The Beginning of the End (Book 1): Toward the Brink by Craig A. McDonough Read Free Book Online Page B

schools!”
    “Locust Street,” Mulhaven continued. “I repeat: all cars inbound re-group at Locust.”
    “Get them to pull back to Buchanan.” Elliot pointed to the group taking cover. “We need to …” He stopped cold when he saw the look on Cindy’s face. It was as if she’d seen a ghost—or worse.
    # # #
    The Tall Man drove through the center of Twin Falls, aware of all the commotion and sirens. He didn’t think they were all police and fire trucks rushing to attend the explosion of Dennard’s car. No, something else was up, and he figured it was related to the chaos at the medical center. He was on his way to his next “assignment” for Langlie. He had to make a small detour to give a report, and Langlie wasn’t the recipient. He drove into a members-only underground car park, swiped his key card, and went inside.
    “Row seventeen, row seventeen,” he muttered. “Aha!”
    He saw the 2013 black metallic Buick Lacrosse with tinted windows parked in row seventeen. He backed his SUV in next to the luxurious sedan and put his window down. A few seconds later, the Buick’s window followed suit.
    “Ah, Mr. Black,” a voice said from the dark interior of the car. “How good to see you once more.”
    “Thank you, sir,” the Tall Man said. He couldn’t very well say, “Nice to see you too,” because he couldn’t and never had. He referred to his “real” employer as the Hidden One.
    “What news do you have for me?”
    “Dennard is no longer a concern.”
    “Good, good. And what errands does our Mr. Langlie have you doing now?”
    “I’m to burn Dennard’s house with his wife inside. My other men are burning down the main office, and Langlie was going to torch his own house.”
    “Langlie doesn’t like to leave any evidence for anyone, does he? He’s not concerned about the law discovering who did it; that’s bleeding obvious, isn’t it? He wants to be sure the formula isn’t discovered. Hmm. Baer evidently has plans for its further use, perhaps wherever they are absconding to,” the voice in the dark said. “You haven’t by chance discovered where that is, have you?”
    The Tall Man didn’t like the accusatory tone but said nothing. The last thing he needed was to be suspected of a double-cross by the Hidden One.
    “Sir, are all these sirens connected with what is occurring?”
    “Yes, indeed, Mr. Black. Our little police force is finding it quite a task. They won’t be the only ones to face a crisis today, and I’m sure you’ll find out about that. For now though, you need to take care of Dennard’s house but keep Mrs. Dennard alive—for now at least.”
    “Yes, sir. Should I …”
    The whir of the window rising in the Buick indicated the conversation was over.
    The Tall Man drove out of the car park and watched three fire trucks rush by. They headed in the direction of the Baer Industries office, or perhaps the burning car of the late Paul Dennard. He wasn’t concerned where they were going; his mind was elsewhere.
    What was he alluding to when he said,
“They won’t be the only ones to face a crisis today,”
and that
“I’ll find out about that?”
Does he have plans to do away with Langlie or perhaps Baer himself?
    He vowed to be extra cautious from now on. Otherwise, he might end up like Dennard.
    # # #
    The attentions of the three had been on the developments at the front of the main building entrance. They’d lost concern regarding the open ER staff room door. Elliot turned back to check on Cindy and instantly came face to face with the terror that was confronting the officers cowering behind the vehicles out front.
    “We got a problem here, Sarge!” Elliot grabbed Cindy by the arm and pulled her to him.
    “My fucking God! What on Earth …?” Mulhaven lowered his pistol and stared at the inhuman manifestations confronting him.
    “Elliot! What the hell are …” Cindy staggered, her mind refusing to accept the sight before her.
    “Shoot, Mulhaven,