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The Laughing Corpse :: Гамильтон Лорел
Страница: 36 из 213But I have onlythis short time. If she does this test for me now, I promise to aid her in any way I can to catch this killer."
It was a powerful offer. A lot of people would talk to her just out of pure terror. The police can't inspire that. All they can do is arrest you. It wasn't enough of a deterrent. Having the undead crawl through your window … that was a deterrent.
Four, maybe five people were already dead. It was a bad way to die. "I've already said I'd do it. Let's go."
She walked around the table and took Manny's arm. He jumped like she'd struck him. She pulled him away from me. "No harm will come to her, Manuel. I swear."
"I do not trust you, Dominga."
She laughed. "But it is her choice, Manuel. I have not forced her."
"You have blackmailed her, Dominga. Blackmailed her with the safety of others."
She looked back over her shoulder. "Have I blackmailed you, chica?"
"Yes," I said.
"Oh, she is your student, corazon. She has your honesty. And your bravery."
"She is brave, but she has not seen what lies below."
I wanted to ask what exactly was in the basement, but I didn't. I really didn't want to know. I've had people warn me about supernatural shit before. Don't go in that room; the monster will get you. There usually is a monster, and it usually tries to get me. But up till now I've been faster or luckier than the monsters. Here's to my luck holding.
I wished that I could heed Manny's warning. Going home sounded very good about now, but duty reared its ugly head. Duty and a whisper of nightmares. I didn't want to see another butchered family.
Dominga led Manny from the room. I followed with Enzo bringing up the rear. What a day for a parade.
6
The basement stairs were steep, wooden slats. You could feel the vibrations in the stairs as we tromped down them. It was not comforting. The bright sunlight from the door spilled into absolute darkness. The sunlight faltered, seemed to fade as if it had no power in this cavelike place. I stopped on the grey edge of daylight, staring down into the nightdark of the room. I couldn't even make out Dominga and Manny. They had to be just in front of me, didn't they?
Enzo the bodyguard waited at my back like some patient mountain. He made no move to hurry me. Was it my decision then? Could I just pack up my toys and go home?
"Manny," I called.
A voice came distantly. Too far away. Maybe it was an acoustic trick of the room. Maybe not. "I'm here, Anita.
It was a powerful offer. A lot of people would talk to her just out of pure terror. The police can't inspire that. All they can do is arrest you. It wasn't enough of a deterrent. Having the undead crawl through your window … that was a deterrent.
Four, maybe five people were already dead. It was a bad way to die. "I've already said I'd do it. Let's go."
She walked around the table and took Manny's arm. He jumped like she'd struck him. She pulled him away from me. "No harm will come to her, Manuel. I swear."
"I do not trust you, Dominga."
She laughed. "But it is her choice, Manuel. I have not forced her."
"You have blackmailed her, Dominga. Blackmailed her with the safety of others."
She looked back over her shoulder. "Have I blackmailed you, chica?"
"Yes," I said.
"Oh, she is your student, corazon. She has your honesty. And your bravery."
"She is brave, but she has not seen what lies below."
I wanted to ask what exactly was in the basement, but I didn't. I really didn't want to know. I've had people warn me about supernatural shit before. Don't go in that room; the monster will get you. There usually is a monster, and it usually tries to get me. But up till now I've been faster or luckier than the monsters. Here's to my luck holding.
I wished that I could heed Manny's warning. Going home sounded very good about now, but duty reared its ugly head. Duty and a whisper of nightmares. I didn't want to see another butchered family.
Dominga led Manny from the room. I followed with Enzo bringing up the rear. What a day for a parade.
6
The basement stairs were steep, wooden slats. You could feel the vibrations in the stairs as we tromped down them. It was not comforting. The bright sunlight from the door spilled into absolute darkness. The sunlight faltered, seemed to fade as if it had no power in this cavelike place. I stopped on the grey edge of daylight, staring down into the nightdark of the room. I couldn't even make out Dominga and Manny. They had to be just in front of me, didn't they?
Enzo the bodyguard waited at my back like some patient mountain. He made no move to hurry me. Was it my decision then? Could I just pack up my toys and go home?
"Manny," I called.
A voice came distantly. Too far away. Maybe it was an acoustic trick of the room. Maybe not. "I'm here, Anita.