Cloud Dust: RD-1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

tell us."
    "I'll get dressed." Nick rose from his seat. All of
us were in robes and pajamas—we hadn't had time to get dressed before we'd been
pulled into the cafeteria.
    "Maye, you should come, too; we're questioning anybody
who was in the area around midnight."
    "I'll be ready in fifteen," she rose and followed
Nick from the room. Both handlers nodded to Safer and followed their charges.
    "Corinne, I know it will be hard for you to see this up
close, but will you come?" Safer stood in front of our table.
    "But," I stuttered.
    "We know you're a damn fine mystery writer. Maybe you'll
see something we miss. It never hurts to have fresh eyes on something like
this."
    "August?" I turned to him in shock.
    "Cori, get your clothes on and let's go."
    * * *
    We walked through the bar, where several people were either in
the process of being questioned or waiting their turn. I watched them closely
as we headed toward the back door of the upscale bar—the crime scene wasn't far
from there, according to Safer.
    "August," I tugged on his sleeve.
    "What?" he stopped abruptly and I almost plowed into
him.
    "That man sitting at the table against the wall? Who is
he?" I asked after regaining my balance.
    "I don't know. General, do you know?" Safer had
stopped shortly after we did and turned toward us.
    "Let's find out." Safer led us toward the man, who
lounged against the back wall, watching as police questioned bar patrons on
what they'd seen and heard shortly before the bar closed.
    "Don't come any closer." He'd stood so fast I almost
didn't see it. He held a gun in his hand and pointed it right at General Safer.
    "Gun," somebody shouted. I stared as things slowed.
The man, in his fifties and blond but going gray, shot at the officer who'd
shouted.
    At least six officers fired back, killing the man instantly.
    * * *
    "I can't tell you, because I don't know," I said for
the fortieth time. "I just had a feeling, that's all. Trying to explain
this is like asking an earthworm to describe why the sky is blue. He lives in
the dark and doesn't know."
    The blond man's gun was a nine millimeter and the same one
used to kill the Russian Ambassador. The ID on the man was a forgery, and his
fingerprints weren't in any database. August was just as tired as I was, but he
wanted an answer he could take to the Chief of Staff and the President. They'd
utilize their time better if they concentrated on identifying the shooter.
    "Who do you think he was, since you can't explain why he
stood out?"
    "I think they knew each other," I said. "This
guy and the Ambassador. I think the Ambassador had a reason to meet him, and
the guy had a reason to shoot the Ambassador. Ask your Russian spy when he
wakes up. I'll bet you ten bucks he knows something."
    "Not a bad idea," August sighed. "If you get
any more of these feelings, will you let me know? He might have killed
somebody, or gotten away last night and we'd be nowhere with this. We have one
police officer with a shoulder wound and that's it. Could have been a lot
worse."
    "Right. Can I go to bed, now?"
    "Yeah. Want James to walk you back to your suite?"
    "If he has time."
    "He has time. One last thing, Corinne."
    "What's that?"
    "General Safer wants to keep this between us and the
President—that you pointed this guy out. The others think he just went crazy.
They were already outside at the crime scene and didn't see anything."
    "Fine with me."
    * * *
    "A sausage and mushroom pizza, please, to Miss Watson's
suite," James said before ending the call to the restaurant downstairs. I
was exhausted and hadn't eaten since the night before. It was a difficult
decision to make—sleep or food, first. James said it would be easier to sleep
on a full stomach, so I asked him to order something for me.
    I ate with my eyes closed at least half the time, drank a
glass of milk and went to bed after brushing my teeth.
    * * *
    Notes—Colonel Hunter
    "Colonel, that's outstanding. The Russian President says
he's never seen the