorcomic?
Asfarasshecouldsee,onlyonerationalexplanationpresenteditself.ShemusthaveglimpsedthegrotesquefigureofDeathonthecoverofthemagazinewhenDannyfirstbroughttheissuehomefromthenewsstand.
Exceptthatsheknewshehadn't.
Andevenifshehadseenthecolorillustrationbefore,sheknewdamnedwellthatshehadn'treadthestory—TheBoyWhoWasNotDead.ShehadpagedthroughonlytwoofthemagazinesDannyhadbought,thefirsttwo,whenshehadbeentryingtomakeuphermindwhethersuchunusualreadingmaterialcouldhaveanyharmfuleffectsonhim.Fromthedateonitscover,sheknewthattheissuecontainingTheBoyWhoWasNotDeadcouldn'tbeoneofthefirstpiecesinDanny'scollection.Ithadbeenpublishedonlytwoyearsago,longaftershehaddecidedthathorrorcomicswereharmless.
Shewasbackwhereshe'dstarted.
Herdreamhadbeenpatternedaftertheimagesintheillustratedhorrorstory.Thatseemedindisputable.
Butshehadn'treadthestoryuntilafewminutesago.Thatwasafactaswell.
Frustratedandangryatherselfforherinabilitytosolvethepuzzle,sheturnedfromthewindow.Shewentbacktothebedtohaveanotherlookatthemagazine,whichshe'dleftthere.
Thegascompanyworkmancalledfromthefrontofthehouse,startlingTina.
Shefoundhimwaitingbythefrontdoor.
"I'mfinished,"hesaid."IjustwantedtoletyouknowIwasgoing,soyoucouldlockthedoorbehindme."
"Everythingallright?"
"Oh,yeah.Sure.Everythinghereisingreatshape.Ifthere'sagasleakinthisneighborhood,it'snotanywhereonyourproperty."
Shethankedhim,andhesaidhewasonlydoinghisjob.Theybothsaid"Haveaniceday,"andshelockedthedoorafterheleft.
ShereturnedtoDanny'sroomandpickeduptheluridmagazine.Deathglaredhungrilyatherfromthecover.
Sittingontheedgeofthebed,shereadthestoryagain,hopingtoseesomething
Sittingontheedgeofthebed,shereadthestoryagain,hopingtoseesomethingimportantinitthatshehadoverlookedinthefirstreading.
Threeorfourminuteslaterthedoorbellrang—one,two,three,fourtimes,insistently.
Carryingthemagazine,shewenttoanswerthebell.Itrangthreemoretimesduringthetensecondsthatshetooktoreachthefrontdoor.
"Don'tbesodamnimpatient,"shemuttered.
Tohersurprise,throughthefish-eyelens,shesawElliotonthestoop.
Whensheopenedthedoor,hecameinfast,almostinacrouch,glancingpasther,leftandright,towardthelivingroom,thentowardthediningarea,speakingrapidly,urgently."Areyouokay?Areyouallright?"
"I'mfine.What'swrongwithyou?"
"Areyoualone?"
"Notnowthatyou'rehere."
Heclosedthedoor,lockedit."Packasuitcase."
"What?"
"Idon'tthinkit'ssafeforyoutostayhere."
"Elliot,isthatagun?"
"Yeah.Iwas—"
"Arealgun?"
"Yeah.Itookitofftheguywhotriedtokillme."
Shewasmoreabletobelievethathewasjokingthanthathehadreallybeenindanger."Whatman?When?"
"Afewminutesago.Atmyplace."
"But—"
"But—"
"Listen,Tina,theywantedtokillmejustbecauseIwasgoingtohelpyougetDanny'sbodyexhumed."
Shegapedathim."Whatareyoutalkingabout?"
"Murder.Conspiracy.Somethingdamnstrange.Theyprobablyintendtokillyoutoo."
"Butthat's—"
"Crazy,"hesaid."Iknow.Butit'strue."
"Elliot—"
"Canyoupackasuitcasefast?"
Atfirstshehalfbelievedthathewastryingtobefunny,playingagametoamuseher,andshewasgoingtotellhimthatnoneofthisstruckherasfunny.Butshestaredintohisdark,expressiveeyes,andsheknewthathe'dmeanteverywordhesaid.
"MyGod,Elliot,didsomeonereallytrytokillyou?"
"I'lltellyouaboutitlater."
"Areyouhurt?"
"No,no.Butweoughttolielowuntilwecanfigurethisout."
"Didyoucallthepolice?"
"I'mnotsurethat'sagoodidea."
"Whynot?"
"Maybethey'repartofitsomehow."
"Partofit?Thecops?"
"Wheredoyoukeepyoursuitcases?"
"Wheredoyoukeepyoursuitcases?"
Shefeltdizzy."Wherearewegoing?"
"Idon'tknowyet."
"But—"
"Comeon.Hurry.Let'sgetyoupackedandthehelloutofherebeforeanymoreoftheseguysshowup."
"Ihavesuitcasesinmybedroomcloset."
Heputahandagainstherback,gentlybutfirmlyurgingheroutofthefoyer.
Sheheadedforthemasterbedroom,confusedandbeginningtobefrightened.
Hefollowedclosebehindher."Hasanyonebeenaroundherethisafternoon?"
"Justme."
"Imean,anyonesnoopingaround?Anyoneatthedoor?"
"No."
"Ican'tfigurewhythey'dcomeformefirst."
"Well,therewasthegasman,"Tinasaidasshehurrieddowntheshorthalltowardthemasterbedroom.
"Thewhat?"
"Therepairmanfromthegascompany."
Elliotputahandonhershoulder,stoppedher,andturnedheraroundjustastheyenteredthebedroom."Agascompanyworkman?"
"Yes.Don'tworry.Iaskedtoseehiscredentials."
Elliotfrowned."Butit'saholiday."
"Hewasanemergencycrewman."
"Whatemergency?"
"They'velostsomepressureinthegaslines.Theythinktheremightbealeakinthisneighborhood."
ThefurrowsinElliot'sbrowgrewdeeper."Whatdidthisworkmanneedtoseeyoufor?"
"Hewantedtocheckmyfurnace,makesuretherewasn'tanygasescaping."
"Youdidn'tlethimin?"
"Sure.HehadaphotoIDcardfromthegascompany.Hecheckedthefurnace,anditwasokay."
"Whenwasthis?"
"Heleftjustacoupleminutesbeforeyoucamein."
"Howlongwashehere?"
"Fifteen,twentyminutes."
"Ittookhimthatlongtocheckoutthefurnace?"
"Hewantedtobethorough.Hesaid—"
"Wereyouwithhimthewholetime?"
"No.IwascleaningoutDanny'sroom."
"Where'syourfurnace?"
"Inthegarage."
"Showme."
"Whataboutthesuitcases?"
"Theremaynotbetime,"hesaid.
Hewaspale.Finebeadsofsweathadpoppedoutalonghishairline.
Hewaspale.Finebeadsofsweathadpoppedoutalonghishairline.
Shefelttheblooddrainfromherface.
Shesaid,"MyGod,youdon'tthink—"
"Thefurnace!"
"Thisway."
Stillcarryingthemagazine,sherushedthroughthehouse,pastthekitchen,intothelaundryroom.Adoorstoodatthefarendofthisnarrow,rectangularworkarea.Asshereachedfortheknob,shesmelledthegasinthegarage.
"Don'topenthatdoor!"Elliotwarned.
Shesnatchedherhandofftheknobasifshehadalmostpickedupatarantula.
"Thelatchmightcauseaspark,"Elliotsaid."Let'sgetthehellout.Thefrontdoor.Comeon.Fast!"
Theyhurriedbackthewaytheyhadcome.
Tinapassedaleafygreenplant,afour-foot-highschef-flerathatshehadownedsinceitwasonlyone-fourthastallasitwasnow,andshehadtheinsaneurgetostopandriskgettingcaughtinthecomingexplosionjustlongenoughtopickuptheplantandtakeitwithher.Butanimageofcrimsoneyes,yellowskin—theleeringfaceofdeath—flashedthroughhermind,andshekeptmoving.
Shetightenedhergriponthehorror-comicsmagazineinherlefthand.Itwasimportantthatshenotloseit.
Inthefoyer,Elliotjerkedopenthefrontdoor,pushedherthroughaheadofhim,andtheybothplungedintothegoldenlate-afternoonsunshine.
"Intothestreet!"Ellioturged.
Ablood-freezingimageroseatthebackofhermind:thehousetornapartbyacolossalblast,shrapnelofwoodandglassandmetalwhistlingtowardher,hundredsofsharpfragmentspiercingherfromheadtofoot.
Theflagstonewalkthatledacrossherfrontlawnseemedtobeoneofthose
Theflagstonewalkthatledacrossherfrontlawnseemedtobeoneofthosetreadmillpathwaysinadream,stretchingoutfartherinfrontofhertheharderthatsheran,butatlastshereachedtheendofitanddashedintothestreet.Elliot'sMercedeswasparkedatthefarcurb,andshewassixoreightfeetfromthecarwhenthesuddenoutward-sweepingshockoftheexplosionshovedherforward.Shestumbledandfellintothesideofthesportscar,bangingherkneepainfully.
Twistingaroundinterror,shecalledElliot'sname.Hewassafe,closebehindher,knockedoffbalancebytheforceoftheshockwave,staggeringforward,butunhurt.
Thegaragehadgoneupfirst,thebigdoorrippingfromitshingesandsplinteringintothedriveway,theroofdissolvinginaconfetti-showerofshakeshinglesandflamingdebris.ButevenasTinalookedfromElliottothefire,beforealloftheshingleshadfallenbacktoearth,asecondexplosionslammedthroughthehouse,andabillowingcloudofflameroaredfromoneendofthestructuretotheother,burstingthosefewwindowsthathadmiraculouslysurvivedthefirstblast.
Tinawatched,stunned,asflamesleapedfromawindowofthehouseandigniteddrypalmfrondsonanearbytree.
ElliotpushedherawayfromtheMercedessohecouldopenthedooronthepassengerside."Getin.Quick!"
"Butmyhouseisonfire!"
"Youcan'tsaveitnow."
"Wehavetowaitforthefirecompany."
"Thelongerwestandhere,thebettertargetswemake."
Hegrabbedherarm,swungherawayfromtheburninghouse,thesightofwhichaffectedherasmuchasifithadbeenahypnotist'sslowlyswingingpocketwatch.
"ForGod'ssake,Tina,getinthecar,andlet'sgobeforetheshootingstarts."
Frightened,dazedbytheincrediblespeedatwhichherworldhadbeguntodisintegrate,shedidashesaid.
Whenshewasinthecar,heshutherdoor,rantothedriver'sside,andclimbedinbehindthesteeringwheel.
"Areyouallright?"heasked.
Shenoddeddumbly.
"Atleastwe'restillalive,"hesaid.
Heputthepistolonhislap,themuzzlefacingtowardhisdoor,awayfromTina.Thekeyswereintheignition.Hestartedthecar.Hishandswereshaking.
Tinalookedoutthesidewindow,watchingindisbeliefastheflamesspreadfromtheshatteredgaragerooftothemainroofofthehouse,longtonguesoflambentfire,licking,licking,hungry,bloodredinthelastorangelightoftheafternoon.
19
ASELLIOTDROVEAWAYFROMTHEBURNINGhouse,hisinstinctualsenseofdangerwasassensitiveasithadbeeninhismilitarydays.Hewasonthethinlinethatseparatedanimalalertnessfromnervousfrenzy.
Heglancedattherearviewmirrorandsawablackvanpullawayfromthecurb,halfablockbehindthem.
"We'rebeingfollowed,"hesaid.
Tinahadbeenlookingbackatherhouse.Nowsheturnedallthewayaroundandstaredthroughtherearwindowofthesportscar."I'llbetthebastardwhoriggedmyfurnaceisinthattruck."
"Probably."
"IfIcouldgetmyhandsonthesonofabitch,I'dgougehiseyesout."
HerfurysurprisedandpleasedElliot.Stupefiedbytheunexpectedviolence,bythelossofherhouse,andbyherclosebrushwithdeath,shehadseemedtobeinatrance;nowshehadsnappedoutofit.Hewasencouragedbyherresilience.
"Putonyourseatbelt,"hesaid."We'llbemovingfastandloose."
Shefacedfrontandbuckledup."Areyougoingtotrytolosethem?"
"I'mnotjustgoingtotry."
Inthisresidentialneighborhoodthespeedlimitwastwenty-fivemilesanhour.Elliottrampedontheaccelerator,andthelow,sleek,two-seatMercedesjumpedforward.
Behindthemthevandwindledrapidly,untilitwasablockandahalfaway.Thenitstoppeddwindlingasitalsoaccelerated.
"Hecan'tcatchupwithus,"Elliotsaid."Thebesthecanhopetodoisavoidlosingmoreground."
losingmoreground."
Alongthestreet,peoplecameoutoftheirhouses,seekingthesourceoftheexplosion.TheirheadsturnedastheMercedesrocketedpast.
WhenElliotroundedthecornertwoblockslater,hebrakedfromsixtymilesanhourtomaketheturn.Thetiressquealed,andthecarslidsideways,butthesuperbsuspensionandresponsivesteeringheldtheMercedesfirmlyonfourwheelsallthewaythroughthearc.
"Youdon'tthinkthey'llactuallystartshootingatus?"Tinaasked.
"HellifIknow.Theywantedittoappearasifyou'ddiedinanaccidentalgasexplosion.AndIthinktheyhadafakesuicideplannedforme.Butnowthattheyknowwe'reontothem,theymightpanic,mightdoanything.Idon'tknow.TheonlythingIdoknowistheycan'tletusjustwalkaway."
"Butwho—"
"I'lltellyouwhatIknow,butlater."
"WhatdotheyhavetodowithDanny?"
"Later,"hesaidimpatiently.
"Butit'sallsocrazy."
"You'retellingme?"
Hewheeledaroundanothercorner,andthenanother,tryingtodisappearfromthemeninthevanlongenoughtoleavethemwithsomanychoicesofstreetstofollowthattheywouldhavetogiveupthechaseinconfusion.Toolate,hesawthesignatthefourthintersection—NOTATHROUGHSTREET—buttheywerealreadyaroundthecornerandheadeddownthenarrowdeadend,withnothingbutarowoftenmodeststuccohousesoneachside.
"Damn!"
"Betterbackout,"shesaid.
"Andrunrightintothem."
"You'vegotthegun."
"There'sprobablymorethanoneofthem,andthey'llbearmed."
Atthefifthhouseontheleft,thegaragedoorwasopen,andtherewasn'tacarinside.
"We'vegottogetoffthestreetandoutofsight,"Elliotsaid.
Hedroveintotheopengarageasboldlyasifitwerehisown.Heswitchedofftheengine,scrambledoutofthecar,andrantothebigdoor.Itwouldn'tcomedown.Hestruggledwithitforamoment,andthenherealizedthatitwasequippedwithanautomaticsystem.
Behindhim,Tinasaid,"Standback."
Shehadgottenoutofthecarandhadlocatedthecontrolbuttononthegaragewall.
Heglancedoutside,upthestreet.Hecouldn'tseethevan.
Thedoorrumbleddown,concealingthemfromanyonewhomightdrivepast.
Elliotwenttoher."Thatwasclose."
Shetookhishandinhers,squeezedit.Herhandwascold,buthergripwasfirm.
"Sowhothehellarethey?"sheasked,
"IsawHaroldKennebeck,thejudgeImentioned.He—"
Thedoorthatconnectedthegaragetothehouseopenedwithoutwarning,butwithasharp,drysqueakofunoiledhinges.
Animposing,barrel-chestedmaninrumpledchinosandawhiteT-shirtsnappedonthegaragelightandpeeredcuriouslyatthem.Hehadmeatyarms;thecircumferenceofoneofthemalmostequaledthecircumferenceofElliot'sthigh.Andtherewasn'tashirtmadethatcouldbebuttonedeasilyaroundhisthick,muscularneck.Heappearedformidable,evenwithhisbeerbelly,whichbulgedoverthewaistbandofhistrousers.
FirstVinceandnowthisspecimen.ItwastheDayoftheGiants.
FirstVinceandnowthisspecimen.ItwastheDayoftheGiants.
"Who'reyou?"thepituitary-challengedbehemothaskedinasoft,gentlevoicethatdidn'tequatewithhisappearance.
ElliothadtheawfulfeelingthatthisguywouldreachforthebuttonTinahadpushedlessthanaminuteago,andthatthegaragedoorwouldliftjustastheblackvanwasrollingslowlybyinthestreet.
Stallingfortime,hesaid,"Oh,hi.Myname'sElliot,andthisisTina."
"Tom,"thebigmansaid."TomPolumby."
TomPolumbydidn'tappeartobeworriedbytheirpresenceinhisgarage;heseemedmerelyperplexed.Amanofhissizeprobablywasn'tfrightenedanymoreeasilythanGodzillaconfrontedbythepatheticbazooka-wieldingsoldierssurroundingdoomedTokyo.
"Nicecar,"Tomsaidwithanunmistakabletraceofreverenceinhisvoice.HegazedcovetouslyattheS600.
Elliotalmostlaughed.Nicecar!Theypulledintothisguy'sgarage,parked,closedthedoorboldasyouplease,andallhehadtosaywasNicecar!
"Verynicelittlenumber,"Tomsaid,nodding,lickinghislipsashestudiedtheMercedes.
ApparentlyTomcouldn'tconceivethatburglars,psychopathickillers,andotherlow-lifeswerepermittedtopurchaseaMercedes-Benziftheyhadthemoneyforit.Tohim,evidently,anyonewhodroveaMercedeshadtobetherightkindofpeople.
ElliotwonderedhowTomwouldhavereactediftheyhadshriekedintohisgarageinanoldbatteredChevy.
Pullinghiscovetousgazefromthecar,Tomsaid,"What'reyoudoinghere?"Therewasstillneithersuspicionnorbelligerenceinhisvoice.
"We'reexpected,"Elliotsaid.
"Huh?Iwasn'texpectingnobody."
"Huh?Iwasn'texpectingnobody."
"We'rehere...abouttheboat,"Elliotsaid,notevenknowingwherehewasgoingtogowiththatline,readytosayanythingtokeepTomfromputtingupthegaragedoorandthrowingthemout.
Tomblinked."Whatboat?"
"Thetwenty-footer."
"Idon'townatwenty-footer."
"TheonewiththeEvinrudemotor."
"Nothinglikethathere."
"Youmustbemistaken,"Elliotsaid.
"Ifigureyou'vegotthewrongplace,"Tomsaid,steppingoutofthedoorway,intothegarage,reachingforthebuttonthatwouldraisethebigdoor.
Tinasaid,"Mr.Polumby,wait.Theremustbesomemistake,really.Thisisdefinitelytherightplace."
Tom'shandstoppedshortofthebutton.
Tinacontinued:"You'rejustnotthemanweweresupposedtosee,that'sall.Heprobablyforgottotellyouabouttheboat."
Elliotblinkedather,amazedbyhernaturalfacilityfordeception.
"Who'sthisguyyou'resupposedtosee?"Tomasked,frowning.
Appearingtobesomewhatamazedherself,Tinahesitatednotatallbeforeshesaid,"SolFitzpatrick."
"Nobodyherebythatname."
"Butthisistheaddresshegaveus.Hesaidthegaragedoorwouldbeopenandthatweweretopullrightinside."
Elliotwantedtohugher."Yeah.Solsaidweweretopullin,outofthedriveway,sothathe'dhaveaplacetoputtheboatwhenhegotherewithit."
sothathe'dhaveaplacetoputtheboatwhenhegotherewithit."
Tomscratchedhishead,thenpulledononeear."Fitzpatrick?"
"Yeah."
"Neverheardofhim,"Tomsaid."What'shebringingaboatherefor,anyway?"
"We'rebuyingitfromhim,"Tinasaid.
Tomshookhishead."No.Imean,whyhere?"
"Well,"Elliotsaid,"thewayweunderstoodit,thiswaswherehelived."
"Buthedoesn't,"Tomsaid."Ilivehere.Meandmywifeandourlittlegirl.They'reoutrightnow,andthere'snobodyeverbeenherenamedFitzpatrick."
"Well,whywouldhetellusthiswashisaddress?"Tinaasked,scowling.
"Lady,"Tomsaid,"Idon'thavethefoggiest.Unlessmaybe...Didyoualreadypayhimfortheboat?"
"Well..."
"Maybejustadownpayment?"Tomasked.
"Wedidgivehimtwothousandondeposit,"Elliotsaid.
Tinasaid,"Itwasarefundabledeposit."
"Yeah.Justtoholdtheboatuntilwecouldseeitandmakeupourminds."
Smiling,Tomsaid,"Ithinkthedepositmightnotturnouttobeasrefundableasyouthought."
Pretendingsurprise,Tinasaid,"Youdon'tmeanMr.Fitzpatrickwouldcheatus?"
ObviouslyitpleasedTomtothinkthatpeoplewhocouldaffordaMercedeswerenotsosmartafterall."Ifyougavehimadeposit,andifhegaveyouthisaddressandclaimedhelivedhere,thenit'snotverylikelythisSolFitzpatrickevenownsanyboatinthefirstplace."
evenownsanyboatinthefirstplace."
"Damn,"Elliotsaid.
"Wewereswindled?"Tinaasked,feigningshock,buyingtime.
Grinningbroadlynow,Tomsaid,"Well,youcanlookatitthatwayifyouwant.OryoucanthinkofitasanimportantlessonthishereFitzpatrickfellataughtyou."
"Swindled,"Tinasaid,shakingherhead.
"Sureasthesunwillcomeuptomorrow,"Tomsaid.
TinaturnedtoElliot."Whatdoyouthink?"
Elliotglancedatthegaragedoor,thenathiswatch.Hesaid,"Ithinkit'ssafetoleave."
"Safe?"Tomasked.
TinasteppedlightlypastTomPolumbyandpressedthebuttonthatraisedthegaragedoor.ShesmiledatherbewilderedhostandwenttothepassengersideofthecarwhileElliotopenedthedriver'sdoor.
PolumbylookedfromElliottoTinatoElliot,puzzled."Safe?"
Elliotsaid,"Isurehopeitis,Tom.Thanksforyourhelp."Hegotinthecarandbackeditoutofthegarage.
AnyamusementhefeltatthewaytheyhadhandledPolumbyevaporatedinstantlyashereversedwarilyoutofsanctuary,downthedriveway,andintothestreet.Hesatstifflybehindthewheel,clenchinghisteeth,wonderingifabulletwouldcrackthroughthewindshieldandshatterhisface.
Hewasn'taccustomedtothistension.Physically,hewasstillhard,tough;butmentallyandemotionally,hewassofterthanhehadbeeninhisprime.Alongtimehadpassedsincehisyearsinmilitaryintelligence,sincethenightsoffearinthePersianGulfandincountlesscitiesscatteredaroundtheMideastandAsia.Then,he'dhadtheresiliencyofyouthandhadbeenlessburdenedwithrespectfordeaththanhewasnow.Inthosedaysithadbeeneasytoplaythehunter.Hehadtakenpleasureinstalkinghumanprey;hell,therehadevenbeenameasure
hadtakenpleasureinstalkinghumanprey;hell,therehadevenbeenameasureofjoyinbeingstalked,foritgavehimtheopportunitytoprovehimselfbyoutwittingthehunteronhistrail.Muchhadchanged.Hewassoft.Asuccessful,civilizedattorney.Livingthegoodlife.Hehadneverexpectedtoplaythatgameagain.Butoncemore,incredibly,hewasbeinghunted,andhewonderedhowlonghecouldsurvive.
TinaglancedbothwaysalongthestreetasElliotswungthecaroutofthedriveway."Noblackvan,"shesaid.
"Sofar."
Severalblockstothenorth,anuglycolumnofsmokeroseintothetwilightskyfromwhatwasleftofTina'shouse,roiling,night-black,theupperreachestintedaroundtheedgesbythelastpinkishraysofthesettingsun.
Ashedrovefromoneresidentialstreettoanother,steadilyheadingawayfromthesmoke,workingtowardamajorthoroughfare,Elliotexpectedtoencountertheblackvanateveryintersection.
Tinaappearedtobenolesspessimisticabouttheirhopeofescapethanhewas.Eachtimeheglancedather,shewaseithercrouchedforward,squintingateverynewstreettheyentered,ortwistedhalfwayaroundinherseat,lookingouttherearwindow.Herfacewasdrawn,andshewasbitingherlowerlip.
However,bythetimetheyreachedCharlestonBoulevard—viaMarylandParkway,SaharaAvenue,andLasVegasBoulevard—theybegantorelax.TheywerefarfromTina'sneighborhoodnow.Nomatterwhowassearchingforthem,nomatterhowlargetheorganizationpittedagainstthem,thiscitywastoobigtoharbordangerforthemineverynookandcrevice.Withmorethanamillionfull-timeresidents,withmorethantwentymilliontouristsayear,andwithavastdesertonwhichtosprawl,Vegasofferedthousandsofdark,quietcornerswheretwopeopleontheruncouldsafelystoptocatchtheirbreathandsettleuponacourseofaction.
AtleastthatwaswhatElliotwantedtobelieve.
"Whereto?"TinaaskedasElliotturnedwestonCharlestonBoulevard.
"Let'srideoutthiswayforafewmilesandtalk.We'vegotalottodiscuss.Planstomake."
tomake."
"Whatplans?"
"Howtostayalive."
20
WHILEELLIOTDROVE,HETOLDTINAWHATHADhappenedathishouse:thetwothugs,theirinterestinthepossibilityofDanny'sgravebeingreopened,theiradmissionthattheyworkedforsomegovernmentagency,thehypodermicsyringes....
Shesaid,"Maybeweshouldgobacktoyourplace.IfthisVinceisstillthere,weshouldusethosedrugsonhim.Evenifhereallydoesn'tknowwhyhisorganizationisinterestedintheexhumation,he'llatleastknowwhohisbossesare.We'llgetnames.There'sboundtobealotwecanlearnfromhim."
Theystoppedataredtrafficlight.Elliottookherhand.Thecontactgavehimstrength."I'dsureliketointerrogateVince,butwecan't.Heprobablyisn'tatmyplaceanymore.He'llhavecometohissensesandscrammedbynow.AndevenifhewasdeeperunderthanIthought,someofhispeopleprobablywentinthereandpulledhimoutwhileIwasrushingofftoyou.Besides,ifwegobacktomyhouse,we'lljustbewalkingintothedragon'sjaws.They'llbewatchingtheplace."
Thetrafficlightchangedtogreen,andElliotreluctantlyletgoofherhand.
"Theonlywaythesepeoplearegoingtogetus,"hesaid,"isifwejustgiveourselvesovertothem.Nomatterwhotheyare,they'renotomniscient.Wecanhidefromthemforalongtimeifwehaveto.Iftheycan'tfindus,theycan'tkillus."
AstheycontinuedwestonCharlestonBoulevard,Tinasaid,"Earlieryoutoldmewecouldn'tgotothepolicewiththis."
"Right."
"Whycan'twe?"
"Thecopsmightbeapartofit,atleasttotheextentthatVince'sbossescanputpressureonthem.Besides,we'redealingwithagovernmentagency,andgovernmentagenciestendtocooperatewithoneanother."
governmentagenciestendtocooperatewithoneanother."
"It'sallsoparanoid."
"Eyeseverywhere.Iftheyhaveajudgeintheirpocket,whynotafewcops?"
"ButyoutoldmeyourespectedKennebeck.Yousaidhewasagoodjudge."
"Heis.He'swellversedinthelaw,andhe'sfair."
"Whywouldhecooperatewiththesekillers?Whywouldheviolatehisoathofoffice?"
"Onceanagent,alwaysanagent,"Elliotsaid."That'sthewisdomoftheservice,notmine,butinmanycasesit'strue.Forsomeofthem,it'stheonlyloyaltythey'lleverbecapableof.Kennebeckheldseveraljobsindifferentintelligenceorganizations.Hewasdeeplyinvolvedinthatworldforthirtyyears.Afterheretiredabouttenyearsago,hewasstillayoungman,fifty-three,andheneededsomethingelsetooccupyhistime.Hehadhislawdegree,buthedidn'twantthehassleofaday-to-daylegalpractice.Soheranforanelectivepositiononthecourt,andhewon.Ithinkhetakeshisjobseriously.Nevertheless,hewasanintelligenceagentahellofalotlongerthanhe'sbeenajudge,andIguessbreedingtells.Ormaybeheneveractuallyretiredatall.Maybehe'sstillonthepayrollofsomespookshop,andmaybethewholeplanwasforhimtopretendtoretireandthengetelectedasajudgehereinVegas,sohisbosseswouldhaveafriendlycourtroomintown."
"Isthatlikely?Imean,howcouldtheybesurehe'dwintheelection?"
"Maybetheyfixedit."
"You'reserious,aren'tyou?"
"RemembermaybetenyearsagowhenthatTexaselectionsofficialrevealedhowLyndonJohnson'sfirstlocalelectionwasfixed?Theguysaidhewasjusttryingtoclearhisconscienceafterallthoseyears.Hemightaswellhavesavedhisbreath.Hardlyanyoneraisedaneyebrow.Ithappensnowandthen.AndinasmalllocalelectionliketheoneKennebeckwon,stackingthedeckwouldbeeasyifyouhadenoughmoneyandgovernmentmusclebehindyou."
"ButwhywouldtheywantKennebeckonaVegascourtinsteadofinWashingtonorNewYorkorsomeplacemoreimportant?"
WashingtonorNewYorkorsomeplacemoreimportant?"
"Oh,Vegasisaveryimportanttown,"Elliotsaid."Ifyouwanttolaunderdirtymoney,thisisbyfartheeasiestplacetodoit.Ifyouwanttopurchaseafalsepassport,acounterfeitdriver'slicense,oranythingofthatnature,youcanpickandchoosefromseveralofthebestdocument-forgeryartistsintheworld,becausethisiswherealotofthemlive.Ifyou'relookingforafreelancehitman,someonewhodealsincarloadlotsofillegalweapons,maybeamercenarywhocanputtogetherasmallexpeditionaryforceforanoverseasoperation—youcanfindallofthemhere.Nevadahasfewerstatelawsonthebooksthananystateinthenation.Itstaxratesarelow.There'snostateincometaxatall.Regulationsonbanksandrealestateagentsandoneveryoneelse—exceptcasinoowners—arelesstroublesomeherethaninotherstates,whichtakesaburdenoffeverybody,butwhichisespeciallyattractivetopeopletryingtospendandinvestdirtycash.Nevadaoffersmorepersonalfreedomthananywhereinthecountry,andthat'sgood,bymywayofthinking.Butwhereverthere'sagreatdealofpersonalfreedom,there'salsoanelementthattakesmorethanfairadvantageoftheliberallegalstructure.VegasisanimportantfieldofficeforanyAmericanspookshop."
"Sotherereallyareeyeseverywhere."
"Inasense,yes."
"ButevenifKennebeck'sbosseshavealotofinfluencewiththeVegaspolice,wouldthecopsletusbekilled?Wouldtheyreallyletitgothatfar?"
"Theyprobablycouldn'tprovideenoughprotectiontostopit."
"Whatkindofgovernmentagencywouldhavetheauthoritytocircumventthelawlikethis?Whatkindofagencywouldbeempoweredtokillinnocentcivilianswhogotinitsway?"
"I'mstilltryingtofigurethatone.Itscaresthehelloutofme."
Theystoppedatanotherredtrafficlight.
"Sowhatareyousaying?"Tinaasked."Thatwe'llhavetohandlethisallbyourselves?"
"Atleastforthetimebeing."
"Butthat'shopeless!Howcanwe?"
"Itisn'thopeless."
"Justtwoordinarypeopleagainstthem?"
Elliotglancedintherearviewmirror,ashehadbeendoingeveryminuteortwosincethey'dturnedontoCharlestonBoulevard.Noonewasfollowingthem,buthekeptchecking.
"Itisn'thopeless,"hesaidagain."Wejustneedtimetothinkaboutit,timetoworkoutaplan.Maybewe'llcomeupwithsomeonewhocanhelpus."
"Likewho?"
Thetrafficlightturnedgreen.
"Likethenewspapers,forone,"Elliotsaid,acceleratingacrosstheintersection,glancingintherearviewmirror."We'vegotproofthatsomethingunusualishappening:thesilencer-equippedpistolItookoffVince,yourhouseblowingup....I'mprettysurewecanfindareporterwho'llgowiththatmuchandwriteastoryabouthowabunchofnameless,facelesspeoplewanttokeepusfromreopeningDanny'sgrave,howmaybesomethingtrulystrangeliesatthebottomoftheSierratragedy.Thenalotofpeoplearegoingtobepushingforanexhumationofallthoseboys.There'llbeademandfornewautopsies,investigations.Kennebeck'sbosseswanttostopusbeforewesowanyseedsofdoubtabouttheofficialexplanation.Butoncethoseseedsaresown,oncetheparentsoftheotherscoutsandtheentirecityareclamoringforaninvestigation,Kennebeck'sbuddieswon'thaveanythingtogainbyeliminatingus.Itisn'thopeless,Tina,andit'snotlikeyoutogiveupsoeasily."
Shesighed."I'mnotgivingup."
"Good."
"Iwon'tstopuntilIknowwhatreallyhappenedtoDanny."
"That'sbetter.ThatsoundsmoreliketheChristinaEvansIknow."
Duskwasslidingintonight.Elliotturnedontheheadlights.
Tinasaid,"It'sjustthat...forthepastyearI'vebeenstrugglingtoadjusttothefactthatDannydiedinthatstupid,pointlessaccident.Andnow,justwhenI'mbeginningtothinkIcanfaceuptoitandputitbehindme,Idiscoverhemightnothavediedaccidentallyafterall.Suddenlyeverything'supintheairagain."
"It'llcomedown."
"Willit?"
"Yes.We'llgettothebottomofthis."
Heglancedintherearviewmirror.
Nothingsuspicious.
Hewasawareofherwatchinghim,andafterawhileshesaid,"Youknowwhat?"
"What?"
"Ithink...inaway...you'reactuallyenjoyingthis."
"Enjoyingwhat?"
"Thechase."
"Oh,no.Idon'tenjoytakinggunsawayfrommenhalfagainasbigasIam."
"I'msureyoudon't.Thatisn'twhatIsaid."
"AndIsurewouldn'tchoosetohavemynice,peaceful,quietlifeturnedupsidedown.I'dratherbeacomfortable,upstanding,boringcitizenthanafugitive."
"Ididn'tsayanythingaboutwhatyou'dchooseifitwereuptoyou.Butnowthatit'shappened,nowthatit'sbeenthrustuponyou,you'renotentirelyunhappy.There'sapartofyou,deepdown,that'srespondingtothechallengewithadegreeofpleasure."
"Baloney."
"Ananimalawareness...anewkindofenergyyoudidn'thavethismorning."
"TheonlythingnewaboutmeisthatIwasn'tscaredstiffthismorning,andnowIam."
"Beingscared—that'spartofit,"shesaid."Thedangerhasstruckachordinyou."
Hesmiled."Thegoodolddaysofspiesandcounterspies?Sorry,butno,Idon'tlongforthatatall.I'mnotanatural-bornmanofaction.I'mjustme,thesameoldmethatIalwayswas."
"Anyway,"Tinasaid,"I'mgladI'vegotyouonmyside."
"Ilikeitbetterwhenyou'reontop,"hesaid,andhewinkedather.
"Haveyoualwayshadsuchadirtymind?"
"No.I'vehadtocultivateit."
"Jokinginthemidstofdisaster,"shesaid.
"'Laughterisabalmfortheafflicted,thebestdefenseagainstdespair,theonlymedicineformelancholy.'"
"Whosaidthat?"sheasked."Shakespeare?"
"GrouchoMarx,Ithink."
Sheleanedforwardandpickedsomethingupfromthefloorbetweenherfeet."Andthenthere'sthisdamnthing."
"Whatdidyoufind?"
"Ibroughtitfrommyplace,"shesaid.
Intherushtogetoutofherhousebeforethegasexplosionleveledit,hehadn'tnoticedthatshe'dbeencarryinganything.Heriskedaquicklook,shiftinghisattentionfromtheroad,buttherewasn'tenoughlightinthecarforhimtoseewhatsheheld."Ican'tmakeitout."
"It'sahorror-comicsmagazine,"shesaid."IfounditwhenIwascleaningoutDanny'sroom.Itwasinaboxwithalotofothermagazines."
