Vapor by David Meyer Read Free Book Online Page A

the applications, vetting notes, and voting records.”
    “Consider it done.”
    Hooper bowled again. His ball smacked into the eight-pin. The eight-pin, in turn, rebounded off the back wall and collided with the ten-pin.
    The president’s heart sank. The split had been his last hope. Now, Hooper needed just six pins to tie his score, seven pins to beat it.
    Hooper picked up his ball and prepared to throw it. But at the last moment, he twisted his head toward the president. “Am I doing this off the clock?”
    “No. If you accept the job, I want you working on it full-time.”
    “My supervisor won’t like that.”
    “She won’t have a choice.”
    Hooper chewed his lip thoughtfully. “This could get expensive.”
    “My office will pay for everything.”
    “If I do this, I want to see it through to the end. I don’t care if the trail takes us to places you find uncomfortable. I want complete freedom to pursue leads as I see fit.”
    The president nodded. “You got it.”
    Hooper studied the lane. Then he walked forward and threw his ball into the air.
    The president cringed as the black orb swept down the alley. The roll looked good.
    Then it started to drift.
    The president’s heart lifted as the ball sailed to the right. Moments later, it smacked into the pins. A few fell.
    But only five of them.
    A wide smile creased the president’s face. He’d won by a single pin. It was easily the greatest comeback of his bowling career.
    “Nice game.” Hooper shook the president’s hand. “One more question. Any idea why someone stole the money?”
    “Greed?” President Walters shrugged. “Why else?”
    “We’re talking about billions of dollars. Maybe this goes beyond mere greed.” Hooper thought for a second. “Sometimes people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do in order to serve a higher purpose.”
    A sense of unease swept through the president. “Wait a second. You didn’t … you know … let me win? Did you?”
    Hooper shot the president a wily grin as he walked out of the room. “Like I said … nice game, Wade.”

 
    Chapter 13
    I sensed the contrails flowing over me, around me. My gaze shot to the east. Through hazy vision, I saw dozens of people lying on the ground. Some were still. Others continued to struggle with increasingly lethargic movements.
    Fighting off dizziness, I rose to my feet. I felt disoriented. My nose didn’t work. Fluid filled my lungs.
    Shifting my gaze, I saw Lila. She was facedown in the soil. I stumbled toward her. Fell to my knees and gave her a good shake.
    Her face sagged. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth.
    I tried to speak, to shout her name. But the contrails had sucked all the oxygen right out of the air. Clamping my mouth shut, I gave her another shake, harder this time.
    Her eyelids popped open. Her brown irises were shockingly dull. I knew death was knocking on her door.
    “Don’t …” Lila gasped for air. “Don’t let her have it.”
    She’s about to die. Yet, she’s still talking about the reliquary?
    I tried to help her up. But she pushed me away with surprising force.
    “Destroy it. Burn it. Break it. Grind it into pieces. Whatever it takes.” Lila gasped again. “Or they’ll die.”
    “Who?” The word barely squeaked past my chapped lips. “Who will die?”
    Her eyes focused for a single moment. “Everyone.”

 
    Chapter 14
    Everyone?
    She couldn’t be serious. How could a single stone box hurt anyone, let alone everyone?
    I checked for a pulse. Then I gave her another hard shake.
    But she was dead.
    I climbed to my feet. I felt tired, logy. My lungs felt like they were on fire. Awkwardly, I strode to the truck. At the same time, Graham stood up. He climbed into the still-running vehicle. Immediately, he fired up the fans and turned a dial. The windshield wipers went to work, clearing a thick layer of dirt from the glass.
    I picked up Beverly and pushed her into the cab. But when I started to climb in after her, I caught sight of