Then the Dark: A Technothriller (Markus Murphy Series Book 2) by Mike McCrary

Author:Mike McCrary [McCrary, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bad Words Inc.
Published: 2021-02-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“Pie. The apple pie. Our apple pie.” Mother’s blood simmers. “Where in the hell is my pie?”

Mr. Madness turns his attention to Murphy.

Murphy can’t place him, but there’s something with this guy. Something about him that rings a bell to Murphy. Can’t specifically remember how he knows him, but there is a look and feel to him that drips with a thick goo of familiarity.

“Have we met?” Murphy asks.

“Possible.” Mr. Madness adjusts his shirt, breaking eye contact. “Another life, perhaps?”

Murphy catches a quick glance of the outline of a gun under his shirt. Tucked into the front of his jeans. Murphy’s fingers begin to tingle. He slows his breathing, steadies his pulse. Keeping a calm mind and an active body is what someone once told him was the key. The key to killing without getting killed.

“Okay. Another life, you say?” Murphy clucks his tongue. “That’s kinda fun. Dated, labored and tired, but an almost fun response. Now seriously, man. Where do I know you from?”

Peyton turns toward Murphy. Her heartrate ticks up as she catches the look on his face. She’s witnessed this vibe before. Never a good sign.

“No. Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure, sir.” Mr. Madness is ice. His words flat.

Mother doesn’t like it. She grips her fork, moving it under the table.

“You sure about that, friend?” Murphy asks.

It’s his eyes. More like what’s floating behind them that Murphy is dialing in to.

“We are not friends,” Mr. Madness corrects him.

Last time Murphy felt this odd, unexplainable connection was in Montauk. That night he got into a nasty gunfight with multiple people who shared his mind. Brubaker’s people. It was all in their eyes too. Also, in the way they spoke. Not unlike the way this guy is speaking. It’s a feeling that can’t be easily defined but it cannot be mistaken for anything else. Murphy’s hand moves toward his Glock that he has tucked behind his back.

He can put two in this man’s sternum, then one between his eyes.

“I know you would like to put two in my sternum,” Mr. Madness says. “Then one between my eyes.”

Murphy’s blood runs cold.

“I know this, because you know this.”

“Central Park.” Murphy snaps his fingers as his memory clicks into place. “You’re the asshole who made that sick headshot at the bridge.”

Mr. Madness nods.

“Not too many folks could make that shot.”

“Correct. I doubt few could.”

“I can make that shot.”

“I know you can.” Mr. Madness presses his palms down flat on the table. “I suggest we place our hands in a peaceful, resting position. Let’s attempt to communicate without looming threats.”

Mr. Madness turns, spotting a man standing near the restrooms. Peyton sees him too.

“Murphy—” Peyton starts.

“Tell me you have something helpful to add,” Murphy says.

“That guy over there.” Peyton zeros in on the man. “His name is Tinker.”

“This is correct,” Mr. Madness adds.

“He escaped from the lab with Brubaker.” She knows the faces from the security footage better than she knows the faces of her own family. Holding her breath, she spots another familiar face.

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