The Encounter by Norman Fitts Read Free Book Online Page A

chair. "That's okay, I'm close to the elevator." She walked toward the door.
                  He started around his desk. "Really, it's no trouble."
                  She looked back. "Nonsense, at this rate you'll be here all night. I'm a big girl."
                  Protection was just an excuse. He wanted to go with her, but she obviously didn't want the company. "Well, then, I guess it's good night. I'll see you tomorrow... Thanks."
                  "I'll check with you tomorrow." She stepped into the hallway, and then looked back. "Thanks for offering to walk me out."
                  "You're welcome"
                  Again their eyes were fixed on one another, and then she turned away and left. He stood, watching the doorway, hoping she'd change her mind. After a few moments it was obvious she wasn't going to. He went back to his chair, sat and started with the top page of her notes.
                  She walked to the elevator lobby and pressed the Down Button. Her heart rate was up and there was a knot in the middle of her stomach. Otherwise, she felt she had it under control.
     
                                                             ***
                  The elevator door opened on the fifth floor of the garage. Her car was parked at the far end of the building directly in front of her. There were still several cars parked here and there. She left the elevator. Her footsteps echoed off the concrete. As she walked toward her car she felt for her keys inside her bag.
    All of her senses peaked at once. The light evening breeze filled her nose with human scent. This one stank, even by human standards. Footsteps approached quickly from behind. Her mind flipped back to the conversation she'd listened in on that morning. She removed her hand from her bag. She walked up to the driver's side door. They were close. She was ready. A hand covered her mouth and a steel blade touched her throat.
                  The man's mouth was against her ear. "Not a sound bitch. Unlock your fuckin' car."
                  She suddenly became the aggressor. The bag fell to the floor. She took his knife hand by the wrist and pulled it away from her throat. He pulled against her grip, and then drove his other fist into her back. She felt the impact, but he was much too weak to hurt her. In one move, she ducked under his arm and wrenched it behind him. There was a loud pop and his arm and shoulder separated. He screamed and went limp in her hands. The knife was still tight in his fist. She took it from him. With a hand full of his hair, she pulled him away from the car and swung him around. He screamed again. It was all he could do to stand up. He was helpless. She held the knife in front of his face, snapped off the blade with her thumb, and then shoved him away from her. He traveled several feet through the air and tumbled along the concrete. She tossed the broken knife away, then stood and watched as he struggled to his feet. His pants and shirt were torn and bloody where he hit the cement. His arm was hanging, dead at his side.
                  "Goddamn..." He caught his breath. " Son-of-a-bitch, what the fuck are you?"
                  The connotation bitch, and son-of-a-bitch, didn't bother her so much, but she hated being called a “what” and had no desire to continue this conversation. She made a deliberate move in his direction. He panicked and ran off holding his shoulder and favoring his right leg. She watched until he disappeared down the ramp. What she'd done wasn't going to make the little red head feel any better. She would have to enjoy it for both of them.
                  She retrieved her bag. With any luck, she might even get a chance to run over the little