Labyrinth Read Online Free PDF

vomit.”
Annja cocked an eyebrow. “You’re a medical doctor and you can’t stand the sight of vomit?”
“Never could,” said Jonas. “And anything to do with urine or feces is out, too. Just freaks me out, man.”
Annja filed that nugget away. Knowing that Jonas had weaknesses could come in handy. In the meantime, she looked at Fairclough as he started moving. His eyes rolled open and he squinted in the bright light.
Greene nudged the bed. “Come on, Reggie. Wakey-wakey. You see who we went and found for you?”
Annja leaned closer. “Mr. Fairclough? I’m Annja Creed.”
Fairclough’s eyes rolled to Annja and he seemed to focus on her for a moment. Annja watched a glint appear in his eyes. He seemed to recognize her. But for the life of her, Annja couldn’t figure out where she might have known him from.
“Annja Creed.” Fairclough’s voice rasped as if he hadn’t had a drink in days.
Annja looked at Greene. “Can you at least get him some water?”
“Sure, we’re not complete savages here.” He nodded to Jonas, who reached for a glass of what appeared to be water on the bedside table. He put the straw up to Fairclough’s lips.
Annja watched as Fairclough drank and then sputtered some of it back out with a sharp cough. He looked like hell and, even if she didn’t know he was being poisoned, she would have thought he had some serious health issues.
Fairclough managed to take in some more water and then pushed Jonas away with one of his hands. There was anger in his eyes as he recognized Jonas and Greene.
But he smiled at Annja. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
Annja felt embarrassed. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t. I wish I did, but I just can’t place you. Have we met before?”
“Indeed,” Fairclough said. He looked at Jonas. “Help me sit up, you ignorant errand boy.”
Jonas glanced at Greene, who nodded. Jonas helped Fairclough into a better position, at which point Fairclough backhanded Jonas across the mouth. It was a sudden flash of Fairclough’s character, and it caught both Jonas and Greene completely by surprise.
Jonas reeled away, clutching his face. Annja saw a line of blood start to trickle down and grinned. “Looks like he hasn’t quite been neutralized just yet, huh?”
Jonas looked at Greene. “That bastard hit me!”
Fairclough looked quite pleased with himself, but Annja saw that the exertion had cost him a lot of his strength. She might not have remembered him, but she admired his resolve.
Greene nodded at the door to Jonas. “Go get that cleaned up.”
“You want me to leave you here alone?”
“Kessel’s out front. And I don’t think Annja’s going to try anything right now. She’s too interested in what our host has to say.”
Jonas left and Greene added, “I should remind you that if you try anything, it won’t go down well for you.”
“No need to repeat yourself,” Annja said. “I’m well aware of what you’re capable of. After all, I’ve already seen you kill three innocent people today. I’d say that qualifies you for scumbag of the month.”
Greene smiled. “Talk to him. Convince him to give me the book and you might just go home alive.”
Fat chance of that, Annja thought. There was no way in hell Greene would let her walk out of here. But she put that concern out of her mind for the time being. She’d deal with that eventuality when she had to. Worrying about it now was a waste of time and energy.
Fairclough reached out for her hand and she let him take it. “Come closer, Annja.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb the IV dip. She wondered what would happen if she ripped the thing out. Would it somehow injure Fairclough more? Would it kill him?
She couldn’t risk doing anything just yet. “I’m here,” she said.
“A few years ago at a history conference on the Egyptian influence on world history, you gave a talk on the Late Period’s Thirtieth Dynasty that was truly compelling.”
Annja squeezed his hand.