Orpheus: Homecoming (The Orpheus Trilogy Book 2) by Dan DeWitt Read Free Book Online Page B

didn't last long. He heard the door open behind him, and said without looking, “Make sure you keep that square there.”
    “Roger that.”
    Holt turned to observe the man as he fumbled with the pocket square. Even in the dim glow of the solitary light, he could make out a man in his late-50's, buzz cut, solid build.
    Military. And I bet I already know his rank.
    The man finished with the door and stood a few paces away. “Great speech.”
    Holt exhaled and watched the smoke dissipate. It calmed him. “Thanks, Colonel.”
    Colonel Ralston froze for a beat. “You know, I went up one side of my guys and down the other, but I might owe them an apology. You are pretty good.”
    “I also thought I was pretty clear. I don't normally have to repeat myself.”
    “Neither do I, Mr. Holt. Neither do I.”
    “Great. We both win.”
    The Colonel ignored the implication. “I'm Harris Ralston. And I just want to talk to you.”
    “You already did, and I answered as clearly as possible. I'm not interested.”
    Ralston was undeterred. “Was your speech just complete bullshit, then?”
    For the first time, Holt turned his entire body toward Ralston. “I meant every word.”
    “Then help me. Lead the team. Take the island back. Put all of those people to rest.”
    “Not interested. Get somebody else. Hell, you should do it yourself. It wouldn't hurt the political career that you're obviously positioning yourself for.”
    “Just hear me out.”
    “I don't know who you're trying to convince with this faux altruistic crap, but it isn't me. I've only listened this long out of a lingering respect for your rank. That meter is rapidly approaching zero. So good night.” Holt threw his unfinished cigar down and snuffed it out with his shoe. Wasting it only made him angrier. He pulled open the door, grabbed his pocket square, and would have been quite content to let it lock Ralston out, but the Colonel got a hand on the door before it could.
    Holt made it to the end of the hallway before he felt a hand on his arm. “Hey, I'm still talking to you, soldier.”
    Holt stopped dead in his tracks and said, “You're going to lose that hand, Ralston.”
    “I'm giving you a chance to serve your country.”
    Holt shrugged his hand off and threw a forearm into Ralston's chest, pinning him against the wall. People started to notice, but no one seemed to know what to do.
    “I already served my country, jerkoff,” Holt growled. “With honor. And my country fucking abandoned me when I needed it. You think I don't know about …?” He stopped short of saying, “… about the communications on the island being jammed?
    Holt grinded his teeth for a moment, then released Ralston. He pointed a finger in his face and chuckled dryly. “Stay away from me.”
    Holt should have known by the look in Ralston's eye what was going to come next. Trager, who had crossed the room to see what the commotion was about, did. He quickened his pace, hoping to avoid a catastrophe, but had difficulty navigating through the crowd of onlookers. He began shoving people out of the way. "Move!"
    Ralston said, “Okay. You're obviously out. But you're not the only expert. I've already spoken to Ethan. He seems to have a greater sense of du-”
    Holt's right fist crashed into Ralston's jaw, and the man crumpled. Holt caught him before he fell all the way, yanked him upright, and cut off the man's oxygen with a forearm to the throat. He hit him again, out of control, then reared back for another one when Martin Trager crashed into him, breaking the hold.
    Holt stumbled and righted himself, still hot. Trager, fueled by his own anger, pushed him again. “What the fuck are you doing?!?”
    Holt was already pushing forward to get back at Ralston. "I'll fucking kill you!" when he was tackled and taken to the floor by OSI Agents Constantino and German.
    “Easy, big guy!” German said. “Don't fight us!”
    German was going to say something else when Ethan grabbed him by the