"So?"
"RememberthenightmaresItoldyouabout?"
"Yeah,sure."
"Themonsterinmydreamsisonthecoverofthismagazine.It'shim.Detailfordetail."
"Thenyoumusthaveseenthemagazinebefore,andyoujust—"
"No.That'swhatItriedtotellmyself.ButIneversawituntiltoday.IknowIdidn't.IporedthroughDanny'scollection.Whenhecamehomefromthenewsstand,Inevermonitoredwhathe'dbought.Ineversnooped."
"Maybeyou—"
"Wait,"shesaid."Ihaven'ttoldyoutheworstpart."
Thetrafficthinnedoutastheydrovefartherfromtheheartoftown,closertotheloomingblackmountainsthatthrustintothelastelectric-purplelightinthewesternsky.
TinatoldElliotaboutTheBoyWhoWasNotDead.
ThesimilaritiesbetweenthehorrorstoryandtheirattempttoexhumeDanny'sbodychilledElliot.
"Now,"Tinasaid,"justlikeDeathtriedtostoptheparentsinthestory,someone'stryingtostopmefromopeningmyson'sgrave."
Theyweregettingtoofaroutoftown.Ahungrydarknesslayonbothsidesoftheroad.ThelandbegantorisetowardMountCharlestonwhere,lessthananhouraway,pineforestsweremantledwithsnow.Elliotswungthecararoundandstartedbacktowardthelightsofthecity,whichspreadlikeavast,glowingfungusontheblackdesertplain.
"Therearesimilarities,"hesaid.
"You'redamnedrightthereare.Toomany."
"There'salsoonebigdifference.Inthestory,theboywasburiedalive.But
"There'salsoonebigdifference.Inthestory,theboywasburiedalive.ButDannyisdead.Theonlythingindoubtishowhedied."
"Butthat'stheonlydifferencebetweenthebasicplotofthisstoryandwhatwe'regoingthrough.AndthewordsNotDeadinthetitle.AndtheboyinthestorybeingDanny'sage.It'sjusttoomuch,"shesaid.
Theyrodeinsilenceforawhile.
FinallyElliotsaid,"You'reright.Itcan'tbecoincidence."
"Thenhowdoyouexplainit?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Welcometotheclub."
Aroadsidedinerstoodontheright,andElliotpulledintotheparkinglot.Asinglemercury-vaporpolelampattheentranceshedfuzzypurplelightoverthefirstthirdoftheparkinglot.ElliotdrovebehindtherestaurantandtuckedtheMercedesintoaslotinthedeepestshadows,betweenaToyotaCelicaandasmallmotorhome,whereitcouldnotbeseenfromthestreet.
"Hungry?"heasked.
"Starving.Butbeforewegoin,let'scheckoutthatlistofquestionstheyweregoingtomakeyouanswer."
"Let'slookatitinthecafé,"Elliotsaid."Thelightwillbebetter.Itdoesn'tseemtobebusyinthere.Weshouldbeabletotalkwithoutbeingoverheard.Bringthemagazinetoo.Iwanttoseethatstory."
Ashegotoutofthecar,hisattentionwasdrawntoawindowonthesideofthemotorhomenexttowhichhehadparked.Hesquintedthroughtheglassintotheperfectlyblackinterior,andhehadthedisconcertingfeelingthatsomeonewashidinginthere,staringoutathim.
Don'tsuccumbtoparanoia,hewarnedhimself.
Whenheturnedfromthemotorhome,hisgazefellonadensepoolofshadowsaroundthetrashbinatthebackoftherestaurant,andagainhehadthefeeling
aroundthetrashbinatthebackoftherestaurant,andagainhehadthefeelingthatsomeonewaswatchinghimfromconcealment.
HehadtoldTinathatKennebeck'sbosseswerenotomniscient.Hemustrememberthat.HeandTinaapparentlywereconfrontedwithapowerful,lawless,dangerousorganizationhell-bentonkeepingthesecretoftheSierratragedy.Butanyorganizationwascomposedofordinarymenandwomen,noneofwhomhadtheall-seeinggazeofGod.
Nevertheless...
AsheandTinawalkedacrosstheparkinglottowardthediner,Elliotcouldn'tshakethefeelingthatsomeoneorsomethingwaswatchingthem.Notnecessarilyaperson.Just...something...weird,strange.Somethingbothmoreandlessthanhuman.Thatwasabizarrethought,notatallthesortofnotionhe'dordinarilygetinhishead,andhedidn'tlikeit.
Tinastoppedwhentheyreachedthepurplelightunderthemercury-vaporlamp..Sheglancedbacktowardthecar,acuriousexpressiononherface.
"Whatisit?"Elliotasked.
"Idon'tknow...."
"Seesomething?"
"No."
Theystaredattheshadows.
Atlengthshesaid,"Doyoufeelit?"
"Feelwhat?"
"I'vegotthis...pricklyfeeling."
Hedidn'tsayanything.
"Youdofeelit,don'tyou?"sheasked.
"Yes."
"Asifwearen'talone."
"Asifwearen'talone."
"It'scrazy,"hesaid,"butIfeeleyesonme."
Sheshivered."Butnoone'sreallythere."
"No.Idon'tthinkanyoneis."
Theycontinuedtosquintattheinkyblackness,searchingformovement.
Shesaid,"Arewebothcrackingunderthestrain?"
"Justjumpy,"hesaid,buthewasn'treallyconvincedthattheirimaginationwastoblame.
Asoftcoolwindsprangup.Itcarriedwithittheodorofdrydesertweedsandalkalinesand.Ithissedthroughthebranchesofanearbydatepalm.
"It'ssuchastrongfeeling,"shesaid."Andyouknowwhatitremindsmeof?It'sthesamedamnfeelingIhadinAngela'sofficewhenthatcomputerterminalstartedoperatingonitsown.Ifeel...notjustasifI'mbeingwatchedbut...somethingmore...likeapresence...asifsomethingIcan'tseeisstandingrightbesideme.Icanfeeltheweightofit,apressureintheair...sortoflooming."
Heknewexactlywhatshemeant,buthedidn'twanttothinkaboutit,becausetherewasnowayhecouldmakesenseofit.Hepreferredtodealwithhardfacts,realities;thatwaswhyhewassuchagoodattorney,soadeptattakingthreadsofevidenceandweavingagoodcaseoutofthem.
"We'rebothoverwrought,"hesuggested.
"Thatdoesn'tchangewhatIfeel."
"Let'sgetsomethingtoeat."
Shestayedamomentlonger,staringbackintothegloom,wherethepurplemercury-vaporlightdidnotreach.
"Tina...?"
Abreathofwindstirredadrytumbleweedandblewitacrosstheblacktop.
Abreathofwindstirredadrytumbleweedandblewitacrosstheblacktop.
Abirdswoopedthroughthedarknessoverhead.Elliotcouldn'tseeit,buthecouldhearthebeatingofitswings.
Tinaclearedherthroat."It'sasif...thenightitselfiswatchingus...thenight,theshadows,theeyesofdarkness."
ThewindruffledElliot'shair.Itrattledaloosemetalfixtureonthetrashbin,andtherestaurant'sbigsigncreakedbetweenitstwostandards.
AtlastheandTinawentintothediner,tryingnottolookovertheirshoulders.
21
THELONGL-SHAPEDDINERWASFILLEDWITHglimmeringsurfaces:chrome,glass,plastic,yellowFormica,andredvinyl.ThejukeboxplayedacountrytunebyGarthBrooks,andthemusicsharedtheairwiththedeliciousaromasoffriedeggs,bacon,andsausages.TruetotherhythmofVegaslife,someonewasjustbeginninghisdaywithaheartybreakfast.Tina'smouthbegantowaterassoonasshesteppedthroughthedoor.
ElevencustomerswereclusteredattheendofthelongarmoftheL,neartheentrance,fiveonstoolsatthecounter,sixintheredbooths.ElliotandTinasatasfarfromeveryoneaspossible,inthelastboothintheshortwingoftherestaurant.
TheirwaitresswasaredheadnamedElvira.Shehadaroundface,dimples,eyesthattwinkledasiftheyhadbeenwaxed,andaTexasdrawl.Shetooktheirordersforcheeseburgers,Frenchfries,coleslaw,andCoors.
WhenElviraleftthetableandtheywerealone,Tinasaid,"Let'sseethepapersyoutookoffthatguy."
Elliotfishedthepagesoutofhishippocket,unfoldedthem,andputthemonthetable.Therewerethreesheetsofpaper,eachcontainingtenortwelvetypewrittenquestions.Theyleanedinfromoppositesidesoftheboothandreadthematerialsilently:
1.HowlonghaveyouknownChristinaEvans?
2.WhydidChristinaEvansaskyou,ratherthananotherattorney,tohandletheexhumationofherson'sbody?
3.Whatreasondoesshehavetodoubttheofficialstoryofherson'sdeath?
4.Doesshehaveanyproofthattheofficialstoryofherson'sdeathisfalse?
5.Ifshehassuchproof,whatisit?
5.Ifshehassuchproof,whatisit?
6.Wheredidsheobtainthisevidence?
7.Haveyoueverheardof"ProjectPandora"?
8.Haveyoubeengiven,orhasMrs.Evansbeengiven,anymaterialrelatingtomilitaryresearchinstallationsintheSierraNevadaMountains?
Elliotlookedupfromthepage."HaveyoueverheardofProjectPandora?"
"No."
"SecretlabsintheHighSierras?"
"Oh,sure.Mrs.Neddlertoldmeallaboutthem."
"Mrs.Neddler?"
"Mycleaningwoman."
"Jokesagain."
"Atatimelikethis."
"Balmfortheafflicted,medicineformelancholy."
"GrouchoMarx,"shesaid.
"EvidentlytheythinksomeonefromProjectPandorahasdecidedtoratonthem."
"Isthatwho'sbeeninDanny'sroom?DidsomeonefromProjectPandorawriteonthechalkboard...andthenfiddlewiththecomputeratwork?"
"Maybe,"Elliotsaid.
"Butyoudon'tthinkso."
"Well,ifsomeonehadaguiltyconscience,whywouldn'theapproachyou
"Well,ifsomeonehadaguiltyconscience,whywouldn'theapproachyoudirectly?"
"Hecouldbeafraid.Probablyhasgoodreasontobe."
"Maybe,"Elliotsaidagain."ButIthinkit'smorecomplicatedthanthat.Justahunch."
Theyreadquicklythroughtheremainingmaterial,butnoneofitwasenlightening.MostofthequestionswereconcernedwithhowmuchTinaknewaboutthetruenatureoftheSierraaccident,howmuchshehadtoldElliot,howmuchshehadtoldMichael,andwithhowmanypeopleshehaddiscussedit.TherewerenomoreintriguingtidbitslikeProjectPandora,nomorecluesorleads.
ElvirabroughttwofrostedglassesandicybottlesofCoors.
ThejukeboxbegantoplayamournfulAlanJacksonsong.
Elliotsippedhisbeerandpagedthroughthehorror-comicsmagazinethathadbelongedtoDanny."Amazing,"hesaidwhenhefinishedskimmingTheBoyWhoWasNotDead.
"You'dthinkitwasevenmoreamazingifyou'dsufferedthosenightmares,"shesaid."Sonowwhatdowedo?"
"Danny'swasaclosed-coffinfuneral.Wasitthesamewiththeotherthirteenscouts?"
"Abouthalftheotherswereburiedwithoutviewings,"Tinasaid.
"Theirparentsneversawthebodies?"
"Oh,yes.Alltheotherparentswereaskedtoidentifytheirkids,eventhoughsomeofthecorpseswereinsuchahorriblestatetheycouldn'tbecosmeticallyrestoredforviewingatafuneral.MichaelandIweretheonlyoneswhowerestronglyadvisednottolookattheremains.Dannywastheonlyonewhowastoobadly...mangled."
Evenafterallthistime,whenshethoughtaboutDanny'slastmomentsonearth—theterrorhemusthaveknown,theexcruciatingpainhemusthaveendured,evenifitwasofbriefduration—shebegantochokewithsorrowandpity.She
evenifitwasofbriefduration—shebegantochokewithsorrowandpity.Sheblinkedbacktearsandtookaswallowofbeer.
"Damn,"Elliotsaid.
"What?"
"Ithoughtwemightmakesomequickalliesoutofthoseotherparents.Iftheyhadn'tseentheirkids'bodies,theymighthavejustgonethroughayearofdoubtlikeyoudid,mightbeeasilypersuadedtojoinusinacallforthereopeningofallthegraves.Ifthatmanyvoiceswereraised,thenVince'sbossescouldn'trisksilencingallofthem,andwe'dbesafe.Butiftheotherpeoplehadachancetoviewthebodies,ifnoneofthemhashadanyreasontoentertaindoubtslikeyours,thenthey'realljustfinallylearningtocopewiththetragedy.Ifwegotothemnowwithawildstoryaboutamysteriousconspiracy,theyaren'tgoingtobeanxioustolisten."
"Sowe'restillalone."
"Yeah."
"Yousaidwecouldgotoareporter,trytogetmediainterestbrewing.Doyouhaveanyoneinmind?"
"Iknowacoupleoflocalguys,"Elliotsaid."Butmaybeit'snotwisetogotothelocalpress.ThatmightbejustwhatVince'sbossesareexpectingustodo.Ifthey'rewaiting,watching—we'llbedeadbeforewecantellareportermorethanasentenceortwo.Ithinkwe'llhavetotakethestoryoutoftown,andbeforewedothat,I'dliketohaveafewmorefacts."
"Ithoughtyousaidwehadenoughtointerestagoodnewsman.Thepistolyoutookoffthatman...myhousebeingblownup..."
"Thatmightbeenough.Certainly,fortheLasVegaspaper,itoughttobesufficient.ThiscitystillrememberstheJaborskigroup,theSierraaccident.Itwasalocaltragedy.ButifwegotothepressinLosAngelesorNewYorkorsomeothercity,thereporterstherearen'tgoingtohaveawholelotofinterestinitunlesstheyseeanaspectofthestorythatliftsitoutofthelocal-interestcategory.Maybewe'vealreadygotenoughtoconvincethemit'sbignews.I'mnotsure.AndIwanttobedamnsurebeforewetrytogopublicwithit.Ideally,I'devenliketobeabletohandthereporteraneattheoryaboutwhatreally
I'devenliketobeabletohandthereporteraneattheoryaboutwhatreallyhappenedtothosescouts,somethingsensationalthathecanhookhisstoryonto."
"Suchas?"
Heshookhishead."Idon'thaveanythingworkedoutyet.Butitseemstomethemostobviousthingwehavetoconsideristhatthescoutsandtheirleaderssawsomethingtheyweren'tsupposedtosee."
"ProjectPandora?"
Hesippedhisbeerandusedonefingertowipeatraceoffoamfromhisupperlip."Amilitarysecret.Ican'tseewhatelsewouldhavebroughtanorganizationlikeVince'ssodeeplyintothis.Anintelligenceoutfitofthatsizeandsophisticationdoesn'twasteitstimeonMickeyMousestuff."
"Butmilitarysecrets...thatseemssofarout."
"Incaseyoudidn'tknowit,sincetheColdWarendedandCaliforniatooksuchabighitinthedefensedownsizing,NevadahasmorePentagon-supportedindustriesandinstallationsthananystateintheunion.AndI'mnotjusttalkingabouttheobviousoneslikeNellisAirForceBaseandtheNuclearTestSite.Thisstate'sideallysuitedforsecretorquasi-secret,high-securityweaponsresearchcenters.Nevadahasthousandsofsquaremilesofremoteunpopulatedland.Thedeserts.Thedeeperreachesofthemountains.Andmostofthoseremoteareasareownedbythefederalgovernment.Ifyouputasecretinstallationinthemiddleofallthatlonelyland,youhaveaprettyeasyjobmaintainingsecurity."
Armsonthetable,bothhandsclaspedaroundherglassofbeer,TinaleanedtowardElliot."You'resayingthatMr.Jaborski,Mr.Lincoln,andtheboysstumbledacrossaplacelikethatintheSierras?"
"It'spossible."
"Andsawsomethingtheyweren'tsupposedtosee."
"Maybe."
"Andthenwhat?Youmean...becauseofwhattheysaw,theywerekilled!"
"It'satheorythatoughttoexciteagoodreporter."
Sheshookherhead."Ijustcan'tbelievethegovernmentwouldmurderagroupoflittlechildrenjustbecausetheyaccidentallygotaglimpseofanewweaponorsomething."
"Wouldn'tit?ThinkofWaco—allthosedeadchildren.RubyRidge—afourteen-year-oldboyshotinthebackbytheFBI.VinceFosterfounddeadinaWashingtonparkandofficiallydeclaredasuicideeventhoughmostoftheforensicevidencepointstomurder.Evenaprimarilygoodgovernment,whenit'sbigenough,hassomeprettymeansharksswimminginthedarkercurrents.We'relivinginstrangetimes,Tina."
Therisingnightwindthrummedagainstthelargepaneofglassbesidetheirbooth.Beyondthewindow,outonCharlestonBoulevard,trafficsailedmurkilythroughasuddenchurningriverofdustandpaperscraps.
Chilled,Tinasaid,"Buthowmuchcouldthekidshaveseen?You'retheonewhosaidsecuritywaseasytomaintainwhenoneoftheseinstallationsislocatedinthewilderness.Theboyscouldn'thavegottenveryclosetosuchawell-guardedplace.Surelytheycouldn'thavemanagedtogetmorethanaglimpse."
"Maybeaglimpsewasenoughtocondemnthem."
"Butkidsaren'tthebestobservers,"sheargued."They'reimpressionable,excitable,giventoexaggeration.Iftheyhadseensomething,they'dhavecomebackwithatleastadozendifferentstoriesaboutit,noneofthemaccurate.Agroupofyoungboyswouldn'tbeathreattothesecurityofasecretinstallation."
"You'reprobablyright.Butabunchofhard-nosedsecuritymenmightnothaveseenitthatway."
"Well,they'dhavehadtobeprettystupidtothinkmurderwasthesafestwaytohandleit.Killingallthosepeopleandtryingtofakeanaccident—thatwasawholelotriskierthanlettingthekidscomebackwiththeirhalf-bakedstoriesaboutseeingsomethingpeculiarinthemountains."
"Remember,thereweretwoadultswiththosekids.Peoplemighthavediscountedmostofwhattheboyssaidaboutit,butthey'dhavebelievedJaborskiandLincoln.MaybetherewassomuchatstakethatthesecuritymenattheinstallationdecidedJaborskiandLincolnhadtodie.Thenitbecamenecessaryto
installationdecidedJaborskiandLincolnhadtodie.Thenitbecamenecessarytokillthekidstoeliminatewitnessestothefirsttwomurders."
"That's...diabolical."
"Butnotunlikely."
Tinalookeddownatthewetcirclethatherglasshadleftonthetable.WhileshethoughtaboutwhatElliothadsaid,shedippedonefingerinthewateranddrewagrimmouth,anose,andapairofeyesinthecircle;sheaddedtwohorns,transformingtheblotofmoistureintoalittledemonicface.Thenshewipeditawaywiththepalmofherhand.
"Idon'tknow...hiddeninstallations...militarysecrets...itallseemsjusttooincredible."
"Nottome,"Elliotsaid."Tome,itsoundsplausibleifnotprobable.Anyway,I'mnotsayingthat'swhatreallyhappened.It'sonlyatheory.Butit'sthekindoftheorythatalmostanysmart,ambitiousreporterwillgoforinabig,bigway—ifwecancomeupwithenoughfactsthatappeartosupportit."
"WhataboutJudgeKennebeck?"
"Whatabouthim?"
"Hecouldtelluswhatwewanttoknow."
"We'dbecommittingsuicideifwewenttoKennebeck'splace,"Elliotsaid."Vince'sfriendsaresuretobewaitingforusthere."
"Well,isn'tthereanywaythatwecouldslippastthemandgetatKennebeck?"
Heshookhishead."Impossible."
Shesighed,slumpedbackinthebooth.
"Besides,"Elliotsaid,"Kennebeckprobablydoesn'tknowthewholestory.He'sjustlikethetwomenwhocametoseeme.He'sprobablybeentoldonlywhatheneedstoknow."
Elviraarrivedwiththeirfood.Thecheeseburgersweremadefromjuicygroundsirloin.TheFrenchfrieswerecrisp,andthecoleslawwastartbutnotsour.
sirloin.TheFrenchfrieswerecrisp,andthecoleslawwastartbutnotsour.
Byunspokenagreement,TinaandElliotdidn'ttalkabouttheirproblemswhiletheyate.Infacttheydidn'ttalkmuchatall.TheylistenedtothecountrymusiconthejukeboxandwatchedCharlestonBoulevardthroughthewindow,wherethedesertduststormcloudedoncomingheadlightsandforcedthetraffictomoveslowly.Andtheythoughtaboutthosethingsthatneitherofthemwantedtospeakof:murderpastandmurderpresent.
Whentheyfinishedeating,Tinaspokefirst."Yousaidweoughttocomeupwithmoreevidencebeforewegotothenewspapers."
"Wehaveto."
"Buthowarewesupposedtogetit?Fromwhere?Fromwhom?"
"I'vebeenponderingthat.Thebestthingwecoulddoisgetthegravereopened.Ifthebodywereexhumedandreexaminedbyatopnotchpathologist,we'dalmostcertainlyfindproofthatthecauseofdeathwasn'twhattheauthoritiesoriginallysaiditwas."
"Butwecan'treopenthegraveourselves,"Tinasaid."Wecan'tsneakintothegraveyardinthemiddleofthenight,moveatonofearthwithshovels.Besides,it'saprivatecemetery,surroundedbyahighwall,sotheremustbeasecuritysystemtodealwithvandals."
"AndKennebeck'scronieshavealmostcertainlyputawatchontheplace.Soifwecan'texaminethebody,we'llhavetodothenextbestthing.We'llhavetotalktothemanwhosawitlast."
"Huh?Who?"
"Well,Iguess...thecoroner."
"YoumeanthemedicalexaminerinReno?"
"Wasthatwherethedeathcertificatewasissued?"
"Yes.Thebodieswerebroughtoutofthemountains,downtoReno."
"Onsecondthought...maybewe'llskipthecoroner,"Elliotsaid."He'stheonewhohadtodesignateitanaccidentaldeath.There'sabetterthanevenchance
whohadtodesignateitanaccidentaldeath.There'sabetterthanevenchancehe'sbeenco-optedbyKennebeck'scrowd.Onethingforsure,he'sdefinitelynotonourside.Approachinghimwouldbedangerous.Wemighteventuallyhavetotalktohim,butfirstweshouldpayavisittothemorticianwhohandledthebody.Theremightbealothecantellus.IshehereinVegas?"
"No.AnundertakerinRenopreparedthebodyandshippedithereforthefuneral.Thecoffinwassealedwhenitarrived,andwedidn'topenit."
Elvirastoppedbythetableandaskediftheywantedanythingmore.Theydidn't.Sheleftthecheckandtookawaysomeofthedirtydishes.
ToTina,Elliotsaid,"DoyourememberthenameofthemorticianinReno?"
"Yes.Bellicosti.LucianoBellicosti."
Elliotfinishedthelastswallowofbeerinhisglass."Thenwe'llgotoReno."
"Can'twejustcallBellicosti?"
"Thesedays,everyone'sphoneseemstobetapped.Besides,ifwe'reface-to-facewithhim,we'llhaveabetterideaofwhetherornothe'stellingthetruth.No,itcan'tbedonelong-distance.Wehavetogoupthere."
HerhandshookwhensheraisedherglasstodrinkthelastofherownCoors.
Elliotsaid,"What'swrong?"
Shewasn'texactlysure.Shewasfilledwithanewdread,afeargreaterthantheonethathadburnedwithinherduringthepastfewhours."I...IguessI'mjust...afraidtogotoReno."
Hereachedacrossthetableandputhishandoverhers."It'sokay.There'slesstobefrightenedofuptherethanhere.It'sherewe'vegotkillershuntingus."
"Iknow.Sure,I'mscaredofthosecreeps.Butmorethanthat,whatI'mafraidof...isfindingoutthetruthaboutDanny'sdeath.AndIhaveastrongfeelingwe'llfinditinReno."
"Ithoughtthatwasexactlywhatyouwantedtoknow."
"Oh,Ido.Butatthesametime,I'mafraidofknowing.Becauseit'sgoingtobe
"Oh,Ido.Butatthesametime,I'mafraidofknowing.Becauseit'sgoingtobebad.Thetruthisgoingtobesomethingreallyterrible."
"Maybenot."
"Yes."
"Theonlyalternativeistogiveup,tobackoffandneverknowwhatreallyhappened."
"Andthat'sworse,"sheadmitted.
"Anyway,wehavetolearnwhatreallyhappenedintheSierras.Ifweknowthetruth,wecanuseittosaveourselves.It'souronlyhopeofsurvival."
"SowhendoweleaveforReno?"sheasked.
"Tonight.Rightnow.We'lltakemyCessnaSkylane.Nicelittlemachine."
"Won'ttheyknowaboutit?"
"Probablynot.Ionlyhookedupwithyoutoday,sotheyhaven'thadtimetolearnmorethantheessentialsaboutme.Justthesame,we'llapproachtheairfieldwithcaution."
"IfwecanusetheCessna,howsoonwouldwegettoReno?"
"Afewhours.Ithinkitwouldbewiseforustostayupthereforacoupleofdays,evenafterwe'vetalkedtoBellicosti,untilwecanfigureawayoutofthismess.Everyone'llstillbelookingforusinVegas,andwe'llbreathealittleeasierifwearen'there."
"ButIdidn'tgetachancetopackthatsuitcase,"Tinasaid."Ineedachangeofclothes,atleastatoothbrushandafewotherthings.Neitheroneofushasacoat,andit'sdamncoldinRenoatthistimeofyear."
"We'llbuywhateverweneedbeforeweleave."
"Idon'thaveanymoneywithme.Notapenny."
"I'vegotsome,"Elliotsaid."Acouplehundredbucks.Plusawalletfilledwithcreditcards.Wecouldgoaroundtheworldonthecardsalone.Theymighttrack
creditcards.Wecouldgoaroundtheworldonthecardsalone.Theymighttrackuswhenweusethecards,butnotforacoupleofdays."
"Butit'saholidayand—"
"AndthisisLasVegas,"Elliotsaid."There'salwaysastoreopensomewhere.Andtheshopsinthehotelswon'tbeclosed.Thisisoneoftheirbusiesttimesoftheyear.We'llbeabletofindcoatsandwhateverelseweneed,andwe'llfinditallinahurry."Heleftageneroustipforthewaitressandgottohisfeet."Comeon.Thesoonerwe'reoutofthistown,thesaferI'llfeel."
Shewentwithhimtothecashregister,whichwasneartheentrance.
Thecashierwasawhite-hairedman,owlishbehindapairofthickspectacles.HesmiledandaskedElliotiftheirdinnerhadbeensatisfactory,andElliotsaidithadbeenfine,andtheoldmanbegantomakechangewithslow,arthriticfingers.
Therichodorofchilisaucedriftedoutofthekitchen.Greenpeppers.Onions.Jalapenos.ThedistinctaromasofmeltedcheddarandMontereyJack.
Thelongwingofthedinerwasnearlyfullofcustomersnow;aboutfortypeoplewereeatingdinnerorwaitingtobeserved.Somewerelaughing.Ayoungcouplewasplottingconspiratorially,leaningtowardeachotherfromoppositesidesofabooth,theirheadsalmosttouching.Nearlyeveryonewasengagedinanimatedconversations,couplesandcozygroupsoffriends,enjoyingthemselves,lookingforwardtotheremainingthreedaysofthefour-dayholiday.
SuddenlyTinafeltapangofenvy.Shewantedtobeoneofthesefortunatepeople.Shewantedtobeenjoyinganordinarymeal,onanordinaryevening,inthemiddleofablissfullyordinarylife,witheveryreasontoexpectalong,comfortable,ordinaryfuture.Noneofthesepeoplehadto.worryaboutprofessionalkillers,bizarreconspiracies,gas-companymenwhowerenotgas-companymen,silencer-equippedpistols,exhumations.Theydidn'trealizehowluckytheywere.Shefeltasifavastunbridgeablegapseparatedherfrompeoplelikethese,andshewonderedifsheeveragainwouldbeasrelaxedandfreefromcareasthesedinerswereatthismoment.
Asharp,colddraftprickledthebackofherneck.
Sheturnedtoseewhohadenteredtherestaurant.
Sheturnedtoseewhohadenteredtherestaurant.
Thedoorwasclosed.Noonehadentered.
Yettheairremainedcool—changed.
Onthejukebox,whichstoodtotheleftofthedoor,acurrentlypopularcountryballadwasplaying:
"Baby,baby,baby,Iloveyoustill.
Ourlovewilllive;Iknowitwill
Andonethingonwhichyoucanbet
Isthatourloveisnotdeadyet.
No,ourloveisnotdead—
notdead—
notdead—
notdead—"
Therecordstuck.
Tinastaredatthejukeboxindisbelief.
"notdead—
notdead—
notdead—
notdead—"
ElliotturnedawayfromthecashierandputahandonTina'sshoulder."Whatthehell...?"
Tinacouldn'tspeak.Shecouldn'tmove.
Theairtemperaturewasdroppingprecipitously.
Sheshuddered.
Theothercustomersstoppedtalkingandturnedtostareaithestutteringmachine.
"notdead—
notdead—
notdead—
notdead—"
TheimageofDeath'srottingfaceflashedintoTina'smind.
"Stopit,"shepleaded.
Someonesaid,"Shootthepianoplayer."
Someoneelsesaid,"Kickthedamnthing."
Elliotsteppedtothejukeboxandshookitgently.Thetwowordsstoppedrepeating.Thesongproceededsmoothlyagain—butonlyforonemorelineofverse.AsElliotturnedawayfromthemachine,theeerilymeaningfulrepetitionbeganagain:
"notdead—
notdead—
notdead—"
Tinawantedtowalkthroughthedinerandgrabeachofthecustomersbythethroat,shakeandthreateneachofthem,untilshediscoveredwhohadriggedthejukebox.Atthesametime,sheknewthiswasn'tarationalthought;theexplanation,whateveritmightbe,wasnotthatsimple.Nooneherehadriggedthemachine.Onlyamomentago,shehadenviedthesepeoplefortheveryordinarinessoftheirlives.Itwasludicroustosuspectanyofthemofbeingemployedbythesecretorganizationthathadblownupherhouse.Ludicrous.Paranoid.Theywerejustordinarypeopleinaroadsiderestaurant,havingdinner.
"notdead—
notdead—
notdead—"
Elliotshookthejukeboxagain,butthistimetonoavail.
Theairgrewcolderstill.Tinaheardsomeofthecustomerscommentingonit.
Elliotshookthemachineharderthanhehaddonethelasttime,thenharderstill,butitcontinuedtorepeatthetwo-wordmessageinthevoiceofthecountrysinger,asifaninvisiblehandwereholdingthepick-upstylusorlaser-discreaderfirmlyinplace.
Thewhite-hairedcashiercameoutfrombehindthecounter."I'lltakecareofit,folks."Hecalledtooneofthewaitresses:"Jenny,checkthethermostat.We'resupposedtohaveheatinheretonight,notairconditioning."
supposedtohaveheatinheretonight,notairconditioning."
Elliotsteppedoutofthewayastheoldmanapproached.
Althoughnoonewastouchingthejukebox,thevolumeincreased,andthetwowordsboomedthroughthediner,thundered,vibratedinthewindows,andrattledsilverwareonthetables.
"NOTDEAD—
NOTDEAD—
NOTDEAD—"
Somepeoplewincedandputtheirhandsovertheirears.
Theoldmanhadtoshouttobeheardabovetheexplosivevoicesonthejukebox."There'sabuttononthebacktorejecttherecord."
Tinawasn'tabletocoverherears;herarmshungstraightdownathersides,frozen,rigid,handsfisted,andshecouldn'tfindthewillorthestrengthtoliftthem.Shewantedtoscream,butshecouldn'tmakeasound.
Colder,colder.
Shebecameawareofthefamiliar,spiritlikepresencethathadbeeninAngela'sofficewhenthecomputerhadbeguntooperatebyitself.Shehadthesamefeelingofbeingwatchedthatshe'dhadintheparkinglotashortwhileago.
Theoldmancrouchedbesidethemachine,reachedbehindit,foundthebutton.Hepusheditseveraltimes.
"NOTDEAD—
NOTDEAD—
NOTDEAD—"
NOTDEAD—"
"Havetounplugit!"theoldmansaid.
Thevolumeincreasedagain.Thetwowordsblastedoutofthespeakersinallcornersofthedinerwithsuchincredible,bone-jarringforcethatitwasdifficulttobelievethatthemachinehadbeenbuiltwiththecapabilityofpouringoutsoundwiththisexcessive,unnervingpower.
Elliotpulledthejukeboxfromthewallsotheoldmancouldreachthecord.
InthatinstantTinarealizedshehadnothingtofearfromthepresencethatlaybehindthiseeriemanifestation.Itmeanthernoharm.Quitetheopposite,infact.Inaflashofunderstandingshesawthroughtotheheartofthemystery.Herhands,whichhadbeencurledintotightfists,cameopenoncemore.Thetensionwentoutofherneckandshouldermuscles.Herheartbeatbecamelesslikethepoundingofajackhammer,butitstilldidnotsettleintoanormalrhythm;nowitwasaffectedbyexcitementratherthanterror.Ifshetriedtoscreamnow,shewouldbeabletodoso,butshenolongerwantedtoscream.
Asthewhite-hairedcashiergraspedthepluginhisarthritis-gnarledhandsandwiggleditbackandforthinthewallsocket,tryingtofreeit,Tinaalmosttoldhimtostop.Shewantedtoseewhatwouldhappennextifnooneinterferedwiththepresencethathadtakencontrolofthejukebox.Butbeforeshecouldthinkofawaytophraseheroddrequest,theoldmansucceededinunpluggingthemachine.
Followingthemonotonous,earsplittingrepetitionofthattwo-wordmessage,thesilencewasstunning.
Afterasecondofsurprisedrelief,everyoneinthedinerapplaudedtheoldfellow.
Jenny,thewaitress,calledtohimfrombehindthecounter."Hey,Al,Ididn'ttouchthethermostat.Itsaystheheat'sonandsetatseventy.Youbettertakealookatit."
"Youmusthavedonesomethingtoit,"Alsaid."It'sgettingwarminhereagain."
"Ididn'ttouchit,"Jennyinsisted.
Aldidn'tbelieveher,butTinadid.
ElliotturnedawayfromthejukeboxandlookedatTinawithconcern."Areyouallright?"
"Yes.God,yes!BetterthanI'vebeeninalongtime."
Hefrowned,baffledbyhersmile.
"Iknowwhatitis.Elliot,Iknowexactlywhatitis!Comeon,"shesaidexcitedly."Let'sgo."
Hewasconfusedbythechangeinherdemeanor,butshedidn'twanttoexplainthingstohimhereinthediner.Sheopenedthedoorandwentoutside.
22
THEWINDSTORMWASSTILLINPROGRESS,BUTITwasnotragingasfiercelyasithadbeenwhenElliotandTinahadwatcheditthroughtherestaurantwindow.Abriskwindpushedacrossthecityfromtheeast.Ladenwithdustandwiththepowderywhitesandthathadbeensweptinfromthedesert,theairabradedtheirfacesandhadanunpleasanttaste.
Theyputtheirheadsdownandscurriedpastthefrontofthediner,aroundtheside,throughthepurplelightunderthesinglemercury-vaporlamp,andintothedeepshadowsbehindthebuilding.
IntheMercedes,inthedarkness,withthedoorslocked,shesaid,"Nowonderwehaven'tbeenabletofigureitout!"
"Whyonearthareyouso—"
"We'vebeenlookingatthisallwrong—"
"—sobubblywhen—"
"—approachingitass-backwards.Nowonderwehaven'tbeenabletofindasolution."
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?DidyouseewhatIsawinthere?Didyouhearthejukebox?Idon'tseehowthatcouldhavecheeredyouup.Itmademybloodruncold.Itwasweird."
