The Case of the Ghostly Runners and the Tall Man by Dennis Liggio

Author:Dennis Liggio [Liggio, Dennis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-20T23:00:00+00:00

9

The train rattled through the subway tunnels just under the surface of New Avalon. Though the men in black had watched impassively as our heroes' train pulled away, it was still many minutes before they all relaxed. They expected to find the men at the next train stop or coming from another car. But there was no sign of pursuit.

They had wanted to ask more of Desdemona, but she had passed out in her seat moments after their escape. They eventually took this as a sign that the danger had passed, deciding Desdemona knew far more about all this. When they got off the train a few stops later, Jake and Nathan had to help Desdemona walk, as while she had woken, she was weak and groggy. Luckily it was a short walk from the subway entrance to Anna's apartment. There they let Desdemona fall back to sleep.

Anna's apartment was their clear choice. It was the closest to the Inferno Room, and at the time, in their panicked minds searching for a port in the storm, it made sense. Desdemona was slumped on the couch beneath a framed print of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes, while everyone else attempted to calm themselves down. A bottle of red wine was opened and poured freely.

Jake looked around the apartment. He had only been here a few times, but it never failed to amuse him. While having framed vintage posters on the walls was always a fad for college students, Anna had taken that idea and made it her own. Instead of posters of wineries in France or communist propaganda, it was a mystery-lover’s dream. On one wall there was Miss Marple, the picture a print of an Agatha Christie novel cover. Over there was the Thin Man and over there Pierot. The style of furniture and knick-knacks were more English drawing room than modern living. If Jake didn’t know better, he would think this was the apartment of a very old woman, not a college student in her early twenties.

They were all exhausted; the lateness of the hour wore on them and their adrenaline high from danger had long worn off. Conversation was minimal. None wanted to discuss what they saw, instead they talked about their classes. Nathan stole glances at Desdemona, this action unnoticed by all but Eva, who didn't care, and Anna, who did. Despite this, Anna was energetic. This was her time to shine.

“You owe us some answers now,” said Anna abruptly, placing her glass on the table.

"Who are you talking to?" said Eva.

"To Desdemona," said Anna.

"She's asleep, Anna," said Nathan.

Anna shook her head. “Desdemona, I happen to know that you have been conscious and alert for five minutes now.”

Reluctantly, Desdemona opened her eyes and looked at Anna.

“Whoa, how did you know that?” asked Nathan.

“Her change in breathing,” said Anna. “It was ragged when we first got here and she went to sleep. A fitful unconsciousness. About five minutes ago it changed. Had it slowed to a deep, rhythmic breathing, I might have believed that she was fully passed out.

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