Crimson Falls (The Depravity Chronicles) by Joshua Grove Read Free Book Online Page A

it.”
    “Verified what?”
    “That something
was dragging you away from the car and into the woods. Trevor said your eyes
were wide open. Then, when Anna and the others came running toward you, whoever
it was dropped your legs and ran into the woods.”
    Sam whistled
again, this time with a bit more emphasis. “Holy shit.”
    “Holy shit,”
Lisa repeated.
    “Is everyone
else okay?” he asked.
    “Everyone
meaning who?”
    “I don’t know,”
he barked, frustrated. “Is everyone okay?”
    “Well, I haven’t
heard anything if that’s what you mean. As far as I know, Alan is the only
person dead.”
    Sam was quiet
for a moment. “That’s not as reassuring as I hoped it would be.”
    “Yeah, tell me
about it,” Lisa smiled.
    “I’m sorry if I
scared you,” he said as he took her hand.
    “Darling, after
dealing with you being in the FBI for fifteen years, I’m used to it.” They
smiled at each other and she leaned in and gently kissed him.
    “It’s gonna take
a lot more than some Olympic sprinter to take me out.”
    “That’s what I’m
afraid of,” she warned. He tried to reassure her, but there wasn’t much he
could do or say to make her feel better about their current predicament. He
wanted badly to be in on the action.
    “Where’s my
phone?” he asked.
    “In my purse.
Why?”
    “Give it to me.”
    “Who are you
going…?”
    “Just give it to
me, please,” he interrupted. She fumbled through her purse.
    “Here.”
    He quickly
dialed Anna’s direct line in her office. It forwarded to Janet.
    “Sam?” she said.
    “Yeah, hi
Janet.”
    “Thank God
you’re okay.”
    “Is the sheriff
around?”
    “Yes, but she’s
preoccupied at the moment. Is it urgent?”
    Sam had to think
about whether it was urgent. He couldn’t remember anything, but thought it
might be important to hear Trevor’s take on things and make sure everyone knew
that there was indeed someone in the woods.
    “Tell her that
Trevor and I saw a shadow running pretty fast alongside us in the trees by the
driveway. And make sure to tell the kid that I’m okay. Probably shook him up a
bit.”
    “I’ll do that
right now,” Janet assured him. “Anything else?”
    “Yes, do
whatever you need to do to get me the hell out of this damned hospital. I need
to be at the station helping to coordinate.”
    “Copy that. See
you soon, Sam.”
    He laid his
phone on the table.
    “How do you
figure Janet can get you out of the hospital sooner, Sam?” Lisa asked,
chuckling. “You’re not in the FBI anymore, dear.”
    Sam laughed.
“True enough. Get the doctor. We’re getting out of here.”
    “Okay.” She knew
better than to argue with him. He would be back at the station and hard at work
within the hour. Lisa looked at the clock: 6:12pm. It was going to be a long
night.
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER THREE
Discoveries
     
    1
     
    Father Matthew
had read these books at least a dozen times. He wasn’t quite sure how to
proceed. Books could only take him so far, so he put the book in his lap and
closed his eyes.
    “I need a sign,”
he said aloud to himself, God, and any other presence that might be in the
room. Suddenly the phone rang, startling him out of his chair.
    “Well that was
fast,” he said to the air around him. He picked up the phone. “Hello?”
    “Matthew?”
    “Hi, Amy! How
are you?” He genuinely liked the Lutheran pastor, often meeting her for lunch
at the diner down the street.
    “Well, I’m not
sure if you’ve heard, but Alan Brickton died today.”
    “I did hear
that,” Matthew said. “I apologize, Amy. I should have called you right away.”
    “Oh, that’s
okay,” she said. “But I’m thinking that perhaps you and I should meet.”
    “What’s on your
mind?” he asked, curious about what she might be thinking.
    “Well, I don’t
really want to talk about it over the phone. Can I come over?”
    “Sure. I’m in my
study. Just use your keys.”
    “Be right
there.”
    A few minutes
later Amy