"Listen,"shesaidexcitedly,"wethoughtsomeonewassendingmemessagesaboutDannybeingalivejusttorubmyfaceinthefactthathewasactuallydead—ortoletmeknow,inaroundaboutfashion,thatthewayhediedwasn'tanythinglikewhatI'dbeentold.Butthosemessageshaven'tbeencomingfromasadist.Andtheyhaven'tbeencomingfromsomeonewhowantstoexposethetruestoryoftheSierraaccident.Theyaren'tbeingsentbyatotalstrangerorbyMichael.Theyareexactlywhattheyappeartobe!"
Confused,hesaid,"Andtoyourwayofthinking,whatdotheyappeartobe?"
Confused,hesaid,"Andtoyourwayofthinking,whatdotheyappeartobe?"
"They'recriesforhelp."
"What?"
"They'recomingfromDanny!"
Elliotstaredatherwithconsternationandwithpity,hisdarkeyesreflectingadistantlight."What'reyousaying—thatDannyreachedouttoyoufromthegravetocausethatexcitementintherestaurant?Tina,youreallydon'tthinkhisghostwashauntingajukebox?"
"No,no,no.I'msayingDannyisn'tdead."
"Waitaminute.Waitaminute."
"MyDannyisalive!I'msureofit."
"We'vealreadybeenthroughthisargument,andwerejectedit,"heremindedher.
"Wewerewrong.Jaborski,Lincoln,andalltheotherboysmighthavediedintheSierras,butDannydidn't.Iknowit.Isenseit.It'slike...arevelation...almostlikeavision.Maybetherewasanaccident,butitwasn'tlikeanythingweweretold.Itwassomethingverydifferent,somethingexceedinglystrange."
"That'salreadyobvious.But—"
"Thegovernmenthadtohideit,andsothisorganizationthatKennebeckworksforwasgivenresponsibilityforthecover-up."
"I'mwithyouthatfar,"Elliotsaid."That'slogical.ButhowdoyoufigureDanny'salive?Thatdoesn'tnecessarilyfollow."
"I'monlytellingyouwhatIknow,whatIfeel,"shesaid."Atremendoussenseofpeace,ofreassurance,cameovermeinthediner,justbeforeyoufinallymanagedtoshutoffthejukebox.Itwasn'tjustaninnerfeelingofpeace.Itcamefromoutsideofme.Likeawave.Oh,hell,Ican'treallyexplainit.IonlyknowwhatIfelt.Dannywastryingtoreassureme,tryingtotellmethathewasstillalive.Iknowit.Dannysurvivedtheaccident,buttheycouldn'tlethimcomehomebecausehe'dtelleveryonethegovernmentwasresponsibleforthedeaths
homebecausehe'dtelleveryonethegovernmentwasresponsibleforthedeathsoftheothers,andthatwouldblowtheirsecretmilitaryinstallationwideopen."
"You'rereaching,graspingforstraws."
"I'mnot,I'mnot,"sheinsisted.
"SowhereisDanny?"
"They'rekeepinghimsomewhere.Idon'tknowwhytheydidn'tkillhim.Idon'tknowhowlongtheythinktheycankeephimbottleduplikethis.Butthat'swhatthey'redoing.That'swhat'sgoingon.Thosemightnotbetheprecisecircumstances,butthey'reprettydamnclosetothetruth."
"Tina—"
Shewouldn'tlethiminterrupt."Thissecretpoliceforce,thesepeoplebehindKennebeck...theythinksomeoneinvolvedwithProjectPandorahasturnedonthemandtoldmewhatreallyhappenedtoDanny.They'rewrong,ofcourse.Itwasn'toneofthem.It'sDanny.Somehow...Idon'tknowhow...buthe'sreachingouttome."Shestruggledtoexplaintheunderstandingthathadcometoherinthediner."Somehow...someway...he'sreachingout...withhismind,Iguess.Dannywastheonewhowrotethosewordsonthechalkboard.Withhismind."
"Theonlyproofofthisiswhatyousayyoufeel...thisvisionyou'vehad."
"Notavision—"
"Whatever.Anyway,that'snoproofatall."
"It'sproofenoughforme,"shesaid."Anditwouldbeproofenoughforyou,ifyou'dhadthesameexperiencebackthereinthediner,ifyou'dfeltwhatIfelt.ItwasDannywhoreachedoutformewhenIwasatwork...foundmeintheoffice...triedtousethehotelcomputertosendhismessagetome.Andnowthejukebox.Hemustbe...psychic.That'sit!That'swhatheis.He'spsychic.Hehassomepower,andhe'sreachingout,tryingtotellmehe'salive,askingmetofindhimandsavehim.Andthepeoplewho'reholdinghimdon'tknowhe'sdoingit!They'reblamingtheleakononeoftheirown,onsomeonefromProjectPandora."
"Tina,thisisaveryimaginativetheory,but—"
"Tina,thisisaveryimaginativetheory,but—"
"Itmightbeimaginative,butit'snotatheory.It'strue.It'sfact.Ifeelitdeepinmybones.Canyoushootbolesthroughit?CanyouproveI'mwrong?"
"Firstofall,"Elliotsaid,"beforehewentintothemountainswithJaborski,inalltheyearsyouknewhimandlivedinthesamehousewithhim,didDannyevershowanysignsofbeingpsychic?"
Shefrowned."No."
"Thenhowcomehesuddenlyhasalltheseamazingpowers?"
"Wait.Yeah,Idoremembersomelittlethingshedidthatweresortofodd."
"Likewhat?"
"Likethetimehewantedtoknowexactlywhathisdaddydidforaliving.Hewaseightornineyearsold,andhewascuriousaboutthedetailsofadealer'sjob.Michaelsatatthekitchentablewithhimanddealtblackjack.Dannywasbarelyoldenoughtounderstandtherules,buthe'dneverplayedbefore.Hecertainlywasn'toldenoughtorememberallthecardsthatweredealtandcalculatehischancesfromthat,likesomeoftheverybestplayerscando.Yethewonsteadily.Michaelusedajarfullofpeanutstorepresentcasinochips,andDannywoneverynutinthejar."
"Thegamemusthavebeenrigged,"Elliotsaid."Michaelwaslettinghimwin."
"That'swhatIthoughtatfirst.ButMichaelsworehewasn'tdoingthat.AndheseemedgenuinelyastonishedbyDanny'sstreakofluck.Besides,Michaelisn'tacardmechanic.Hecan'thandleadeckwellenoughtostackitwhilehe'sshuffling.AndthentherewasElmer."
"Who'sElmer?"
"Hewasourdog.Acutelittlemutt.Oneday,abouttwoyearsago,Iwasinthekitchen,makinganapplepie,andDannycameintotellmeElmerwasn'tanywheretobefoundintheyard.Apparently,thepoochslippedoutofthegatewhenthegardenerscamearound.DannysaidhewassureElmerwasn'tgoingtocomebackbecausehe'dbeenhitandkilledbyatruck.Itoldhimnottoworry.Isaidwe'dfindElmersafeandsound.Butweneverdid.Weneverfoundhimat
saidwe'dfindElmersafeandsound.Butweneverdid.Weneverfoundhimatall."
"Justbecauseyouneverfoundhim—that'snotproofhewaskilledbyatruck."
"ItwasproofenoughforDanny.Hemournedforweeks."
Elliotsighed."Winningafewhandsatblackjack—that'sluck,justlikeyousaid.Andpredictingthatarunawaydogwillbekilledintraffic—that'sjustareasonableassumptiontomakeunderthecircumstances.Andevenifthosewereexamplesofpsychicability,littletrickslikethatarelight-yearsfromwhatyou'reattributingtoDannynow."
"Iknow.Somehow,hisabilitieshavegrownalotstronger.Maybebecauseofthesituationhe'sin.Thefear.Thestress."
"Iffearandstresscouldincreasethepowerofhispsychicgifts,whydidn'thestarttryingtogetintouchwithyoumonthsago?"
"Maybeittookayearofstressandfeartodeveloptheability.Idon'tknow."Afloodofunreasonableangerwashedthroughher:"Christ,howcouldIknowtheanswertothat?"
"Calmdown,"hesaid."Youdaredmetoshootholesinyourtheory.That'swhatI'mdoing."
"No,"shesaid."AsfarasIcansee,youhaven'tshotoneholeinityet.Danny'salive,beingheldsomewhere,andhe'stryingtoreachmewithhismind.Telepathically.No.Nottelepathy.He'sabletomoveobjectsjustbythinkingaboutthem.Whatdoyoucallthat?Isn'tthereanameforthatability?"
"Telekinesis,"Elliotsaid.
"Yes!That'sit.He'stelekinetic.Doyouhaveabetterexplanationforwhathappenedinthediner?"
"Well...no."
"Areyougoingtotellmeitwascoincidencethattherecordstuckonthosetwowords?"
"No,"Elliotsaid."Itwasn'tacoincidence.Thatwouldbeevenmoreunlikely
"No,"Elliotsaid."Itwasn'tacoincidence.ThatwouldbeevenmoreunlikelythanthepossibilitythatDannydidit."
"YouadmitI'mright."
"No,"hesaid."Ican'tthinkofabetterexplanation,butI'mnotreadytoacceptyours.I'veneverbelievedinthatpsychiccrap."
Foraminuteortwoneitherofthemspoke.Theystaredoutatthedarkparkinglotandatthefencedstorageyardfulloffifty-gallondrumsthatlaybeyondthelot.Sheets,puffs,andspinningfunnelsofvaguelyphosphorescentdustmovedlikespectersthroughthenight.
AtlastTinasaid,"I'mright,Elliot.IknowIam.Mytheoryexplainseverything.Eventhenightmares.That'sanotherwayDanny'sbeentryingtoreachme.He'sbeensendingmenightmaresforthepastfewweeks.That'swhythey'vebeensomuchdifferentfromanydreamsI'vehadbefore,somuchstrongerandmorevivid."
Heseemedtofindthisnewstatementmoreoutrageousthanwhatshe'dsaidbefore."Wait,wait,wait.Nowyou'retalkingaboutanotherpowerbesidestelekinesis."
"Ifhehasoneability,whynottheother?"
"Becauseprettysoonyou'llbesayinghe'sGod."
"Justtelekinesisandthepowertoinfluencemydreams.ThatexplainswhyIdreamedaboutthehideousfigureofDeathinthiscomicbook.IfDanny'ssendingmemessagesindreams,it'sonlynaturalhe'duseimageshewasfamiliarwith—likeamonsteroutofafavoritehorrorstory."
"Butifhecansenddreamstoyou,"Elliotsaid,"whywouldn'thesimplytransmitaneat,clearmessagetellingyouwhat'shappenedtohimandwhereheis?Wouldn'tthatgethimthehelphewantsalotfaster?Whywouldhebesounclearandindirect?Heshouldsendaconcisementalmessage,psychicE-mailfromtheTwilightZone,makeitaloteasierforyoutounderstand."
"Don'tgetsarcastic,"shesaid.
"I'mnot.I'mmerelyaskingatoughquestion.It'sanotherholeinyourtheory."
Shewouldnotbedeterred."It'snotahole.There'sagoodexplanation.Obviously,likeItoldyou,Dannyisn'ttelepathicexactly.He'stelekinetic,abletomoveobjectswithhismind.Andhecaninfluencedreamstosomeextent.Buthe'snotflat-outtelepathic.Hecan'ttransmitdetailedthoughts.Hecan'tsend'concisementalmessages'becausehedoesn'thavethatmuchpowerorcontrol.Sohehastotrytoreachmeasbesthecan."
"Willyoulistentous?"
"I'vebeenlistening,"shesaid.
"Wesoundlikeacoupleofprimecandidatesforapaddedcell."
"No.Idon'tthinkwedo."
"Thistalkofpsychicpower...it'snotexactlylevelheadedstuff,"Elliotsaid.
"Thenexplainwhathappenedinthediner."
"Ican't.Damnit,Ican't,"hesaid,soundinglikeapriestwhosefaithhadbeendeeplyshaken.Thefaiththathewasbeginningtoquestionwasnotreligious,however,butscientific.
"Stopthinkinglikeanattorney,"shesaid."Stoptryingtoherdthefactsintoneatcorralsoflogic."
"That'sexactlywhatI'vebeentrainedtodo."
"Iknow,"shesaidsympathetically."Buttheworldisfullofillogicalthingsthatarenonethelesstrue.Andthisisoneofthem."
Thewindbuffetedthesportscar,moanedalongthewindows,seekingawayin.
Elliotsaid,"IfDannyhasthisincrediblepower,whyishesendingmessagesjusttoyou?Whydoesn'theatleastcontactMichaeltoo?"
"Maybehedoesn'tfeelcloseenoughtoMichaeltotryreachinghim.Afterall,thelastcoupleofyearsweweremarried,Michaelwasrunningaroundwithalotofotherwomen,spendingmostofhistimeawayfromhome,andDannyfeltevenmoreabandonedthanIdid.InevertalkedagainstMichael.Ieventriedtojustifysomeofhisactions,becauseIdidn'twantDannytohatehim.ButDanny
justifysomeofhisactions,becauseIdidn'twantDannytohatehim.ButDannywashurtjustthesame.Isupposeit'snaturalforhimtoreachouttomeratherthantohisfather."
Awallofdustfellsoftlyoverthecar.
"Stillthinkyoucanshootmytheoryfullofholes?"sheasked.
"No.Youarguedyourcaseprettywell."
"Thankyou,judge."
"Istillcan'tbelieveyou'reright.IknowsomeprettydamnintelligentpeoplebelieveinESP,butIdon't.Ican'tbringmyselftoacceptthispsychiccrap.Notyet,anyway.I'mgoingtokeeplookingforsomelessexoticexplanation."
"Andifyoucomeupwithone,"Tinasaid,"I'llgiveitveryseriousconsideration."
Heputahandonhershoulder."ThereasonI'vearguedwithyouis...I'mworriedaboutyou,Tina."
"Aboutmysanity?"
"No,no.ThispsychicexplanationbothersmemainlybecauseitgivesyouhopethatDanny'sstillalive.Andthat'sdangerous.Itseemstomeasifyou'rejustsettingyourselfupforabadfall,alotofpain."
"No.Notatall.BecauseDannyreallyisalive."
"Butwhatifheisn't?"
"Heis."
"Ifyoudiscoverhe'sdead,it'llbelikelosinghimalloveragain."
"Buthe'snotdead,"sheinsisted."Ifeelit.Isenseit.Iknowit,Elliot."
"Andifheisdead?"Elliotasked,everybitasinsistentasshewas.
Shehesitated.Then:"I'llbeabletohandleit."
"You'resure?"
"You'resure?"
"Positive."
Inthedimlight,wherethebrightestthingwasmauveshadow,hefoundhereyes,heldherwithhisintentgaze.Shefeltasifhewerenotmerelylookingatherbutintoher,throughher.Finallyheleanedoverandkissedthecornerofhermouth,thenhercheek,hereyes.
Hesaid,"Idon'twanttoseeyourheartbroken."
"Itwon'tbe."
"I'lldowhatIcantoseeitisn't."
"Iknow."
"Butthereisn'tmuchIcando.It'soutofmyhands.Wejusthavetoflowwithevents."
Sheslippedahandbehindhisneck,holdinghisfaceclose.Thetasteofhislipsandhiswarmthmadeherinexpressiblyhappy.
Hesighed,leanedbackfromher,andstartedthecar."Webettergetmoving.Wehavesomeshoppingtodo.Wintercoats.Acoupleoftoothbrushes."
ThoughTinacontinuedtobebuoyedbytheunshakableconvictionthatDannywasalive,fearcreptintoheragainastheydroveontoCharlestonBoulevard.ShewasnolongerafraidoffacingtheawfultruththatmightbewaitinginReno.WhathadhappenedtoDannymightstillprovetobeterrible,shattering,butshedidn'tthinkitwouldbeashardtoacceptashis"death"hadbeen.TheonlythingthatscaredhernowwasthepossibilitythattheymightfindDanny—andthenbeunabletorescuehim.Intheprocessoflocatingtheboy,sheandElliotmightbekilled.IftheyfoundDannyandthenperishedtryingtosavehim,thatwouldbeanastytrickoffate,forsure.Sheknewfromexperiencethatfatehadcountlessnastytricksupitsvoluminoussleeve,andthatwaswhyshewasscaredshitless.
23
WILLISBRUCKSTERSTUDIEDHISKENOTICKET,carefullycomparingittothewinningnumbersbeginningtoflashontotheelectronicboardthathungfromthecasinoceiling.Hetriedtoappearintentlyinterestedintheoutcomeofthisgame,butinfacthedidn'tcare.Themarkedticketinhishandwasworthless;hehadn'ttakenittothebettingwindow,hadn'twageredanymoneyonit.Hewasusingkenoasacover.
Hedidn'twanttoattracttheattentionoftheomnipresentcasinosecuritymen,andtheeasiestwaytoescapetheirnoticewastoappeartobetheleastthreateninghickinthehugeroom.Withthatinmind,Brucksterworeacheapgreenpolyesterleisuresuit,blackloafers,andwhitesocks.Hewascarryingtwobooksofthediscountcouponsthatcasinosusetopullslot-machineplayersintothehouse,andheworeacameraonastraparoundhisneck.Furthermore,kenowasagamethatdidn'thaveanyappealforeithersmartgamblersorcheaters,thetwotypesofcustomerswhomostinterestedthesecuritymen.WillisBrucksterwassosureheappeareddullandordinarythathewouldn'thavebeensurprisedifaguardhadlookedathimandyawned.
Hewasdeterminednottofailonthisassignment.Itwasacareermaker—orbreaker.TheNetworkbadlywantedtoeliminateeveryonewhomightpressfortheexhumationofDannyEvans'sbody,andtheagentstargetedagainstElliotStrykerandChristinaEvanshadthusfarfailedtocarryouttheirorderstoterminatethepair.TheirineptitudegaveWillisBrucksterachancetoshine.Ifhemadeacleanhithere,inthecrowdedcasino,hewouldbeassuredofapromotion.
BrucksterstoodattheheadoftheescalatorthatledfromthelowershoppingarcadetothecasinolevelofBally'sHotel.Duringtheirperiodicbreaksfromthegamingtables,nursingstiffnecksandsoreshouldersandleadenarms,thewearydealersretiredtoacombinationloungeandlockerroomatthebottom—andtotheright—oftheescalator.Agrouphadgonedownawhileagoandwouldbereturningfortheirlaststandatthetablesbeforeawholenewstaffcameondutywiththeshiftchange.Brucksterwaswaitingforoneofthosedealers:MichaelEvans.
Hehadn'texpectedtofindthemanatwork.HehadthoughtEvansmightbekeepingavigilatthedemolishedhouse,whilethefiremensiftedthroughthestill-smolderingdebris,searchingfortheremainsofthewomantheythoughtmightbeburiedthere.ButwhenBrucksterhadcomeintothehotelthirtyminutesago,Evanshadbeenchattingwiththeplayersathisblackjacktable,crackingjokes,andgrinningasifnothingofanyimportancehadhappenedinhislifelately.
PerhapsEvansdidn'tknowabouttheexplosionathisformerhouse.Ormaybehedidknowandjustdidn'tgiveadamnabouthisex-wife.Itmighthavebeenabitterdivorce.
Brucksterhadn'tbeenabletogetclosetoEvanswhenthedealerlefttheblackjackpitatthebeginningofthebreak.Consequently,he'dstationedhimselfhere,attheheadoftheescalator,andhadpretendedtobeinterestedinthekenoboard.HewasconfidentthathewouldnailEvanswhenthemanreturnedfromthedealer'sloungeinthenextfewminutes.
Thelastofthekenonumbersflashedontotheboard.WillisBrucksterstaredatthem,thencrumpledhisgamecardwithobviousdisappointmentanddisgust,asifhehadlostafewhard-earneddollars.
Heglanceddowntheescalator.Dealersinblacktrousers,whiteshirts,andstringtieswereascending.
Bruckstersidledawayfromtheescalatorandunfoldedhiskenocard.Hecompareditoncemorewiththenumbersontheelectronicboard,asifhewereprayingthathehadmadeamistakethefirsttime.
MichaelEvanswastheseventhdealerofftheescalator.Hewasahandsome,easygoingguywhoambledratherthanwalked.Hestoppedtohaveawordwithastrikinglyprettycocktailwaitress,andshesmiledathim.Theotherdealersstreamedby,andwhenEvansfinallyturnedawayfromthewaitress,hewasthelastintheprocessionasitmovedtowardtheblackjackpits,
Brucksterfellinbesideandslightlybehindhistargetastheypressedthroughtheteemingmobthatjammedtheenormouscasino.Hereachedintoapocketofhisleisuresuitandtookoutatinyaerosolcanthatwasonlyslightlylargerthanoneofthosespray-stylebreathfresheners,smallenoughtobeconcealedinBruckster'shand.
Theycametoastandstillataclusteroflaughingpeople.Nooneinthejollygroupseemedtorealizethathewasobstructingthemainaisle.Bruckstertookadvantageofthepausetotaphisquarryontheshoulder.
Evansturned,andBruckstersaid,"Ithinkmaybeyoudroppedthisbackthere."
"Huh?"
BrucksterheldhishandeighteeninchesbelowMichaelEvans'seyes,sothatthedealerwasforcedtoglancedowntoseewhatwasbeingshowntohim.
Thefinespray,propelledwithtremendouspressure,caughthimsquarelyintheface,acrossthenoseandlips,penetratingswiftlyanddeeplyintothenostrils.Perfect.
Evansreactedasanyonewould.Hegaspedinsurpriseasherealizedhewasbeingsquirted.
Thegaspdrewthedeadlymistuphisnose,wheretheactivepoison—aparticularlyfast-actingneurotoxin—wasinstantaneouslyabsorbedthroughthesinusmembranes.Intwosecondsitwasinhisbloodstream,andthefirstseizurehithisheart.
Evans'ssurprisedexpressionturnedtoshock.Thenawild,twistedexpressionofagonywrenchedhisfaceasbrutalpainslammedthroughhim.Hegagged,andaribbonoffoamysalivaunraveledfromthecornerofhismouth,downhischin.Hiseyesrolledbackinhishead,andhefell.
AsBrucksterpocketedtheminiatureaerosoldevice,hesaid,"Wehaveasickmanhere."
Headsturnedtowardhim.
"Givethemanroom,"Bruckstersaid."ForGod'ssake,someonegetadoctor!"
Noonecouldhaveseenthemurder.Ithadbeencommittedinashelteredspacewithinthecrowd,hiddenbythekiller'sandthevictim'sbodies.Evenifsomeonehadbeenmonitoringthatareafromanoverheadcamera,therewouldnothavebeenmuchforhimtosee.
WillisBrucksterquicklykneltatMichaelEvans'ssideandtookhispulseasifhe
WillisBrucksterquicklykneltatMichaelEvans'ssideandtookhispulseasifheexpectedtofindone.Therewasnoheartbeatwhatsoever,notevenafaintlub-dub.
Athinfilmofmoisturecoveredthevictim'snoseandlipsandchin,butthiswasonlytheharmlessmediuminwhichthetoxinhadbeensuspended.Theactivepoisonitselfhadalreadypenetratedthevictim'sbody,doneitswork,andbeguntobreakdownintoaseriesofnaturallyoccurringchemicalsthatwouldraisenoalarmswhenthecoronerlaterstudiedtheresultsoftheusualbatteryofforensictests.Inafewsecondsthemediumwouldevaporatetoo,leavingnothingunusualtoarousetheinitialattendingphysician'ssuspicion.
AuniformedsecurityguardshoulderedthroughthemobofcuriousonlookersandstoopednexttoBruckster."Oh,damn,it'sMikeEvans.Whathappenedhere?"
"I'mnodoctor,"Bruckstersaid,"butitsurelookslikeaheartattacktome,thewayhedroppedlikeastone,samewaymyuncleNedwentdownlastFourthofJulyrightinthemiddleofthefireworksdisplay."
Theguardtriedtofindapulsebutwasn'tabletodoso.HebeganCPR,butthenrelented."Ithinkit'shopeless."
"Howcoulditbeaheartattack,himbeingsoyoung?"Brucksterwondered."Jesus,youjustneverknow,doyou?"
"Youneverknow,"theguardagreed.
Thehoteldoctorwouldcallitaheartattackafterhehadexaminedthebody.Sowouldthecoroner.Sowouldthedeathcertificate.
Aperfectmurder.
WillisBruckstersuppressedasmile.
24
JUDGEHAROLDKENNEBECKBUILTEXQUISITELYdetailedshipsinbottles.Thewallsofhisdenwerelinedwithexamplesofhishobby.Atinymodelofaseventeenth-centuryDutchpinnacewasperpetuallyundersailinasmall,pale-bluebottle.Alargefour-mastedtopsailschoonerfilledafive-gallonjug.Herewasafour-mastedbarkentinewithsailstautinaperpetualwind;andherewasamid-sixteenth-centurySwedishkravel.Afifteenth-centurySpanishcaravel.ABritishmerchantman.ABaltimoreclipper.Everyshipwascreatedwithremarkablecareandcraftsmanship,andmanywereinuniquelyshapedbottlesthatmadetheirconstructionallthemoredifficultandadmirable.
Kennebeckstoodbeforeoneofthedisplaycases,studyingtheminutelydetailedriggingofalate-eighteenth-centuryFrenchfrigate.Ashegazedatthemodel,hewasn'ttransportedbackintimeorlostinfantasiesofhigh-seasadventure;rather,hewasmullingovertherecentdevelopmentsintheEvanscase.Hisships,sealedintheirglassworlds,relaxedhim;helikedtospendtimewiththemwhenhehadaproblemtoworkoutorwhenhewasonedge,fortheymadehimfeelserene,andthatsecurityallowedhismindtofunctionatpeakperformance.
Thelongerhethoughtaboutit,thelessKennebeckwasabletobelievethattheEvanswomanknewthetruthaboutherson.Surely,ifsomeonefromProjectPandorahadtoldherwhathadhappenedtothatbusloadofscouts,shewouldn'thavereactedtothenewswithequanimity.Shewouldhavebeenfrightened,terrified...anddamnedangry.Shewouldhavegonestraighttothepolice,thenewspapers—orboth.
Instead,shehadgonetoElliotStryker.
Andthatwaswheretheparadoxjumpeduplikeajack-in-the-box.Ontheonehand,shebehavedasifshedidnotknowthetruth.Butontheotherhand,shewasworkingthroughStrykertohaveherson'sgravereopened,whichseemedtoindicatethatsheknewsomething.
IfStrykercouldbebelieved,thewoman'smotivationswereinnocentenough.Accordingtotheattorney,Mrs.Evansfeltguiltyaboutnothavinghadthecouragetoviewtheboy'smutilatedbodypriortotheburial.Shefeltasifshe
couragetoviewtheboy'smutilatedbodypriortotheburial.Shefeltasifshehadfailedtopayherlastrespectstothedeceased.Herguilthadgrowngraduallyintoaseriouspsychologicalproblem.Shewasingreatdistress,andshesufferedfromhorribledreamsthatplaguedhereverynight.ThatwasStryker'sstory.
KennebecktendedtobelieveStryker.Therewasanelementofcoincidenceinvolved,butnotallcoincidencewasmeaningful.Thatwassomethingonetendedtoforgetwhenhespenthislifeintheintelligencegame.ChristinaEvansprobablyhadn'tentertainedasingledoubtabouttheofficialexplanationoftheSierraaccident;sheprobablyhadn'tknownadamnedthingaboutPandorawhenshehadrequestedanexhumation,buthertimingcouldn'thavebeenworse.
Ifthewomanactuallyhadn'tknownanythingofthecover-up,thentheNetworkcouldhaveusedherex-husbandandthelegalsystemtodelaythereopeningofthegrave.Inthemeantime,Networkagentscouldhavelocatedaboy'sbodyinthesamestateofdecayasDanny'scorpsewouldhavebeenifithadbeenlockedinthatcoffinforthepastyear.Theywouldhaveopenedthegravesecretly,atnight,whenthecemeterywasclosed,switchingtheremainsofthefakeDannyfortherocksthatwerecurrentlyinthecasket.Thentheguilt-strickenmothercouldhavebeenpermittedonelast,late,ghastlylookattheremainsofherson.
Thatwouldhavebeenacomplexoperation,fraughtwiththeperilofdiscovery.Theriskswouldhavebeenacceptable,however,andtherewouldn'thavebeenanyneedtokillanyone.
Unfortunately,GeorgeAlexander,chiefoftheNevadabureauoftheNetwork,hadn'tpossessedthepatienceortheskilltodeterminethewoman'struemotives.Hehadassumedtheworstandhadactedonthatassumption.WhenKennebeckinformedAlexanderofElliotStryker'srequestforanexhumation,thebureauchiefrespondedimmediatelywithextremeforce.HeplannedasuicideforStryker,anaccidentaldeathforthewoman,andaheartattackforthewoman'shusband.Twoofthosehurriedlyorganizedassassinationattemptshadfailed.Strykerandthewomanhaddisappeared.NowtheentireNetworkwasinthesoup,deepinit.
AsKennebeckturnedawayfromtheFrenchfrigate,beginningtowonderifheoughttogetoutfromundertheNetworkbeforeitcollapsedonhim,GeorgeAlexanderenteredthestudythroughthedoorthatopenedoffthedownstairshallway.Thebureauchiefwasaslim,elegant,distinguished-lookingman.HewaswearingGucciloafers,anexpensivesuit,ahandmadesilkshirt,andagoldRolexwatch.Hisstylishlycutbrownhairshadedtoiron-grayatthetemples.His
Rolexwatch.Hisstylishlycutbrownhairshadedtoiron-grayatthetemples.Hiseyesweregreen,clear,alert,and—ifonetookthetimetostudythem—menacing.Hehadawell-formedfacewithhighcheekbones,anarrowstraightnose,andthinlips.Whenhesmiled,hismouthturnedupslightlyattheleftcorner,givinghimavaguelyhaughtyexpression,althoughatthemomenthewasn'tsmiling.
KennebeckhadknownAlexanderforfiveyearsandhaddespisedhimfromthedaytheymet.Hesuspectedthatthefeelingwasmutual.
Partofthisantagonismbetweenthemrosebecausetheyhadbeenbornintoutterlydifferentworldsandwereequallyproudoftheirorigins—aswellasdisdainfulofallothers.HarryKennebeckhadcomefromadirt-poorfamilyand,byhisownestimationatleast,madequitealotofhimself.Alexander,ontheotherhand,wasthescionofaPennsylvaniafamilythathadbeenwealthyandpowerfulforahundredandfiftyyears,perhapslonger.Kennebeckhadliftedhimselfoutofpovertythroughhardworkandsteelydetermination.Alexanderknewnothingofhardwork;hehadascendedtothetopofhisfieldasifhewereaprincewithadivinerighttorule.
KennebeckwasalsoirritatedbyAlexander'shypocrisy.Thewholefamilywasnothingbutabunchofhypocrites.Thesociety-registerAlexanderswereproudoftheirhistoryofpublicservice.ManyofthemhadbeenPresidentialappointees,occupyinghigh-levelpostsinthefederalgovernment;afewhadservedonthePresident'scabinet,inhalfadozenadministrations,thoughnonehadeverdeignedtorunforanelectiveposition.ThefamousPennsylvaniaAlexandershadalwaysbeenprominentlyassociatedwiththestruggleforminoritycivilrights,theEqualRightsAmendment,thecrusadeagainstcapitalpunishment,andsocialidealismsofeveryvariety.Yetnumerousmembersofthefamilyhadsecretlyrenderedservice—someofitdirty—totheFBI,theCIA,andvariousotherintelligenceandpoliceagencies,oftentheverysameorganizationsthattheypubliclycriticizedandreviled.NowGeorgeAlexanderwastheNevadabureauchiefofthenation'sfirsttrulysecretpoliceforce—afactthatapparentlydidnotweighheavilyonhisliberalconscience.
Kennebeck'spoliticswereoftheextremeright-wingvariety.Hewasanunreconstructedfascistandnottheleastbitashamedofit.When,asayoungman,hehadfirstembarkeduponacareerintheintelligenceservices,Harryhadbeensurprisedtodiscoverthatnotallofthepeopleintheespionagebusinesssharedhisultraconservativepoliticalviews.Hehadexpectedhisco-workersto
sharedhisultraconservativepoliticalviews.Hehadexpectedhisco-workerstobesuper-patrioticright-wingers.Butallthesnoopshopswerestaffedwithleftiststoo.EventuallyHarryrealizedthattheextremeleftandtheextremerightsharedthesametwobasicgoals:Theywantedtomakesocietymoreorderlythanitnaturallywas,andtheywantedtocentralizecontrolofthepopulationinastronggovernment.Left-wingersandright-wingersdifferedaboutcertaindetails,ofcourse,buttheironlymajorpointofcontentioncenteredontheidentityofthosewhowouldbepermittedtobeapartoftheprivilegedrulingclass,oncethepowerhadbeensufficientlycentralized.
AtleastI'mhonestaboutmymotives,KennebeckthoughtashewatchedAlexandercrossthestudy.Mypublicopinionsarethesameasthose1expressprivately,andthat'savirtuehedoesn'tpossess.I'mnotahypocrite.I'mnotatalllikeAlexander.Jesus,he'ssuchasmug,Janus-facedbastard!
"Ijustspokewiththemenwho'rewatchingStryker'shouse,"Alexandersaid."Hehasn'tshownupyet."
"Itoldyouhewouldn'tgobackthere."
"Soonerorlaterhewill."
"No.Notuntilhe'sabsolutelycertaintheheatisoff.Untilthenhe'llhideout."
"He'sboundtogotothepoliceatsomepoint,andthenwe'llhavehim."
"Ifhethoughthecouldgetanyhelpfromthecops,he'dhavebeentherealready,"Kennebecksaid."Buthehasn'tshownup.Andhewon't."
Alexanderglancedathiswatch."Well,hestillmightpopuphere.I'msurehewantstoaskyoualotofquestions."
"Oh,I'mdamnsurehedoes.Hewantsmyhide,"Kennebecksaid."Buthewon'tcome.Nottonight.Eventually,yes,butnotforalongtime.Heknowswe'rewaitingforhim.Heknowshowthegameisplayed.Don'tforgetheusedtoplayithimself."
"Thatwasalongtimeago,"Alexandersaidimpatiently."He'sbeenacivilianforfifteenyears.He'soutofpractice.Evenifhewasanaturalthen,there'snowayhecouldstillbeassharpasheoncewas."
"Butthat'swhatI'vebeentryingtotellyou,"Kennebecksaid,pushingalockof
"Butthat'swhatI'vebeentryingtotellyou,"Kennebecksaid,pushingalockofsnow-whitehairbackfromhisforehead."Elliotisn'tstupid.Hewasthebestandbrightestyoungofficerwhoeverservedunderme.Hewasanatural.Andthatwaswhenhewasyoungandrelativelyinexperienced.Ifhe'sagedaswellasheseemstohavedone,thenhemightevenbesharperthesedays."
Alexanderdidn'twanttohearit.Althoughtwoofthehitshehadorderedhadgonetotallyawry,Alexanderremainedself-assured;hewasconvincedthathewouldeventuallytriumph.
He'salwayssodamnedself-confident,HarryKennebeckthought.Andusuallythere'snogoodreasonwhyheshouldbe.Ifhewasawareofhisownshortcomings,thesonofabitchwouldbecrushedtodeathunderhiscollapsingego.
Alexanderwenttothehugemapledeskandsatbehindit,inKennebeck'swingchair.
Thejudgeglaredathim.
AlexanderpretendednottonoticeKennebeck'sdispleasure."We'llfindStrykerandthewomanbeforemorning.I'venodoubtaboutthat.We'recoveringallthebases.We'vegotmencheckingeveryhotelandmotel—"
"That'sawasteoftime,"Kennebecksaid."Elliotistoosmarttowaltzintoahotelandleavehisnameontheregister.Besides,therearemorehotelsandmotelsinVegasthaninanyothercityintheworld."
"I'mfullyawareofthecomplexityofthetask,"Alexandersaid."Butwemightgetlucky.Meanwhile,we'recheckingoutStryker'sassociatesinhislawfirm,hisfriends,thewoman'sfriends,,anyonewithwhomtheymighthavetakenrefuge."
"Youdon'thaveenoughmanpowertofollowupallthosepossibilities,"thejudgesaid."Can'tyouseethat?Youshoulduseyourpeoplemorejudiciously.You'respreadingyourselftoothin.Whatyoushouldbedoing—"
"I'llmakethosedecisions,"Alexandersaidicily.
"Whatabouttheairport?"
