Read Online Brother Termite by Patricia Anthony - Free Book Online

a minute ago to talk to him, and the man was drooling. He was drooling all down his shirt. Must be a bad day or something. Say, I’m sorry about Tali. My guys did all they could, considering that–”
    “Tali is recovering.”
    Hopkins put one hand to his chest. “God. The stress, you wouldn’t believe. I thought I had my right nut in the wringer.”
    Near the kitchen was new graffiti.

    AT GROVER’S MILL.
    BRING CHICKEN POX.

    “War of the Worlds,” Reen whispered.
    “Huh?”
    “I’m not fond of fiction, but I felt I should study all fictionalized aliens. Whoever wrote the graffiti has heard about the radio play War of the Worlds. That should give you a clue about who is doing this.”
    “Oh.” Hopkins squinted at the message. “Grover’s Mill. Now I get it. But everyone and his dog’s heard about that. Won’t do us much good.”
    From the other end of the carpeted hall Marian Cole called Reen’s name.
    “Bitch,” Hopkins muttered.
    She approached at a saunter. “And good afternoon to you, too, Billy. Reen, I know you’re going up to visit the President, but I need to talk to you now.”
    Out of the corner of his mouth Hopkins told Reen, “Watch yourself with her. I don’t know what she’s got on you, but–”
    “Now, please,” Marian said, and led Reen down the wide red-carpeted hall to the Map Room. A fire had been banked in the hearth, and a plate of food had been set out.
    “Go ahead,” Marian told him. “I know you’re hungry. If no one bothers to remind you, you forget to eat.”
    Touched, he sat down. She took a chair opposite and rested her chin in her hand. “Detective Rushing is one of ours. I want you to make sure he gets a good look at the body before the FBI takes over.”
    Reen cut into a stuffed tomato. “So that’s how he knew a Cousin had been kidnapped. Certainly he may have the body, if you like.”
    “I like. How’s Tali?”
    He was moved, too, that she asked about his Brother, and pleased that Rushing had been perceptive enough to notice which Cousin had fallen. “Better, thank you.”
    “Shit,” she said with guttural anger. “Rushing told me he was down. I hoped he was dead.”
    He lowered a forkful of chicken salad. The heavy silverware chimed against the porcelain. Reen looked into her eyes and was cast adrift in the turbulent ocean of their blue. “I have never wished harm on any human, as you have just wished on my Brother.”
    She took a breath. “Vilishnikov has taken the precaution of calling out the army. You probably saw the troops in front of the White House. We’ve picked up new satellite data. German tanks are massing on Russia’s border with China.”
    He wanted to touch her. Was afraid to. “Sometimes I wish I had treated you like the others. You could have been any one of hundreds of women, never knowing, never remembering ...”
    “Reen!” Her cheeks were flushed; her tone sharp. “Germany is heading up a European invasion of China. What do you plan to do when the missiles start flying?”
    With his claw Reen pushed a potato chip to the side of his plate. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything. Is it Howard? Is that what the problem is?”
    Her laugh was short and ironic. “Howard?”
    “Something has happened between us. Are you still in love with Howard?”
    “Oh, Reen. Love dies. It’s no big deal,” she said softly. “It happens every day: People fall in love, they fall out of love. Relationships end.”
    He clutched her hand. It was warm, warm as the glow from the fire. He squeezed her so tightly, he could feel her pulse. “I don’t understand endings.”
    The room was hushed, the air heavy with the scent of lemon oil and furniture polish. She fought to pull free of his grip. After a moment he opened his fingers and let her go.
    “I used to hold your hand and you clung to me. Do you remember?” he asked. “During the experiments, we shared things, as Brother bonds to Brother. Cousins live centuries, Marian. And love is