Read Online The Light, the Dark and the Ugly by Bryan Cohen - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bryan Cohen
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him her lackey, and the decision had paid dividends. Thinking of prom brought back images of her final dance with Ted. She felt the caress of his hand against her back and tasted his lips on her mouth.
One step closer.
The sound of footsteps snapped Erica out of her memory. There were more people outside than she could count, and they all seemed to be jogging. Erica rubbed at the red mark where Agent Vott's bullet had pierced her leg. After a few more moments of activity, the silence returned.
Erica put her ear closer to the door. "Are we clear?"
"Just about. Everyone on the floor now smells gas. And… as of this second, they're all evacuated."
Erica opened the door. The presence of light caused her to squint several times until she could stand to keep her eyes open. When she did, Redican stood before her. His hair had grown even more silver since their time hiding away on the farm. He'd used his power too much since then, but it was the only option to keep them secure.
Redican raised his eyebrows. "You know, we make a good team." The pair began walking toward the east wing. "We could start a restaurant. You cook, and I'll make them think it's delicious."
Erica didn't have to look at him to see that goofy smile on his face. She'd seen the same expression after dozens of corny jokes he made as her English teacher. It was crazy to think she'd been in high school classes just six weeks ago. Now she was walking the high-ceilinged hallways of a classified government facility. Her reflection showed briefly in one of the room-length windows that led to the outside.
Erica did her best to remain stoic. "Let's get the staff back, first. We'll have Dhiraj run the numbers at the farm."
If it hadn't been for Sheriff Norris' friend Kelly, the six of them would've faced a much tougher road after Senator Kable's rally. The farmer and former Army medic practically lived off the grid. But even in the middle of rural Pennsylvania, the gang couldn't help but hear of Kable's gains in the polls.
He should be dead. This is all my fault.
Redican scoffed. "This is no time for a pity party, Ms. LaPlante. We've got espionage to do."
Erica growled. "Stay out of my head."
Redican's silly grin took over his face. "Yes, ma'am." He glanced at her hair and ID badge. "How much longer are you going to wear that ridiculous wig?"
Erica had blended into the Department of Homeland Security tour quite well. A black wig and a pair of glasses seemed to fool the guards who had her picture prominently displayed.
She ran her fingers through the straight, licorice-colored strands. "You don't like it? I thought I might make this a long-term change."
They came to a stop in front of an unmarked door. Beside the doorknob was a small, rectangular box that displayed a red light.
Redican pulled a keycard out of his pocket. "I think it's too goth." He held the card in front of the security box, and the light flashed green. "It doesn't fit your peppy demeanor."
Erica gave him the stink-eye as she turned the knob. "Age before peppy."
The door led to a long, dark corridor. If the information Dhiraj had obtained from his inside source was right, then Sela Fortbright's silver staff was at the other end of the hall. Erica didn't know what the DHS might want with it, but she had a sneaking suspicion that a certain Presidential candidate was now the one running the show.
The room was colder than she'd expected. Erica rubbed her hands together as they reached another door. Redican tried to turn the knob, but it wouldn't budge.
He smiled. "I don't suppose you have a lock pick in that wig of yours."
Erica took in a deep breath and slammed her shoulder into the locked door. Wood splintered from the doorjamb and the deadbolt popped out of the lock. Erica caught it before it could clatter against the ground.
This time, Redican pulled the door open for her. "Brawn before brain."
Erica rolled her eyes and stepped inside. As soon as her foot landed past the threshold, a
One step closer.
The sound of footsteps snapped Erica out of her memory. There were more people outside than she could count, and they all seemed to be jogging. Erica rubbed at the red mark where Agent Vott's bullet had pierced her leg. After a few more moments of activity, the silence returned.
Erica put her ear closer to the door. "Are we clear?"
"Just about. Everyone on the floor now smells gas. And… as of this second, they're all evacuated."
Erica opened the door. The presence of light caused her to squint several times until she could stand to keep her eyes open. When she did, Redican stood before her. His hair had grown even more silver since their time hiding away on the farm. He'd used his power too much since then, but it was the only option to keep them secure.
Redican raised his eyebrows. "You know, we make a good team." The pair began walking toward the east wing. "We could start a restaurant. You cook, and I'll make them think it's delicious."
Erica didn't have to look at him to see that goofy smile on his face. She'd seen the same expression after dozens of corny jokes he made as her English teacher. It was crazy to think she'd been in high school classes just six weeks ago. Now she was walking the high-ceilinged hallways of a classified government facility. Her reflection showed briefly in one of the room-length windows that led to the outside.
Erica did her best to remain stoic. "Let's get the staff back, first. We'll have Dhiraj run the numbers at the farm."
If it hadn't been for Sheriff Norris' friend Kelly, the six of them would've faced a much tougher road after Senator Kable's rally. The farmer and former Army medic practically lived off the grid. But even in the middle of rural Pennsylvania, the gang couldn't help but hear of Kable's gains in the polls.
He should be dead. This is all my fault.
Redican scoffed. "This is no time for a pity party, Ms. LaPlante. We've got espionage to do."
Erica growled. "Stay out of my head."
Redican's silly grin took over his face. "Yes, ma'am." He glanced at her hair and ID badge. "How much longer are you going to wear that ridiculous wig?"
Erica had blended into the Department of Homeland Security tour quite well. A black wig and a pair of glasses seemed to fool the guards who had her picture prominently displayed.
She ran her fingers through the straight, licorice-colored strands. "You don't like it? I thought I might make this a long-term change."
They came to a stop in front of an unmarked door. Beside the doorknob was a small, rectangular box that displayed a red light.
Redican pulled a keycard out of his pocket. "I think it's too goth." He held the card in front of the security box, and the light flashed green. "It doesn't fit your peppy demeanor."
Erica gave him the stink-eye as she turned the knob. "Age before peppy."
The door led to a long, dark corridor. If the information Dhiraj had obtained from his inside source was right, then Sela Fortbright's silver staff was at the other end of the hall. Erica didn't know what the DHS might want with it, but she had a sneaking suspicion that a certain Presidential candidate was now the one running the show.
The room was colder than she'd expected. Erica rubbed her hands together as they reached another door. Redican tried to turn the knob, but it wouldn't budge.
He smiled. "I don't suppose you have a lock pick in that wig of yours."
Erica took in a deep breath and slammed her shoulder into the locked door. Wood splintered from the doorjamb and the deadbolt popped out of the lock. Erica caught it before it could clatter against the ground.
This time, Redican pulled the door open for her. "Brawn before brain."
Erica rolled her eyes and stepped inside. As soon as her foot landed past the threshold, a
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