Fall of Hades by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online

together.
    Welch was careful that they were never seen together, and after Mei Li left the Elgen’s employ, Welch erased all record of her employment. As far as the Elgen were concerned, she had never existed. No one, not even Hatch, could trace him to her.
    *  *  *
    The train ride to Kangshan was less than an hour from the Kaohsiung station. Welch disembarked with a dozen other passengers, then walked outside the small, open-air station, slightly stooped in his burka and shuffling his feet as he walked.
    It took him nearly a half hour to hail a taxi, and it was dark when it let him off three blocks from Mei Li’s apartment. He gave the driver most of the money he had left.
    He waited a half hour until there was no one in sight; then he climbed the stairs to a second-floor apartment and rang the doorbell. After a moment a feminine voice answered from behind the door. “Wei?”
    â€œMei Li, it’s me. David.”
    â€œMy David!” she exclaimed. “My love.” She slid back the security chain and threw open the door. “I thought you were—” She froze. “Why are you wearing this . . . ?”
    Without answering, he quickly stepped inside her apartment, shutting the door behind them. Mei Li was in the middle of fixing dinner, and the home smelled of curry and incense. With his hand on his gun, Welch cautiously examined the apartment. “Are you alone?”
    â€œYes.” She looked at him quizzically. “What is happening?”
    â€œI’ve left the Elgen.” He took off the burka, revealing his face and sweat-stained clothing. “I’m being hunted. I need a place to stay for the night. You’re the only one I can trust.”
    Mei Li looked at him anxiously, then embraced him. “Of course you can stay here.” After a moment she looked into his eyes. “Why are you being hunted?”
    â€œI was arrested by Admiral-General Hatch. He condemned me to death.”
    She gasped. “Death? For what reason?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I’ve missed you so much.” Welch pulled her in tighter and they kissed. After a moment Welch stepped back. “What am I doing? I never should have come here. I’ve put you in danger.”
    â€œYou came to the right place. I can help.”
    â€œNo, I never should have involved you.”
    â€œI would not feel loved by you if you had not involved me. Especially if you had gone away without telling me. Tell me now, what do you need?”
    Welch breathed out slowly. “I need help getting out of Taiwan. I need some of our money and a phone. A few of them.”
    â€œYou can use my phone.”
    â€œNo, they’ll find you. I need for you to get me some prepaid phones.”
    â€œThe stores are closed now. So is the bank.”
    â€œWe can get everything in the morning. I’ll leave tomorrow afternoon.”
    â€œWherever you go, I will go with you.”
    Welch shook his head. “It’s much too dangerous. The sooner we’re apart, the better.”
    She sighed. “That would not be better. I would rather die than not see you again.”
    Welch kissed her forehead. “I’d rather neither of us die. After I’m safe, I’ll send for you. Then we can be together.”
    â€œThen for now you will stay with me and I will be happy. Are you hungry?”
    â€œI’m starving,” he said. “I don’t remember the last time I ate real food. In the brig they only serve Rabisk.”
    â€œWhat is Rabisk?”
    â€œIt’s made from dead rats.”
    She shuddered. “Come eat.”
    Welch chained and bolted the door, then followed Mei Li across the room to the kitchen. The apartment had stone tile floors and an icon mounted to the wall, with a gold-framed picture of Mei Li’s deceased parents between sticks of burning incense.
    In the kitchen he sat down at the small table.
    â€œI have made curry rice.”