Tales From the Black Chamber by Bill; Walsh Read Free Book Online Page A

strange one, as I think I mentioned.”
    The elevator chimed and the display read G.
    â€œOur stop,” said John. “Ready?”
    Anne bit her lip, drew a deep breath, and nodded, feeling a bit of steel in her spine. She gripped the manuscript box to her chest. Her eyes narrowed and as the doors began to move, she said, “You’d better have a hell of an explanation ready when we stop running, Mr. Ashton.”
    They ran.

    After an incredibly nerve-racking trip around the subway system, doubling back, switching cars, crossing platforms to slip between closing doors, they ended up on the Long Island Rail Road out of Grand Central en route to MacArthur Airport. Anne wanted desperately to interrogate John on what in God’s name was going on, but he’d indicated early on that they couldn’t talk in public, and she just didn’t have the heart to chat. John made a few cryptic cell-phone calls, but otherwise just scanned everyone in sight watchfully. They passed almost the entire time in silence. Occasionally Anne caught John staring off into space for a second with a haggard look on his face. God, I’m dead on my feet after just running , she thought. He was in a gunfight.
    They walked up to the US Airways counter at MacArthur Airport, and John said to the agent, “We’re John Ashton and Anne Wilkinson. I’m told you’re expecting us.” After he showed a piece of identification, Anne was surprised when the gate agent led them through an unmarked doorway next to the security turnstile. Down a long hall was a small, but comfortable lounge. “Someone will come get you when your plane is ready,” the agent said and left, after they thanked her.
    â€œWhere are we?”
    â€œVIP lounge,” he said, collapsing, exhausted into a chair. She stood, arms crossed over the manuscript box.
    â€œWe didn’t have to go through security?”
    â€œA lot of law enforcement use this lounge.”
    â€œAre you a cop?”
    â€œNo. I work for the Coolidge Foundation. And I can’t really say more than that. I’m sorry. I really am. I really am after today.”
    â€œI appreciate that. But, you know, it’s time for me to go. Obviously, I don’t know you anywhere near as well as I thought I did—and that wasn’t very well to begin with—but there’s no way on God’s green earth that I’m hopping off on some airplane with you to who knows where—”
    â€œWashington.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. But, look, John, from my perspective, you’ve gone from being an interesting colleague to Some Crazy Guy With a Gun. Look, here, keep the manuscript.” She dropped it on the seat next to his with a little vehemence. “Do whatever you want with it. Just leave me out of it.”
    â€œYou’re not safe, Anne.”
    â€œNo shit, Sherlock. I’m going to take a couple flights and maybe visit my parents in Albuquerque or some friends in Jackson Hole. Someplace far, far away. If you need me, call my cell phone. Or better yet, don’t.”
    â€œAnne, I don’t mean to alarm you, and I realize you’re being asked to take an awful lot on faith here, but I swear to God I’m just trying to keep you safe at this point. This—” he waved at the box, “this is secondary. I mean, honestly, I don’t know if we’re going to be able to figure it out without you, so I have a selfish reason for keeping you around. I mean, other than that I like you a lot.”
    â€œI liked you too. But, look, you’re not telling me crap, you’re acting like some library foundation is the freaking CIA, and you’ve got a gun. I know you were never a teenage girl, but when we get our first training bra, they give us a booklet that says never cross state lines with a stranger with a gun . So I’m done. Goodbye.”
    â€œAnne, wait. Do you have your cell phone?”
    She