Read Online Chaos by David Meyer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: David Meyer
Tags: thriller
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emphasis on locating people rather than clues. My search will be far more detailed and wider in scope.”
Chase looked at me thoughtfully. “What sort of supplies will you need?”
“Access keys. And maps. I need maps of every known underground installation in Manhattan. Subway tunnels, access corridors, sewers, everything.”
“Beverly can handle that. She’ll load them onto her laptop.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to have to worry about recharging a computer. I want hard copies.”
“Her laptop is state-of-the-art and can go many hours without a recharge. If you like, I can arrange one for you as well.”
“No thanks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I just want maps I can hold.”
“Will do. As for accommodation, I think you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve booked a suite for you at the Ritz-Carlton.”
“I’m not sleeping in a hotel. Neither is Beverly.”
She shot me a glance. “Is that right?”
“Conventional search tactics have failed. As Jack already mentioned, creativity is important at this stage of the game. Therefore, I want to immerse myself completely into the environment.”
Chase gave me a strange look. “What are you saying?”
“Just this…once I enter the subway system, I’m not turning back. I’m going to eat, drink, and sleep in those tunnels. I’m not resurfacing until I have answers. Or until I’m in a body bag.”
Chapter 10
Someone was following me.
I’d sensed the presence five minutes earlier while crossing 71 st Street. At first, I paid it no heed. But by the time I reached 78 th Street, an alarm bell rang inside my head.
As I turned the corner at 2 nd Avenue, I glanced at the sky. I couldn’t see the moon or stars. I couldn’t see anything but the boatloads of rain that poured down on me.
Taking cover behind a brick wall, I peered back. Thanks to the late hour, the street was nearly empty.
My eyes swept across the rain-soaked sidewalk, the mist-covered parked cars, the dark storefronts, and the overflowing trashcans.
Nothing moved.
I pressed my head against the cold, wet bricks.
You’re hearing things.
I started to pull my body away from the wet wall. Then I halted and stood still for a minute.
Something about the block seemed different.
It wasn’t a recent change but rather, a change that had taken place sometime over the last three years. I spun in a circle, examining the block. Was it the landscape? The storefronts? The flowerboxes hanging high above me?
Suddenly, it came rushing back to me.
The odor.
I twisted around to face the intersection. A barbecue restaurant once sat on the opposite corner. In my former life, I’d walk by it and smell the intoxicating aromas of pit smoked barbecue pork ribs, beans, and salt potatoes. I never ate there. I didn’t know why. But damn, I loved its smell.
It was a small thing but it bothered me. The apartment halfway down the block once served as my second home. And the odor acted as a welcome mat of sorts. Without it, I felt completely out of place.
Shifting positions, I stared down the street. I needed to meet Beverly in an hour. And then, we would embark on our assignment. It could take days, maybe weeks. I didn’t know when I’d get another opportunity to visit that second home.
To visit her.
Water splashed noisily under my boots as I marched ahead. It sounded thunderous to my ears, especially when pitted against the near silence of the vacant, lifeless street. I tried to step more carefully, but I just kept getting louder and louder.
Halfway down the block, I turned to the side. Through the thick mist, I saw the familiar fifteen-story apartment building looming on the opposite side of the street.
Darkness and sheets of rain engulfed the structure, rendering it nearly invisible. Even its bright lights, protected by a concrete overhang, barely made a dent in the night. Although less than a hundred feet separated me from the building, the distance looked and felt more
Chase looked at me thoughtfully. “What sort of supplies will you need?”
“Access keys. And maps. I need maps of every known underground installation in Manhattan. Subway tunnels, access corridors, sewers, everything.”
“Beverly can handle that. She’ll load them onto her laptop.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to have to worry about recharging a computer. I want hard copies.”
“Her laptop is state-of-the-art and can go many hours without a recharge. If you like, I can arrange one for you as well.”
“No thanks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I just want maps I can hold.”
“Will do. As for accommodation, I think you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve booked a suite for you at the Ritz-Carlton.”
“I’m not sleeping in a hotel. Neither is Beverly.”
She shot me a glance. “Is that right?”
“Conventional search tactics have failed. As Jack already mentioned, creativity is important at this stage of the game. Therefore, I want to immerse myself completely into the environment.”
Chase gave me a strange look. “What are you saying?”
“Just this…once I enter the subway system, I’m not turning back. I’m going to eat, drink, and sleep in those tunnels. I’m not resurfacing until I have answers. Or until I’m in a body bag.”
Chapter 10
Someone was following me.
I’d sensed the presence five minutes earlier while crossing 71 st Street. At first, I paid it no heed. But by the time I reached 78 th Street, an alarm bell rang inside my head.
As I turned the corner at 2 nd Avenue, I glanced at the sky. I couldn’t see the moon or stars. I couldn’t see anything but the boatloads of rain that poured down on me.
Taking cover behind a brick wall, I peered back. Thanks to the late hour, the street was nearly empty.
My eyes swept across the rain-soaked sidewalk, the mist-covered parked cars, the dark storefronts, and the overflowing trashcans.
Nothing moved.
I pressed my head against the cold, wet bricks.
You’re hearing things.
I started to pull my body away from the wet wall. Then I halted and stood still for a minute.
Something about the block seemed different.
It wasn’t a recent change but rather, a change that had taken place sometime over the last three years. I spun in a circle, examining the block. Was it the landscape? The storefronts? The flowerboxes hanging high above me?
Suddenly, it came rushing back to me.
The odor.
I twisted around to face the intersection. A barbecue restaurant once sat on the opposite corner. In my former life, I’d walk by it and smell the intoxicating aromas of pit smoked barbecue pork ribs, beans, and salt potatoes. I never ate there. I didn’t know why. But damn, I loved its smell.
It was a small thing but it bothered me. The apartment halfway down the block once served as my second home. And the odor acted as a welcome mat of sorts. Without it, I felt completely out of place.
Shifting positions, I stared down the street. I needed to meet Beverly in an hour. And then, we would embark on our assignment. It could take days, maybe weeks. I didn’t know when I’d get another opportunity to visit that second home.
To visit her.
Water splashed noisily under my boots as I marched ahead. It sounded thunderous to my ears, especially when pitted against the near silence of the vacant, lifeless street. I tried to step more carefully, but I just kept getting louder and louder.
Halfway down the block, I turned to the side. Through the thick mist, I saw the familiar fifteen-story apartment building looming on the opposite side of the street.
Darkness and sheets of rain engulfed the structure, rendering it nearly invisible. Even its bright lights, protected by a concrete overhang, barely made a dent in the night. Although less than a hundred feet separated me from the building, the distance looked and felt more
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