"That'stakencareof,"Alexanderassuredhim."We'vegotmengoingoverthe
"That'stakencareof,"Alexanderassuredhim."We'vegotmengoingoverthepassengerlistsofeveryoutboundflight."Hepickedupanivory-handledletteropener,turneditoverandoverinhishands."Anyway,evenifwe'respreadabitthin,itdoesn'tmattermuch.Ialreadyknowwherewe'regoingtonailStryker.Here.Righthereinthishouse.That'swhyI'mstillhangingaround.Oh,Iknow,Iknow,youdon'tthinkhe'llshowup.ButalongtimeagoyouwereStryker'smentor,themanherespected,themanhelearnedfrom,andnowyou'vebetrayedhim.He'llcomeheretoconfrontyou,evenifheknowsit'srisky.I'msurehewill."
"Ridiculous,"Kennebecksaidsourly."Ourrelationshipwasneverlikethat.He—"
"Iknowhumannature,"Alexandersaid,thoughhewasoneoftheleastobservantandleastanalyticalmenthatKennebeckhadeverknown.
Thesedayscreamseldomroseintheintelligencecommunity—butcrapstillfloated.
Angry,frustrated,KennebeckturnedagaintothebottlethatcontainedtheFrenchfrigate.SuddenlyherememberedsomethingimportantaboutElliotStryker."Ah,"hesaid.
Alexanderputdowntheenameledcigaretteboxthathehadbeenstudying."Whatisit?"
"Elliot'sapilot.Heownshisownplane."
Alexanderfrowned.
"Haveyoubeencheckingsmallcraftleavingtheairport?"Kennebeckasked.
"No.Justscheduledairlinersandcharters."
"Ah."
"He'dhavehadtotakeoffinthedark,"Alexandersaid."Youthinkhe'slicensedforinstrumentflying?Mostbusinessmen-pilotsandhobbypilotsaren'tcertifiedforanythingbutdaylight."
"Bettergetholdofyourmenattheairport,"Kennebecksaid."Ialreadyknowwhatthey'regoingtofind.I'llbetahundredbuckstoadimeElliotslippedoutof
whatthey'regoingtofind.I'llbetahundredbuckstoadimeElliotslippedoutoftownunderyournose."
•••
TheCessnaTurboSkylaneRGknifedthroughthedarkness,twomilesabovetheNevadadesert,withthelowcloudsunderit,wingsplatedsilverbymoonlight.
"Elliot?"
"Hmmm?"
"I'msorryIgotyoumixedupinthis."
"Youdon'tlikemycompany?"
"YouknowwhatImean.I'mreallysorry."
"Hey,youdidn'tgetmemixedupinit.Youdidn'ttwistmyarm.Ipracticallyvolunteeredtohelpyouwiththeexhumation,anditalljustfellapartfromthere.It'snotyourfault."
"Still...hereyouare,runningforyourlife,andallbecauseofme."
"Nonsense.Youcouldn'thaveknownwhatwouldhappenafterItalkedtoKennebeck."
"Ican'thelpfeelingguiltyaboutinvolvingyou."
"Ifitwasn'tme,itwouldhavebeensomeotherattorney.Andmaybehewouldn'thaveknownhowtohandleVince.Inwhichcase,bothheandyoumightbedead.Soifyoulookatitthatway,itworkedoutaswellasitpossiblycould."
"You'rereallysomethingelse,"shesaid.
"WhatelseamI?"
"Lotsofthings."
"Suchas?"
"Terrific."
"Notme.Whatelse?"
"Brave."
"Braveryisavirtueoffools."
"Smart."
"NotassmartasIthinkIam."
"Tough."
"Icryatsadmovies.See,I'mnotasgreatasyouthinkIam."
"Youcancook."
"Nowthat'strue!"
TheCessnahitanairpocket,droppedthreehundredfeetwithasickeninglurch,andthensoaredtoitscorrectaltitude.
"Agreatcookbutalousypilot,"shesaid.
"ThatwasGod'sturbulence.ComplaintoHim."
"HowlongtillwelandinReno?"
"Eightyminutes."
•••
GeorgeAlexanderhungupthetelephone.HewasstillsittinginKennebeck'swingchair."StrykerandthewomantookofffromMcCarranInternationalmorethantwohoursago.TheyleftinhisCessna.HefiledaflightplanforFlagstaff."
thantwohoursago.TheyleftinhisCessna.HefiledaflightplanforFlagstaff."
Thejudgestoppedpacing."Arizona?"
"That'stheonlyFlagstaffIknow.ButwhywouldtheygotoArizona,ofallplaces?"
"Theyprobablydidn't,"Kennebecksaid."IfigureElliotfiledafalseflightplantothrowyouoffhistrail."HewasperverselyproudofStryker'scleverness.
"IftheyactuallyheadedforFlagstaff,"Alexandersaid,"theyoughttohavelandedbynow.I'llcallthenightmanagerattheairportdownthere,pretendtobeFBI,seewhathecantellme."
BecausetheNetworkdidnotofficiallyexist,itcouldn'topenlyuseitsauthoritytogatherinformation.Asaresult,NetworkagentsroutinelyposedasFBImen,withcounterfeitcredentialsinthenamesofactualFBIagents.
WhilehewaitedforAlexandertofinishwiththenightmanagerattheFlagstaffairport,Kennebeckmovedfromonemodelshiptoanother.Forthefirsttimeinhisexperience,thesightofthisbottledfleetdidn'tcalmhim.
FifteenminuteslaterAlexanderputdownthetelephone."Strykerisn'tontheFlagstafffield.Andhehasn'tyetbeenidentifiedintheirairspace."
"Ah.Sohisflightplanwasaredherring."
"Unlesshecrashedbetweenhereandthere,"Alexandersaidhopefully.
Kennebeckgrinned."Hedidn'tcrash.Butwherethehelldidhego?"
"Probablyintheoppositedirection,"Alexandersaid."SouthernCalifornia."
"Ah.LosAngeles?"
"OrSantaBarbara.Burbank.LongBeach.Ontario.OrangeCounty.TherearealotofairportswithintherangeofthatlittleCessna."
Theywerebothsilent,thinking.ThenKennebecksaid,"Reno.That'swheretheywent.Reno."
"Youweresosuretheydidn'tknowathingabouttheSierralabs,"Alexander
"Youweresosuretheydidn'tknowathingabouttheSierralabs,"Alexandersaid."Haveyouchangedyourmind?"
"No.Istillthinkyoucouldhaveavoidedissuingallthoseterminationorders.Look,theycan'tbegoinguptothemountains,becausetheydon'tknowwherethelaboratoriesare.Theydon'tknowanythingmoreaboutProjectPandorathanwhattheypickedupfromthatlistofquestionstheytookoffVinceImmelman."
"ThenwhyReno?"
Pacing,Kennebecksaid,"Nowthatwe'vetriedtokillthem,theyknowthestoryoftheSierraaccidentwasentirelycontrived.Theyfigurethere'ssomethingwrongwiththelittleboy'sbody,somethingoddthatwecan'taffordtoletthemsee.Sonowthey'retwiceasanxioustoseeit.They'dexhumeitillegallyiftheycould,buttheycan'tgetnearthecemeterywithuswatchingit.AndStrykerknowsforsurethatwe'vegotitstakedout.Soiftheycan'topenthegraveandseeforthemselveswhatwe'vedonetoDannyEvans,whataretheygoingtodoinstead?They'regoingtodothenextbestthing—talktothepersonwhowassupposedlythelastonetoseetheboy'scorpsebeforeitwassealedinthecoffin.They'regoingtoaskhimtodescribetheconditionoftheboyinminutedetail."
"RichardPannafinisthecoronerinReno.Heissuedthedeathcertificate,"Alexandersaid.
"No.Theywon'tgotoPannafin.They'llfigurehe'sinvolvedinthecover-up."
"Whichheis.Reluctantly."
"Sothey'llgotoseethemorticianwhosupposedlypreparedtheboy'sbodyforburial."
"Bellicosti."
"Wasthathisname?"
"LucianoBellicosti,"Alexandersaid."Butifthat'swheretheywent,thenthey'renotjusthidingout,lickingtheirwounds.GoodGod,they'veactuallygoneontheoffensive!"
"That'sStryker'smilitary-intelligencetrainingtakinghold,"Kennebecksaid."That'swhatI'vebeentryingtotellyou.He'snotgoingtobeaneasytarget.HecoulddestroytheNetwork,givenhalfachance.Andthewoman'sevidentlynot
coulddestroytheNetwork,givenhalfachance.Andthewoman'sevidentlynotonetohideorrunawayfromaproblemeither.Wehavetogoafterthesetwowithmorecarethanusual.WhataboutthisBellicosti?Willhekeephismouthshut?"
"Idon'tknow,"Alexandersaiduneasily."Wehaveaprettygoodholdonhim.He'sanItalianimmigrant.Helivedhereforeightornineyearsbeforehedecidedtoapplyforcitizenship.Hehadn'tgottenhispapersyetwhenwefoundourselvesneedingacooperativemortician.WeputafreezeonhisapplicationwiththeBureauofImmigration,andwethreatenedtohavehimdeportedifhedidn'tdowhatwewanted.Hedidn'tlikeit.Butcitizenshipwasabigenoughcarrottokeephimmotivated.However...Idon'tthinkwe'dbetterrelyonthatcarrotanylonger."
"Thisisahellofanimportantmatter,"Kennebecksaid."AnditsoundstomeasifBellicostiknowstoomuchaboutit."
"Terminatethebastard,"Alexandersaid.
"Eventually,butnotnecessarilyrightnow.Iftoomanybodiespileupatonce,we'llbedrawingattentionto—"
"Takenochances,"Alexanderinsisted."We'llterminatehim.Andthecoronertoo,Ithink.Scrubawaythewholetrail."Hereachedforthephone.
"Surelyyoudon'twanttotakesuchdrasticactionuntilyou'repositiveStrykeractuallyisheadedforReno.Andyouwon'tknowforsureuntilhelandsupthere."
Alexanderhesitatedwithhishandonthephone."ButifIwait,I'mjustgivinghimachancetokeeponestepahead."Worried,hecontinuedtohesitate,anxiouslychewinghislip.
"There'sawaytofindoutifit'sreallyRenohe'sheadedfor.Whenhegetsthere,he'llneedacar.Maybehe'salreadyarrangedforonetobewaiting."
Alexandernodded."WecancalltherentalagenciesattheRenoairport."
"Noneedtocall.Thehackergeeksincomputeroperationscanprobablyaccessalltherentalagencies'datafileslongdistance."
Alexanderpickedupthephoneandgavetheorder.
Fifteenminuteslatercomputeroperationscalledbackwithitsreport.ElliotStrykerhadarentalcarreservedforlate-nightpickupattheRenoairport.Hewasscheduledtotakepossessionofitshortlybeforemidnight.
"That'sabitsloppyofhim,"Kennebecksaid,"consideringhowcleverhe'sbeensofar."
"Hefigureswe'refocusingonArizona,notReno."
"It'sstillsloppy,"Kennebecksaid,disappointed."Heshouldhavebuiltadoubleblindtoprotecthimself."
"Soit'slikeIsaid."Alexander'scrookedsmileappeared."Heisn'tassharpasheusedtobe."
"Let'snotstartcrowingtoosoon,"Kennebecksaid."Wehaven'tcaughthimyet."
"Wewill,"Alexandersaid,hiscomposurerestored."OurpeopleinRenowillhavetomovefast,butthey'llmanage.Idon'tthinkit'sagoodideatohitStrykerandthewomaninapublicplacelikeanairport."
Whatanuncharacteristicdisplayofreserve,Kennebeckthoughtsourly.
"Idon'teventhinkweshouldputatailonthemassoonastheygetthere,"Alexandersaid."Strykerwillbeexpectingatail.Maybehe'lleludeit,andthenhe'llbespooked."
"Gettotherentalcarbeforehedoes.Slapatransponderonit.Thenyoucanfollowhimwithoutbeingseen,atyourleisure."
"We'lltryit,"Alexandersaid."We'vegotlessthananhour,sotheremightnotbetime.Butevenifwedon'tgetabeeperonthedamncar,we'reokay.Weknowwherethey'regoing.We'lljusteliminateBellicostiandsetupatrapatthefuneralhome."
HesnatchedupthetelephoneanddialedtheNetworkofficeinReno.
25
INRENO,WHICHBILLEDITSELFAS"THEBIGGESTLittleCityintheWorld,"thetemperaturehoveredattwenty-onedegreesabovezeroasmidnightapproached.Abovethelightsthatcastafrostyglowontheairportparkinglot,theheavilyshroudedskywasmoonless,starless,perfectlyblack.Snowflurriesweredancingona.changeablewind.
ElliotwasgladtheyhadboughtacoupleofheavycoatsbeforeleavingLasVegas.Hewishedthey'dthoughtofgloves;hishandswerefreezing.
HethrewtheirsinglesuitcaseintothetrunkoftherentedChevrolet.Inthecoldair,whitecloudsofexhaustvaporswirledaroundhislegs.
Heslammedthetrunklidandsurveyedthesnow-dustedcarsintheparkinglot.Hecouldn'tseeanyoneinanyofthem.Hehadnofeelingofbeingwatched.
Whentheyhadlanded,they'dbeenalertforunusualactivityontherunwayandintheprivate-craftdockingyard—suspiciousvehicles,anunusualnumberofgroundcrewmen—buttheyhadseennothingoutoftheordinary.Thenashehadsignedfortherentalcarandpickedupthekeysfromthenightclerk,hehadkeptonehandinapocketofhiscoat,grippingthehandgunhe'dtakenoffVinceinLasVegas—buttherewasnotrouble.
Perhapsthephonyflightplanhadthrownthehoundsoffthetrail.Nowhewenttothedriver'sdoorandclimbedintotheChevy,whereTinawasfiddlingwiththeheater.
"Myblood'sturningtoice,"shesaid.
Elliotheldhishandtothevent."We'regettingsomewarmairalready."
Fromhiscoat,hewithdrewthepistolandputitontheseatbetweenhimandChristina,themuzzlepointedtowardthedashboard.
"YoureallythinkweshouldconfrontBellicostiatthishour?"sheasked.
"Sure.It'snotverylate."
"Sure.It'snotverylate."
Inanairport-terminaltelephonedirectory,TinahadfoundtheaddressoftheLucianoBellicostiFuneralHome.Thenightclerkattherentalagency,fromwhomtheyhadsignedoutthecar,hadknownexactlywhereBellicosti'splacewas,andhehadmarkedtheshortestrouteonthefreecitymapprovidedwiththeChevy.
Elliotflickedontheoverheadlightandstudiedthemap,thenhandedittoTina."IthinkIcanfinditwithoutanytrouble.ButifIgetlost,you'llbethenavigator."
"Aye,aye,Captain."
Hesnappedofftheoverheadlightandreachedforthegearshift.
Withadistantclick,thelightthathehadjustturnedoffnowturneditselfon.
HelookedatTina,andshemethiseyes.
Heclickedoffthelightagain.
Immediatelyitswitchedon.
"Herewego,"Tinasaid.
Theradiocameon.Thedigitalstationindicatorbegantosweepacrossthefrequencies.Split-secondblastsofmusic,commercials,anddiscjockeys'voicesblaredsenselesslyoutofthespeakers.
"It'sDanny,"Tinasaid.
Thewindshieldwipersstartedthumpingbackandforthattopspeed,addingtheirmetronomicalbeattothechaosinsidetheChevy.
Theheadlightsflashedonandoffsorapidlythattheycreatedastroboscopiceffect,repeatedly"freezing"thefallingsnow,sothatitappearedasifthewhiteflakesweredescendingtothegroundinshort,jerkysteps.
Theairinsidethecarwasbitterlycoldandgrowingcolderbythesecond.
Elliotputhisrighthandagainstthedashboardvent.Heatwaspushingoutofit,
Elliotputhisrighthandagainstthedashboardvent.Heatwaspushingoutofit,buttheairtemperaturecontinuedtoplunge.
Theglovecompartmentpoppedopen.
Theashtrayslidoutofitsniche.
Tinalaughed,clearlydelighted.
ThesoundofherlaughterstartledElliot,butthenhehadtoadmittohimselfthathedidnotfeelmenacedbytheworkofthispoltergeist.Infact,justtheoppositewastrue.Hesensedthathewaswitnessingajoyousdisplay,awarmgreeting,theexcitedwelcomeofachild-ghost.Hewasoverwhelmedbytheastonishingnotionthathecouldactuallyfeelgoodwillintheair,atangibleradiationofloveandaffection.Anotunpleasantshiverraceduphisspine.Apparently,thiswasthesameastonishingawarenessofbeingbuffetedbywavesoflovethathadcausedTina'slaughter.
Shesaid,"We'recoming,Danny.Hearmeifyoucan,baby.We'recomingtogetyou.We'recoming."
Theradioswitchedoff,andsodidtheoverheadlight.
Thewindshieldwipersstoppedthumping.
Theheadlightsblinkedoffandstayedoff.
Stillness.
Silence.
Scatteredflakesofsnowcollidedsoftlywiththewindshield.
Inthecar,theairgrewwarmagain.
Elliotsaid,"Whydoesitgetcoldeverytimeheuseshis...psychicabilities?"
"Whoknows?Maybehe'sabletomoveobjectsbyharnessingtheheatenergyintheair,changingitsomehow.Ormaybeit'ssomethingelsealtogether.We'llprobablyneverknow.Hemightnotunderstandithimself.Anyway,thatisn'timportant.What'simportantisthatmyDannyisalive.There'snodoubtaboutthat.Notnow.Notanymore.AndIgatherfromyourquestion,you'vebecomea
that.Notnow.Notanymore.AndIgatherfromyourquestion,you'vebecomeabelievertoo."
"Yeah,"Elliotsaid,stillmildlyamazedbyhisownchangeofheartandmind."Yeah,Ibelievethere'sachanceyou'reright."
"IknowIam."
"Somethingextraordinaryhappenedtothatexpeditionofscouts.Andsomethingdownrightuncannyhashappenedtoyourson."
"Butatleasthe'snotdead,"Tinasaid.
Elliotsawtearsofhappinessshininginhereyes.
"Hey,"hesaidworriedly,"betterkeepatightreinonyourhopes.Okay?We'vegotalong,longwaytogo.Wedon'tevenknowwhereDannyisorwhatshapehe'sin.We'vegotagauntlettorunbeforewecanfindhimandbringhimback.Wemightbothbekilledbeforeweevengetclosetohim."Hedroveawayfromtheairport.Asfarashecouldtell,noonefollowedthem.
26
SUFFERINGONEOFHISOCCASIONALBOUTSOFclaustrophobia,Dr.CarltonDombeyfeltasthoughhehadbeenswallowedaliveandwastrappednowinthedevil'sgut.
DeepinsidethesecretSierracomplex,threestoriesbelowgroundlevel,thisroommeasuredfortyfeetbytwenty.Thelowceilingwascoveredwithaspongy,pebbly,yellowishsoundproofing,whichgavethechamberapeculiarorganicquality.Fluorescenttubesshedcoldlightoverbanksofcomputersandoverworktablesladenwithjournals,charts,filefolders,scientificinstruments,andtwocoffeemugs.
Inthemiddleofthewestwall—oneofthetwoshorterwalls—oppositetheentrancetotheroom,wasasix-foot-long,three-foot-highwindowthatprovidedaviewofanotherspace,whichwasonlyhalfaslargeasthisouterchamber.Thewindowwasconstructedlikeasandwich:Twoone-inch-thickpanesofshatterproofglasssurroundedaninch-widespacefilledwithaninertgas.Twopanesofironlikeglass.Stainless-steelframe.Fourairtightrubberseals—onearoundthebothfacesofeachpane.Thisviewportwasdesignedtowithstandeverythingfromagunshottoanearthquake;itwasvirtuallyinviolable.
Becauseitwasimportantforthemenwhoworkedinthelargeroomtohaveanunobstructedviewofthesmallerinnerchamberatalltimes,fourangledceilingventsinbothroomsbathedtheglassinacontinuousflowofwarm,dryairtopreventcondensationandclouding.Currentlythesystemwasn'tworking,forthree-quartersofthewindowwasfilmedwithfrost.
Dr.CarltonDombey,acurly-hairedmanwithabushymustache,stoodatthewindow,blottinghisdamphandsonhismedicalwhitesandpeeringanxiouslythroughoneofthefewfrost-freepatchesofglass.Althoughhewasstrugglingtocastofftheseizureofclaustrophobiathathadgrippedhim,wastryingtopretendthattheorganic-lookingceilingwasn'tpressinglowoverhisheadandthatonlyopenskyhungabovehiminsteadofthousandsoftonsofconcreteandsteelrock,hisownpanicattackconcernedhimlessthanwhatwashappeningbeyondtheviewport.
Dr.AaronZachariah,youngerthanDombey,cleanshaven,withstraightbrownhair,leanedoveroneofthecomputers,readingthedatathatflowedacrossthescreen."Thetemperature'sdroppedthirty-fivedegreesinthereduringthepastminuteandahalf,"Zachariahsaidworriedly."Thatcan'tbegoodfortheboy."
"Everytimeit'shappened,it'sneverseemedtobotherhim,"Dombeysaid.
"Iknow,but—"
"Checkouthisvitalsigns."
Zachariahmovedtoanotherbankofcomputerscreens,whereDannyEvans'sheartbeat,bloodpressure,bodytemperature,andbrainwaveactivitywereconstantlydisplayed."Heartbeat'snormal,maybeevenslightlyslowerthanbefore.Bloodpressure'sallright.Bodytempunchanged.Butthere'ssomethingunusualabouttheEEGreading."
"Astherealwaysisduringthesecoldsnaps,"Dombeysaid."Oddbrainwaveactivity.Butnootherindicationhe'sinanydiscomfort."
"Ifitstayscoldinthereforlong,we'llhavetosuitup,goin,andmovehimtoanotherchamber,"Zachariahsaid.
"Thereisn'toneavailable,"Dombeysaid."Alltheothersarefulloftestanimalsinthemiddleofoneexperimentoranother."
"Thenwe'llhavetomovetheanimals.Thekid'salotmoreimportantthantheyare.There'smoredatatobegottenfromhim."
He'smoreimportantbecausehe'sahumanbeing,notbecausehe'sasourceofdata,Dombeythoughtangrily,buthedidn'tvoicethethoughtbecauseitwouldhaveidentifiedhimasadissidentandasapotentialsecurityrisk.
Instead,Dombeysaid,"Wewon'thavetomovehim.Thecoldspellwon'tlast."Hesquintedintothesmallerroom,wheretheboylaymotionlessonahospitalbed,underawhitesheetandyellowblanket,trailingmonitorwires.Dombey'sconcernforthekidwasgreaterthanhisfearofbeingtrappedundergroundandburiedalive,andfinallyhisattackofclaustrophobiadiminished."Atleastit'sneverlastedlong.Thetemperaturedropsabruptly,staysdownfortwoorthreeminutes,neverlongerthanfive,andthenitrisestonormalagain."
"Whatthedeviliswrongwiththeengineers?Whycan'ttheycorrecttheproblem?"
Dombeysaid,"Theyinsistthesystemchecksoutperfectly."
"Bullshit."
"There'snomalfunction.Sotheysay."
"Likehellthereisn't!"Zachariahturnedawayfromthevideodisplays,wenttothewindow,andfoundhisownspotofclearglass."Whenthisstartedamonthago,itwasn'tthatbad.Afewdegreesofchange.Onceanight.Neverduringtheday.Neverenoughofavariationtothreatentheboy'shealth.Butthelastfewdaysit'sgottencompletelyoutofhand.Againandagain,we'regettingthesethirty-andforty-degreeplungesintheairtemperatureinthere.Nomalfunction,myass!"
"Ihearthey'rebringingintheoriginaldesignteam,"Dombeysaid."Thoseguys'llspottheprobleminaminute."
"Bozos,"Zachariahsaid.
"Anyway,Idon'tseewhatyou'resoriledupabout.We'resupposedtobetestingtheboytodestruction,aren'twe?Thenwhyfretabouthishealth?"
"Surelyyoucan'tmeanthat,"Zachariahsaid."Whenhefinallydies,we'llwanttoknowforsureitwastheinjectionsthatkilledhim.Ifhe'ssubjectedtomanymoreofthesesuddentemperaturefluctuations,we'llneverbecertaintheydidn'tcontributetohisdeath.Itwon'tbecleanresearch."
Athin,humorlesslaughescapedCarltonDombey,andhelookedawayfromthewindow.Riskyasitmightbetoexpressdoubttoanycolleagueontheproject,Dombeycouldnotcontrolhimself:"Clean?Thiswholethingwasneverclean.Itwasadirtypieceofbusinessrightfromthestart."
Zachariahfacedhim."YouknowI'mnottalkingaboutthemoralityofit."
"ButIam."
"I'mtalkingaboutclinicalstandards."
"Ireallydon'tthinkIwanttohearyouropinionsoneithersubject,"Dombeysaid."I'vegotasplittingheadache."
"I'mjusttryingtobeconscientious,"Zachariahsaid,almostpouting."Youcan'tblamemebecausetheworkisdirty.Idon'thavemuchtosayaboutresearchpolicyaroundhere."
"Youdon'thaveanythingtosayaboutit,"Dombeytoldhimbluntly."AndneitherdoI.We'relowmenonthetotempole.That'swhywe'restuckwithnight-shift,baby-sittingdutylikethis."
"EvenifIwereinchargeofmakingpolicy,"Zachariahsaid,"I'dtakethesamecourseDr.Tamaguchihas.Hell,hehadtopursuethisresearch.Hedidn'thaveanychoicebuttocommittheinstallationtoitoncewefoundoutthedamnChineseweredeeplyintoit.AndtheRussiansgivingthemahandtoearnsomeforeigncurrency.OurnewfriendstheRussians.Whatajoke.WelcometothenewColdWar.It'sChina'snastylittleproject,remember.Allwe'redoingisjustplayingcatch-up.Ifyouhavetoblamesomeonebecauseyou'refeelingguiltyaboutwhatwe'redoinghere,thenblametheChinese,notme."
"Iknow.Iknow,"Dombeysaidwearily,pushingonehandthroughhisbushofcurlyhair.Zachariahwouldreporttheirconversationindetail,andDombeyneededtoassumeamorebalancedpositionfortherecord."Theyscaremesureenough.Ifthere'sanygovernmentonearthcapableofusingaweaponlikethis,it'sthem—ortheNorthKoreansortheIraqis.Neverashortageoflunaticregimes.Wedon'thaveanychoicebuttomaintainastrongdefense.Ireallybelievethat.Butsometimes...Iwonder.Whilewe'reworkingsohardtokeepaheadofourenemies,aren'tweperhapsbecomingmorelikethem?Aren'twebecomingatotalitarianstate,the-verythingwesaywedespise?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe,"Dombeysaid,thoughhewassureofit.
"WhatchoicedoIhave?"
"None,Iguess."
"Look,"Zachariahsaid.
"What?"
"What?"
"Thewindow'sclearingup.Itmustbegettingwarmintherealready."
Thetwoscientiststurnedtotheglassagainandpeeredintotheisolationchamber.
Theemaciatedboystirred.Heturnedhisheadtowardthemandstaredatthemthroughtherailedsidesofthehospitalbedinwhichhelay.
Zachariahsaid,"Thosedamneyes."
"Penetrating,aren'tthey?"
"Thewayhestares...hegivesmethecreepssometimes.There'ssomethinghauntingabouthiseyes."
"You'rejustfeelingguilty,"Dombeysaid.
"No.It'smorethanthat.Hiseyesarestrange.Theyaren'tthesameastheywerewhenhefirstcameinhereayearago."
"There'spaininthemnow,"Dombeysaidsadly."Alotofpainandloneliness."
"Morethanthat,"Zachariahsaid."There'ssomethinginthoseeyes...somethingthereisn'tanywordfor."
Zachariahwalkedawayfromthewindow.Hewentbacktothecomputers,withwhichhefeltcomfortableandsafe.
FRIDAY
JANUARY2
27
FORTHEMOSTPART,RENO'SSTREETSWERECLEANanddryinspiteofarecentsnowfall,thoughoccasionalpatchesofblackicewaitedfortheunwarymotorist.ElliotStrykerdrovecautiouslyandkepthiseyesontheroad.
"Weshouldalmostbethere,"Tinasaid.
TheytraveledanadditionalquarterofamilebeforeLucianoBellicosti'shomeandplaceofbusinesscameintosightontheleft,beyondablack-borderedsignthatgrandioselystatedthenatureoftheservicethatheprovided:FUNERALDIRECTORANDGRIEFCOUNSELOR.Itwasanimmense,pseudo-Colonialhouse,perchedprominentlyontopofahill,onathree-orfour-acreproperty,andconvenientlynextdoortoalarge,nondenominationalcemetery.Thelongdrivewaycurvedupandtotheright,likeawidthofblackfuneralbuntingdrapedacrosstherising,snow-shroudedlawn.Stonepostsandsoftlyglowingelectriclampsmarkedthewaytothefrontdoor,andwarmlightradiatedfromseveralfirst-floorwindows.
Elliotalmostturnedinattheentrance,butatthelastmomenthedecidedtodrivebytheplace.
"Hey,"Tinasaid,"thatwasit."
"Iknow."
"Whydidn'tyoustop?"
"Stormingrightuptothefrontdoor,demandinganswersfromBellicosti—thatwouldbeemotionallysatisfying,brave,bold—andstupid."
"Theycan'tbewaitingforus,canthey?Theydon'tknowwe'reinReno."
"Neverunderestimateyourenemy.Theyunderestimatedmeandyou,whichiswhywe'vegottenthisfar.We'renotgoingtomakethesamemistaketheydidandwindupbackintheirhands."
Beyondthecemetery,heturnedleft,intoaresidentialstreet.Heparkedatthe
Beyondthecemetery,heturnedleft,intoaresidentialstreet.Heparkedatthecurb,switchedofftheheadlights,andcuttheengine.
"Whatnow?"sheasked.
"I'mgoingtowalkbacktothefuneralhome.I'llgothroughthecemetery,circlearound,andapproachtheplacefromtherear."
"Wewillapproachitfromtherear,"shesaid.
"No."
"Yes."
"You'llwaithere,"heinsisted.
"Noway."
Palelightfromastreetlamppiercedthewindshield,revealingahard-edgeddeterminationinherface,steelyresolutioninherblueeyes.
Althoughherealizedthathewasgoingtolosetheargument,Elliotsaid,"Bereasonable.Ifthere'sanytrouble,youmightgetinthewayofit."
"Nowreally,Elliot,talksense.AmIthekindofwomanwhogetsintheway?"
"There'seightorteninchesofsnowontheground.Youaren'twearingboots."
"Neitherareyou."
"Ifthey'veanticipatedus,setatrapatthefuneralhome—"
"Thenyoumightneedmyhelp,"shesaid."Andiftheyhaven'tsetatrap,I'vegottobetherewhenyouquestionBellicosti."
"Tina,we'rejustwastingtimesittinghere—"
"Wastingtime.Exactly.I'mgladyouseeitmyway."Sheopenedherdoorandclimbedoutofthecar.
Heknewthen,beyondanyshadowofadoubt,thathelovedher.
Stuffingthesilencer-equippedpistolintooneofhisdeepcoatpockets,hegotoutoftheChevy.Hedidn'tlockthedoors,becauseitwaspossiblethatheandTinawouldneedtogetintothecarinahurrywhentheyreturned.
Inthegraveyard,thesnowcameuptothemiddleofElliot'scalves.Itsoakedhistrousers,cakedinhissocks,andmeltedintohisshoes.
Tina,wearingrubber-soledsneakerswithcanvastops,wassurelyasmiserableashewas.Butshekeptpacewithhim,andshedidn'tcomplain.
Theraw,dampwindwasstrongernowthanithadbeenashortwhileago,whenthey'dlandedattheairport.Itsweptthroughthegraveyard,flutingbetweentheheadstonesandthelargermonuments,whisperingapromiseofmoresnow,muchmorethanthemeagerflurriesitnowcarried.
Alowstonewallandalineofhouse-highspruceseparatedthecemeteryfromLucianoBellicosti'sproperty.ElliotandTinaclimbedoverthewallandstoodinthetreeshadows,studyingtherearapproachtothefuneralhome.
Tinadidn'thavetobetoldtoremainsilent.Shewaitedbesidehim,armsfolded,handstuckedintoherarmpitsforwarmth.
Elliotwasworriedabouther,afraidforher,butatthesametimehewasgladtohavehercompany.
TherearofBellicosti'shousewasalmostahundredyardsaway.Eveninthedimlight,Elliotcouldseethefringeoficicleshangingfromtheroofofthelongbackporch.Afewevergreenshrubswereclusterednearthehouse,butnonewasofsufficientsizetoconcealaman.Therearwindowswereblank,black;asentrymightbestandingbehindanyofthem,invisibleinthedarkness.
Elliotstrainedhiseyes,tryingtocatchaglimpseofmovementbeyondtherectanglesofglass,buthesawnothingsuspicious.
Therewasn'tmuchofachancethatatraphadbeensetforthemsosoon.Andifassassinswerewaitinghere,theywouldexpecttheirpreytoapproachthefuneralhomeboldly,confidently.Consequently,theirattentionwouldbefocusedlargelyonthefrontofthehouse.
Inanycase,hecouldn'tstandhereallnightbroodingaboutit.
Hesteppedfrombeneaththeshelteringbranchesofthetrees.Tinamovedwithhim.
Thebitterwindwasalash.Itskimmedcrystalsofsnowoffthegroundandspunthestingingcoldflecksattheirreddenedfaces.
Elliotfeltnakedastheycrossedtheluminescentsnowfield.Hewishedthattheyweren'twearingsuchdarkclothes.Ifanyonedidglanceoutabackwindow,hewouldspotthetwooftheminstantly.
Thecrunchingandsqueakingofthesnowundertheirfeetseemedhorrendouslyloudtohim,thoughtheyactuallyweremakinglittlenoise.Hewasjustjumpy.
Theyreachedthefuneralhomewithoutincident.
Forafewsecondstheypaused,touchingeachotherbriefly,gatheringtheircourage.
Elliottookthepistoloutofhiscoatjacketandhelditinhisrighthand.Withhislefthand,hefumbledforthetwosafetycatches,releasedthem.Hisfingerswerestifffromthecold.Hewonderedifhe'dbeabletohandletheweaponproperlyiftheneedarose.
Theyslippedaroundthecornerofthebuildingandmovedstealthilytowardthefront.
Atthefirstwindowwithlightbehindit,Elliotstopped.HemotionedforTinatostaybehindhim,closetothehouse.CautiouslyheleanedforwardandpeekedthroughanarrowgapinapartlyclosedVenetianblind.Henearlycriedoutinshockandalarmatwhathesawinside.
Adeadman.Naked.Sittinginabathtubfullofbloodywater,staringatsomethingfearsomebeyondtheveilbetweenthisworldandthenext.Onearmtrailedoutofthetub;andonthefloor,asifithaddroppedoutofhisfingers,wasarazorblade.
Elliotstaredintotheflatdeadgazeofthepasty-facedcorpse,andheknewthathewaslookingatLucianoBellicosti.Healsoknewthatthefuneraldirectorhadnotkilledhimself.Thepoorman'sblue-lippedmouthhunginapermanentgape,asifheweretryingtodenyalloftheaccusationsofsuicidethatweretocome.
ElliotwantedtotakeTinabythearmandhustleherbacktothecar.Butshesensedthathe'dseensomethingimportant,andshewouldn'tgoeasilyuntilsheknewwhatitwas.Shepushedinfrontofhim.Hekeptonehandonherbackassheleanedtowardthewindow,andhefelthergorigidwhensheglimpsedthedeadman.WhensheturnedtoElliotagain,shewasclearlyreadytogetthehelloutofthere,withoutquestions,withoutargument,withouttheslightestdelay.
TheyhadtakenonlytwostepsfromthewindowwhenElliotsawthesnowmovenomorethantwentyfeetfromthem.Itwasn'tthegauzy,insubstantialstirringofwindblownflakes,butanunnaturalandpurposefulrisingofanentiremoundofwhite.Instinctivelyhewhippedthepistolinfrontofhimandsqueezedofffourrounds.Thesilencerwassoeffectivethattheshotscouldnotbeheardabovethebrittle,paperyrustleofthewind.
