The Lariat (Finding Justus Series) by Ashley Dotson Read Free Book Online Page A

Someone might see us.”
    “I want to hear you admit it. You don’t have permission then?”
    “ Sshhhhhh!” she spit at me, “Someone might hear you. I don’t need anyone to know.”
    “But you’re taking pictures. They’re going to be on display for other to see. They’re going to know you went up there without permission.”
    She cocked her head to the side, “Well it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
    “Always a good rule to live by,” I added dryly.
    She pulled my hand until I matched her hasty pace again.
    “What if there’s… stuff in there?” I complained, avoiding any otherworldly words.
    “Like what stuff?”
    “I don’t know,” I sputtered, “Homeless people, rotten floor boards, raccoons.”
    “I’ll protect you.” She batted her large eyes and kept going.
    We reached the front of the building. It wasn’t on the river walk, so it was out of view of most of the tourist traffic. A few people walked in front of the alley but no one paid us any attention. We walked to the corner of the building, and I looked up scanning the buildings around us. Ben pretended to look through her bag. A camera was perched on top of the stop light near on the adjacent corner. If it was in fact on, we would be found out. I stared intently at it, letting the fire flow, burning its internal components. The smell and smoke was undetectable to the human around but I knew I had taken care of the initial threat.
    The crosswalk sign was working fine- or maybe it wasn’t. The word STOP was flashing quickly. It could have short circuited too, or maybe it was another message meant for me.
    I didn’t see any other cameras from where we stood, so when I noticed a lull from the pedestrians on the sidewalk I pulled Ben into the alley and darted to the back window. I didn’t stop or let go of her hand until we reached a dead end. No one could see us now.
    Ben shook free of my grasp, “Not here, Layla, I’ve already staked out the building. This door is locked with chains on the inside.” She demonstrated by shaking the door. A distinct metallic rattle came from within the building. “I planned on going to another corner of the building and going through an old ventilation shaft.”
    “That’s idiotic…”
    “I got this, Layla. I just need you to be my lookout.” She turned and stomped back up the alley.
    It was either go in with her or have her do this stupendously dangerous stunt on her own. So before she could get too far, I walked to the door and gave it one good yank. The heavy dead bolt broke and the chains snapped.
    “Ben,” I yelled in mock amazement.
    Her face lit up, “Shut up.” Her favorite phrase. She ran back, “How on God’s green earth did you do that?”
    I shrugged, “I don’t know. Maybe you just didn’t pull hard enough. It opened right up for me.”
    “Figures,” she grumbled, “But I’ll take it. Thanks.”
    I opened the door wide, “After you, mademoiselle.” But before she could enter I threw my arm to stop her. “Wait,” I whispered.
    This felt all shades of wrong, and I wasn’t trusting that feeling. It was like I was indulging a child against my better judgement. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but the air felt wrong. It was too still, too sealed. I felt like we were entering a tomb. The alley in front of us seemed to lengthen and darken, but I blinked away the tricky sensation.
    It wasn’t a shadow, but more like a breeze that flowed down the alley. It swept through our hair, swirled around our bodies reminding me of the cold bony fingers that greeted me in Hell. I couldn’t tell if it was a blessing or a warning. I listened for my mother’s soft voice, but there was nothing benevolent or reassuring around this place. It was an empty tomb.
    “You know this place is rumored to be haunted, right? Some guy fell down the elevator shaft and his body stayed there for years.” Ben asked, bringing me back to our current bad decision.
    “Yeah, you’ve told