[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
from the two young men he had killed. Gene would see that no charges were brought, even supposing he
or his car was identified.
As soon as he felt like they were out of danger, he pulled over to the side of the street. June came into his
arms, still shaking. Doug comforted her while still remaining alert, then as soon as she quieted, he
replaced the three cartridges he had spent and holstered the little automatic.
"I didn't even know you were carrying a gun! June said. There was still a tremor in her voice. She
suddenly realized that almost the whole front of her blouse was missing and that one of the shoulder
straps of her bra had been torn loose, almost freeing her left breast from the cup. She gathered what
material she could and held it close to her chest.
"Well, I don't advertise it all over the place, but I'm glad I had it tonight. Can we go on now? Or if you
like, I have an old shirt in the trunk. I can get it for you."
"No! Let's just go on!"
The route he was on now took them to the other side of the CDC complex and on toward the security
building with no more problems. Nevertheless, he kept his gun laying in his lap and continually scanned
the streets for possible danger. On the way, Doug said I'm sorry I got your car all shot up. I should have
taken the longer way to begin with."
"It's all right, you couldn't have known. Besides, it's insured. Did ... did you kill those boys? I don't think
they were even grown yet."
"Yes, they're dead. I didn't have time to do anything else and they were trying to kill me."
"And God knows what they had in mind for me. Thank you. You've saved my life again."
"After risking it first. Not a good way to go about rescuing a damsel in distress. Have you still got your
phone?"
"Yes, I have it oh damn, no I don't. I forgot my purse! Don't go back for it, though."
Doug took his phone out and handed it to her. Why don't you call in and see if there's problems at
work? Just press the call button and hit seven, then hand it to me. He could have managed, but he didn't
want to take his eyes from the road even for a second.
June took the phone, fumbled with it a moment while her breast almost escaped again, then handed the
phone to Doug.
He listened for a second then said This is Doug Craddock. I'm on Edge Street, coming in the back way.
Do you have problems there? He waited a moment, then spoke again. Uh huh. Tomorrow? All right.
Pass the word up that I'll be on the cell phone if I'm needed. Yeah, that's right. It's posted. Okay,
thanks. He flipped the cover closed and stuck it back in his pocket.
"It's about what I thought after we left Morgan's. The riot, as they're calling it, is happening along
Elderberry avenue and west of there. That area is mostly lower class and mostly black. Apparently some
of the local toughs took it upon themselves to rid the neighborhood of any whites at all. It spread from
there. We just happened to be caught by a couple of the kids that were driven off by the police. Bad
luck. CDC is secure, though. All the action is several blocks away and about under control now.
However, we're all being recalled, as of tomorrow. No more off-campus living. They've got an extra
crew doing a rush job on the place next door, turning it into temporary living quarters until our building at
the CDC is ready."
"Is the recall just for the security guys or the medical staff, too?"
"Just us so far, but I expect everyone will be hunkering down there before long. Doug glanced over at
her then looked away. I've been heading toward the security building. Shall I take you home?"
"Doug ... I don't want to be alone right now. Could you stay with me? Realizing that he might think she
was implying more than just company, she amended the invitation or request. She wasn't sure which it
was. I don't mean ... um, that..."
"It's okay. I know what you mean. Sure, I could stay with you, for tonight, anyway. I just can't guarantee
I won't get called in, though."
"Well, let's go anyway. It's not all that far from work. I'll pack a bag and if you get called, I'll go in with
you and stay in one of the transient apartments. There's always some empty ones. Or there have been in
the past."
"Okay, which way?"
June gave him directions. As they turned into the apartment complex she directed him to, Doug burst out
laughing.
"What's funny?"
"Nothing, except that we live in the same place."
June's lips parted in surprise. She giggled, then gasped. Good Lord. It's like a bad plot from a romance
novel. But why oh, I remember. You said you hardly ever stayed here. That's why we haven't seen
each other in passing."
It turned out that they were even in the same twenty four unit building of the six structures comprising the
Southern Arms Apartments, and both were downstairs, though on opposite sides of the building.
The only difference in their apartments was the décor and furnishings, but while Doug knew his own
place hardly looked lived in, June had already made hers into something resembling a home, even with
what he suspected was rented furniture. He could definitely tell the difference. It made him nostalgic,
remembering all the little touches Doris had used in their home that he would never have thought of.
"I'm going to have a bourbon and water as soon as I've changed, June announced. There's wine in the
fridge if you'd rather stick with that. Make yourself comfortable while I go change clothes. She hurried
into the master bedroom and closed the door.
The kitchen area was open. Doug found the bourbon and made them each a drink, his a double. Once
the shooting was over he had noticed a tremor in his body from the adrenalin rush that still hadn't gone
completely away.
While waiting on June to return, he called Gene Bradley. Should I report it? he asked after telling his
story.
"I'll take care of it, Doug. I doubt there'll be much fuss raised. Those two weren't the only deaths. A lot
of whites were pulled from their cars and lynched before the police could get on it. Whites started
retaliating, then the police had to fire on gangs from both sides to break them up. Hell, they even had to
shoot two of their own black policemen who were taking part in the riot, as the media is calling it."
"Thanks, Gene. I'll be in tomorrow morning, first thing, but call if you need me before then."
"No problem. See me when you get here. The phone clicked dead as he heard the bedroom door
opening. June came back in, wearing jeans and a short white blouse ending at her waist.
"I went ahead and made your drink. I put it over ice. Hope that's all right."
June sat down beside him on the couch and picked up the glass. She sipped then smiled. Perfect. Want
to turn on the TV and see what they're saying?"
"Yes, I would, Doug said. Regardless of Gene's assurance, he wanted to know if the cops were looking
for him.
If they were, it wasn't apparent. All the reporting was centered around the residential and small business
area where most of the violence had occurred. It wasn't yet known exactly what had set off the rampage,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