Crouchinglow,tryingtomakeassmallatargetofhimselfaspossible,Elliotrantowherehehadseenthesnowmove.Hefoundamandressedinawhite,insulatedskisuit.Thestrangerhadbeenlyinginthesnow,watchingthem,waiting;nowhehadawetholeinhischest.Andachunkofhisthroatwasgone.Eveninthedim,illusorylightfromthesurroundingsnow,Elliotcouldseethatthesentry'seyeswerefixedinthesameunseeinggazethatBellicostiwasevennowdirectingatthebathroomwindow.
AtleastonekillerwouldbeinthehousewithBellicosti'scorpse.Probablymorethanone.
Atleastonemanhadbeenwaitingouthereinthesnow.
Howmanyothers?
Where?
Elliotscannedthenight,hisheartclutchingup.Heexpectedtoseetheentirewhite-shroudedlawnbegintomoveandriseintheformsoften,fifteen,twentyotherassassins.
Butallwasstill.
Hewasbrieflyimmobilized,dazedbyhisownabilitytostrikesofastandsoviolently.Awarm,animalsatisfactionroseinhim,whichwasnotanentirelywelcomefeeling,forhelikedtothinkofhimselfasacivilizedman.Atthesametime,hewashitbyawaveofrevulsion.Histhroattightened,andasourtaste
time,hewashitbyawaveofrevulsion.Histhroattightened,andasourtastesuddenlyoverwhelmedhim.Heturnedhisbackonthemanwhomhehadkilled.
Tinawasapaleapparitioninthesnow."Theyknowwe'reinReno,"shewhispered."Theyevenknewwewerecominghere."
"Buttheyexpectedusthroughthefrontdoor."Hetookherbythearm."Let'sgetoutofhere."
Theyhurriedlyretracedtheirpath,movingawayfromthefuneralhome.Witheverystephetook,Elliotexpectedtohearashotfired,acryofalarm,andthesoundsofmeninpursuitofquarry.
HehelpedTinaoverthecemeterywall,andthen,clamberingafterher,hewassurethatsomeonegrabbedhiscoatfrombehind.Hegasped,jerkedloose.Whenhewasacrossthewall,helookedback,buthecouldn'tseeanyone.
Evidentlythepeopleinthefuneralhomewerenotawarethattheirmanoutsidehadbeeneliminated.Theywerestillwaitingpatientlyfortheirpreytowalkintothetrap.
ElliotandTinarushedbetweenthetombstones,kickingupcloudsofsnow.Twinplumesofcrystallizedbreathtrailedbehindthem,likeghosts.
Whentheywerenearlyhalfwayacrossthegraveyard,whenElliotwaspositivetheyweren'tbeingpursued,hestopped,leanedagainstatallmonument,andtriednottotakesuchhuge,deepgulpsofthepainfullycoldair.Animageofhisvictim'stornthroatexplodedinhismemory,andashockwaveofnauseaoverwhelmedhim.
Tinaputahandonhisshoulder."Areyouallright?"
"Ikilledhim."
"Ifyouhadn't,hewouldhavekilledus."
"Iknow.Justthesame...itmakesmesick."
"Iwouldhavethought...whenyouwereinthearmy..."
"Yeah,"hesaidsoftly."Yeah,I'vekilledbefore.Butlikeyousaid,thatwasinthearmy.Thiswasn'tthesame.Thatwassoldiering.Thiswasmurder."He
thearmy.Thiswasn'tthesame.Thatwassoldiering.Thiswasmurder."Heshookhisheadtoclearit."I'llbeokay."Hetuckedthepistolintohiscoatpocketagain."Itwasjusttheshock."
Theyembraced,andthenshesaid,"IftheyknewwewereflyingtoReno,whydidn'ttheyfollowusfromtheairport?Thentheywouldhaveknownweweren'tgoingtowalkinthefrontdoorofBellicosti'splace."
"MaybetheyfiguredI'dspotatailandbespookedbyit.AndIguesstheyweresosureofwherewewereheaded,theydidn'tthinkitwasnecessarytokeepaclosewatchonus.Theyfiguredtherewasn'tanywhereelsewecouldgobutBellicosti'sfuneralhome."
"Let'sgetbacktothecar.I'mfreezing."
"Metoo.Andwebettergetoutoftheneighborhoodbeforetheyfindthatguyinthesnow."
Theyfollowedtheirownfootprintsoutofthecemetery,tothequietresidentialstreetwheretherentedChevroletwasparkedinthewanlightofthestreetlamp.
AsElliotwasopeningthedriver'sdoor,hesawmovementoutofthecornerofhiseye,andhelookedup,alreadysureofwhathewouldsee.AwhiteFordsedanhadjustturnedthecorner,movingslowly.Itdriftedtothecurbandbrakedabruptly.Twodoorsopened,andapairoftall,darklydressedmenclimbedout.
Elliotrecognizedthemforwhattheywere.HegotintctheChevy,slammedthedoor,andjammedthekeyintotheignition.
"Wehavebeenfollowed,"Tinasaid.
"Yeah."Heswitchedontheengineandthrewthecaringear."Atransponder.Theymusthavejustnowhomedinonit."
Hedidn'thearashot,butabulletshatteredtherearsidewindowbehindhisheadandslammedintothebackofthefrontseat,sprayinggummybitsofsafetyglassthroughthecar.
"Headdown!"Elliotshouted.
Heglancedback.
Heglancedback.
Thetwomenwereapproachingatarun,slippingonthesnow-spottedpavement.
Elliotstampedontheaccelerator.Tiressquealing,hepulledtheChevyawayfromthecurb,intothestreet.
Twoslugsricochetedoffthebodyofthecar,eachtrailingawaywithabrief,high-pitchedwhine.
Elliothunchedlowoverthewheel,expectingabulletthroughtherearwindow.Atthecorner,heignoredthestopsignandswungthecarhardtotheleft,onlytappingthebrakesonce,severelytestingtheChevy'ssuspension.
Tinaraisedherhead,glancedattheemptystreetbehindthem,thenlookedatElliot."Transponder.What'sthat?Youmeanwe'rebugged?Thenwe'llhavetoabandonthecar,won'twe?"
"Notuntilwe'vegottenridofthoseclownsonourtail,"hesaid."Ifweabandonthecarwiththemsoclose,they'llrunusdownfast.Wecan'tgetawayonfoot."
"Thenwhat?"
Theyarrivedatanotherintersection,andhewhippedthecartotheright."AfterIturnthenextcorner,I'llstopandgetout.Youbereadytoslideoverandtakethewheel."
"Whereareyougoing?"
"I'llfadebackintotheshrubberyandwaitforthemtocomearoundthecornerafterus.Youdriveondownthestreet,butnottoofast.Givethemachancetoseeyouwhentheyturnintothestreet.They'llbelookingatyou,andtheywon'tseeme."
"Weshouldn'tsplitup."
"It'stheonlyway."
"Butwhatiftheygetyou?"
"Theywon't."
"I'dbealonethen."
"Theywon'tgetme.Butyouhavetomovefast.Ifwestopformorethanacoupleofseconds,it'llshowupontheirreceiver,andtheymightgetsuspicious."
Heswungrightattheintersectionandstoppedinthemiddleofthenewstreet.
"Elliot,don't—"
"Nochoice."Heflungopenthedoorandscrambledoutofthecar."Hurry,Tina!"
Heslammedthecardoorandrantoarowofevergreenshrubsthatborderedthefrontlawnofalow,brick,ranch-stylehouse.Crouchingbesideoneofthosebushes,huddlingintheshadowsjustbeyondthecircleoffrostylightfromanearbystreetlamp,hepulledthepistoloutofhiscoatpocketwhileTinadroveaway.
AsthesoundoftheChevyfaded,hecoulddiscerntheroarofanothervehicle,approachingfast.Afewsecondslaterthewhitesedanracedintotheintersection.
Elliotstood,extendingthepistolinbothhands,andsnappedoffthreequickrounds.Thefirsttwoclangedthroughsheetmetal,butthethirdpuncturedtherightfronttire.
TheFordhadroundedthecornertoofast.Joltedbytheblowout,thecarcareenedoutofcontrol.Itspunacrossthestreet,jumpedthecurb,crashedthroughahedge,destroyedaplasterbirdbath,andcametorestinthemiddleofasnow-blanketedlawn.
ElliotrantowardtheChevy,whichTinahadbroughttoastopahundredyardsaway.Itseemedmorelikeahundredmiles.Hispoundingfootstepswereasthunderousasdrumbeatsinthequietnightair.Atlasthereachedthecar.Shehadthedooropen.Heleapedinandpulledthedoorshut."Go,go!"
Shetrampedtheacceleratorintothefloorboards,andthecarrespondedwithashudder,thenasurgeofpower.
Whentheyhadgonetwoblocks,hesaid,"Turnrightatthenextcorner."Aftertwomoreturnsandanotherthreeblocks,hesaid,"Pullittothecurb.Iwanttofindthebugtheyplantedonus."
findthebugtheyplantedonus."
"Buttheycan'tfollowusnow,"shesaid.
"They'vestillgotareceiver.Theycanwatchourprogressonthat,eveniftheycan'tgettheirhandsonustillanotherchasecarcatchesup.Idon'tevenwantthemtoknowwhatdirectionwewent."
Shestoppedthecar,andhegotout.Hefeltalongtheinnerfacesofthefenders,aroundthetirewells,whereatranspondercouldhavebeenstuckinplacequicklyandeasily.Nothing.Thefrontbumperwascleantoo.Finallyhelocatedtheelectronicspackage:Thesizeofapackofcigarettes,itwasfixedmagneticallytotheundersideoftherearbumper.Hewrencheditloose,stompeditrepeatedlyunderfoot,andpitcheditaway.
Inthecaragain,withthedoorslockedandtheenginerunningandtheheateroperatingfull-blast,theysatinstunnedsilence,baskinginthewarmair,butshiveringnonetheless.
EventuallyTinasaid,"MyGod,theymovefast!"
"We'restillonestepaheadofthem,"Elliotsaidshakily.
"Halfastep."
"That'sprobablymorelikeit,"headmitted.
"Bellicostiwassupposedtogiveustheinformationweneedtointerestatopnotchreporterinthecase."
"Notnow."
"Sohowdowegetthatinformation?"
"Somehow,"hesaidvaguely.
"Howdowebuildourcase?"
"We'llthinkofsomething."
"Whodoweturntonext?"
"Itisn'thopeless,Tina."
"Ididn'tsayitwas.Butwheredowegofromhere?"
"Wecan'tworkitouttonight,"hesaidwearily."Notinourcondition.We'rebothwipedout,operatingonsheerdesperation.That'sdangerous.Thebestdecisionwecanmakeistomakenodecisionsatall.We'vegottoholeupandgetsomerest.Inthemorningwe'llhaveclearerheads,andtheanswerswillallseemobvious."
"Youthinkyoucanactuallysleep?"
"Hell,yes.It'sbeenahardday'snight."
"Wherewillwebesafe?"
"We'lltrythepurloinedlettertrick,"Elliotsaid."Insteadofsneakingaroundtosomeout-of-the-waymotel,we'llmarchrightintooneofthebesthotelsintown."
"Harrah's?"
"Exactly.Theywon'texpectustobethatbold.They'lltxsearchingforuseverywhereelse."
"It'srisky."
"Canyouthinkofanythingbetter?"
"No."
"Everythingisrisky."
"Allright.Let'sdoit."
Shedroveintotheheartoftown.TheyabandonedtheChevroletinapublicparkinglot,fourblocksfromHarrah's.
"Iwishwedidn'thavetogiveupthecar,"Tinasaidashetooktheironlysuitcaseoutofthetrunk.
"They'llbelookingforit."
"They'llbelookingforit."
TheywalkedtoHarrah'sHotelalongwindy,neon-splashedstreets.Evenat1:45inthemorning,astheypassedtheentrancestocasinos,loudmusicandlaughterandtheringingofslotmachinesgushedforth,notamerrysoundatthathour,aregurgitantnoise.
AlthoughRenodidn'tjumpallnightwithquitethesameenergyasLasVegas,andalthoughmanytouristshadgonetobed,thecasinoatHarrah'swasstillrelativelybusy.Ayoungsailorapparentlyhadarungoingatoneofthecrapstables,andacrowdofexcitedgamblersurgedhimtorollaneightandmakehispoint.
Onthisholidayweekendthehotelwasofficiallybookedtocapacity;however,Elliotknewaccommodationswerealwaysavailable.Attherequestofitscasinomanager,everyhotelheldahandfulofroomsoffthemarket,justincaseafewregularcustomers—highrollers,ofcourse—showedupbysurprise,withnoadvancenotice,butwithfatbankrollsandnoplacetostay.Inaddition,somereservationswerecanceledatthelastminute,andtherewerealwaysafewno-shows.Aneatlyfoldedpairoftwenty-dollarbills,placedwithoutostentationintothehandofafront-deskclerk,wasalmostcertaintoresultinthetimelydiscoveryofaforgottenvacancy.
WhenElliotwasinformedthataroomwasavailable,afterall,fortwonights,hesignedtheregistrationcardas"HankThomas,"aslighttwistonthenameofoneofhisfavoritemoviestars;heenteredaphonySeattleaddresstoo.TheclerkrequestedIDoramajorcreditcard,andElliottoldasadstoryofbeingvictimizedbyapickpocketattheairport.Unabletoprovehisidentity,hewasrequiredtopayforbothnightsinadvance,whichhedid,takingthemoneyfromawadofcashhe'dstuckinhispocketratherthanfromthewalletthatsupposedlyhadbeenstolen.
HeandTinaweregivenaspacious,pleasantlydecoratedroomontheninthfloor.
Afterthebellmanleft,Elliotengagedthedeadbolt,hookedthesecuritychaininplace,andfirmlywedgedtheheavystraight-backeddeskchairundertheknob.
"It'slikeaprison,"Tinasaid.
"Exceptwe'relockedin,andthekillersarerunningaroundlooseontheoutside."
"Exceptwe'relockedin,andthekillersarerunningaroundlooseontheoutside."
Ashorttimelater,inbed,theyheldeachotherclose,butneitherofthemhadsexinmind.Theywantednothingmorethantotouchandtobetouched,toconfirmforeachotherthattheywerestillalive,tofeelsafeandprotectedandcherished.Theirswasananimalneedforaffectionandcompanionship,areactiontothedeathanddestructionthathadfilledtheday.Afterencounteringsomanypeoplewithsolittlerespectforhumanlife,theyneededtoconvincethemselvesthattheyreallyweremorethandustinthewind.
Afterafewminuteshesaid,"Youwereright."
"Aboutwhat?"
"Aboutwhatyousaidlastnight,inVegas."
"Refreshmymemory."
"YousaidIwasenjoyingthechase."
"Apartofyou...deepdowninside.Yes,Ithinkthat'strue."
"Iknowitis,"hesaid."Icanseeitnow.Ididn'twanttobelieveitatfirst."
"Whynot?Ididn'tmeanitnegatively."
"Iknowyoudidn't.It'sjustthatformorethanfifteenyears,I'veledaveryordinarylife,aworkadaylife.IwasconvincedInolongerneededorwantedthekindofthrillsthatIthrivedonwhenIwasyounger."
"Idon'tthinkyoudoneedorwantthem,"Tinasaid."Butnowthatyou'reinrealdangeragainforthefirsttimeinyears,apartofyouisrespondingtothechallenge.Likeanoldathletebackontheplayingfieldafteralongabsence,testinghisreflexes,takingprideinthefactthathisoldskillsarestillthere."
"It'smorethanthat,"Elliotsaid."Ithink...deepdown,IgotasicksortofthrillwhenIkilledthatman."
"Don'tbesohardonyourself."
"I'mnot.Infact,maybethethrillwasn'tsodeepdown.Maybeitwasreallyprettynearthesurface."
prettynearthesurface."
"Youshouldbegladyoukilledthatbastard,"shesaidsoftly,squeezinghishand.
"ShouldI?"
"Listen,ifIcouldgetmyhandsonthepeoplewho'retryingtokeepusfromfindingDanny,Iwouldn'thaveanycompunctionsaboutkillingthem.Noneatall.Imighteventakeacertainpleasureinit.I'mamotherlion,andthey'vestolenmycub.Maybekillingthemisthemostnatural,admirablethingIcoulddo."
"Sothere'sabitofthebeastinallofus.Isthatit?"
"It'snotjustmethathasasavagetrappedinside."
"Butdoesthatmakeitanymoreacceptable?"
"What'stoaccept?"sheasked."It'sthewayGodmadeus.It'sthewayweweremeanttobe,sowho'stosayitisn'tright?"
"Maybe."
"Ifamankillsonlyforthepleasureofit,orifhekillsonlyforanideallikesomeofthesecrackpotrevolutionariesyoureadabout,that'ssavagery...ormadness.Whatyou'vedoneisaltogetherdifferent.Self-preservationisoneofthemostpowerfuldrivesGodgaveus.We'rebuilttosurvive,evenifwehavetokillsomeoneinordertodoit."
Theyweresilentforawhile.Thenhesaid,"Thankyou."
"Ididn'tdoanything."
"Youlistened."
28
KURTHENSEN,GEORGEALEXANDER'SRIGHT-handman,dozedthroughtheroughflightfromLasVegastoReno.Theywereinaten-passengerjetthatbelongedtotheNetwork,andtheaircrafttookabatteringfromthehigh-altitudewindsthatblewacrossitsassignedflightcorridor.Hensen,apowerfullybuiltmanwithwhite-blondhairandcat-yelloweyes,wasafraidofflying.Hecouldonlymanagetogetonaplaneafterhehadmedicatedhimself.Asusualhenoddedoffminutesaftertheaircraftliftedfromtherunway.
GeorgeAlexanderwastheonlyotherpassenger.HeconsideredtherequisitioningofthisexecutivejettobeoneofhismostimportantaccomplishmentsinthethreeyearsthathehadbeenchiefoftheNevadabureauoftheNetwork.AlthoughhespentmorethanhalfhistimeworkinginhisLasVegasoffice,heoftenhadreasontoflytofarpointsatthespurofthemoment:Reno,Elko,evenoutofthestatetoTexas,California,Arizona,NewMexico,Utah.Duringthefirstyear,he'dtakencommercialflightsorrentedtheservicesofatrustworthyprivatepilotwhocouldflytheconventionaltwin-enginecraftthatAlexander'spredecessorhadmanagedtopryoutoftheNetwork'sbudget.ButithadseemedabsurdandshortsightedofthedirectortoforceamanofAlexander'spositiontotravelbysuchrelativelyprimitivemeans.Histimewasenormouslyvaluabletothecountry;hisworkwassensitiveandoftenrequiredurgentdecisionsbaseduponfirst-handexaminationofinformationtobefoundonlyindistantplaces.Afterlongandarduouslobbyingofthedirector,Alexanderhadatlastbeenawardedthissmalljet;andimmediatelyheputtwofull-timepilots,ex-militarymen,onthepayrolloftheNevadabureau.
SometimestheNetworkpinchedpenniestoitsdisadvantage.AndGeorgeLincolnStanhopeAlexander,whowasanheirtoboththefortuneofthePennsylvaniaAlexandersandtotheenormouswealthoftheDelawareStanhopes,hadabsolutelynopatiencewithpeoplewhowerepenurious.
Itwastruethateverydollarhadtocount,foreverydollaroftheNetwork'sbudgetwasdifficulttocomeby.Becauseitsexistencemustbekeptsecret,theorganizationwasfundedoutofmisdirectedappropriationsmeantforothergovernmentagencies.Threebilliondollars,thelargestsinglepartoftheNetwork'syearlybudget,camefromtheDepartmentofHealthandWelfare.The
Network'syearlybudget,camefromtheDepartmentofHealthandWelfare.TheNetworkhadadeep-coveragentnamedJacklininthehighestpolicy-makingranksoftheHealthbureaucracy.ItwasJacklin'sjobtoconceivenewwelfareprograms,convincetheSecretaryofHealthandWelfarethatthoseprogramswereneeded,sellthemtotheCongress,andthenestablishconvincingbureaucraticshellstoconcealthefactthattheprogramswereutterlyphony;andasfederalfundsflowedtothesefalse-frontoperations,themoneywasdivertedtotheNetwork.ChippingthreebillionoutofHealthwastheleastriskyoftheNetwork'sfundingoperations,forHealthwassogiganticthatitnevermissedsuchapettysum.TheDepartmentofDefense,whichwaslessflushthanHealthandWelfarethesedays,wasneverthelessalsoguiltyofwaste,anditwasgoodforatleastanotherbillionayear.Lesseramounts,rangingfromonlyonehundredmilliontoasmuchashalfabillion,weresecretlyextractedfromtheDepartmentofEnergy,theDepartmentofEducation,andothergovernmentbodiesonanannualbasis.
TheNetworkwasfinancedwithsomedifficulty,tobesure,butitwasundeniablywellfunded.AnexecutivejetforthechiefofthevitalNevadabureauwasnotanextravagance,andAlexanderbelievedhisimprovedperformanceoverthepastyearhadconvincedtheoldmaninWashingtonthatthiswasmoneywellspent.
Alexanderwasproudoftheimportanceofhisposition.Buthewasalsofrustratedbecausesofewpeoplewereawareofhisgreatimportance.
Attimesheenviedhisfatherandhisuncles.Mostofthemhadservedtheircountryopenly,inasupremelyvisiblefashion,whereeveryonecouldseeandadmiretheirselflesspublic-spiritedness.SecretaryofDefense,SecretaryofState,theAmbassadortoFrance...inpositionsofthatnature,amanwasappreciatedandrespected.
George,ontheotherhand,hadn'tfilledapostofgenuinestatureandauthorityuntilsixyearsago,whenhewasthirty-six.Duringhistwentiesandearlythirties,hehadlaboredatavarietyoflesserjobsforthegovernment.Thesediplomaticandintelligence-gatheringassignmentswereneveraninsulttohisfamilyname,buttheywerealwaysminorpostingstoembassiesinsmallercountrieslikeIcelandandEcuadorandTonga,nothingforwhichTheNewYorkTimeswoulddeigntoacknowledgehisexistence.
Then,sixyearsago,theNetworkhadbeenformed,andthePresidenthadgiven
Then,sixyearsago,theNetworkhadbeenformed,andthePresidenthadgivenGeorgethetaskofdevelopingareliableSouthAmericanbureauofthenewintelligenceagency.Thathadbeenexciting,challenging,importantwork.Georgehadbeendirectlyresponsiblefortheexpenditureoftensofmillionsofdollarsand,eventually,forthecontrolofhundredsofagentsinadozencountries.AfterthreeyearsthePresidenthaddeclaredhimselfdelightedwiththeaccomplishmentsinSouthAmerica,andhehadaskedGeorgetotakechargeofoneoftheNetwork'sdomesticbureaus—Nevada—whichhadbeenterriblymismanaged.Thisslotwasoneofthehalf-dozenmostpowerfulintheNetwork'sexecutivehierarchy.GeorgewasencouragedbythePresidenttobelievethateventuallyhewouldbepromotedtothebureauchiefoftheentirewesternhalfofthecountry—andthenallthewaytothetop,ifonlyhecouldgettheflounderingwesterndivisionfunctioningassmoothlyastheSouthAmericanandNevadaoffices.Intimehewouldtakethedirector'schairinWashingtonandwouldbearfullresponsibilityforalldomesticandforeignintelligenceoperations.WiththattitlehewouldbeoneofthemostpowerfulmenintheUnitedStates,moreofaforcetobereckonedwiththananymereSecretaryofStateorSecretaryofDefensecouldhopetobe.
Buthecouldn'ttellanyoneabouthisachievements.Hecouldneverhopetoreceivethepublicacclaimandhonorthathadbeenheapeduponothermeninhisfamily.TheNetworkwasclandestineandmustremainclandestineifitwastohaveanyvalue.Atleasthalfofthepeoplewhoworkedforitdidnotevenrealizeitexisted;somethoughttheywereemployedbytheFBI;othersweresuretheyworkedfortheCIA;andstillothersbelievedthattheywereinthehireofvariousbranchesoftheTreasuryDepartment,includingtheSecretService.NoneofthosepeoplecouldcompromisetheNetwork.Onlybureauchiefs,theirimmediatestaffs,stationchiefsinmajorcities,andseniorfieldofficerswhohadprovedthemselvesandtheirloyalty—onlythosepeopleknewthetruenatureoftheiremployersandtheirwork.ThemomentthatthenewsmediabecameawareoftheNetwork'sexistence,allwaslost.
Ashesatinthedimlylightedcabinofthefan-jetandwatchedthecloudsracingbelow,Alexanderwonderedwhathisfatherandhisuncleswouldsayiftheyknewthathisservicetohiscountryhadoftenrequiredhimtoissuekillorders.MoreshockingstilltothesensibilitiesofpatricianEasternerslikethem:onthreeoccasions,inSouthAmerica,Alexanderhadbeeninapositionwhereithadbeennecessaryforhimtopulltheassassin'striggerhimself.Hehadenjoyedthosemurderssoimmensely,hadbeensoprofoundlythrilledbythem,thathehad,bychoice,performedtheexecutioner'sroleonhalfadozenotherassignments.WhatwouldtheelderAlexanders,thefamousstatesmen,thinkiftheyknewhe'd
WhatwouldtheelderAlexanders,thefamousstatesmen,thinkiftheyknewhe'dsoiledhishandswithblood?Asforthefactthatitwassometimeshisjobtoorderothermentokill,hesupposedhisfamilywouldunderstand.TheAlexanderswereallidealistswhentheywerediscussingthewaythingsoughttobe,buttheywerealsohardheadedpragmatistswhendealingwiththewaythingsactuallywere.Theyknewthattheworldsofdomesticmilitarysecurityandinternationalespionagewerenotchildren'splaygrounds.Georgelikedtobelievethattheymightevenfinditintheirheartstoforgivehimforhavingpulledthetriggerhimself.
Afterall,hehadneverkilledanordinarycitizenorapersonofrealworth.Histargetshadalwaysbeenspies,traitors;morethanafewofthemhadbeencold-bloodedkillersthemselves.Scum.Hehadonlykilledscum.Itwasn'taprettyjob,butitalsowasn'twithoutameasureofrealdignityandheroism.AtleastthatwasthewayGeorgesawit;hethoughtofhimselfasheroic.Yes,hewassurethathisfatheranduncleswouldgivehimtheirblessings—ifonlyhewerepermittedtotellthem.
Thejethitanespeciallybadpatchofturbulence.Ityawed,bounced,shuddered.
KurtHensensnortedinhissleepbutdidn'twake.
Whentheplanesettleddownoncemore,Alexanderlookedoutthewindowatthemilky-white,moonlit,feminineroundnessofthecloudsbelow,andhethoughtoftheEvanswoman.Shewasquitelovely.Herfilefolderwasontheseatbesidehim.Hepickeditup,openedit,andstaredatherphotograph.Quitelovelyindeed.Hedecidedhewouldkillherhimselfwhenthetimecame,andthatthoughtgavehimaninstanterection.
Heenjoyedkilling.Hedidn'ttrytopretendotherwisewithhimself,nomatterwhatfacehehadtopresenttotheworld.Allofhislife,forreasonshehadneverbeenabletofullyascertain,hehadbeenfascinatedbydeath,intriguedbytheformandnatureandpossibilitiesofit,enthralledbythestudyandtheoryofitsmeaning.Heconsideredhimselfamessengerofdeath,adivinelyappointedheadsman.Murderwas,inmanyways,morethrillingtohimthansex.HistasteforviolencewouldnothavebeentoleratedforlongintheoldFBI—perhapsnoteveninthenew,thoroughlypoliticizedFBI—orinmanyothercongressionallymonitoredpoliceagencies.Butinthisunknownorganization,inthissecretandincomparablycozyplace,hethrived.
HeclosedhiseyesandthoughtaboutChristinaEvans.
HeclosedhiseyesandthoughtaboutChristinaEvans.
29
INTINA'SDREAM,DANNYWASATTHEPARENDOFAlongtunnel.Hewasinchains,sittinginthecenterofasmall,well-lightedcavern,butthepassagewaythatledtohimwasshadowyandreekedofdanger.Dannycalledtoheragainandagain,begginghertosavehimbeforetheroofofhisundergroundprisoncavedinandburiedhimalive.Shestarteddownthetunneltowardhim,determinedtogethimoutofthere—andsomethingreachedforherfromanarrowcleftinthewall.Shewasperipherallyawareofasoft,firelikeglowfrombeyondthecleft,andofamysteriousfiguresilhouettedagainstthatreddishbackdrop.Sheturned,andshewaslookingintothegrinningfaceofDeath,asifhewerepeeringoutatherfromthebowelsofHell.Thecrimsoneyes.Theshriveledflesh.Thelaceworkofmaggotsonhischeek.Shecriedout,butthenshesawthatDeathcouldnotquitereachher.Theholeinthewallwasnotwideenoughforhimtostepthrough,intoherpassageway;hecouldonlythrustonearmather,andhislong,bonyfingerswereaninchortwoshortofher.Dannybegancallingagain,andshecontinueddowntheduskytunneltowardhim.Adozentimesshepassedchinksinthewall,andDeathglaredoutatherfromeveryoneofthoseapertures,screamedandcursedandragedather,butnoneoftheholeswaslargeenoughtoallowhimthrough.ShereachedDanny,andwhenshetouchedhim,thechainsfellmagicallyawayfromhisarmsandlegs.Shesaid,"Iwasscared."AndDannysaid,"Imadetheholesinthewallssmaller.Imadesurehecouldn'treachyou,couldn'thurtyou."
Ateight-thirtyFridaymorningTinacameawake,smilingandexcited.SheshookElliotuntilshewokehim.
Blinkingsleepily,hesatup."What'swrong?"
"Dannyjustsentmeanotherdream."
Takinginherbroadsmile,hesaid,"Obviously,itwasn'tthenightmare."
"Notatall.Dannywantsustocometohim.Hewantsusjusttowalkintotheplacewherethey'rekeepinghimandtakehimout."
"We'dbekilledbeforewecouldreachhim.Wecan'tjustchargeinlikethe
"We'dbekilledbeforewecouldreachhim.Wecan'tjustchargeinlikethecavalry.We'vegottousethemediaandthecourtstofreehim."
"Idon'tthinkso."
'Thetwoofuscan'tfighttheentireorganizationthat'sbehindKennebeckplusthestaffofsomesecretmilitaryresearchcenter."
"Danny'sgoingtomakeitsafeforus,"shesaidconfidently."He'sgoingtousethispowerofhistohelpusgetinthere."
"Thatisn'tpossible."
"Yousaidyoubelieved."
"Ido,"Elliotsaid,yawningandstretchingelaborately."Idobelieve.But...howcanhehelpus?Howcanheguaranteeoursafety?"
"Idon'tknow.Butthat'swhathewastellingmeinthedream.I'msureofit."
Sherecountedthedreamindetail,andElliotadmittedthatherinterpretationwasn'tstrained.
"ButevenifDannycouldsomehowgetusin,"hesaid,"wedon'tknowwherethey'rekeepinghim.Thissecretinstallationcouldbeanywhere.Andmaybeitdoesn'tevenexist.Andifitdoesexist,theymightnotbeholdinghimthereanyway."
"Itexists,andthat'swhereheis,"shesaid,tryingtosoundmorecertainthansheactuallywas.
ShewaswithinreachofDanny.Shefeltalmostasifshehadhiminherarmsagain,andshedidn'twantanyonetotellherthathemightbeahair'sbreadthbeyondhergrasp.
"Okay,"Elliotsaid,wipingatthecornersofhissleep-mattedeyes."Let'ssaythissecretinstallationexists.Thatdoesn'thelpusawholehellofalot.Itcouldbeanywhereinthosemountains."
"No,"shesaid."IthastobewithinafewmilesofwhereJaborskiintendedtogowiththescouts."
"Okay.That'sprobablytrue.Butthatcoversahellofalotofruggedterrain.Wecouldn'tbegintoconductathoroughsearchofit."
Tina'sconfidencecouldn'tbeshaken."Dannywillpinpointitforus."
"Danny'sgoingtotelluswhereheis?"
"He'sgoingtotry,Ithink.Isensedthatinthedream."
"How'shegoingtodoit?"
"Idon'tknow.ButIhavethisfeelingthatifwejustfindsomeway...somemeansoffocusinghisenergy,channelingit..."
"Suchas?"
Shestaredatthetangledbedclothesasifsheweresearchingforinspirationinthecreasesofthelinens.Herexpressionwouldhavebeenappropriatetothefaceofagypsyfortune-tellerpeeringwithaclairvoyantfrownattealeaves.
"Maps!"shesaidsuddenly.
"What?"
"Don'ttheypublishterrainmapsofthewildernessareas?Backpackersandothernatureloverswouldneedthem.Notminutelydetailedthings.Basicallymapsthatshowthelayoftheland—hills,valleys,thecoursesofriversandstreams,footpaths,abandonedloggingtrails,thatsortofthing.I'msureJaborskihadmaps.Iknowhedid.Isawthemattheparent-sonscoutmeetingwhenheexplainedwhythetripwouldbeperfectlysafe."
"Isupposeanysporting-goodsstoreinRenooughttohavemapsofatleastthenearestpartsoftheSierras."
"Maybeifwecangetamapandspreaditout...well,maybeDannywillfindawaytoshowusexactlywhereheis."
"How?"
"I'mnotsureyet."Shethrewbackthecoversandgotoutofbed."Let'sgetthemapsfirst.We'llworryabouttherestofitlater.Comeon.Let'sgetshowered
mapsfirst.We'llworryabouttherestofitlater.Comeon.Let'sgetshoweredanddressed.Thestoreswillbeopeninanhourorso."
•••
Becauseofthefoul-upattheBellicostiplace,GeorgeAlexanderdidn'tgettobeduntilfive-thirtyFridaymorning.StillfuriouswithhissubordinatesforlettingStrykerandthewomanescapeagain,hehaddifficultygettingtosleep.Hefinallynoddedoffaround7:00A.M.
Atteno'clockhewasawakenedbythetelephone.ThedirectorwascallingfromWashington.Theyusedanelectronicscramblingdevice,sotheycouldspeakcandidly,andtheoldmanwasfuriousandcharacteristicallyblunt.
AsAlexanderenduredthedirector'saccusationsanddemands,herealizedthathisownfuturewiththeNetworkwasatstake.IfhefailedtostopStrykerandtheEvanswoman,hisdreamofassumingthedirector'schairinafewyearswouldneverbecomeareality.
Aftertheoldmanhungup,Alexandercalledhisownoffice,innomoodtobetoldthatElliotStrykerandChristinaEvanswerestillatlarge.Butthatwasexactlywhatheheard.Heorderedmenpulledoffotherjobsandassignedtothemanhunt.
"Iwantthemfoundbeforeanotherdaypasses,"Alexandersaid."Thatbastard'skilledoneofusnow.Hecan'tgetawaywiththat.Iwanthimeliminated.Andthebitchwithhim.Bothofthem.Dead."
30
TWOSPORTING-GOODSSTORESANDTWOGUNshopswerewithineasywalkingdistanceofthehotel.Thefirstsporting-goodsdealerdidnotcarrythemaps,andalthoughthesecondusuallyhadthem,itwascurrentlysoldout.ElliotandTinafoundwhattheyneededinoneofthegunshops:asetoftwelvewildernessmapsoftheSierras,designedwithbackpackersandhuntersinmind.Thesetcameinaleatherette-coveredcaseandsoldforahundreddollars.
Backinthehotelroom,theyopenedoneofthemapsonthebed,andElliotsaid,"Nowwhat?"
ForamomentTinaconsideredtheproblem.Thenshewenttothedesk,openedthecenterdrawer,andwithdrewafolderofhotelstationery.Inthefolderwasacheapplasticballpointpenwiththehotelnameonit.Withthepen,shereturnedtothebedandsatbesidetheopenmap.
Shesaid,"Peoplewhobelieveintheocculthaveathingtheycall'automaticwriting.'Everhearofit?"
"Sure.Spiritwriting.Aghostsupposedlyguidesyourhandtodeliveramessagefrombeyond.Alwayssoundedliketheworstsortofbunkumtome."
"Well,bunkumornot,I'mgoingtotrysomethinglikethat.Except,Idon'tneedaghosttoguidemyhand.I'mhopingDannycandoit."
"Don'tyouhavetobeinatrance,likeamediumataseance?"
"I'mjustgoingtocompletelyrelax,makemyselfopenandreceptive.I'llholdthepenagainstthemap,andmaybeDannycandrawtherouteforus."
