Ann Marie's Asylum (Master and Apprentice Book 1) by Christopher Rankin Read Free Book Online

just forgot exactly where I parked it. This city is big.”
    “Fine,” she said as she opened the door to leave. “I’ll do that along with everything else.”
    “Why are you leaving now? Don’t you have to wait for a cab?”
    “I’ll just sit out and wait on the steps,” said Ann Marie, slamming the door.
    After the taxi finally arrived and dropped her off at the laboratory guard booth, she ran into the Sheriff. He apparently had important news. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she told him. “Car trouble.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about that. Got something special to show you,” he said. “Why don’t you follow me?”
    He took her to a large garage by the Asylum Laboratory loading dock. Inside, there were various cars and military vehicles being worked on by the machines. Steel robotic arms hummed as they moved parts around. Sparks erupted from the torches on the welding robots. In the far corner of the garage, Ann Marie noticed six-wheeled Asylum One.
    “Follow me,” The Sheriff told her.
    He brought her to a staging area in the back, where several small robots were buffing up a sleek, white sedan. It was exactly the make and model that she had been eyeing since she graduated with her PhD. The robots seemed to be putting the finishing touches on polishing it.
    “What’s this for?” She asked.
    “It’s for you, silly goose,” he told her. “Do you think I would walk you way the hell over here just to show you a car I’m keeping for myself?”
    “I don’t understand,” said Ann Marie. “I can’t really afford this yet. My mom and I are still saving.”
    “Dade had everything taken care of. It’s the one you wanted, right?”
    “Yeah,” she answered, looking even more confused. “How did he know what I liked so exactly ?”
    “Beats me,” said the Sheriff. “He just said that you needed this, called me this morning to make sure it gets delivered. My job is done.”
    “Thank you,” she said. “Even though that isn’t enough for a present like this.”
    “It isn’t that big of a deal, kid. One way or another, you make this company a ton of money. Believe me, they aren’t gonna feel it. I’m also the wrong person to be thanking.”
    “I would thank him but I hardly ever see him.”
    “Yes, ma’m. Dade is indeed a tough man to pin down.”
    “Where does he go all the time?”
    The Sheriff seemed hesitant to answer the question. “Well,” he said, “I would imagine he’s around the lab somewhere.”
    “I never see him around.”
    “I don’t know what to tell you, honey,” he said almost defensively. “Whatever it is, knowing Dade, I’m sure it’s high tech. That’s all I know.”
    Ann Marie was immediately struck by the thought the Sheriff was lying to her. “That red hallway,” she started to probe, “the one that I’m not allowed into, that takes you to where Dade lives. Doesn’t it?”
    “Aww, honey. I’m sure you could just call him if you really need him. I don’t think you need to go looking around in that hallway.”
    “Why?” she argued. “Am I forbidden?”
    “No. Of course you’re not forbidden. It’s just...” he started to say. He took off his blue cowboy hat. “It’s just that Dade is a very private man.”
    “So he lives up there?”
    “Kid, you’re killing me.”
    “Just tell me,” she said. “Are the internet rumors right? Does Dade live at the top of the lab?”
    The Sheriff didn’t answer right away but his expression told her everything she needed to know. He ran his thumb and forefinger across the span of his ivory mustache. Then he shot a glance toward the ceiling. “He’s up there,” he finally admitted.
    “I didn’t think I could access that area.”
    “You can. There’s a special freight elevator down the red hallway. It’ll take you right up.”
    “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
    “Don’t worry about me, kid. After thirty years or so, I’m pretty sure I have job security. Besides, it would do Dade some