Hazardous Duty Read Online Free PDF Page A

of the
building. She knew everyone’s business and even their birthdays. It was
slightly suspicious when you considered she was writing a book called “Stupid
People.” Maybe we were all case studies for the animal loving vegan’s latest
whim.
    “Have you met them yet?” I asked.
    “I’ve only seen him from a distance. He
appears normal.”
    Someone pounded down the wooden stairs
of the building. Sierra darted to the window and moved the curtain aside.
“There he is.”
    “He must be a night owl.”
    Sierra pressed her forehead into the window,
twisting her head at an angle that looked extremely uncomfortable.
    “What is he doing?” Sierra strained to
see the man. “He’s just standing in the middle of the parking lot, staring at
the sky.”
    “Maybe he’s talking to God or asking the
stars for answers to life’s pressing questions.” I’d choose the stars over God
myself. I’d long ago given up in believing a loving God controlled this messed
up world.
    Growing up, my family had been strictly
Christmas and Easter churchgoers. When I say “family,” I mean my mother,
brother and I. My father said a certain very hot place would freeze over before
he set foot inside a so-called “house of God” again. Funny thing was, my
grandfather was a pastor when dad grew up. He’d died of a heart attack when my
father was only eighteen. Dad hadn’t gone to church since then.
    I think my mother wanted to attend
church more faithfully, but my father wore her down about it. That was my
mom—worn down. I knew when she was young—before she met my father—she’d been
bright-eyed and vibrant. But my memories of her, right up until she died three
years ago, consisted of worn circles beneath her eyes, frizzy red hair pulled
into a makeshift bun, and a wardrobe that desperately needed updating. Since
she had to work full-time as an administrative assistant and part-time at a
grocery store in order to make ends meet, it was no surprise she looked like a
poster child for those down on their luck.
    So anyway, every holiday she’d dress me
up (like orphan Annie, of course) and we’d go to the services at the Baptist
church down the street. I remember asking her about the big cross hanging
behind the preacher. She explained to me that a man named Jesus—who was
actually God in flesh—had died on one of those. She told me about creation and
a flood and the first Christmas. I stored those stories right up there with
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
    “Our new neighbor appears to be talking
to himself.” Sierra looked over at me. “What do you think? Mental case?”
    “You never know.”
    “Should we go introduce ourselves?”
    My head pounded, and I pushed myself
farther into the cushions. “I’m not really in the mood.”
    “We need to confirm whether or not a
psycho is living in our building. This can’t wait.”
    “Sure it can. We already have some very
strange people living here. One more won’t hurt.”
    “I’m going with or without you.”
    My silence caused a sigh to leak from
her lips. She turned to me halfway out the door. “Call the police if I’m not
back in fifteen minutes.”
    The door shut.
    Great, so I’m sitting around doing
nothing while Sierra’s being abducted by the oddball in the parking lot.
    I forced myself to stand. My bones
ached, and I felt twice as old as my twenty-seven years. Pieces of ash fell
onto my shoulders like oversized dandruff. I flicked them off and caught a
glimpse of myself in the mirror.
    I almost screamed when a monster looked
back. Then I realized it was me.
    Smudges of black dirtied my face,
matching the dark circles under my eyes. My hair sprung out like it didn’t want
to be part of the whole “Gabby” mess.
    Shower? Save Sierra? It shouldn’t have
been so hard to decide.
    I had to check on her but, unless the
guy had antennae and was loading her in his flying saucer, I was heading for
the shower as soon as I knew she was okay. Tonight of all nights I