Elliotpulledachairbesidethebedandsat."Idon'tbelieveforaminuteit'sgoingtowork.Totallynuts.ButI'llbeasquietasamouseandgiveitachance."
Tinastaredatthemapandtriedtothinkofnothingbuttheappealinggreens,blues,yellows,andpinksthatthecartographershadusedtoindicatevarioustypesofterrain.Sheallowedhereyestoswimoutoffocus.
typesofterrain.Sheallowedhereyestoswimoutoffocus.
Aminutepassed.
Twominutes.Three.
Shetriedclosinghereyes.
Anotherminute.Two.
Nothing.
Sheturnedthemapoverandtriedtheothersideofit.
Stillnothing.
"Givemeanothermap,"shesaid.
Elliotwithdrewanotheronefromtheleatherettecaseandhandedittoher.Herefoldedthefirstmapassheunfoldedthesecond.
Halfanhourandfivemapslater,Tina'shandsuddenlyskippedacrossthepaperasifsomeonehadbumpedherarm.
Shefeltapeculiarpullingsensationthatseemedtocomefromwithinherhand,andshestiffenedinsurprise.
Instantlytheinvasivepowerretreatedfromher.
"Whatwasthat?"Elliotasked.
"Danny.Hetried."
"You'resure?"
"Positive.Buthestartledme,andIguesseventhelittlebitofresistanceIofferedwasenoughtopushhimaway.Atleastweknowthisistherightmap.Letmetryagain."
Sheputthepenattheedgeofthemaponcemore,andshelethereyesdriftoutoffocus.
Theairtemperatureplummeted.
Theairtemperatureplummeted.
Shetriednottothinkaboutthechill.Shetriedtobanishallthoughts.
Herrighthand,inwhichsheheldthepen,grewrapidlycolderthananyotherpartofher.Shefelttheunpleasant,innerpullingagain.Herfingersachedwiththecold.Abruptlyherhandswungacrossthemap,thenback,thendescribedaseriesofcircles;thepenmademeaninglessscrawlsonthepaper.Afterhalfaminute,shefeltthepowerleaveherhandagain.
"Nogood,"shesaid.
Themapflewintotheair,asifsomeonehadtosseditinangerorfrustration.
Elliotgotoutofhischairandreachedforthemap—butitspunintotheairagain.Itflappednoisilytotheotherendoftheroomandthenbackagain,finallyfallinglikeadeadbirdontotheflooratElliot'sfeet.
"Jesus,"hesaidsoftly."ThenexttimeIreadastoryinthenewspaperaboutsomeguywhosayshewaspickedupinaflyingsaucerandtakenonatouroftheuniverse,Iwon'tbesoquicktolaugh.IfIseemanymoreinanimateobjectsdancingaround,I'mgoingtostartbelievingineverything,nomatterhowfreaky."
Tinagotupfromthebed,massaginghercoldrighthand."IguessI'mofferingtoomuchresistance.Butitfeelssoweirdwhenhetakescontrol...Ican'thelpstiffeningalittle.Iguessyouwererightaboutneedingtobeinatrance."
"I'mafraidIcan'thelpyouwiththat.I'magoodcook,butI'mnotahypnotist."
Sheblinked."Hypnosis!Ofcourse!That'llprobablydothetrick."
"Maybeitwill.Butwheredoyouexpecttofindahypnotist?ThelasttimeIlooked,theyweren'tsettingupshopsonstreetcorners."
"BillySandstone,"shesaid.
"Who?"
"He'sahypnotist.HelivesrighthereinReno.Hehasastageact.It'sabrilliantact.IwantedtousehiminMagyck!,buthewastiedupinanexclusivecontractwithachainofReno-Tahoehotels.IfyoucangetholdofBilly,hecanhypnotize
withachainofReno-Tahoehotels.IfyoucangetholdofBilly,hecanhypnotizeme.ThenmaybeI'llberelaxedenoughtomakethisautomaticwritingwork."
"Doyouknowhisphonenumber?"
"No.Andit'sprobablynotlisted.ButIdoknowhisagent'snumber.Icangetthroughtohimthatway."
Shehurriedtothetelephone.
31
BILLYSANDSTONEWASINHISLATETHIRTIES,ASsmallandleanasajockey,andhiswatchwordseemedtobe"neatness."Hisshoesshonelikeblackmirrors.Thecreasesinhisslackswereassharpasblades,andhisbluesportshirtwasstarched,crisp.Hishairwasrazor-cut,andhegroomedhismustachesometiculouslythatitalmostappearedtohavebeenpaintedonhisupperlip.
Billy'sdiningroomwasneattoo.Thetable,thechairs,thecredenza,andthehutchallglowedwarmlybecauseoftheprodigiousamountoffurniturepolishthathadbeenbuffedintothewoodwithevenmorevigorthanhehademployedwhenshininghisdazzlingshoes.Freshroseswerearrangedinacut-crystalvaseinthecenterofthetable,andcleanlinesoflightgleamedintheexquisiteglass.Thedraperieshunginperfectlymeasuredfolds.Anentirebattalionofnitpickersandfussbudgetswouldbehard-pressedtofindaspeckofdustinthisroom.
ElliotandTinaspreadthemaponthetableandsatdownacrossfromeachother.
Billysaid,"Automaticwritingisbunk,Christina.Youmustknowthat."
"Ido,Billy.Iknowthat."
"Well,then—"
"ButIwantyoutohypnotizemeanyway."
"You'realevelheadedperson,Tina,"Billysaid."Thisreallydoesn'tseemlikeyou."
"Iknow,"shesaid.
"Ifyou'djusttellmewhy.Ifyou'dtellmewhatthisisallabout,maybeIcouldhelpyoubetter."
"Billy,"shesaid,"ifItriedtoexplain,wewouldbehereallafternoon."
"Longer,"Elliotsaid.
"Andwedon'thavemuchtime,"Tinasaid."Alot'satstakehere,Billy.Morethanyoucanimagine."
Theyhadn'ttoldhimanythingaboutDanny.Sandstonedidn'thavethefaintestideawhytheywereinRenoorwhattheywereseekinginthemountains.
Elliotsaid,"I'msurethisseemsridiculous,Billy.You'reprobablywonderingifI'msomesortoflunatic.You'rewonderingifmaybeI'vemessedwithTina'smind."
"Whichdefinitelyisn'tthecase,"Tinasaid.
"Right,"Elliotsaid."Hermindwasmessedup.beforeIevermether."
ThejokeseemedtorelaxSandstone,asElliothadhopeditwould.Lunaticsandjustplainirrationalpeopledidn'tintentionallytrytoamuse.
Elliotsaid,"Iassureyou,Billy,wehaven'tlostourmarbles.Andthisisamatteroflifeanddeath."
"Itreallyis,"Tinasaid.
"Okay,"Billysaid."Youdon'thavetimetotellmeaboutitnow.I'llacceptthat.Butwillyoutellmeonedaywhenyouaren'tinsuchadamnrush?"
"Absolutely,"Tinasaid."I'lltellyoueverything.Justplease,please,putmeinatrance."
"Allright,"BillySandstonesaid.
Hewaswearingagoldsignetring.Heturneditaround,sothefaceofitwasonthewrongside—thepalmside—ofhisfinger.HeheldhishandinfrontofTina'seyes.
"Keepyoureyesontheringandlistenonlytomyvoice."
"Waitasecond,"shesaid.
Shepulledthecapofftheredfelt-tippenthatElliothadpurchasedatthehotelnewsstandjustbeforethey'dcaughtataxitoSandstone'shouse.Elliothadsuggestedachangeinthecolorofink,sotheywouldbeabletotellthe
suggestedachangeinthecolorofink,sotheywouldbeabletotellthedifferencebetweenthemeaninglessscribblesthatwerealreadyonthemapandanynewmarksthatmightbemade.
Puttingthepointofthepentothepaper,Tinasaid,"Okay,Billy.Doyourstuff."
ElliotwasnotsurewhenTinaslippedunderthehypnotist'sspell,andhehadnoideahowthissmoothmesmerismwasaccomplished.AllSandstonedidwasmoveonehandslowlybackandforthinfrontofTina'sface,simultaneouslyspeakingtoherinaquiet,rhythmicvoice,frequentlyusinghername.
Elliotalmostfellintoatrancehimself.HeblinkedhiseyesandtunedoutSandstone'smelodiousvoicewhenherealizedthathewassuccumbingtoit.
Tinastaredvacantlyintospace.
Thehypnotistloweredhishandandturnedhisringaroundasitbelonged."You'reinadeepsleep,Tina."
"Yes."
"Youreyesareopen,butyouareinadeep,deepsleep."
"Yes."
"YouwillstayinthatdeepsleepuntilItellyoutowakeup.Doyouunderstand?"
"Yes."
"Youwillremainrelaxedandreceptive."
"Yes."
"Nothingwillstartleyou."
"No."
"Youaren'treallyinvolvedinthis.You'rejustthemethodoftransmission—likeatelephone."
"Telephone,"shesaidthickly.
"Youwillremaintotallypassiveuntilyoufeeltheurgetousethepeninyourhand."
"Allright."
"Whenyoufeeltheurgetousethepen,youwillnotresistit.Youwillflowwithit.Understood?"
"Yes."
"YouwillnotbebotheredbyanythingElliotandIsaytoeachother.YouwillrespondtomeonlywhenIspeakdirectlytoyou.Understood?"
"Yes."
"Now...openyourselftowhoeverwantstospeakthroughyou."
Theywaited.
Aminutepassed,thenanother.
BillySandstonewatchedTinaintentlyforawhile,butatlastheshiftedimpatientlyinhischair.HelookedatElliotandsaid,"Idon'tthinkthisspiritwritingstuffis—"
Themaprustled,drawingtheirattention.Thecornerscurledanduncurled,curledanduncurled,againandagain,likethepulseofalivingthing.
Theairwascolder.
Themapstoppedcurling.Therustlingceased.
Tinaloweredhergazefromtheemptyairtothemap,andherhandbegantomove.Itdidn'tswoopanddartuncontrollablythistime;itcreptcarefully,hesitantlyacrossthepaper,leavingathinredlineofinklikeathreadofblood.
Sandstonewasrubbinghishandsupanddownhisarmstowardoffthesteadilydeepeningchillthathadgrippedtheroom.Frowning,glancingupattheheatingvents,hestartedtogetoutofhischair.
Elliotsaid,"Don'tbothercheckingtheair-conditioning.Itisn'ton.Andtheheathasn'tfailedeither."
hasn'tfailedeither."
"What?"
"Thecoldcomesfromthe...spirit,"Elliotsaid,decidingtostickwiththeoccultterminology,notwantingtogetboggeddownintherealstoryaboutDanny.
"Spirit?"
"Yes."
"Whosespirit?"
"Couldbeanyone's."
"Areyouserious?"
"Prettymuch."
Sandstonestaredathimasiftosay,You'renuts,butareyoudangerous?
Elliotpointedtothemap."See?"
AsTina'shandmovedslowlyoverthepaper,thecornersofthemapbegantocurlanduncurlagain.
"Howisshedoingthat?"Sandstoneasked.
"Sheisn't."
"Theghost,Isuppose."
"That'sright."
AnexpressionofpainsettledoverBilly'sface,asifheweresufferinggenuinephysicaldiscomfortbecauseofElliot'sbeliefinghosts.ApparentlyBillylikedhisviewoftheworldtobeasneatandunclutteredaseverythingelseabouthim;ifhestartedbelievinginghosts,he'dhavetoreconsiderhisopinionsaboutalotofotherthingstoo,andthenlifewouldbecomeintolerablymessy.
Elliotsympathizedwiththehypnotist.Rightnowhelongedfortherigidlystructuredroutineofthelawoffice,theneatlyorderedparagraphsoflegal
structuredroutineofthelawoffice,theneatlyorderedparagraphsoflegalcasebooks,andthetimelessrulesofthecourtroom.
Tinaletthependropfromherfingers.Sheliftedhergazefromthemap.Hereyesremainedunfocused.
"Areyoufinished?"Billyaskedher.
"Yes."
"Areyousure?"
"Yes."
Withafewsimplesentencesandasharpclapofhishands,thehypnotistbroughtheroutofthetrance.
Sheblinkedinconfusion,thenglanceddownattheroutethatshehadmarkedonthemap.ShesmiledatElliot."Itworked.ByGod,itworked!"
"Apparentlyitdid."
Shepointedtotheterminusoftheredline."That'swhereheis,Elliot.That'swherethey'rekeepinghim."
"It'snotgoingtobeeasygettingintocountrylikethat,"Elliotsaid.
"Wecandoit.We'llneedgood,insulatedoutdoorclothes.Boots.Snowshoesincasewehavetowalkveryfarinopencountry.Doyouknowhowtousesnowshoes?Itcan'tbethathard."
"Holdon,"Elliotsaid."I'mstillnotconvincedyourdreammeantwhatyouthinkitdid.Basedonwhatyousaidhappenedinit,Idon'tseehowyoureachtheconclusionthatDanny'sgoingtohelpusgetintotheinstallation.Wemightgettothisplaceandfindwecan'tsliparounditsdefenses."
BillySandstonelookedfromTinatoElliot,baffled."Danny?YourDanny,Tina?Butisn'the—"
Tinasaid,"Elliot,itwasn'tonlywhathappenedinthedreamthatledmetothisconclusion.WhatIfeltinitwasfarmoreimportant.Ican'texplainthatpartofit.Theonlywayyoucouldunderstandisifyouhadthedreamyourself.I'msurehe
Theonlywayyoucouldunderstandisifyouhadthedreamyourself.I'msurehewastellingmethathecouldhelpusgettohim."
Elliotturnedthemaptobeabletostudyitmoreclosely.
Fromtheheadofthetable,Billysaid,"Butisn'tDanny—"
Tinasaid,"Elliot,listen,Itoldyouhewouldshowuswherehe'sbeingkept,andhedrewthatrouteforus.SofarI'mbattingathousand.Ialsofeelhe'sgoingtohelpusgetintotheplace,andIdon'tseeanyreasonwhyIshouldstrikeoutonthatone."
"It'sjust...we'dbewalkingintotheirarms,"Elliotsaid.
"Whosearms?"BillySandstoneasked.
Tinasaid,"Elliot,whathappensifwestayhere,hidingoutuntilwecanthinkofanalternative?Howmuchtimedowehave?Notmuch.They'regoingtofindussoonerorlater,andwhentheygettheirhandsonus,they'llkillus."
"Kill?"BillySandstoneasked."There'sawordIdon'tlike.It'srightupthereonthebad-wordlistbesidebroccoli."
"We'vegottenthisfarbecausewe'vekeptmovingandwe'vebeenaggressive,"Tinasaid."Ifwechangeourapproach,ifwesuddenlygettoocautious,that'llbeourdownfall,notoursalvation."
"Youtwosoundlikeyou'reinawar,"BillySandstonesaiduneasily.
"You'reprobablyright,"ElliottoldTina."OnethingIlearnedinthemilitarywasyouhavetostopandregroupyourforcesonceinawhile,butifyoustoptoolong,thetidewillturnandwashrightoveryou."
"ShouldImaybegolistentothenews?"BillySandstoneasked."Isthereawaron?HaveweinvadedFrance?"
ToTina,Elliotsaid,"Whatelsewillweneedbesidesthermalclothing,boots,andsnowshoes?"
"AJeep,"shesaid.
"That'satallorder."
"That'satallorder."
"Whataboutatank?"BillySandstoneasked."Goingtowar,youmightpreferatank."
Tinasaid,"Don'tbesilly,Billy.AJeepisallweneed."
"Justtryingtobehelpful,love.AndthanksforrememberingIexist."
"AJeeporanExplorer—anythingwithfour-wheeldrive,"TinatoldElliot."Wedon'twanttowalkfartherthannecessary.Wedon'twanttowalkatallifwecanhelpit.Theremustbesomesortofroadintotheplace,evenifit'swellconcealed.Ifwe'relucky,we'llhaveDannywhenwecomeout,andheprobablywon'tbeinanyconditiontotrekthroughtheSierrasinthedeadofwinter."
"IhaveanExplorer,"Billysaid.
"IguessIcouldhavesomemoneytransferredfrommyVegasbank,"Elliotsaid."Butwhatifthey'rewatchingmyaccountsdownthere?Thatwouldleadthemtousfast.Andsincethebanksareclosedfortheholiday,wecouldn'tdoanythinguntilnextweek.Theymightfindusbythen."
"WhataboutyourAmericanExpresscard?"sheasked.
"Youmean,chargeaJeep?"
"There'snolimitonthecard,isthere?"
"No.But—"
"IreadanewspaperstoryonceaboutaguywhoboughtaRolls-Roycewithhiscard.Youcandothatsortofthingaslongastheyknowforsureyou'recapableofpayingtheentirebillwhenitcomesdueamonthlater."
"Itsoundscrazy,"Elliotsaid."ButIguesswecantry."
"IhaveanExplorer,"BillySandstonesaid.
"Let'sgettheaddressofthelocaldealership,"Tinasaid."We'llseeifthey'llacceptthecard."
"IhaveanExplorer!"Billysaid.
"IhaveanExplorer!"Billysaid.
Theyturnedtohim,startled.
"ItakemyacttoLakeTahoeafewweekseverywinter,"Billysaid."Youknowwhatit'slikedowntherethistimeofyear.Snowuptoyourass.IhateflyingtheTahoe-Renoshuttle.Theplane'ssodamnsmall.Andyouknowwhataticky-tackyairporttheyhaveatTahoe.SoIusuallyjustdrivedownthedaybeforeIopen.AnExplorer'stheonlythingI'dwanttotakethroughthemountainsonabadday."
"AreyougoingtoTahoesoon?"Tinaasked.
"No.Idon'topenuntiltheendofthemonth."
"WillyoubeneedingtheExplorerinthenextcoupleofdays?"Elliotasked.
"No."
"Canweborrowit?"
"Well...Iguessso."
Tinaleanedacrossthecornerofthetable,grabbedBilly'sheadinherhands,pulledhisfacetohers,andkissedhim."You'realifesaver,Billy.AndImeanthatliterally."
"I'masmallcircletofhardcandy?"
"Maybethingsarebreakingrightforus,"Elliotsaid."Maybewe'llgetDannyoutofthereafterall."
"Wewill,"Tinasaid."Iknowit."
Therosesinthecrystalvasetwirledaroundlikeagroupofspinning,redheadedballerinas.
Startled,BillySandstonejumpedup,knockingoverhischair.
Thedrapesdrewopen,slidshut,drewopen,slidshut,eventhoughnoonewasnearthedrawcords.
Thechandelierbegantoswinginalazycircle,andthedanglingcrystalscastprismaticpatternsoflightonthewalls.
Billystared,open-mouthed.
ElliotknewhowdisorientedBillywasfeeling,andhefeltsorryfortheman.
Afterhalfaminutealloftheunnaturalmovementstopped,andtheroomrapidlygrewwarmagain.
"Howdidyoudothat?"Billydemanded.
"Wedidn't,"Tinasaid.
"Notaghost,"Billysaidadamantly.
"Notaghosteither,"Elliotsaid.
Billysaid,"YoucanborrowtheExplorer.Butfirstyou'vegottotellmewhatinhell'sgoingon.Idon'tcarehowmuchofahurryyou'rein.Youcanatleasttellmealittleofit.Otherwise,I'mgoingtoshrivelupanddieofcuriosity."
TinaconsultedElliot."Well?"
Elliotsaid,"Billy,youmightbebetteroffnotknowing."
"Impossible."
"We'reupagainstsomedamndangerouspeople.Iftheythoughtyouknewaboutthem—"
"Look,"Billysaid,"I'mnotjustahypnotist.I'msomethingofamagician.That'sreallywhatImostwantedtobe,butIdidn'treallyhavetheskillforit.SoIworkedupthisactbuiltaroundhypnotism.Butmagic—that'smyonegreatlove.Ijusthavetoknowhowyoudidthattrickwiththedrapes,theroses.Andthecornersofthemap!Ijusthavetoknow."
EarlierthismorningithadoccurredtoElliotthatheandTinaweretheonlypeoplewhoknewthattheofficialstoryoftheSierrasaccidentwasalie.Iftheywerekilled,thetruthwoulddiewiththem,andthecover-upwouldcontinue.Consideringthehighpricethattheyhadpaidforthepatheticallyinsufficient
Consideringthehighpricethattheyhadpaidforthepatheticallyinsufficientinformationtheyhadobtained,hecouldn'ttoleratetheprospectofalltheirpainandfearandanxietyhavingbeenfornaught.
Elliotsaid,"Billy,doyouhaveataperecorder?"
"Sure.It'snothingfancy.It'salittleoneIcarrywithme.Idosomecomedylinesintheact,andIusetherecordertodevelopnewmaterial,correctproblemswithmytiming."
"Itdoesn'thavetobefancy,"Elliotsaid."Justsoitworks.We'llgiveyouacondensedversionofthestorybehindallofthis,andwe'llrecorditaswego.ThenI'llmailthetapetooneofmylawpartners."Heshrugged."Notmuchinsurance,butbetterthannothing."
"I'llgettherecorder,"Billysaid,hurryingoutofthediningroom.
Tinafoldedthemap.
"It'snicetoseeyousmilingagain,"Elliotsaid.
"Imustbecrazy,"shesaid."Westillhavedangerousworkaheadofus.We'restillupagainstthisbunchofcutthroats.Wedon'tknowwhatwe'llwalkintointhosemountains.SowhydoIfeelterrificallofasudden?"
"Youfeelgood,"Elliotsaid,"becausewe'renotrunninganymore.We'regoingontheoffensive.Andfoolhardyasthatmightbe,itdoesalotforaperson'sself-respect."
"Canacoupleofpeoplelikeusreallyhaveachanceofwinningwhenwe'reupagainstsomethingasbigasthegovernmentitself?"
"Well,"Elliotsaid,"Ihappentobelievethatindividualsaremoreapttoactresponsiblyandmorallythaninstitutionseverdo,whichatleastputsusonthesideofjustice.AndIalsobelieveindividualsarealwayssmarterandbetteradaptedtosurvival,atleastinthelongrun,thananyinstitution.Let'sjusthopemyphilosophydoesn'tturnouttobehalf-baked."
•••
Atone-thirtyKurtHensencameintoGeorgeAlexander'sofficeindowntownReno."TheyfoundthecarthatStrykerrented.It'sinapubliclotaboutthreeblocksfromhere."
"Usedrecently?"Alexanderasked.
"No.Theengine'scold.There'sthickfrostonthewindows.It'sbeenparkedthereovernight."
"He'snotstupid,"Alexandersaid."He'sprobablyabandonedthedamnthing."
"Youwanttoputawatchonitanyway?"
"Betterdothat,"Alexandersaid."Soonerorlaterthey'llmakeamistake.Comingbacktothecarmightbeit.Idon'tthinkso.Butitmight."
Hensenlefttheroom.
AlexandertookaValiumoutofatinthathecarriedinhisjacketpocket,andhewasheditdownwithaswallowofhotcoffee,whichhepouredfromthesilverpotonhisdesk.Thiswashissecondpillsincehe'dgottenoutofbedjustthreeandahalfhoursago,buthestillfeltedgy.
Strykerandthewomanwereprovingtobeworthyopponents.
Alexanderneverlikedtohaveworthyopponents.Hepreferredthemtobesoftandeasy.
Wherewerethey?
32
THEDECIDUOUSTREES,STRIPPEDOFEVERYLEAF,appearedtobecharred,asifthisparticularwinterhadbeenmoreseverethanothersandascataclysmicasafire.Theevergreens—pine,spruce,fir,tamarack—wereflockedwithsnow.Abriskwindspilledoverthejaggedhorizonunderalowandmenacingsky,snappingice-hardflurriesofsnowagainstthewindshieldoftheExplorer.
Tinawasinaweof—anddisquietedby—thestatelyforestthatcrowdedthemastheydrovenorthonthenarrowingcountyroad.EvenifshehadnotknownthatthesedeepwoodlandsharboredsecretsaboutDannyandthedeathsoftheotherscouts,shewouldhavefoundthemmysteriousandunnervinglyprimeval.
SheandElliothadturnedoffInterstate80aquarterofanhourago,followingtherouteDannyhadmarked,circlingtheedgeofthewilderness.Onpapertheywerestillmovingalongtheborderofthemap,withalargeexpanseofbluesandgreensontheirleft.Shortlytheywouldturnoffthetwo-laneblacktopontoanotherroad,whichthemapspecifiedas"unpaved,nondirt,"whateverthatwas.
AfterleavingBillySandstone'shouseinhisExplorer,TinaandElliothadnotreturnedtothehotel.Theysharedapremonitionthatsomeonedecidedlyunfriendlywaswaitingintheirroom.
Firsttheyhadvisitedasporting-goodsstore,purchasingtwoGore-Tex/Thermolitestormsuits,boots,snowshoes,compacttinsofbackpacker'srations,cansofSterno,andothersurvivalgear.Iftherescueattemptwentsmoothly,asTina'sdreamseemedtopredict,theywouldn'thaveanyneedformuchofwhattheybought.ButiftheExplorerbrokedowninthemountains,orifanotherhitchdeveloped,theywantedtobepreparedfortheunexpected.
Elliotalsoboughtahundredroundsofhollow-pointammunitionforthepistol.Thiswasn'tinsuranceagainsttheunforeseen;thiswassimplyprudentplanningforthetroubletheycouldforeseealltoowell.
Fromthesporting-goodsstoretheyhaddrivenoutoftown,westtowardthemountains.Ataroadsiderestaurant,theychangedclothesintherestrooms.His
mountains.Ataroadsiderestaurant,theychangedclothesintherestrooms.Hisinsulatedsuitwasgreenwithwhitestripes;herswaswhitewithgreenandblackstripes.Theylookedlikeacoupleofskiersontheirwaytotheslopes.
Enteringtheformidablemountains,theyhadbecomeawareofhowsoondarknesswouldsettleovertheshelteredvalleysandravines,andtheyhaddiscussedthewisdomofproceeding.Perhapstheywouldhavebeensmartertoturnaround,gobacktoReno,findanotherhotelroom,andgetafreshstartinthemorning.Butneitherwantedtodelay.Perhapsthelatenessofthehourandthefadinglightwouldworkagainstthem,butapproachinginthenightmightactuallybetotheiradvantage.Thethingwas—theyhadmomentum.Theybothfeltasiftheywereonagoodroll,andtheydidn'twanttotemptfatebypostponingtheirjourney.
Nowtheywereonanarrowcountyroad,movingsteadilyhigherasthevalleyslopedtowarditsnorthernend.Plowshadkepttheblacktopclean,exceptforscatteredpatchesofhard-packedsnowthatfilledthepotholes,andsnowwaspiledfiveorsixfeethighonbothsides.
"Soonnow,"Tinasaid,glancingatthemapthatwasopenonherknees.
"Lonelypartoftheworld,isn'tit?"
"Yougetthefeelingthatcivilizationcouldbedestroyedwhileyou'reouthere,andyou'dneverbeawareofit."
Theyhadn'tseenahouseorotherstructurefortwomiles.Theyhadn'tpassedanothercarinthreemiles.
Twilightdescendedintothewinterforest,andElliotswitchedontheheadlights.
Ahead,ontheleft,abreakappearedinthebankofsnowthathadbeenheapedupbytheplows.WhentheExplorerreachedthisgap,Elliotswungintotheturnoffandstopped.Anarrowandforbiddingtrackledintothewoods,recentlyplowedbutstilltreacherous.Itwaslittlemorethanonelanewide,andthetreesformedatunnelaroundit,sothatafterfiftyorsixtyfeet,itdisappearedintoprematurenight.Itwasunpaved,butasolidbedhadbeenbuiltovertheyearsbythegenerousandrepeatedapplicationofoilandgravel.
"Accordingtothemap,we'relookingforan'unpaved,nondirt'road,"Tinatoldhim.
him.
"Iguessthisisit."
"Somesortofloggingtrail?"
"Looksmoreliketheroadtheyalwaystakeinthoseoldmovieswhenthey'reontheirwaytoDracula'scastle."
"Thanks,"shesaid.
"Sorry."
"Anditdoesn'thelpthatyou'reright.ItdoeslookliketheroadtoDracula'scastle."
Theydroveontothetrack,undertheroofofheavyevergreenboughs,intotheheartoftheforest.
33
INTHERECTANGULARROOM,THREESTORIESUNDERground,computershummedandmurmured.
Dr.CarltonDombey,whohadcomeondutytwentyminutesago,satatoneofthetablesagainstthenorthwall.HewasstudyingasetofelectroencephalogramsanddigitallyenhancedsonogramsandXrays.
Afterawhilehesaid,"Didyouseethepicturestheytookofthekid'sbrainthismorning?"
Dr.AaronZachariahturnedfromthebankofvideodisplays."Ididn'tknowtherewereany."
"Yeah.Awholenewseries."
"Anythinginteresting?"
"Yes,"Dombeysaid."Thespotthatshowedupontheboy'sparietallobeaboutsixweeksago."
"Whataboutit?"
"Darker,larger."
"Thenit'sdefinitelyamalignanttumor?"
"Thatstillisn'tclear."
"Benign?"
"Can'tsayforsureeitherway.Thespotdoesn'thaveallthespectrographiccharacteristicsofatumor."
"Coulditbescartissue?"
"Notexactlythat."
"Notexactlythat."
"Bloodclot?"
"Definitelynot."
"Havewelearnedanythinguseful?"
"Maybe,"Dombeysaid."I'mnotsureifit'susefulornot."Hefrowned."It'ssurestrange,though."
"Don'tkeepmeinsuspense,"Zachariahsaid,movingovertothetabletoexaminethetests.
Dombeysaid,"Accordingtothecomputer-assignedanalysis,thegrowthisconsistentwiththenatureofnormalbraintissue."
Zachariahstaredathim."Comeagain?"
"Itcouldbeanewlumpofbraintissue,"Dombeytoldhim.
"Butthatdoesn'tmakesense."
"Iknow."
"Thebraindoesn'tallofasuddenstartgrowingnewlittlenodesthatnobody'severseenbefore."
"Iknow."
"Someonebetterrunamaintenancescanonthecomputer.Ithastobescrewedup."
"Theydidthatthisafternoon,"Dombeysaid,tappingapileofprintoutsthatlayonthetable."Everything'ssupposedtobefunctioningperfectly."
"Justliketheheatingsysteminthatisolationchamberisfunctioningproperly,"Zachariahsaid.
Stillporingthroughthetestresults,strokinghismustachewithonehand,Dombeysaid,"Listentothis...thegrowthrateoftheparietalspotisdirectlyproportionaltothenumberofinjectionstheboy'sbeengiven.Itappearedafter
proportionaltothenumberofinjectionstheboy'sbeengiven.Itappearedafterhisfirstseriesofshotssixweeksago.Themorefrequentlythekidisreinfected,thefastertheparietalspotgrows."
"Thenitmustbeatumor,"Zachariahsaid.
"Probably.They'regoingtodoanexploratoryinthemorning."
"Surgery?"
"Yeah.Getatissuesampleforabiopsy."
Zachariahglancedtowardtheobservationwindowoftheisolationchamber."Damn,thereitgoesagain!"
Dombeysawthattheglasswasbeginningtocloudagain.
Zachariahhurriedtothewindow.
Dombeystaredthoughtfullyatthespreadingfrost.Hesaid,"Youknowsomething?Thatproblemwiththewindow...ifI'mnotmistaken,itstartedatthesametimetheparietalspotfirstshowedupontheXrays."
Zachariahturnedtohim."So?"
"Doesn'tthatstrikeyouascoincidental?"
"That'sexactlyhowitstrikesme.Coincidence.Ifailtoseeanyassociation."
"Well...couldtheparietalspothaveadirectconnectionwiththefrostsomehow?"
"What—youthinktheboymightberesponsibleforthechangesinairtemperature?"
"Couldhe?"
"How?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Well,you'retheonewhoraisedthequestion."
"Idon'tknow,"Dombeysaidagain.
"Itdoesn'tmakeanysense,"Zachariahsaid."Nosenseatall.Ifyoukeepcomingupwithweirdsuggestionslikethat,I'llhavetorunamaintenancecheckonyou,Carl."
34
THEOIL-AND-GRAVELTRAILLEDDEEPINTOTHEforest.Itwasremarkablyfreeofrutsandchuckholesformostofitslength,althoughtheExplorerscrapedbottomafewtimeswhenthetracktooksudden,sharpdips.
Thetreeshunglow,lower,lowerstill,until,atlast,theice-crustedevergreenboughsfrequentlyscrapedacrosstheroofoftheExplorerwithasoundlikefingernailsbeingdrawndownablackboard.
Theypassedafewsignsthattoldthemthelanetheywereusingwaskeptopenfortheexclusivebenefitoffederalandstatewildlifeofficersandresearchers.Onlyauthorizedvehicleswerepermitted,thesignswarned.
"Couldthissecretinstallationbedisguisedasawildliferesearchcenter?"Elliotwondered.
"No,"shesaid."Accordingtothemap,that'sninemilesintotheforestonthistrack.Danny'sinstructionsaretotakeaturnnorth,offthislane,afteraboutfivemiles."
"We'vegonealmostfivemilessinceweleftthecountyroad,"Elliotsaid.
Branchesscrapedacrosstheroof,andpowderysnowcascadedoverthewindshield,ontothehood.
Asthewindshieldwiperscastthesnowaside,Tinaleanedforward,squintingalongtheheadlightbeams."Holdit!Ithinkthisiswhatwe'relookingfor."
Hewasdrivingatonlytenmilesanhour,butshegavehimsolittlewarningthathepassedtheturnoff.Hestopped,puttheExplorerinreverse,andbackeduptwentyfeet,untiltheheadlightswereshiningonthetrailthatshehadspotted.
"Ithasn'tbeenplowed,"hesaid.
"Butlookatallthetiremarks."
"Alotoftraffic'sbeenthroughhererecently."
"Alotoftraffic'sbeenthroughhererecently."
"Thisisit,"Tinasaidconfidently."ThisiswhereDannywantsustogo."
"It'sadamnedgoodthingwehavefour-wheeldrive."
Hesteeredofftheplowedlane,ontothesnowytrail.TheExplorer,equippedwithheavychainsonitsbigwinter-treadtires,bitintothesnowandcheweditswayforwardwithouthesitation.
Thenewtrackranahundredyardsbeforerisingandturningsharplytotheright,aroundthebluntfaceofaridge.Whentheycameoutofthiscurve,thetreesfellbackfromtheverge,andopenskylayaboveforthefirsttimesincetheyhaddepartedthecountyblacktop.
Twilightwasgone;nightwasincommand.
Snowbegantofallmoreheavily—yetaheadofthem,notasingleflakelayintheirway.Bizarrely,theunplowedtrailhadledthemtoapavedroad;steamrosefromit,andsectionsofthepavementwereevendry.
"Heatcoilsembeddedinthesurface,"Elliotsaid.
"Hereinthemiddleofnowhere."
StoppingtheExplorer,hepickedupthepistolfromtheseatbetweenthem,andheflickedoffbothsafeties.Hehadloadedthedepletedmagazineearlier;nowhejackedabulletintothechamber.Whenheputthegunontheseatagain,itwasreadytobeused.
"Wecanstillturnback,"Tinasaid.
"Isthatwhatyouwanttodo?"
"No."
"NeitherdoI."
Ahundredandfiftyyardsfarther,theyreachedanothersharpturn.Theroaddescendedintoagully,swunghardtotheleftthistime,andthenheadedupagain.
Twentyyardsbeyondthebend,thewaywasbarredbyasteelgate.Oneachsideofthegate,anine-foot-highfence,angledoutwardatthetopandstrungwithwickedlysharpcoilsofrazorwire,stretchedoutofsightintotheforest.Thetopofthegatewasalsowrappedwithrazorwire.
Alargesignstoodtotherightoftheroadway,supportedontworedwoodposts:
PRIVATEPROPERTY
ADMISSIONBYKEYCARDONLY
TRESPASSERSWILLBEPROSECUTED
"Theymakeitsoundlikesomeone'shuntinglodge,"Tinasaid.
"Intentionally,I'msure.Nowwhat?Youdon'thappentohaveakeycard,doyou?"
"Dannywillhelp,"shesaid."That'swhatthedreamwasallabout."
"Howlongdowewaithere?"
"Notlong,"shesaidasthegateswunginward.
