The Spire by Richard North Patterson Read Free Book Online Page B

intuited how alone she must feel. 'I'll be rooting for you,' he said. 'Maybe Yale has scholarships for both of us.'
    Glancing up, Angela gave him a wry smile. 'Aren't you worried that being white is a competitive disadvantage''
    'Is it' I hadn't noticed.'
    'You'll get by.' Her smile softened a little. 'Good luck to us both.'
    Steve came back, glancing from Mark to Angela. 'Thanks for keeping my buddy company,' he told her.
    Mark wondered if he imagined something proprietary in Steve's tone, or at least familiar, suggesting more than a barroom friendship. Angela shrugged, briefly meeting Mark's eyes. 'He's really not so bad,' she told Steve, and went back to tending bar.
    NOW SHE SMILED at Mark again. 'Congratulations,' she said above the din of the party. 'Big day for you, seems like.'
    She was holding a drink and her voice seemed thick, her balance compromised. Though Mark did not really know her, this surprised him. Gesturing at the crowd, he said, 'In fifteen minutes, they'll forget me.'
    She took a deep swallow of liquor. 'In fifteen minutes,' she countered, 'they'll probably forget everything. Like I mean to.'
    Troubled, Mark sensed that she had come here to lose herself. 'You with anyone'' he asked.
    Blinking, she looked at him more closely. 'Steve invited me, whatever that means. Other than that, I'm with no one in particular.'
    Mark hesitated. 'Neither am I. If you need someone to get you home, I'm here.'
    'Tonight' You're supposed to be celebrating.'
    'True. You'd be saving me a hangover.'
    The look she gave him combined a question and a challenge. Defensively, she said, 'Are you saying I should leave now''
    Mark shoved his hands in his pockets. 'I'm wondering, that's all.'
    She shook her head, moving close to him. Softly, she said, 'Gonna be a long night for me, I think.' She gave him a quick, darting kiss on the lips. 'You're kind of sweet, Mark Darrow.'
    Surprised, Mark thought he saw tears in her eyes. Then she turned, wandering aimlessly into the crowd, alone.
    MARK WENT TO the makeshift bar in the corner, pouring himself a Jack Daniel's on ice. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
    Turning, he expected to see a friend, perhaps to hear a few drunken words of praise. Instead Carl Hall demanded in a hostile tone, 'You get off on fucking around with black girls like Tillman does''
    Mark felt a flash of temper. Removing Carl's hand from his shoulder, he said, 'If you mean your sister, that's not what's going on.'
    'Looked like that. In fact, looks like you want to fuck her.'
    Mark stared at him. 'This can't be some sort of principle for you. You've never had any.'
    Hall's eyes flashed. 'Look,' Mark said more evenly, 'Angela's already over the line. If you care about her at all, take her home. Might be a good idea for both of you.'
    Hall stood taller. 'Don't like me at
your
house, white boy''
    'That's not it,' Mark answered. 'I don't like you anywhere. So you'd better back off right now.'
    Carl gave him a measured look, as though assessing the difference in their strength and will. Then he turned abruptly, vanishing as his sister had.

3
    F
    OR AN HOUR OR SO, M ARK DRANK AND DANCED WITH whoever came along.
    In the dark he felt an odd detachment, the numb whiskey glow spreading through his limbs as the forms and faces in front of him kept changing. Then the newest face became Joe Betts's girlfriend. 'Hey, Laurie,' he said with foolish surprise. 'It's you.'
    He waited for the smile he could expect from Laurie Shilts. Instead, she shook her head, speaking quietly beneath the cacophony of the party. 'This isn't any good.'
    'The party''
    'Everything.'
    With fraternal affection, Mark pulled her closer. Her small, pretty face looked pained; the cheek beneath her right eye looked bruised and puffy. Silent, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
    'Maybe we should talk,' Mark suggested.
    Laurie's laugh was mirthless. 'Here''
    Without speaking, Mark took her hand, leading her to the back of the room. He pushed open the stainless