Truth is a Flightless Bird by Akbar Hussain
Author:Akbar Hussain [Hussain, Akbar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Iskanchi Press
Published: 2022-10-25T06:00:00+00:00
16
THE STORKS SMELLED OF ROTTING THINGS. Dun-
can stood in the portico of the police station, gathering himself, when he was startled by a screech of sheet metal from above. A stork had ripped a piece from the corrugated roof and held it in its beak. Unblinking beady eyes regarded Duncan.
What were these creatures still doing here?
Duncan felt a hand on his shoulder. He noted the red fingernails as he turned to the bobbed receptionist. Her limbs boyish in the boxy khaki uniform.
âSorry,â she said.
âFor what?â
âFor misreading your energy. And then locking you into that conference room.â
âMy energy?â He laughed, and it felt good to find something humorous, to allow oneself the luxury of authenticity. âAnd what sort of energy is that?â
The policewoman put out her hand, gold bangle sparkling. âMy name is Muthoni.â
He took her hand. âI am Duncan, as you know from the forms you had me fill out.â Duncan grinned. âWhat is my energy right now?â Her hand felt good, and he liked her haircut. There was an absurd urge to lean in and smell her hair. He was glad that he was out of his clerical uniform. What was wrong with him?
Muthoni paused. She looked away from Duncanâs face, at the clamoring traffic. âYou are angry. You regret your past. You are afraid you are not equipped for where you find yourself.â These things she said in the tone of a doctor pronouncing the diagnosis of a lifestyle-induced disease.
Duncanâs grin died.
He took his hand from hers and followed her gaze onto Mathenge Road.
Muthoni continued, âThat is how I misread you. I saw darkness about you, in you. But I see now you are afloat in it. It is not something you are emitting. For now. But you must get your bearings quickly.â
Still not looking at Muthoni, Duncan said with as much bitterness as he could muster, âAnd what is the charge for this psychic analysis?â
She did not take the bait. âI have this ability. I know it needs fine-tuning, maybe more than that. But I have it. And that is why I became a policewoman because I canâ She stumbled for the word she wanted, then continuedâI get glimpses of things, of people. Anticipate them perhaps.â
âIs that why you take the liberty of depriving people of their freedom in conference rooms? Because you anticipate their guilt? Thereâs a term for that. Kidnapping.â
Muthoni looked down. âLook, the officer at your accident, Hinga. Iâve read his energy, and his file, and . . . if thereâs anything I can help withâ¦Well, you should just know that he is a dangerous man. Prepared to go to dangerous lengths.â
âWas,â added Duncan, turning to look at Muthoni. âWas a dangerous man.â A vision of Hingaâs knee cap split open, the obscenity of the pale-yellow cartilage.
âWhat do you mean?â
Duncan regretted his indiscretion instantly. âNothing. Look, he hasnât even filed a report. I just need to find my friend. Can you think of anywhere I could look?â
Muthoni brought her red fingernails to her mouth. She chewed her lip.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Robin by Dave Itzkoff(2255)
Head of Drama by Sydney Newman(2198)
I'm Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi(2101)
The Paranormal 13 (13 free books featuring witches, vampires, werewolves, mermaids, psychics, Loki, time travel and more!) by unknow(2004)
Ten by Gretchen McNeil(1770)
Single State of Mind by Andi Dorfman(1711)
#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil(1569)
Key to the Sacred Pattern: The Untold Story of Rennes-le-Chateau by Henry Lincoln(1545)
Merv by Merv Griffin(1501)
Most Talkative by Andy Cohen(1498)
This Is Just My Face by Gabourey Sidibe(1371)
Notes from the Upside Down by Guy Adams(1368)
The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Egan Kate(1323)
Jamie Oliver by Stafford Hildred(1313)
Springfield Confidential by Mike Reiss(1305)
Clarkson--Look Who's Back by Gwen Russell(1253)
The TV Writer's Workbook: A Creative Approach To Television Scripts by Ellen Sandler(1249)
Binging with Babish by Andrew Rea(1206)
Blue Planet II by James Honeyborne & Mark Brownlow(1190)