"I'llbedamned,"
Theheatedroadstretchedoutofsightinthedarkness.
"We'recoming,Danny,"Tinasaidquietly.
"Whatifsomeoneelseopenedthegate?"Elliotasked."WhatifDannydidn'thaveanythingtodowithit?Theymightjustbelettingusinsotheycantrapusinside."
"ItwasDanny."
"You'resosure."
"Yes."
Hesighedanddrovethroughthegate,whichswungshutbehindtheExplorer.
Theroadbegantoclimbinearnest,huggingtheslopes.Itwasoverhungbyhugerockformationsandbywind-sculptedcowlsofsnow.Thesinglelanewidenedtotwolanesinplacesandswitchbackeduptheridges,throughmoredenselypackedstrandsoflargertrees.TheExplorerlaboredeverhigherintothemountains.
Thesecondgatewasoneandahalfmilespastthefirst,onashortlengthofstraightaway,justoverthebrowofahill.Itwasnotmerelyagate,butacheckpoint.Aguardshackstoodtotherightoftheroad,fromwhichthegatewascontrolled.
ElliotpickedupthegunashebroughttheExplorertoafullstopatthebarrier.
Theywerenomorethansixoreightfeetfromthelightedshack,closeenoughtoseetheguard'sfaceashescowledatthemthroughthelargewindow.
"He'stryingtofigureoutwhothedevilweare,"Elliotsaid."He'sneverseenusortheExplorer,andthisisn'tthesortofplacewherethere'salotofneworunexpectedtraffic."
Insidethehut,theguardpluckedatelephonehandsetfromthewall.
"Damn!"Elliotsaid."I'llhavetogoforhim."
AsElliotstartedtoopenhisdoor,Tinasawsomethingthatmadehergrabhisarm."Wait!Thephonedoesn'twork."
Theguardslammedthereceiverdown.Hegottohisfeet,tookacoatfromthebackofhischair,slippedintoit,zipperedup,andcameoutoftheshack.Hewascarryingasubmachinegun.
Fromelsewhereinthenight,Dannyopenedthegate.
TheguardstoppedhalfwaytotheExplorerandturnedtowardthegatewhenhesawitmoving,unabletobelievehiseyes.
Elliotrammedhisfootdownhardontheaccelerator,andtheExplorershot
Elliotrammedhisfootdownhardontheaccelerator,andtheExplorershotforward.
Theguardswungthesubmachinegunintofiringpositionastheysweptpasthim.
Tinaraisedherhandsinaninvoluntaryandtotallyuselessattempttowardoffthebullets.
Buttherewerenobullets.
Notornmetal.Noshatteredglass.Nobloodorpain.
Theydidn'tevenheargunfire.
TheExplorerroaredacrossthestraightawayandcareeneduptheslopebeyond,throughthetendrilsofsteamthatrosefromtheblackpavement.
Stillnogunfire.
Astheyswungintoanothercurve,Elliotwrestledwiththewheel,andTinawasacutelyawarethatagreatdarkvoidlaybeyondtheshoulderoftheroad.Elliotheldthevehicleonthepavementastheyroundedthebend,andthentheywereoutoftheguard'slineoffire.Fortwohundredyardsahead,untiltheroadcurvedoncemore,nothingthreateningwasinsight.
TheExplorerdroppedbacktoasaferspeed.
Elliotsaid,"DidDannydoallofthat?"
"Hemusthave."
"Hejinxedtheguard'sphone,openedthegate,andjammedthesubmachinegun.Whatisthiskidofyours?"
Astheyascendedintothenight,snowbegantofallhardandfastinsheetsoffine,dryflakes.
AfteraminuteofthoughtTinasaid,"Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowwhatheisanymore.Idon'tknowwhat'shappenedtohim,andIdon'tunderstandwhathe'sbecome."
Thiswasanunsettlingthought.Shebegantowonderexactlywhatsortoflittle
Thiswasanunsettlingthought.Shebegantowonderexactlywhatsortoflittleboytheyweregoingtofindatthetopofthemountain.
35
WITHGLOSSYPHOTOGRAPHSOFCHRISTINAEvansandElliotStryker,GeorgeAlexander'smencirculatedthroughthehotelsindowntownReno,talkingwithdeskclerks,bellmen,andotheremployees.Atfour-thirtytheyobtainedastrong,positiveidentificationfromamaidatHarrah's.
Inroom918theNetworkoperativesdiscoveredacheapsuitcase,dirtyclothes,toothbrushes,varioustoiletryitems—andelevenmapsinaleatherettecase,whichElliotandTina,intheirhasteandweariness,evidentlyhadoverlooked.
Alexanderwasinformedofthediscoveryat5:05.By5:40everythingthatStrykerandthewomanhadleftinthehotelroomwasbroughttoAlexander'soffice.
Whenhediscoveredthenatureofthemaps,whenherealizedthatoneofthemwasmissing,andwhenhediscoveredthatthemissingmapwastheoneStrykerwouldneedinordertofindtheProjectPandoralabs,Alexanderfelthisfaceflushwithangerandchagrin."Thenerve!"
KurtHensenwasstandinginfrontofAlexander'sdesk,pickingthroughthejunkthathadbeenbroughtoverfromthehotel."What'swrong?"
"They'vegoneintothemountains.They'regoingtotrytogetintothelaboratory,"Alexandersaid."Someone,somedamnturncoatonProjectPandora,musthaverevealedenoughaboutitslocationforthemtofinditwithjustalittlehelp.Theywentoutandboughtmaps,forGod'ssake!"
Alexanderwasenragedbythecoolmethodicalnessthatthepurchaseofthemapsseemedtorepresent.Whowerethesetwopeople?Whyweren'ttheyhidinginadarkcornersomewhere?Whyweren'ttheyscaredwitless?ChristinaEvanswasonlyanordinarywoman.Anex-showgirl!Alexanderrefusedtobelievethatashowgirlcouldbeofmorethanaverageintelligence.AndalthoughStrykerhaddonesomeheavymilitaryservice,thathadbeenagesago.Whereweretheygettingtheirstrength,theirnerve,theirendurance?ItseemedasiftheymusthavesomeadvantageofwhichAlexanderwasnotaware.Thathadtobeit.Theyhadtohavesomeadvantagehedidn'tknowabout.Whatcoulditbe?Whatwas
hadtohavesomeadvantagehedidn'tknowabout.Whatcoulditbe?Whatwastheiredge?
Hensenpickeduponeofthemapsandturneditoverinhishands."Idon'tseeanyreasontogettooworkedupaboutit.Eveniftheylocatethemaingate,theycan'tgetanyfartherthanthat.Therearethousandsofacresbehindthefence,andthelabisrightsmackinthemiddle.Theycan'tgetclosetoit,letaloneinside."
Alexandersuddenlyrealizedwhattheiredgewas,whatkeptthemgoing,andhesatupstraightinhischair."Theycangetinsideeasilyenoughiftheyhaveafriendinthere."
"What?"
"That'sit!"Alexandergottohisfeet."NotonlydidsomeoneonProjectPandoratellthisEvanswomanaboutherson.Thatsametraitorousbastardisalsoupthereinthelabsrightthisminute,readytoopenthegatesanddoorstothem.Somebastardstabbedusintheback.He'sgoingtohelpthebitchgethersonoutofthere!"
AlexanderdialedthenumberofthemilitarysecurityofficeattheSierralab.Itneitherrangnorreturnedabusysignal;thelinehissedemptily.Hehungupandtriedagain,withthesameresult.
Hequicklydialedthelabdirector'soffice.Dr.Tamaguchi.Noringing.Nobusysignal.Justthesame,unsettlinghiss.
"Something'shappenedupthere,"Alexandersaidasheslammedthehandsetintothecradle.'Thephonesareout."
"Supposedtobeanewstormmovingin,"Hensensaid."It'sprobablyalreadysnowinginthemountains.Maybethelines—"
"Useyourhead,Kurt.Theirlinesareunderground.Andtheyhaveacellularbackup.Nostormcanknockoutallcommunications.GetholdofJackMorganandtellhimtogetthechopperready.We'llmeethimattheairportassoonaswecangetthere."
"He'llneedhalfanhouranyway,"Hensensaid.
"Notaminutemorethanthat."
"Hemightnotwanttogo.Theweather'sbadupthere."
"Idon'tcareifit'shailingironbasketballs,"Alexandersaid."We'regoingupthereinthechopper.Thereisn'ttimetodrive,notimeatall.I'msureofthat.Something'sgonewrong.Something'shappeningatthelabsrightnow."
Hensenfrowned."Buttryingtotakethechopperinthereatnight...inthemiddleofthestorm..."
"Morgan'sthebest."
"Itwon'tbeeasy."
"IfMorganwantstotakeiteasy,"Alexandersaid,"thenheshouldbeflyingoneoftheaerialridesatDisneyland."
"Butitseemssuicidal—"
"Andifyouwantiteasy,"Alexandersaid,"youshouldn'thavecometoworkforme.Thisisn'ttheLadies'AidSociety,Kurt."
Hensen'sfacecolored."I'llcallMorgan,"hesaid.
"Yes.Youdothat."
36
WINDSHIELDWIPERSBEATINGAWAYTHESNOW,chain-wrappedtiresclankingontheheatedroadbed,theExplorercrestedafinalhill.Theycameovertheriseontoaplateau,anenormousshelfcarvedinthesideofthemountain.
Elliotpumpedthebrakes,broughtthevehicletoafullstop,andunhappilysurveyedtheterritoryahead.
Theplateauwasbasicallytheworkofnature,butman'shandwasinevidence.Thisbroadshelfinthemountainsidecouldn'thavebeenaslargeorasregularlyshapedinitsnaturalstateasitwasnow:threehundredyardswide,twohundredyardsdeep,almostaperfectrectangle.Thegroundhadbeenrolledasflatasanairfieldandthenpaved.Notasingletreeoranyothersizableobjectremained,nothingbehindwhichamancouldhide.Talllamppostswerearrayedacrossthisfeaturelessplain,castingdim,reddishlightthatwasseverelydirecteddownwardtoattractaslittleattentionaspossiblefromaircraftthatstrayedoutoftheusualflightpatternsandfromanyonebackpackingelsewhereintheseremotemountains.Yettheweakilluminationthatthelampsprovidedwasapparentlysufficientforthesecuritycamerastoobtainclearimagesoftheentireplateau,becausecameraswereattachedtoeverylamppost,andnotaninchoftheareaescapedtheirunblinkingattention.
"Thesecuritypeoplemustbewatchingusonvideomonitorsrightnow,"Elliotsaidglumly.
"UnlessDannyscreweduptheircameras,"Tinasaid."Andifhecanjamasubmachinegun,whycouldn'theinterferewithaclosed-circuittelevisiontransmission?"
"You'reprobablyright."
Twohundredyardsaway,atthefarsideoftheconcretefield,stoodaone-storywindowlessbuilding,approximatelyahundredfeetlong,withasteeplypitchedslateroof.
"Thatmustbewherethey'reholdinghim,"Elliotsaid.
"Thatmustbewherethey'reholdinghim,"Elliotsaid.
"Iexpectedanenormousstructure,agiganticcomplex."
"Itmostlikelyisenormous.You'reseeingjustthefrontwall.Theplaceisbuiltintothenextstepofthemountain.Godknowshowfartheycutbackintotherock.Anditprobablygoesdownseveralstoriestoo."
"AllthewaytoHell."
"Couldbe."
Hetookhisfootoffthebrakeanddroveforward,throughsheetingsnowstainedredbythestrangelight.
Jeeps,LandRovers,andotherfour-wheeldrivevehicles—eightinall—werelinedupinfrontofthelowbuilding,side-by-sideinthefallingsnow.
"Doesn'tlooklikethere'salotofpeopleinside,"Tinasaid."Ithoughtthere'dbealargestaff."
"Oh,thereis.I'msureyou'rerightaboutthattoo,"Elliotsaid."Thegovernmentwouldn'tgotoallthetroubleofhidingthisjointoutherejusttohouseahandfulofresearchersorwhatever.Mostofthemprobablyliveintheinstallationforweeksormonthsatatime.Theywouldn'twantalotofdailytrafficcominginandoutofhereonaforestroadthat'ssupposedtobeusedonlybystatewildlifeofficers.Thatwoulddrawtoomuchattention.Maybeafewofthetoppeoplecomeandgoregularlybyhelicopter.Butifthisisamilitaryoperation,thenmostofthestaffisprobablyassignedhereunderthesameconditionssubmarinershavetolivewith.They'reallowedtogointoRenoforshoreleavebetweencruises,butforlongstretchesoftime,they'reconfinedtothis'ship.'"
HeparkedbesideaJeep,switchedofftheheadlights,andcuttheengine.
Theplateauwasethereallysilent.
Nooneyethadcomeoutofthebuildingtochallengethem,whichmostlikelymeantthatDannyhadjinxedthevideosecuritysystem.
Thefactthattheyhadgottenthisfarunhurtdidn'tmakeElliotfeelanybetteraboutwhatlayaheadofthem.HowlongcouldDannycontinuetopavetheway?Theboyappearedtohavesomeincrediblepowers,buthewasn'tGod.Sooneror
Theboyappearedtohavesomeincrediblepowers,buthewasn'tGod.Soonerorlaterhe'doverlooksomething.He'dmakeamistake.Justonemistake.Andtheywouldbedead.
"Well,"Tinasaid,unsuccessfullytryingtoconcealherownanxiety,"wedidn'tneedthesnowshoesafterall."
"Butwemightfindauseforthatcoilofrope,"Elliotsaid.Hetwistedaround,leanedoverthebackoftheseat,andquicklyfetchedtheropefromthepileofoutdoorgearinthecargohold."We'resuretoencounteratleastacoupleofsecuritymen,nomatterhowcleverDannyis.Wehavetobereadytokillthemorputthemoutofactionsomeotherway."
"Ifwehaveachoice,"Tinasaid,"I'dratheruseropethanbullets."
"Mysentimentsexactly."Hepickedupthepistol."Let'sseeifwecangetinside."
TheysteppedoutoftheExplorer.
Thewindwasananimalpresence,growlingsoftly.Ithadteeth,anditnippedtheirexposedfaces.Onitsbreathwerespraysofsnowlikeicyspittle.
Theonlyfeatureinthehundred-foot-long,one-story,windowlessconcretefacadewasawidesteeldoor.Theimposingdoorofferedneitherakeyholenorakeypad.Therewasnoslotinwhichtoputalock-deactivatingIDcard.Apparentlythedoorcouldbeopenedonlyfromwithin,afterthoseseekingentrancehadbeenscrutinizedbythecamerathathungovertheportal.
AsElliotandTinagazedupintothecameralens,theheavysteelbarrierrolledaside.
WasitDannywhoopenedit?Elliotwondered.Oragrinningguardwaitingtomakeaneasyarrest?
Asteel-walledchamberlaybeyondthedoor.Itwasthesizeofalargeelevatorcab,brightlylightedanduninhabited.
TinaandElliotcrossedthethreshold.Theouterdoorslidshutbehindthem—whoosh—makinganairtightseal.
Acameraandtwo-wayvideocommunicationsmonitorweremountedintheleft-
Acameraandtwo-wayvideocommunicationsmonitorweremountedintheleft-handwallofthevestibule.Thescreenwasfilledwithcrazilywigglinglines,asifitwasoutoforder.
Besidethemonitorwasalightedglassplateagainstwhichthevisitorwassupposedtoplacehisrighthand,palm-down,withintheexistingoutlineofahand.Evidentlytheinstallation'scomputerscannedtheprintsofvisitorstoverifytheirrighttoenter.
ElliotandTinadidnotputtheirhandsontheplate,buttheinnerdoorofthevestibuleopenedwithanotherpuffofcompressedair.Theywentintothenextroom.
Twouniformedmenwereanxiouslyfiddlingwiththecontrolconsolesbeneathaseriesoftwentywall-mountedvideodisplays.Allofthescreenswerefilledwithwigglinglines.
Theyoungestoftheguardsheardthedooropening,andheturned,shocked.
Elliotpointedthegunathim."Don'tmove."
Buttheyoungguardwastheheroictype.Hewaswearingasidearm—amonstrousrevolver—andhewasfastwithit.Hedrew,aimedfromthehip,andsqueezedthetrigger.
FortunatelyDannycamethroughlikeaprince.Therevolverrefusedtofire.
Elliotdidn'twanttoshootanyone."Yourgunsareuseless,"hesaid.HewassweatinginhisGore-Texsuit,prayingthatDannywouldn'tlethimdown."Let'smakethisaseasyaswecan."
Whentheyoungguarddiscoveredthathisrevolverwouldn'twork,hethrewit.
Elliotducked,butnotfastenough.Thegunstruckhimalongsidethehead,andhestumbledbackwardagainstthesteeldoor.
Tinacriedout.
Throughsuddentearsofpain,Elliotsawtheyoungguardrushinghim,andhesqueezedoffonewhisper-quietshot.
Thebullettorethroughtheguy'sleftshoulderandspunhimaround.Hecrashedintoadesk,sendingapileofwhiteandpinkpapersontothefloor,andthenhefellontopofthemessthathehadmade.
Blinkingawaytears,Elliotpointedthepistolattheolderguard,whohaddrawnhisrevolverbynowandhadfoundthatitdidn'tworkeither."Putthegunaside,sitdown,anddon'tmakeanytrouble."
"How'dyougetinhere?"theolderguardasked,droppinghisweaponashe'dbeenordered."Whoareyou?"
"Nevermind,"Elliotsaid."Justsitdown."
Buttheguardwasinsistent."Whoareyoupeople?"
"Justice,"Tinasaid.
•••
FiveminuteswestofReno,thechopperencounteredsnow.Theflakeswerehard,dry,andgranular;theyhissedlikedrivensandacrossthePerspexwindscreen.
JackMorgan,thepilot,glancedatGeorgeAlexanderandsaid,"Thiswillbehairy."Hewaswearingnight-visiongoggles,andhiseyeswereinvisible.
"Justalittlesnow,"Alexandersaid.
"Astorm,"Morgancorrected.
"You'veflowninstormsbefore."
"Inthesemountainsthedowndraftsandcrosscurrentsaregoingtobemurderous."
"We'llmakeit,"Alexandersaidgrimly.
"Maybe,maybenot,"Morgansaid.Hegrinned."Butwe'resuregoingtohave
"Maybe,maybenot,"Morgansaid.Hegrinned."Butwe'resuregoingtohavefuntrying!"
"You'recrazy,"Hensensaidfromhisseatbehindthepilot.
"WhenwewererunningoperationsagainstthedruglordsdowninColombia,"Morgansaid,"theycalledme'Bats,'meaningIhadbatsinthebelfry."Helaughed.
Hensenwasholdingasubmachinegunacrosshislap.Hemovedhishandsoveritslowly,asifhewerecaressingawoman.Heclosedhiseyes,andinhismindhedisassembledandthenreassembledtheweapon.Hehadaqueasystomach.Hewastryinghardnottothinkaboutthechopperthebadweather,andthelikelihoodthattheywouldtakealong,swift,hardfallintoaremotemountainravine.
37
THEYOUNGGUARDWHEEZEDINPAIN,BUTASFARasTinacouldsee,hewasnotmortallywounded.Thebullethadpartiallycauterizedthewoundasitpassedthrough.Theholeintheguy'sshoulderwasreassuringlyclean,anditwasn'tbleedingmuch.
"You'lllive,"Elliotsaid.
"I'mdying.Jesus!"
"No.Ithurtslikehell,butitisn'tserious.Thebulletdidn'tseveranymajorbloodvessels."
"Howthehellwouldyouknow?"thewoundedmanasked,straininghiswordsthroughclenchedteeth.
"Ifyouliestill,you'llbeallright.Butifyouagitatethewound,youmighttearabruisedvessel,andthenyou'llbleedtodeath."
"Shit,"theguardsaidshakily.
"Understand?"Elliotasked.
Themannodded.Hisfacewaspale,andhewassweating.
Elliottiedtheolderguardsecurelytoachair.Hedidn'twanttotiethewoundedman'shands,sotheycarefullymovedhimtoasupplyclosetandlockedhiminthere.
"How'syourhead?"TinaaskedElliot,gentlytouchingtheuglyknotthathadraisedonhistemple,wheretheguard'sgunhadstruckhim.
Elliotwinced."Stings."
"It'sgoingtobruise."
"I'llbeallright,"hesaid.
"I'llbeallright,"hesaid.
"Dizzy?"
"No."
"Seeingdouble?"
"No,"hesaid."I'mfine.Iwasn'thitthathard.There'snoconcussion.Justaheadache.Comeon.Let'sfindDannyandgethimoutofthisplace."
Theycrossedtheroom,passingtheguardwhowasboundandgaggedinhischair.Tinacarriedtheremainingrope,andElliotkeptthegun.
OppositetheslidingdoorthroughwhichsheandElliothadenteredthesecurityroomwasanotherdoorofmoreordinarydimensionsandconstruction.Itopenedontoajunctionoftwohallways,whichTinahaddiscoveredafewminutesago,justafterElliothadshottheguard,whenshehadpeekedthroughthedoortoseeifreinforcementswereontheway.
Thecorridorshadbeendesertedthen.Theyweredesertednowtoo.Silent.Whitetilefloors.Whitewalls.Harshfluorescentlighting.
Onepassagewayextendedfiftyfeettotheleftofthedoorandfiftyfeettotheright;onbothsidesweremoredoors,allshut,plusabankoffourelevatorsontheright.Theintersectinghallbegandirectlyinfrontofthem,acrossfromtheguardroom,andboredatleastfourhundredfeetintothemountain;alongrowofdoorswaitedoneachsideofit,andothercorridorsopenedoffitaswell.
Theywhispered:
"YouthinkDannyisonthisfloor?"
"Idon'tknow."
"Wheredowestart?"
"Wecan'tjustgoaroundjerkingopendoors."
"Peoplearegoingtobebehindsomeofthem."
"Andthefewerpeopleweencounter—"
"Andthefewerpeopleweencounter—"
"—thebetterchancewehaveofgettingoutalive."
Theystood,indecisive,lookingleft,thenright,andthenstraightahead.
Tenfeetaway,asetofelevatordoorsopened.
Tinacringedbackagainstthecorridorwall.
Elliotpointedthepistolatthelift.
Noonegotout.
Thecabwasatsuchananglefromthemthattheycouldn'tseewhowasinit.
Thedoorsclosed.
Tinahadthesickeningfeelingthatsomeonehadbeenabouttostepout,hadsensedtheirpresence,andhadgoneawaytogethelp.
EvenbeforeElliothadloweredthepistol,thesamesetofelevatordoorsslidopenagain.Thenslidshut.Open.Shut.Open.Shut.Open.
Theairgrewcold.
Withasighofrelief,Tinasaid,"It'sDanny.He'sshowingustheway."
Nevertheless,theycreptcautiouslytotheelevatorandpeeredinsideapprehensively.Thecabwasempty,andtheyboardedit,andthedoorsglidedtogether.
Accordingtotheindicatorboardabovethedoors,theywereonthefourthoffourlevels.Thefirstfloorwasatthebottomofthestructure,thedeepestunderground.
ThecabcontrolswouldnotoperateunlessonefirstinsertedanacceptableIDcardintoaslotabovethem.ButTinaandElliotdidn'tneedthecomputer'sauthorizationtousetheelevator;notwithDannyontheirside.Thelightontheindicatorboardchangedfromfourtothreetotwo,andtheairinsidetheliftbecamesofrigidthatTina'sbreathhungincloudsbeforeher.Thedoorsslidopenthreefloorsbelowthesurface,onthenexttothelastlevel.
openthreefloorsbelowthesurface,onthenexttothelastlevel.
Theysteppedintoahallwayexactlyliketheonetheyhadleftupstairs.
Theelevatordoorsclosedbehindthem,andaroundthemtheairgrewwarmeragain.
Fivefeetaway,adoorstoodajar,andanimatedconversationdriftedoutoftheroombeyond.Men'sandwomen'svoices.Halfadozenormore,judgingbythesoundofthem.Indistinctwords.Laughter.
TinaknewthatsheandElliotwerefinishedifsomeonecameoutofthatroomandsawthem.Dannyseemedabletoworkmiracleswithinanimateobjects,buthecouldnotcontrolpeople,liketheguardupstairs,whomElliothadbeenforcedtoshoot.Iftheywerediscoveredandconfrontedbyasquadofangrysecuritymen,Elliot'sonepistolmightnotbeenoughtodiscourageanassault.Then,evenwithDannyjammingtheenemy'sweapons,sheandElliotwouldbeabletoescapeonlyiftheyslaughteredtheirwayout,andsheknewthatneitherofthemhadthestomachforthatmuchmurder,perhapsnoteveninself-defense.
Laughterpealedfromthenearbyroomagain,andElliotsaidsoftly,"Wherenow?"
"Idon'tknow."
Thislevelwasthesamesizeastheoneonwhichtheyenteredthecomplex:morethanfourhundredfeetononeside,andmorethanonehundredfeetontheother.Fortythousandorfiftythousandsquarefeettosearch.Howmanyrooms?Forty?Fifty?Sixty?Ahundred,countingclosets?
Justasshewasbeginningtodespair,theairbegantoturncoldagain.Shelookedaround,waitingforsomesignfromherchild,andsheandElliottwitchedinsurprisewhentheoverheadfluorescenttubewinkedoff,thencameonagain.Thetubetotheleftofthefirstonealsoflickered.Thenathirdtubesputtered,stillfarthertotheleft.
Theyfollowedtheblinkinglightstotheendoftheshortwinginwhichtheelevatorsweresituated.Thecorridorterminatedinanairtightsteeldoorsimilartothosefoundonsubmarines;theburnishedmetalglowedsoftly,andlightgleamedoffthebiground-headedrivets.
AsTinaandElliotreachedthatbarrier,thewheel-likehandleinthecenterspun
AsTinaandElliotreachedthatbarrier,thewheel-likehandleinthecenterspunaround.Thedoorcycledopen.Becausehehadthepistol,Elliotwentthroughfirst,butTinawasclosebehindhim.
Theywereinarectangularroomapproximatelyfortyfeetbytwenty.Atthefarendawindowfilledthecenteroftheothershortwallandapparentlyofferedaviewofacold-storagevault;itwaswhitewithfrost.Totherightofthewindowwasanotherairtightdoorliketheonethroughwhichthey'djustentered.Ontheleft,computersandotherequipmentextendedthelengthofthechamber.ThereweremorevideodisplaysthanTinacouldcountataglance;mostwereswitchedon,anddataflowedintheformofgraphs,charts,andnumbers.Tableswerearrangedalongthefourthwall,coveredwithbooks,filefolders,andnumerousinstrumentsthatTinacouldnotidentify.
Acurly-hairedmanwithabushymustachesatatoneofthetables.Hewastall,broad-shouldered,inhisfifties,andhewaswearingmedicalwhites.Hewaspagingthroughabookwhentheyburstin.Anotherman,youngerthanthefirst,cleanshaven,alsodressedinwhite,wassittingatacomputer,readingtheinformationthatflashedontothedisplayscreen.Bothmenlookedup,speechlesswithamazement.
Coveringthestrangerswiththemenacing,silencer-equippedpistol,Elliotsaid,'Tina,closethedoorbehindus.Lockitifyoucan.Ifsecuritydiscoverswe'rehere,atleasttheywon'tbeabletogettheirhandsonusforawhile."
Sheswungthesteeldoorshut.Inspiteofitstremendousweight,itmovedmoresmoothlyandeasilythananaveragedoorinanaveragehouse.Shespunthewheelandlocatedapinthat,whenpushed,preventedanyonefromturningthehandlebacktotheunlockedposition.
"Done,"shesaid.
Themanatthecomputersuddenlyturnedtothekeyboardandstartedtyping.
"Stopthat,"Elliotadvised.
Buttheguywasn'tgoingtostopuntilhehadinstructedthecomputertotriggerthealarms.
MaybeDannycouldpreventthealarmsfromsounding,andmaybehecouldnot,soElliotfiredonce,andthedisplayscreendissolvedintothousandsofsplinters
soElliotfiredonce,andthedisplayscreendissolvedintothousandsofsplintersofglass.
Themancriedout,pushedhiswheeledchairawayfromthekeyboard,andthrusttohisfeet."Whothehellareyou?"
"I'mtheonewhohasthegun,"Elliotsaidsharply."Ifthat'snotgoodenoughforyou,IcanshutyoudownthesamewayIdidthatdamnmachine.NowparkyourassinthatchairbeforeIblowyourfuckin'headoff."
TinahadneverheardElliotspeakinthistoneofvoice,andhisfuriousexpressionwassufficienttochillevenher.Heseemedtobeutterlyviciousandcapableofanything.
Theyoungmaninwhitewasimpressedtoo.Hesatdown,pale.
"Allright,"Elliotsaid,addressingthetwomen."Ifyoucooperate,youwon'tgethurt."Hewavedthebarrelofthegunattheolderman."What'syourname?"
"CarlDombey."
"What'reyoudoinghere?"
"Iworkhere,"Dombeysaid,puzzledbythequestion.
"Imean,what'syourjob?"
"I'maresearchscientist."
"Whatscience?"
"Mydegreesareinbiologyandbiochemistry."
Elliotpointedattheyoungerman."Whataboutyou?"
"Whataboutme?"theyoungeronesaidsullenly.
Elliotextendedhisarm,liningupthemuzzleofthepistolwiththebridgeoftheguy'snose.
"I'mDr.Zachariah,"theyoungermansaid.
"Biology?"
"Yes.Specializinginbacteriologyandvirology."
Elliotloweredthegunbutstillkeptitpointedintheirgeneraldirection."Wehavesomequestions,andyoutwobetterhavetheanswers."
Dombey,whoclearlydidnotsharehisassociate'scompulsiontoplayhero,remaineddocileinhischair."Questionsaboutwhat?"
TinamovedtoElliot'sside.ToDombey,shesaid,"Wewanttoknowwhatyou’vedonetohim,whereheis."
"Who?"
"Myboy.DannyEvans."
Shecouldnothavesaidanythingelsethatwouldhavehadafractionasmuchimpactonthemasthewordsshe'dspoken.Dombey'seyesbulged.Zachariahregardedherashemighthavedoneifshehadbeendeadonthefloorandthenmiraculouslyrisen.
"MyGod,"Dombeysaid.
"Howcanyoubehere?"Zachariahasked."Youcan't.Youcan'tpossiblybehere."
"Itseemspossibletome,"Dombeysaid."Infact,allofasudden,itseemsinevitable.Iknewthiswholebusinesswastoodirtytoendanywaybutdisaster."Hesighed,asifagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromhim."I'llanswerallofyourquestions,Mrs.Evans."
Zachariahswungtowardhim."Youcan'tdothat!"
"Oh,no?"Dombeysaid."Well,ifyoudon'tthinkIcan,justsitbackandlisten.You'reinforasurprise."
"Youtookaloyaltyoath,"Zachariahsaid."Asecrecyoath.Ifyoutellthemanythingaboutthis...thescandal...thepublicoutrage...thereleaseofmilitarysecrets..."Hewassputtering."You'llbeatraitortoyourcountry."
"No,"Dombeysaid."I'llbeatraitortothisinstallation.I'llbeatraitortomycolleagues,maybe.Butnottomycountry.Mycountry'sfarfromperfect,butwhat'sbeendonetoDannyEvansisn'tsomethingthatmycountrywouldapproveof.ThewholeDannyEvansprojectistheworkofafewmegalomaniacs."
"Dr.Tamaguchiisn'tamegalomaniac,"Dr.Zachariahsaid,asifgenuinelyoffended.
"Ofcourseheis,"Dombeysaid."Hethinkshe'sagreatmanofscience,destinedforimmortality,amanofgreatworks.Andalotofpeoplearoundhim,alotofpeopleprotectinghim,peopleinresearchandpeopleinchargeofprojectsecurity—they'realsomegalomaniacs.ThethingsdonetoDannyEvansdon'tconstitute'greatwork.'Theywon'tearnanyoneimmortality.It'ssick,andI'mwashingmyhandsofit."HelookedatTinaagain."Askyourquestions."
"No,"Zachariahsaid."Youdamnfool."
ElliottooktheremainingropefromTina,andhegaveherthepistol."I'llhavetotieandgagDr.Zachariah,sowecanlistentoDr.Dombey'sstoryinpeace.Ifeitheroneofthemmakesawrongmove,blowhimaway."
"Don'tworry,"shesaid."Iwon'thesitate."
"You'renotgoingtotieme,"Zachariahsaid.
Smiling,Elliotadvancedonhimwiththerope.
•••
Awalloffrigidairfellonthechopperanddroveitdown.JackMorganfoughtthewind,stabilizedtheaircraft,andpulledituponlyafewfeetshortofthetreetops.
"Whoooooooeeeee!"thepilotsaid."It'slikebreakinginawildhorse."*.
Inthechopper'sbrilliantfloodlights,therewaslittletoseebutdrivingsnow.
Inthechopper'sbrilliantfloodlights,therewaslittletoseebutdrivingsnow.Morganhadremovedhisnight-visiongoggles.
"Thisiscrazy,"Hensensaid."We'renotflyingintoanordinarystorm.It'sablizzard."
IgnoringHensen,Alexandersaid,"Morgan,goddamnyou,Iknowyoucandoit."
"Maybe,"Morgansaid."IwishIwasassureasyou.ButIthinkmaybeIcan.WhatI'mgoingtodoismakeanindirectapproachtotheplateau,movingwiththewindinsteadofacrossit.I'mgoingtocutupthisnextvalleyandthenswingbackaroundtowardtheinstallationandtrytoavoidsomeofthesecrosscurrents.They'remurder.It'lltakeusalittlelongerthatway,butatleastwe'llhaveafightingchance.Iftherotorsdon'ticeupandcutout."
Aparticularlyfierceblastofwinddrovesnowintothewindscreenwithsuchforcethat,toKurtHensen,itsoundedlikeshotgunpellets.
38
ZACHARIAHWASONTHEFLOOR,BOUNDANDgagged,glaringupatthemwithhateandrage.
"You'llwanttoseeyourboyfirst,"Dombeysaid."ThenIcantellyouhowhecametobehere."
"Whereishe?"Tinaaskedshakily.
"Intheisolationchamber."Dombeyindicatedthewindowinthebackwalloftheroom."Comeon."Hewenttothebigpaneofglass,whereonlyafewsmallspotsoffrostremained.
ForamomentTinacouldn'tmove,afraidtoseewhattheyhaddonetoDanny.Fearspreadtendrilsthroughherandrootedherfeettothefloor.
Elliottouchedhershoulder."Don'tkeepDannywaiting.He'sbeenwaitingalongtime.He'sbeencallingyouforalongtime."
Shetookastep,thenanother,andbeforesheknewit,shewasatthewindow,besideDombey.
Astandardhospitalbedstoodinthecenteroftheisolationchamber.Itwasringedbyordinarymedicalequipmentaswellasbyseveralmysteriouselectronicmonitors.
Dannywasinthebed,onhisback.Mostofhimwascovered,buthishead,raisedonapillow,wasturnedtowardthewindow.Hestaredatherthroughthesiderailsofthebed.
"Danny,"shesaidsoftly.Shehadtheirrationalfearthat,ifshesaidhisnameloudly,thespellwouldbebrokenandhewouldvanishforever.
Hisfacewasthinandsallow.Heappearedtobeolderthantwelve.Indeed,helookedlikealittleoldman.
Dombey,sensinghershock,said,"He'semaciated.Forthepastsixorseven
Dombey,sensinghershock,said,"He'semaciated.Forthepastsixorsevenweeks,hehasn'tbeenabletokeepanythingbutliquidsonhisstomach.Andnotalotofthose."
Danny'seyeswerestrange.Dark,asalways.Bigandround,asalways.Buttheyweresunken,ringedbyunhealthydarkskin,whichwasnotthewaytheyhadalwaysbeen.Shecouldn'tpinpointwhatelseabouthiseyesmadehimsodifferentfromanyeyesshehadeverseen,butasshemetDanny'sgaze,ashiverpassedthroughher,andshefeltaprofoundandterriblepityforhim.
Theboyblinked,andwithwhatappearedtobegreateffort,atthecostofmorethanalittlepain,hewithdrewonearmfromunderthecoversandreachedouttowardher.Hisarmwasskinandbones,apatheticstick.Hethrustitbetweentwoofthesiderails,andheopenedhissmallweakhandbeseechingly,reachingforlove,tryingdesperatelytotouchher.
