90 A Hard Rain by Dean Wesley Smith

Author:Dean Wesley Smith [Smith, Dean Wesley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure, High Tech
ISBN: 9780743419277
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2002-04-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Something Smells Like A Red Herring

Section One: A Woman's Home is Her Mess

Dixon Hill glanced back through the rain at the group following him down the sidewalk toward Jessica Daniels' apartment. Bev and Mr. Data were right behind him, then Whelan and the four others who had offered to help. They all knew something about this city. But eight was too many people to go directly into the apartment at once. They would all be tripping over each other like a crowd trying to climb on a bus. Dix waited until they were two blocks from their destination before holding up his hand for everyone to stop and gather around him on the sidewalk.

The three-and four-story buildings on both sides of the street were dark, full of people sleeping through this seemingly perpetual night. Cars were parked along the curb, landmarks to a time of daylight and movement. Nothing stirred on this cold, wet side street except a stray cat that ran down the gutter and then ducked into a side alley. In the distance a dog barked, then stopped, followed by a distant siren that quickly faded.

As everyone stopped moving the street's silence pounded into Dix like a hammer, taking his breath away with the idea that soon everything would be silenced in a much more permanent fashion if he didn't succeed in this search. He could feel the weight on his shoulders, pressing him down into the concrete.

Bev noticed the oppressive silence as well, looking around, clearly not comfortable. "I never knew a city could be so deathly still."

"Maybe this isn't normal," Dix said, his voice a whisper just loud enough for Bev to hear. "Maybe the reality is shifting again."

Bev said nothing, letting the silence rule.

The rain had slacked off just after they left the office and then stopped a block or so back, but it had already done its damage to all of them. Dix was wet and chilled. Bev's hair was flat on her head, and all their coats were soaked through.

Dix waited until everyone was gathered around closely so he didn't have to speak loudly, as if he was in a funeral home and afraid to wake the dead. Even trying to keep his words soft, his words seemed louder than they needed to be. "Mr. Whelan, I want you to take your people and spread out along the street, taking up positions at both intersections on either side of Ms. Daniels' apartment and around behind as well."

"Got it," Whelan said.

"And be careful," Dix said. "Someone killed Jessica Daniels for a reason. That person may be watching her apartment. I want to know at once if you see anything suspicious."

Whelan nodded and turned, indicating the four others should follow him.

Dix, Bev, and Mr. Data waited until the sounds of footsteps had died off against the black windows. Then Dix took Jessica Daniels' apartment keys out of his pocket and jingled them, the noise clear in the cold night air. "Let's go."

"Right behind ya, boss," Mr.

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