Apocalypse Cult (Gray Spear Society) by Alex Siegel Read Free Book Online Page A

apartment.
    He frowned.
    He walked over to where the dagger was embedded in the wall. On the counter below, a fly was cut cleanly in half. He stared at the bisected insect in disbelief.
    * * *
    Aaron walked into the Green Clover Tavern, and the familiar aromas of beer and corned beef brought a smile to his face. This place was exactly what the doctor ordered.
    He threaded his way through the thick lunchtime crowd. Professional men and women of all stripes occupied every seat in the tavern, which was located in downtown Chicago. Aaron spotted a police officer in uniform sitting at the bar with an empty stool beside him. There's my buddy , Aaron thought. He quickly took the stool.
    "Pete!" Aaron pounded his friend on the back. "It's great to see you. Sorry about the short notice."
    "You sounded so weird on the phone," Pete said. "I had to come. What's wrong?"
    He had the rounded, stocky build that was practically a tradition among Chicago cops. Even though Pete was only thirty-five years old, strands of gray could be found in his short, brown hair. White powder speckled his thick mustache, and Aaron knew it was from the sugared donuts that Pete loved to nibble while on duty.
    "Nothing," Aaron said. "Nothing important."
    Pete gave him a hard look. "Hey, it's been a long time. Six months? Still working as a bouncer?"
    "When they need extra help. I'm also a private eye."
    "You?" Pete chuckled. "I just can't imagine you sneaking through back alleys and taking pictures of cheating husbands. Not your style."
    The bartender took their order. Aaron asked for two beers and the corned beef special, which included a big pile of cabbage boiled to perfection. Pete was still on duty, so he ordered a burger and a Coke.
    "What was my style?" Aaron asked.
    "Kicking down doors with a gun in each hand," Pete said with a grin. "You loved that wild west cowboy shit. Always right in the middle of the action."
    "I'm not like that anymore."
    "Yeah, sure. I bet you still have a closet full of big, fancy guns."
    In fact, Aaron had sold most of his guns for cash. Keeping them in his home was too dangerous. Getting caught with that kind of extreme firepower as a civilian would result in felony charges.
    "A man needs to protect himself in this city."
    "Of course." Pete furrowed his brow. "How is life as a private eye? Earning good coin?"
    "No, but I'm building up my reputation. One day I'll have quality clients who pay their bills."
    Pete nodded. "I knew you'd land on your feet after... the mess."
    "It hasn't been easy."
    There were televisions all over the tavern, and Aaron saw that the Cubs were playing baseball. He had forgotten the team had a game today even though he considered himself a fan.
    "What about Amy?" Pete said. "Are you still in touch with her?"
    The name of Aaron's ex-wife brought back old pain. "No. I don't know what she's doing these days."
    "She was a great girl. You two were great together."
    "Yeah." Aaron sighed. The memory of Marina's beautiful face flashed into his mind, and his pain eased.
    "Will you tell me what's wrong now?"
    Aaron leaned very close to Pete. "Something strange happened," Aaron whispered. "I want your opinion, but it will sound a little crazy when I tell you."
    "Just tell me. I'll decide if it's crazy."
    "Do you believe in miracles?"
    "I think God helps us," Pete said. "It's in the Bible ."
    "No, this is different..."
    A hand on his shoulder made Aaron stop in mid-sentence. He turned to find that Marina was standing just inches away.
    "May I join you gentlemen?" she asked. "Your conversation sounds fascinating."
    Aaron hopped off his stool in surprise. He had never seen her in street clothes, and she was stunning. A silky red dress clung to every part of her fine body. Matching red pumps made her long legs seem even longer and more shapely. Ruby earrings were the perfect finishing touch.
    His delight at seeing her again was tempered with suspicion. Why was she here?
    "Sure!" Pete said in an overly enthusiastic