Fall of Hades by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online Page A

She brought him a plate piled high with sticky rice covered with a yellow sauce and chunks of chicken meat and green pepper. Then she got a plate for herself and sat down across from him at the table. She let him eat for a moment, then asked, “Do you know where you will go from here?”
    He finished chewing, then said, “No. But I wouldn’t tell you if I did. It’s too dangerous for you.”
    â€œI have a cousin who lives near Changhua. He owns a farm in the country. He cannot speak. What is that word?”
    â€œHe is mute .”
    â€œYes. Mute. You can go there. They will never find you there. It is remote .”
    He shook his head. “I’ll stand out too much in a country town.”
    â€œNot if you wear that clothing. Besides, the village people keep their own stories. It is their way. You can stay there while you make your plans to leave Taiwan.”
    Too tired to think of a better plan, Welch said, “All right. I’ll consider it.”
    For the next few minutes he ate ravenously as Mei Li watched him, barely picking at her own meal. Then she said, “A week ago there was a story in the newspaper about the Starxource plant and the Elgen. The reporter wrote that in other countries the Elgen had grown so powerful, they had taken control of the government. Is that true?”
    Welch looked up from his dinner and nodded. “Yes.”
    â€œDo they plan to take control of Taiwan’s government?”
    â€œThey plan to take control of the whole world.”
    She looked upset. “Two days ago the newspaper building was . . . explosion. Twelve people were killed. Did the Elgen do that?”
    â€œProbably,” Welch said. “It wouldn’t be the first time we . . .” He stopped himself. “. . . the Elgen has terrorized the media.”
    Mei Li quietly returned to her dinner. A few minutes later she asked, “If they find you, what will they do?”
    â€œThey will kill me. I don’t think that they will bother to capture me alive.”
    â€œThen they must not find you.”
    â€œNot if I can help it.”
    â€œIs there anyone, besides me, who will help you?”
    Welch finished his meal, then pushed his plate away. “Maybe.” He looked at her full plate. “You didn’t eat much.”
    â€œI’m not hungry. What else can I get you to eat?”
    â€œNothing. I just need to sleep.”
    â€œYes, let’s sleep.”
    Welch first went into Mei Li’s bedroom and stacked pillows under the sheets so it looked as if someone was in the bed; then he led her to the back room. The bed was small but sufficient. He laid his gun under his pillow, then got in bed.
    Mei Li climbed into the bed next to him, laying her head on his chest. She started to cry. “This could be our last night.”
    Welch kissed her forehead. “Not if I can help it.”
    *  *  *
    As tired as he was, he didn’t sleep well. He expected the Elgen to attack at any time, and he woke to every sound he heard, then stayed up, listening to the pattern of cars driving by, barking dogs, even the sound of Mei Li’s breathing. He had trained the men looking for him in how to track down a fugitive. He now wished that he hadn’t done such a good job.
    *  *  *
    The next morning Welch woke alone to the sound of the apartment’s front door opening. He sat up and grabbed his gun and held it at the door. Then he heard soft footsteps coming toward him, and the back room door opened. Mei Li stood in the doorway holding a plastic grocery sack. “Don’t shoot me,” she said, half smiling.
    â€œSorry,” Welch said, lowering his gun. “I didn’t hear you leave. You should have woken me.”
    â€œYou needed your sleep.”
    â€œWhere have you been?”
    She lifted the grocery bag. “The market. I brought you hot dumplings and soy milk. Get dressed and come eat.” She