Hervoicequivering,shesaidtoDombey,"Iwanttobewithmyboy.Iwanttoholdhim."
Asthethreeofthemmovedtotheairtightsteeldoorthatledintotheroombeyondthewindow,Elliotsaid,"Whyisheinanisolationchamber?Isheill?"
"Notnow,"Dombeysaid,stoppingatthedoor,turningtothem,evidentlydisturbedbywhathehadtotellthem."Rightnowhe'sonthevergeofstarvingtodeathbecauseit'sbeensolongsincehe'sbeenabletokeepanyfoodonhisstomach.Buthe'snotinfectious.Hehasbeenveryinfectious,offandon,butnotatthemoment.He'shadauniquedisease,aman-madediseasecreatedinthelaboratory.He'stheonlypersonwho'seversurvivedit.Hehasanaturalantibodyinhisbloodthathelpshimfightoffthisparticularvirus,eventhoughit'sanartificialbug.That'swhatfascinatedDr.Tamaguchi.He'stheheadofthisinstallation.Dr.Tamaguchidroveusveryharduntilweisolatedtheantibodyandfiguredoutwhyitwassoeffectiveagainstthedisease.Ofcourse,whenthatwasaccomplished,Dannywasofnomorescientificvalue.ToTamaguchi,thatmeanthewasofnovalueatall...exceptinthecrudestway.TamaguchidecidedtotestDannytodestruction.Foralmosttwomonthsthey'vebeenreinfectinghisbodyoverandoveragain,lettingtheviruswearhimdown,tryingtodiscoverhowmanytimeshecanlickitbeforeitfinallylickshim.Yousee,there'snopermanentimmunitytothisdisease.It'slikestrepthroatorthecommoncoldorlikecancer,becauseyoucangetitagainandagain...ifyou'reluckyenoughtobeatitthefirsttime.Today,Dannyjustbeatitforthefourteenthtime."
beatitthefirsttime.Today,Dannyjustbeatitforthefourteenthtime."
Tinagaspedinhorror.
Dombeysaid,"Althoughhegetsweakereveryday,forsomereasonhewinsoutoverthevirusfastereachtime.Buteachvictorydrainshim.Thediseaseiskillinghim,evenifindirectly.It'skillinghimbysappinghisstrength.Rightnowhe'scleananduninfected.Tomorrowtheyintendtostickanotherdirtyneedleinhim."
"MyGod,"Elliotsaidsoftly."MyGod."
Grippedbyrageandrevulsion,TinastartedatDombey."Ican'tbelievewhatIjustheard."
"Braceyourself,"Dombeysaidgrimly."Youhaven'theardhalfofityet."
Heturnedawayfromthem,spunthewheelonthesteeldoor,andswungthatbarrierinward.
Minutesago,whenTinahadfirstpeeredthroughtheobservationwindow,whenshehadseenthefrighteninglythinchild,shehadtoldherselfthatshewouldnotcry.Dannydidn'tneedtoseehercry.Heneededloveandattentionandprotection.Hertearsmightupsethim.Andjudgingfromhisappearance,shewasconcernedthatanyseriousemotionaldisturbancewouldliterallydestroyhim.
Now,assheapproachedhisbed,shebitherlowerlipsohardthatshetastedblood.Shestruggledtocontainhertears,butsheneededallherwillpowertokeephereyesdry.
Dannybecameexcitedwhenhesawherdrawingnear,andinspiteofhisterriblecondition,heshakilythrusthimselfintoasittingposition,clutchingatthebedrailswithonefrail,tremblinghand,eagerlyextendinghisotherhandtowardher.
Shetookthelastfewstepshaltingly,herheartpounding,herthroatconstricted.Shewasoverwhelmedwiththejoyofseeinghimagainbutalsowithfearwhensherealizedhowhideouslywastedhewas.
Whentheirhandstouched,hissmallfingerscurledtightlyaroundhers.Heheldonwithafierce,desperatestrength.
"Danny,"shesaidwonderingly."Danny,Danny."
"Danny,"shesaidwonderingly."Danny,Danny."
Fromsomewheredeepinsideofhim,fromfardownbeneathallthepainandfearandanguish,Dannyfoundasmileforher.Itwasn'tmuchofasmile;itquiveredonhislipsasifsustainingitrequiredmoreenergythanliftingahundred-poundweight.Itwassuchatentativesmile,suchavagueghostofallthebroadwarmsmilessheremembered,thatitbrokeherheart.
"Mom."
Tinacouldhardlyrecognizehisweary,crackingvoice.
"Mom."
"It'sallright,"shesaid.
Heshuddered.
"It'sallover,Danny.It'sallrightnow."
"Mom..,Mom..."Hisfacespasmed,andhisbravesmiledissolved,andanagonizedgroanescapedhim."Oooo-hhhhh,Mommy..."
TinapusheddowntherailingandsatontheedgeofthebedandcarefullypulledDannyintoherarms.Hewasaragdollwithonlymeagerscrapsofstuffing,afragileandtimorouscreature,nothingwhatsoeverlikethehappy,vibrant,activeboythathehadoncebeen.Atfirstshewasafraidtohughim,forfearhewouldshatterinherembrace.Buthehuggedherveryhard,andagainshewassurprisedbyhowmuchstrengthhecouldstillsummonfromhisdevastatedbody.Shakingviolently,snuffling,heputhisfaceagainstherneck,andshefelthisscaldingtearsonherskin.Shecouldn'tcontrolherselfanylonger,sosheallowedherowntearstocome,riversoftears,aflood.Puttingonehandontheboy'sbacktopresshimagainsther,shediscoveredhowshockinglyspindlyhewas:eachribandvertebrasoprominentthatsheseemedtobeholdingaskeleton.Whenshepulledhimintoherlap,hetrailedwiresthatledfromelectrodesonhisskintothemonitoringmachinesaroundthebed,likeanabandonedmarionette.Ashislegscameoutfromunderthecovers,thehospitalgownslippedoffthem,andTinasawthathispoorlimbsweretoobonyandfleshlesstosafelysupporthim.Weeping,shecradledhim,rockedhim,croonedtohim,andtoldhimthatshelovedhim.
Dannywasalive.
Dannywasalive.
39
JACKMORGAN'SSTRATEGYOFFLYINGWITHTHElandinsteadofoveritwasasmashingsuccess.Alexanderwasincreasinglyconfidentthattheywouldreachtheinstallationunscathed,andhewasawarethatevenKurtHensen,whohatedflyingwithMorgan,wascalmernowthanhehadbeentenminutesago.
Thechopperhuggedthevalleyfloor,streakingnorthward,tenfeetaboveanice-blockedriver,stillforcedtomakeitswaythroughasnowfallthatnearlyblindedthem,butshelteredfromtheworstofthestorm'sturbulencebythewallsofmammothevergreensthatflankedtheriver.Silvery,almostluminous,thefrozenriverwasaneasytrailtofollow.Occasionallywindfoundtheaircraftandpummeledit,butthechopperbobbedandweavedlikeagoodboxer,anditnolongerseemedindangerofbeingdealtaknockoutpunch.
"Howlong?"Alexanderasked.
"Tenminutes.Maybefifteen,"Morgansaid."Unless."
"Unlesswhat?"
"Unlessthebladescakeupwithice.Unlessthedriveshaftandtherotorjointsfreeze."
"Isthatlikely?"Alexanderasked.
"It'scertainlysomethingtothinkabout,"Morgansaid."Andthere'salwaysthepossibilityI'llmisjudgetheterraininthedarkandramusrightintothesideofahill."
"Youwon't,"Alexandersaid."You'retoogood."
"Well,"Morgansaid,"there'salwaysthechanceI'llscrewup.That'swhatkeepsitfromgettingboring."
•••
•••
TinapreparedDannyforthejourneyoutofhisprison.Onebyone,sheremovedtheeighteenelectrodesthatwerefixedtohisheadandbody.Whenshegingerlypulledofftheadhesivetape,hewhimpered,andshewincedwhenshesawtherawnessofhisskinunderthebandage.Noefforthadbeenmadetokeephimfromchafing.
WhileTinaworkedonDanny,ElliotquestionedCarlDombey."Whatgoesoninthisplace?Militaryresearch?"
"Yes,"Dombeysaid.
"Strictlybiologicalweapons?"
"Biologicalandchemical.RecombinantDNAexperiments.Atanyonetime,wehavethirtytofortyprojectsunderway."
"IthoughttheU.S.gotoutofthechemicalandbiologicalweaponsracealongtimeago."
"Forthepublicrecord,wedid,"Dombeysaid."Itmadethepoliticianslookgood.Butinrealitytheworkgoeson.Ithasto.Thisistheonlyfacilityofitskindwehave.TheChinesehavethreelikeit.TheRussians...they'renowsupposedtobeournewfriends,buttheykeepdevelopingbacteriologicalweapons,newandmorevirulentstrainsofviruses,becausethey'rebroke,andthisisalotcheaperthanotherweaponssystems.Iraqhasabigbiochemwarfareproject,andLibya,andGodknowswhoelse.Lotsofpeopleoutthereintherestoftheworld—theybelieveinchemicalandbiologicalwarfare.Theydon'tseeanythingimmoralaboutit.Iftheyfelttheyhadsometerrificnewbugthatwedidn'tknowabout,somethingagainstwhichwecouldn'tretaliateinkind,they'duseitonus."
Elliotsaid,"ButifracingtokeepupwiththeChinese—ortheRussiansortheIraqis—cancreatesituationsliketheonewe'vegothere,whereaninnocentchildgetsgroundupinthemachine,thenaren'twejustbecomingmonsterstoo?Aren'twelettingourfearsoftheenemyturnusintothem?Andisn'tthatjustanotherwayoflosingthewar?"
Dombeynodded.Ashespoke,hesmoothedthespikesofhismustache."That'sthesamequestionI'vebeenwrestlingwitheversinceDannygotcaughtinthegears.Theproblemisthatsomeflakypeopleareattractedtothiskindofworkbecauseofthesecrecyandbecauseyoureallydogetasenseofpowerfromdesigningweaponsthatcankillmillionsofpeople.SomegalomaniacslikeTamaguchigetinvolved.MenlikeAaronZachariahhere.Theyabusetheirpower,perverttheirduties.There'snowaytoscreenthemoutaheadoftime.Butifweclosedupshop,ifwestoppeddoingthissortofresearchjustbecausewewereafraidofmenlikeTamaguchiwindingupinchargeofit,we'dbeconcedingsomuchgroundtoourenemiesthatwewouldn'tsurviveforlong.Isupposewehavetolearntolivewiththelesseroftheevils."
TinaremovedanelectrodefromDanny'sneck,carefullypeelingthetapeoffhisskin.
Thechildstillclungtoher,buthisdeeplysunkeneyeswererivetedonDombey.
"I'mnotinterestedinthephilosophyormoralityofbiologicalwarfare,"Tinasaid."RightnowIjustwanttoknowhowthehellDannywoundupinthisplace."
"Tounderstandthat,"Dombeysaid,"youhavetogobacktwentymonths.ItwasaroundthenthataChinesescientistnamedLiChendefectedtotheUnitedStates,carryingadisketterecordofChina'smostimportantanddangerous:newbiologicalweaponinadecade.Theycallthestuff'Wuhan-400'becauseitwasdevelopedattheirRDNAlabsoutsideofthecityofWuhan,anditwasthefour-hundredthviablestrainofman-mademicroorganismscreatedatthatresearchcenter.
"Wuhan-400isaperfectweapon.Itafflictsonlyhumanbeings.Nootherlivingcreaturecancarryit.Andlikesyphilis,Wuhan-400can'tsurviveoutsidealivinghumanbodyforlongerthanaminute,whichmeansitcan'tpermanentlycontaminateobjectsorentireplacesthewayanthraxandothervirulentmicroorganismscan.Andwhenthehostexpires,theWuhan-400withinhimperishesashortwhilelater,assoonasthetemperatureofthecorpsedropsbeloweighty-sixdegreesFahrenheit.Doyouseetheadvantageofallthis?"
TinawastoobusywithDannytothinkaboutwhatCarlDombeyhadsaid,butElliotknewwhatthescientistmeant."IfIunderstandyou,theChinesecoulduseWuhan-400towipeoutacityoracountry,andthentherewouldn'tbeanyneed
Wuhan-400towipeoutacityoracountry,andthentherewouldn'tbeanyneedforthemtoconductatrickyandexpensivedecontaminationbeforetheymovedinandtookovertheconqueredterritory."
"Exactly,"Dombeysaid."AndWuhan-400hasother,equallyimportantadvantagesovermostbiologicalagents.Foronething,youcanbecomeaninfectiouscarrieronlyfourhoursaftercomingintocontactwiththevirus.That'sanincrediblyshortincubationperiod.Onceinfected,noonelivesmorethantwenty-fourhours.Mostdieintwelve.It'sworsethantheEbolavirusinAfrica—infinitelyworse.Wuhan-400'skill-rateisonehundredpercent.Nooneissupposedtosurvive.TheChinesetesteditonGodknowshowmanypoliticalprisoners.Theywereneverabletofindanantibodyoranantibioticthatwaseffectiveagainstit.Thevirusmigratestothebrainstem,andthereitbeginssecretingatoxinthatliterallyeatsawaybraintissuelikebatteryaciddissolvingcheesecloth.Itdestroysthepartofthebrainthatcontrolsallofthebody'sautomaticfunctions.Thevictimsimplyceasestohaveapulse,functioningorgans,oranyurgetobreathe."
"Andthat'sthediseaseDannysurvived,"Elliotsaid.
"Yes,"Dombeysaid."Asfarasweknow,he'stheonlyonewhoeverhas."
Tinahadpulledtheblanketoffthebedandfoldeditinhalf,soshecouldwrapDannyinitforthetripouttotheExplorer.Nowshelookedupfromthetaskofbundlingthechild,andshesaidtoDombey,"Butwhywasheinfectedinthefirstplace?"
"Itwasanaccident,"Dombeysaid.
"I'veheardthatonebefore."
"Thistimeit'strue,"Dombeysaid."AfterLiChendefectedwithallthedataonWuhan-400,hewasbroughthere.Weimmediatelybeganworkingwithhim,tryingtoengineeranexactduplicateofthevirus.Inrelativelyshortorderweaccomplishedthat.Thenwebegantostudythebug,searchingforahandleonitthattheChinesehadoverlooked."
"Andsomeonegotcareless,"Elliotsaid.
"Worse,"Dombeysaid."Someonegotcarelessandstupid.Almostthirteenmonthsago,whenDannyandtheotherboysinhistroopwereontheirwintersurvivalouting,oneofourscientists,aquirkysonofabitchnamedLarry
survivalouting,oneofourscientists,aquirkysonofabitchnamedLarryBellinger,accidentallycontaminatedhimselfwhilehewasworkingaloneonemorninginthislab."
Danny'shandtightenedonChristina's,andshestrokedhishead,soothinghim.ToDombey,shesaid,"Surelyyouhavesafeguards,procedurestofollowwhenandif—"
"Ofcourse,"Dombeysaid."You'retrainedwhattodofromthedayyoustarttoworkhere.Intheeventofaccidentalcontamination,youimmediatelysetoffanalarm.Immediately.Thenyousealtheroomyou'reworkingin.Ifthere'sanadjoiningisolationchamber,you'resupposedtogointoitandlockthedoorafteryourself.Adecontaminationcrewmovesinswiftlytocleanupwhatevermessyou'vemadeinthelab.Andifyou'veinfectedyourselfwithsomethingcurable,you'llbetreated.Ifit'snotcurable...you'llbeattendedtoinisolationuntilyoudie.That'sonereasonourpayscaleissohigh.Hazardous-dutypay.Theriskispartofthejob."
"ExceptthisLarryBollingerdidn'tseeitthatway,"Tinasaidbitterly.ShewashavingdifficultywrappingDannysecurelyintheblanketbecausehewouldn'tletgoofher.Withsmiles,murmuredassurances,andkissesplantedonhisfrailhands,shefinallymanagedtopersuadehimtotuckbothofhisarmsclosetohisbody.
"Bollingersnapped.Hejustwentrightofftherails,"Dombeysaid,obviouslyembarrassedthatoneofhiscolleagueswouldlosecontrolofhimselfunderthosecircumstances.Dombeybegantopaceashetalked."BollingerknewhowfastWuhan-400claimsitsvictims,andhejustpanicked.Flippedout.Apparently,heconvincedhimselfhecouldrunawayfromtheinfection.Godknows,that'sexactlywhathetriedtodo.Hedidn'tturninanalarm.Hewalkedoutofthelab,wenttohisquarters,dressedinoutdoorclothes,andleftthecomplex.Hewasn'tscheduledforRandR,andonthespurofthemomenthecouldn'tthinkofanexcusetosignoutoneoftheRangeRovers,sohetriedtoescapeonfoot.Hetoldtheguardshewasgoingsnowshoeingforacoupleofhours.That'ssomethingalotofusdoduringthewinter.It'sgoodexercise,anditgetsyououtofthisholeinthegroundforawhile.Anyway,Bollingerwasn'tinterestedinexercise.Hetuckedthesnowshoesunderhisarmandtookoffdownthemountainroad,thesameoneIpresumeyoucameinon.Beforehegottotheguardshackattheuppergate,heclimbedontotheridgeabove,usedthesnowshoestocircletheguard,returnedtotheroad,andthrewthesnowshoes
snowshoestocircletheguard,returnedtotheroad,andthrewthesnowshoesaway.Securityeventuallyfoundthem.Bollingerwasprobablyatthebottomgatetwoandahalfhoursafterhewalkedoutofthedoorhere,threehoursafterhewasinfected.Thatwasjustaboutthetimethatanotherresearcherwalkedintohislab,sawtheculturesofWuhan-400brokenopenonthefloor,andsetoffthealarm.Meanwhile,inspiteoftherazorwire,Bollingerclimbedoverthefence.Thenhemadehiswaytotheroadthatservesthewildliferesearchcenter.Hestartedoutoftheforest,towardthecountylane,whichisaboutfivemilesfromtheturnofftothelabs,andafteronlythreemiles—"
"HeranintoMr.Jaborskiandthescouts,"Elliotsaid.
"Andbythenhewasabletopassthediseaseontothem,"TinasaidasshefinishedbundlingDannyintotheblanket.
"Yeah,"Dombeysaid."Hemusthavereachedthescoutsfiveorfiveandahalfhoursafterhewasinfected.Bythenhewaswornout.He'dusedupmostofhisphysicalreservesgettingoutofthelabreservation,andhewasalsobeginningtofeelsomeoftheearlysymptomsofWuhan-400.Dizziness.Mildnausea.Thescoutmasterhadparkedtheexpedition'sminibusonalay-byaboutamileandahalfintothewoods,andheandhisassistantandthekidshadwalkedinanotherhalf-milebeforetheyencounteredLarryBollinger.Theywerejustabouttomoveofftheroad,intothetrees,sotheywouldbeawayfromanysignofcivilizationwhentheysetupcampfortheirfirstnightinthewilderness.WhenBollingerdiscoveredtheyhadavehicle,hetriedtopersuadethemtodrivehimallthewayintoReno.Whentheywerereluctant,hemadeupastoryaboutafriendbeingstrandedinthemountainswithabrokenleg.Jaborskididn'tbelieveBollinger'sstoryforaminute,buthefinallyofferedtotakehimtothewildlifecenterwherearescueeffortcouldbemounted.Thatwasn'tgoodenoughforBollinger,andhegothysterical.BothJaborskiandtheotherscoutleaderdecidedtheymighthaveadangerouscharacterontheirhands.Thatwaswhenthesecurityteamarrived.Bollingertriedtorunfromthem.Thenhetriedtotearopenoneofthesecuritymen'sdecontaminationsuits.Theywereforcedtoshoothim."
"Thespacemen,"Dannysaid.
Everyonestaredathim.
Hehuddledinhisyellowblanketonthebed,andthememorymadehimshiver."Thespacemencameandtookusaway."
"Yeah,"Dombeysaid."Theyprobablydidlookalittlebitlikespacemenintheirdecontaminationsuits.Theybroughteveryonehereandputtheminisolation.Onedaylaterallofthemweredead...exceptDanny."Dombeysighed."Well...youknowmostoftherest."
40
THEHELICOPTERCONTINUEDTOFOLLOWTHEFRO-zenrivernorth,throughthesnow-sweptvalley.
Theghostly,slightlyluminouswinterlandscapemadeGeorgeAlexanderthinkofgraveyards.Hehadanaffinityforcemeteries.Helikedtotakelong,leisurelywalksamongthetombstones.Foraslongashecouldremember,hehadbeenfascinatedwithdeath,withthemechanicsandthemeaningofit,andhehadlongedtoknowwhatitwaslikeontheotherside—without,ofcourse,wishingtocommithimselftoaone-wayjourneythere.Hedidn'twanttodie;heonlywantedtoknow.Eachtimethathepersonallykilledsomeone,hefeltasifhewereestablishinganotherlinktotheworldbeyondthisone;andhehoped,oncehehadmadeenoughofthose,linkages,thathewouldberewardedwithavisionfromtheotherside.Onedaymaybehewouldbestandinginagraveyard,beforethetombstoneofoneofhisvictims,andthepersonhehadkilledwouldreachouttohimfrombeyondandlethimsee,insomevividclairvoyantfashion,exactlywhatdeathwaslike.Andthenhewouldknow.
"Notlongnow,"JackMorgansaid.
Alexanderpeeredanxiouslythroughthesheetingsnowintowhichthechoppermovedlikeablindmanrunningfull-steamintoendlessdarkness.Hetouchedthegunthathecarriedinashoulderholster,andhethoughtofChristinaEvans.
ToKurtHensen,Alexandersaid,"KillStrykeronsight.Wedon'tneedhimforanything.Butdon'thurtthewoman.Iwanttoquestionher.She'sgoingtotellmewhothetraitoris.She'sgoingtotellmewhohelpedhergetintothelabsevenifIhavetobreakherfingersoneatatimetomakeheropenup."
•••
Intheisolationchamber,whenDombeyfinishedspeaking,Tinasaid,"Danny
Intheisolationchamber,whenDombeyfinishedspeaking,Tinasaid,"Dannylookssoawful.Eventhoughhedoesn'thavethediseaseanymore,willhebeallright?"
"Ithinkso,"Dombeysaid."Hejustneedstobefattenedup.Hecouldn'tkeepanythingonhisstomachbecauserecentlythey'vebeenreinfectinghim,testinghimtodestruction,likeIsaid.Butoncehe'soutofhere,heshouldputweightonfast.Thereisonething..."
TinastiffenedatthenoteofworryinDombey'svoice."What?Whatonething?"
"Sinceallthesereinfections,he'sdevelopedaspotontheparietallobeofthebrain."
Tinafeltill."No."
"Butapparentlyitisn'tlife-threatening,"Dombeysaidquickly."Asfaraswecandetermine,it'snotatumor.Neitheramalignantnorabenigntumor.Atleastitdoesn'thaveanyofthecharacteristicsofatumor.Itisn'tscartissueeither.Andnotabloodclot."
"Thenwhatisit?"Elliotasked.
Dombeypushedonehandthroughhisthick,curlyhair."Thecurrentanalysissaysthenewgrowthisconsistentwiththestructureofnormalbraintissue.Whichdoesn'tmakesense.Butwe'vecheckedourdataahundredtimes,andwecan'tfindanythingwrongwiththatdiagnosis.Exceptit'simpossible.Whatwe'reseeingontheXraysisn'twithinourexperience.Sowhenyougethimoutofhere,takehimtoabrainspecialist.Takehimtoadozenspecialistsuntilsomeonecantellyouwhat'swrongwithhim.Theredoesn'tappeartobeanythinglife-threateningabouttheparietalspot,butyousureshouldkeepawatchonit."
TinametElliot'seyes,andsheknewthatthesamethoughtwasrunningthroughboththeirminds.CouldthisspotonDanny'sbrainhaveanythingtodowiththeboy'spsychicpower?Werehislatentpsychicabilitiesbroughttothesurfaceasadirectresultoftheman-madeviruswithwhichhehadbeenrepeatedlyinfected?Crazy—butitdidn'tseemanymoreunlikelythanthathehadfallenvictimtoProjectPandorainthefirstplace.AndasfarasTinacouldsee,itwastheonlythingthatexplainedDanny'sphenomenalnewpowers.
ApparentlyafraidthatshewouldvoiceherthoughtsandalertDombeytothe
ApparentlyafraidthatshewouldvoiceherthoughtsandalertDombeytotheincredibletruthofthesituation,Elliotconsultedhiswristwatchandsaid,"Weoughttogetoutofhere."
"Whenyouleave,"Dombeysaid,"youshouldtakesomefilesonDanny'scase.They'reonthetableclosesttotheouterdoor—thatblackboxfullofdiskettes.They'llhelpsupportyourstorywhenyougotothepresswithit.AndforGod'ssake,splashitalloverthenewspapersasfastasyoucan.Aslongasyou'retheonlyonesoutsideofherewhoknowwhathappened,you'remarkedpeople."
"We'repainfullyawareofthat,"Elliotacknowledged.
Tinasaid,"Elliot,you'llhavetocarryDanny.Hecan'twalk.He'snottooheavyforme,worndownasheis,buthe'sstillanawkwardbundle."
Elliotgaveherthepistolandstartedtowardthebed.
"Couldyoudomeafavorfirst?"Dombeyasked.
"What'sthat?"
"Let'smoveDr.Zachariahinhereandtakethegagoutofhismouth.Thenyoutiemeupandgagme,leavemeintheouterroom.I'mgoingtomakethembelievehewastheonewhocooperatedwithyou.Infact,whenyoutellyourstorytothepress,maybeyoucouldslantitthatway."
Tinashookherhead,puzzled."ButaftereverythingyousaidtoZachariahaboutthisplacebeingrunbymegalomaniacs,andafteryou'vemadeitsoclearyoudon'tagreewitheverythingthatgoesonhere,whydoyouwanttostay?"
"Thehermit'slifeagreeswithme,andthepayisgood,"Dombeysaid."AndifIdon'tstayhere,ifIwalkawayandgetajobatacivilianresearchcenter,that'llbejustonelessrationalvoiceinthisplace.Therearealotofpeopleherewhohavesomesenseofsocialresponsibilityaboutthiswork.Iftheyallleft,they'djustbeturningtheplaceovertomenlikeTamaguchiandZachariah,andtherewouldn'tbeanyonearoundtobalancethings.Whatsortofresearchdoyouthinktheymightdothen?
"Butonceourstorybreaksinthepapers,"Tinasaid,"they'llprobablyjustshutthisplacedown."
"Noway,"Dombeysaid."Becausetheworkhastobedone.ThebalanceofpowerwithtotalitarianstateslikeChinahastobemaintained.Theymightpretendtocloseusdown,buttheywon't.Tamaguchiandsomeofhisclosestaideswillbefired.There'llbeabigshake-up,andthat'llbegood.IfIcanmakethemthinkthatZachariahwastheonewhospilledthesecretstoyou,ifIcanprotectmypositionhere,maybeI'llbepromotedandhavemoreinfluence."Hesmiled."Attheveryleast,I'llgetmorepay."
"AHright,"Elliotsaid."We'lldowhatyouwant.Butwe'vegottobefastaboutit."
TheymovedZachariahintotheisolationchamberandtookthegagoutofhismouth.HestrainedathisropesandcursedElliot.ThenhecursedTinaandDannyandDombey.WhentheytookDannyoutofthesmallroom,theycouldn'thearZachariah'sshoutedinvectivesthroughtheairtightsteeldoor.
AsElliotusedthelastoftheropetotieDombey,thescientistsaid,"Satisfymycuriosity."
"Aboutwhat?"
"Whotoldyouyoursonwashere?Wholetyouintothelabs?"
Tinablinked.Shecouldn'tthinkwhattosay.
"Okay,okay,"Dombeysaid."Youdon'twanttoratonwhoeveritwas.Butjusttellmeonething.Wasitoneofthesecuritypeople,orwasitsomeoneonthemedicalstaff?I'dliketothinkitwasadoctor,oneofmyown,whofinallydidtherightthing."
TinalookedatElliot.
Elliotshookhishead:no.
SheagreedthatitmightnotbewisetoletanyoneknowwhatpowersDannyhadacquired.Theworldwouldregardhimasafreak,andeveryonewouldwanttogawkathim,puthimondisplay.Andforsure,ifthepeopleinthisinstallationgottheideathatDanny'snewfoundpsychicabilitieswerearesultoftheparietalspotcausedbyhisrepeatedexposuretoWuhan-400,theywouldwanttotesthim,pokeandprobeathim.No,shewouldn'ttellanyonewhatDannycoulddo.Notyet.NotuntilsheandElliotfiguredoutwhateffectthatrevelationwould
Notyet.NotuntilsheandElliotfiguredoutwhateffectthatrevelationwouldhaveontheboy'slife.
"Itwassomeoneonthemedicalstaff,"Elliotlied."Itwasadoctorwholetusinhere."
"Good,"Dombeysaid."I'mgladtohearit.IwishI'dhadenoughgutstodoitalongtimeago."
ElliotworkedawaddedhandkerchiefintoDombey'smouth.
Tinaopenedtheouterairtightdoor.
ElliotpickedupDanny."Youhardlyweighathing,kid.We'llhavetotakeyoustraighttoMcDonald'sandpackyoufullofburgersandfries."
Dannysmiledweaklyathim.
Holdingthepistol,Tinaledthewayintothehall.Intheroomneartheelevators,peoplewerestilltalkingandlaughing,butnoonesteppedintothecorridor.
Dannyopenedthehigh-securityelevatorandmadethecabriseoncetheywereinit.Hisforeheadwasfurrowed,asifhewereconcentrating,butthatwastheonlyindicationthathehadanythingtodowiththeelevator'smovement.
Thehallwaysweredesertedonthetopfloor.
Intheguardroom,theolderofthetwosecuritymenwasstillboundandgaggedinhischair.Hewatchedthemwithangerandfear.
Tina,Elliot,andDannywentthroughthevestibuleandsteppedintothecoldnight.Snowlashedthem.
Overthehowlingofthewind,anothersoundarose,andTinaneededafewsecondstoidentifyit.
Ahelicopter.
Shesquintedupintothesnow-shippednightandsawthechoppercomingovertheriseatthewestendoftheplateau.Whatmadmanwouldtakeahelicopteroutinthisweather?
"TheExplorer!"Elliotshouted."Hurry!"
TheyrantotheExplorer,whereTinatookDannyoutofElliot'sarmsandslidhimintothebackseat.Shegotinafterhim.
Elliotclimbedbehindthewheelandfumbledwiththekeys.Theenginewouldn'tturnoverimmediately.
Thechopperswoopedtowardthem.
"Who'sinthehelicopter?"Dannyasked,staringatitthroughthesidewindowoftheExplorer.
"Idon'tknow,"Tinasaid."Butthey'renotgoodpeople,baby.They'relikethemonsterinthecomicbook.Theoneyousentmepicturesofinmydream.Theydon'twantustogetyououtofthisplace."
Dannystaredattheoncomingchopper,andlinesappearedinhisforeheadagain.
TheExplorer'senginesuddenlyturnedover.
"ThankGod!"Elliotsaid.
Butthelinesdidn'tfadefromDanny'sforehead.
Tinarealizedwhattheboywasgoingtodo,andshesaid,"Danny,wait!"
•••
LeaningforwardtoviewtheExplorerthroughthebubblewindowofthechopper,GeorgeAlexandersaid,"Putusdownrightinfrontofthem,Jack."
"Willdo,"Morgansaid.
ToHensen,whohadthesubmachinegun,Alexandersaid,"LikeItoldyou,wasteStrykerrightaway,butnotthewoman."
Abruptlythechoppersoared.Ithadbeenonlyfifteenortwentyfeetabovethe
Abruptlythechoppersoared.Ithadbeenonlyfifteenortwentyfeetabovethepavement,butitrapidlyclimbedforty,fifty,sixtyfeet.
Alexandersaid,"What'shappening?"
"Thestick,"Morgansaid.Anedgeoffearsharpenedhisvoice,fearthathadn'tbeenaudiblethroughouttheentire,nightmarishtripthroughthemountains."Can'tcontrolthedamnthing.It'sfrozenup."
Eighty,ninety,ahundredfeettheysoared,soaredstraightupintothenight.
Thentheenginecutout.
"Whatthehell?"Morgansaid.
Hensenscreamed.
Alexanderwatcheddeathrushingupathimandknewhiscuriosityabouttheothersidewouldshortlybesatisfied.
•••
Astheydroveofftheplateau,aroundtheburningwreckageofthehelicopter,Dannysaid,"Theywerebadpeople.It'sallright,Mom.Theywererealbadpeople."
Toeverythingthereisaseason,Tinaremindedherself.Atimetokillandatimetoheal.
SheheldDannyclose,andshestaredintohisdarkeyes,andshewasn'tabletocomfortherselfwiththosewordsfromtheBible.Danny'seyesheldtoomuchpain,toomuchknowledge.Hewasstillhersweetboy—yethewaschanged.Shethoughtaboutthefuture.Shewonderedwhatlayaheadforthem.
AFTERWORD
TheEyesofDarknessisoneoffivenovelsthatIwroteunderthepenname"LeighNichols,"whichInolongeruse.Althoughitwasthesecondofthefive,itisthefifthandfinalintheseriestobereissuedinpaperbackundermyrealname.ThepreviousfourwereTheServantsofTwilight,Shadowfires,TheHouseofThunder,andTheKeytoMidnight.Demandfrommyreadersmadeitpossibleforthesebookstoberepublished,andI'mgratefultoallofyouforyourinterest.
AsyouknowifyouhavereadtheafterwordsinTheFunhouseandTheKeytoMidnight,IliketoamusemyselfbyrevealingthetragicdeathsofthevariouspennamesIusedearlyinmycareer.Somewhattomyembarrassment,ImustadmitthatI'venotalwaysbeentruthfulwithyouinthesematters.Previously,ItoldyouthatLeighNicholsdranktoomuchchampagneoneeveningonaCaribbeancruiseshipandwasdecapitatedinafreaklimboaccident.Iwastouchedbyyoursympathycardsandaccountsofthememorialservicesyouheld,butnowthatBerkleyBookshasbroughtyouthisfifthandfinaloftheNicholsnovels,ImustconfessthatIwaslyinginordernottohavetorevealNichols'strue—andmoredisturbing—fate.OnebleakandwintrynightLeighNicholswasabductedbyextraterrestrials,takenonatourofoursolarsystem,introducedtothealienNestQueen,andforcedtoundergoaseriesofhorrifyingsurgeries.ThougheventuallyreturnedtoEarth,theauthorwastootraumatizedtocontinueacareerasanovelist—butfinallybuiltanewlifeasthecurrentdictatorofIraq.
TheEyesofDarknesswasoneofmyearlyattemptstowriteacross-genrenovelmixingaction,suspense,romance,andatouchoftheparanormal.Whileitdoesn'thavetheintensity,depthofcharacterization,complexityoftheme,orpaceoflaternovelssuchasWatchersandMr.Murder,andwhileitdoesn'tgoforyourthroatasfearsomelyasabooklikeIntensity,readerswhohavefounditundertheNicholsnameinused-bookstoreshaveexpressedfavorableopinionsofit.Isupposetheylikeitbecausethedeviceofthelostchild—andthededicatedmotherwhowilldoanythingtofindoutwhathashappenedtoherlittleboy—strikesaprimalchordinallofus.
AsIrevisedthebookforthisnewedition,IresistedtheurgetotransformthestoryentirelyintoanovelofthetypethatIwouldwritetoday.Iupdatedculturalandpoliticalreferences,polishedawayafewofthemoreegregiousstylisticinadequacies,andtrimmedexcesswordagehereandthere.Ienjoyedrevisiting
inadequacies,andtrimmedexcesswordagehereandthere.IenjoyedrevisitingEyes,whichremainsabasicallysimpletalethatrelieslargelyonplotandonthestrangenessofthepremisetoengagethereader.Ihopeyouwereengaged,andthatyouhaveenjoyedtakingthisfive-bookvoyagethroughthecareerofLeighNichols.Ifyou'reeverinIraq,thesurgicallyalteredauthorwillprobablybehappytosigncopiesofthesebooksforyou—orwilldenounceyouasaninfidelandhaveyouthrownintoaprisoncellasvileasanysewer.Inquireatyourownrisk.