Delivering Caliban by Tim Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

compressing her chest. Kyle and Rachel glanced at each other.
    ‘ Damn Bobby’s forgotten his keys again.’ Their neighbour across the hall. Rachel rose, went down the tiny entrance hall to the door.
    Nina sat frozen while Kyle noodled about with his laptop, though she could tell he was listening hard.
    Rachel appeared at the door again, a slight frown around her eyes. Quietly she said, ‘There’s three men out there.’
    Nina’s innards were forcing their way up through her throat now.
    The knock came again. ‘Ms Rachel Carver?’
    The apartment was in her name, Nina recalled distantly.
    She was aware she’d said something but wasn’t sure Rachel had heard, so she repeated it: ‘What do they look like?’
    Rachel stepped into the room, her voice low. ‘Hard to see through the fisheye, but one’s tall, tan, dark hair. They’re all in suits.’
    ‘That’s him.’ Nina was on her feet now, swaying with the suddenness. ‘The guy from campus.’
    For the first time, ever, Nina saw doubt in Rachel’s face. Not quite belief, yet.
    The knocking was harder now, less patient.
    ‘ Ms Carver, please open the door. Federal agents.’
    ‘ Jesus Christ.’ Kyle stared at them in turn, then strode out of the room. He turned not towards the front door but the bedroom.
    Rachel called after him, ‘Whoah, hold on, Kyle.’
    Nina swallowed, her throat raw and crackling.
    Five seconds later Kyle emerged, right arm raised, a gun gripped in his knuckly fist. Rachel hissed, ‘Oh God, Kyle, no.’
    His jaw was clenched, his eyes scared. He jerked his head at them.
    ‘ Stay back.’
    Nina wondered if there was marijuana in the apartment. It wouldn’t be the first time.
    From out of sight she heard Kyle at the door: ‘Show me some ID.’
    More distantly still came an older man’s voice. ‘Who are you?’
    ‘None of your god damn business. Hold up some ID.’
    ‘ Sir, this would be a whole lot easier if you opened the door –’
    ‘ This conversation’s over.’
    ‘ All right.’
    There was silence for a beat. Kyle came back into the living room.
    ‘Looks like FBI. Guy’s name’s Claymore.’
    His eyes were still frightened. Nina wondered if he’d ever fired the gun before. He didn’t look as if he knew where to point it.
    ‘Ask him what he wants,’ murmured Rachel. She grabbed Nina’s hand, squeezed it.
    Nina pulled away, stepped over to the doorway and peered round to hear better. Kyle had his eye against the lens in the front door again. 
    He said, ‘What’s your business? I’m not opening the door till you say.’
    ‘ We have a warrant for the arrest of Ms Nina Ramirez. We believe she’s in the apartment with you.’
    From behind her in the living room, Nina heard Rachel give a little cry.
    Kyle said, his voice faltering, ‘What’s the charge?’
    Nina winced. It was the wrong response. Effectively, it was an admission that she was in the apartment.
    From beyond the door the voice was louder, an edge to it. ‘Sir, I’ve already shown you ID and answered your question. Either you open this door right now, or you and Ms Carver will be charged with aiding and abetting a felon.’
    Nina watched Kyle’s back. His breathing was faster, and uneven.
    After a moment he said, ‘Hey, fuck you, pal,’ and backed down the passage, gun arm raised, almost colliding with Nina in the living room doorway. Rachel was just behind her, gripping her shoulder.
    Kyle said, ‘The fire escape.’
    It ran past the bathroom; Nina remembered seeing it through the clouded glass. Rachel jerked at her arm.
    ‘ Go,’ she whispered.
    ‘ You’ve got to come.’
    ‘ No way. I need to speak to these guys before Dirty Harry here gets himself killed.’ She gave Nina a small shove in the direction of the bathroom. ‘You were never here.’ To Kyle she muttered through clenched teeth: ‘Put the gun away, for God’s sake.’
    The first blow against the front door splintered the wood around the lock and one hinge, the sound