Cat and Mouse Read Online Free PDF Page B

frozen, locked in an odd place. He loved that look. It was hard for Soneji to glance away, to focus on the approaching policemen and the threat they might present.
    “We need to see identifications from everyone,” one of the detectives was announcing. He had a deep, no-nonsense voice that got everybody’s attention. “Have IDs with pictures out when we come through. Thank you.”
    The two detectives got to his row of seats. This was it, wasn’t it? Funny, he didn’t feel much of anything. He was ready to take both cops out.
    Soneji controlled his breathing and also his heartbeat.
Control, that was the ticket.
He had control over the muscles in his face, and especially his eyes. He’d changed the color of his eyes for today. Changed his fair color from blond to gray. Changed the shape of his face. He looked soft, bloated, as harmless as your average traveling salesman.
    He showed a driver’s license and Amex card in the name of Neil Stuart from Wilmington, Delaware. He also had a Visa card and a picture ID for the Sports Club in Wilmington. There was nothing memorable about the way he looked. Just another business sheep.
    The detectives were checking his ID when Soneji spotted Alex Cross outside the train car.
Make my day.
    Cross was coming his way, and he was peering in through the windows at passengers. Cross was still looking pretty good. He was six three and well built. He carried himself like an athlete, and looked younger than forty-one.
    Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, what a mindblower. Trip the goddamn light fantastic. I’m right here, Cross. You could almost touch me if you wanted to. Look in at me. Look at me, Cross. I command you to look at me now!
    The tremendous anger and fury growing inside him was dangerous, Soneji knew. He could wait until Alex Cross was right on top of him, then pop up and put half a dozen shots into his face.
    Six head shots. Each of the six would be well deserved for what Cross had done to him. Cross had ruined his life — no, Alex Cross had destroyed him. Cross was the reason all of this was happening now. Cross was to blame for the murders in the train station. It was all Alex Cross’s fault.
    Cross, Cross, Cross! Was this the end now? Was this the big finale? How could it be?
    Cross looked so almighty as he walked, so above-the-fray. He had to give that to Cross. He was two or three inches taller than the other cops, smooth brown skin.
Sugar
— that’s what his friend Sampson called him.
    Well — he had a surprise for Sugar. Big unexpected surprise. Mindscrewer for the ages surprise.
    If you catch me, Dr. Cross — you catch yourself. Do you understand that? Don’t worry — you will soon enough.
    “Thank you, Mr. Stuart,” said the detective as he handed Soneji back his credit card and the Delaware driver’s license.
    Soneji nodded and offered a thin smile to the detective, and then his eyes flicked back to the window.
    Alex Cross was right there.
Don’t look so humble, Cross. You’re not that great.
    He wanted to start shooting now. He was in heat. He experienced something like hot flashes. He could do Alex Cross right now. There was no doubt about it. He hated that face, that walk, everything about the doctor-detective.
    Alex Cross slowed his step. Then Cross looked right in at him. He was five feet away.
    Gary Soneji slowly moved his eyes up to Cross, then very naturally over to the other detectives, then back to Cross.
    Hello, Sugar.
    Cross didn’t recognize him. How could he? The detective looked right at his face — then he moved on. He kept on walking down the platform, picking up speed.
    Cross had his back to him and it was an almost irresistibly inviting target. A detective up ahead was calling to him, motioning for Cross to come. He loved the idea of shooting Cross in the back. A cowardly murder, that was the best. That’s what people really hated.
    Then Soneji relaxed back into his train seat.
    Cross didn’t recognize me. I’m that good. I’m the best he’s