Lost Bullet by Malcolm Rose

Author:Malcolm Rose [Rose, Malcolm]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Malcolm Rose
Published: 2013-03-12T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

There was little to be learned from Lost Bullet’s latest killing spree. This time, Malc did find two empty cartridge cases near the broken window of the clinic but they didn’t add anything to the investigation. They were a very common make – too common to trace. Matching the ones found in the Pairing Committee room, they confirmed only that Lost Bullet had not switched to a different weapon. If there had been a flowerbed beneath the window, the assassin might have left a shoeprint in the soil. But outside it was all concrete, decorated with two poignant bouquets of lilies. There was no other evidence of Lost Bullet’s devastating visit.

Hands on hips, Luke stood in the entrance to the fertility clinic and said, “He’s targeting the same sort of prey with the same rifle. That’s your lot.” He shook his head in frustration. Deciding what to do, Luke added, “Right. I don’t have time to wait for Ethan Loach to get in touch. I’m going after him.”

“There is no need,” Malc announced. “I have just received a message from him. He has agreed to come and see you briefly at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”

Luke nodded. “Good. Tell him we’re at the Central Hotel.”

****

Luke felt a shiver of pleasure when Jade’s round face appeared yet again on his telescreen. A few unruly patches of blue had appeared in her bronzed hair. For once, though, her dark eyes were not shining.

“Hi! How’s it going?” he said.

“Not great.”

“Why’s that?” asked Luke.

“It happened today. The Pairing Committee’s found me a new mate. An artist, obviously.”

Hurt, Luke looked away from the large screen. When he forced himself to look back, he said, “What’s his name?”

Jade shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. He’s not Luke Harding.”

****

Still upset, Luke had barely shaken off his drowsiness, eaten his pomegranate and showered before the leader of the London Visionaries arrived. He was precisely on time. Luke ushered him into his living quarters, out of sight of his working area, forensic equipment and bagged evidence.

Ethan Loach was an imposing figure. He was nearly as tall as Luke, but far more chunky. What really made him striking – even fearsome – was his oversized bald head. According to the information that Malc had downloaded, Ethan was thirty-five years old but his shaved head made him look at least five years older. Under his raincoat, he was dressed smartly in a dark suit, white shirt and red tie.

“Rachel told me some interesting things about you,” Ethan said as if he expected to take control of the meeting.

“And I found out some interesting things about Visionaries.” Luke took the two leaflets from his chest of drawers and held them up. “It started when I got these. Rachel filled in a few more things for me. I’ve got to say, your church is pulling me like a magnet.”

“You’re thinking of turning away from Rationalists and becoming a Visionary?”

Immediately, Luke guessed that people who weren’t part of The World Church of Eternal Vision were called Rationalists.

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