The Long Fall of Night: The Long Fall of Night Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

finally got it under control and tossed it into his bag. At least he’d have something to concentrate on while he was gone.
    He ducked quickly into the bathroom for his toiletries. “Hey, Ash. Bring the light.” He couldn’t see shit.
    “Oh, grab that bottle of peroxide.” Ash pointed. “What else do you have that we can use?”
    “Make yourself at home,” Elliot said incredulously as Ash began to pull everything from beneath the sink, grumbling when all he found were shower and toilet cleaners, a package of toilet paper, and a bucket. When Ash moved to the mirrored medicine cabinet above the sink, Elliot stayed his hand. “Do you mind?”
    “Um, maybe if you have some ibuprofen or gauze pads? Some Band-Aids?”
    “That cabinet.” He pointed to the doors mounted to the wall above the toilet. The last thing he wanted was for Ash to go rummaging in his pill bottles. Elliot loaded up his shave kit while Ash grabbed a roll of gauze and an ace bandage, a bottle of Advil, and some antibiotic cream. The room was too narrow for him to step around Elliot, so he waited until Elliot returned to his room. Elliot’s movements were jerky as he shoved the peroxide in the side pocket of the duffel bag so if it leaked, it wouldn’t get on his clothes.
    Ash came in behind him, wordlessly placing his armload beside the bag.
    “Do you have any bottled water?” He seemed to have gotten that he’d crossed a line. Good.
    “Yeah, in the fridge. Take what you want. There’s a bunch of plastic grocery bags under the sink. Might as well clean out the food before it all goes bad.”
    “Now you’re thinking,” Ash said, lightly punching him on the shoulder, suddenly accommodating and complimentary.
    When Elliot was sure Ash was busy in the kitchen, he slipped across the hall again, opened the medicine cabinet, and palmed a couple of pill bottles off the shelves. A few extra razors, some cotton swabs, and he was done in the bathroom. After a brief hesitation, he snatched a couple rolls of toilet paper. Overkill, but better safe than sorry.
    All packed, Elliot returned to the living room as Ash emerged from the kitchen.
    “Have room for this?” He held forth Elliot’s handheld can opener.
    Elliot snorted but took it and stuffed it in the bag. “Did you actually get canned food?”
    Ash turned to the door. “I grabbed what you had, but it wasn’t much. Couple cans of peaches and some peeled tomatoes. We’ll stop at a store anyway.”
    Elliot followed him to the stairs and down, the bobbing flashlight heaving shadows around.
    “What if they’re not open?”
    Ash didn’t answer. When they reached the lobby, he twirled the light in his palm like a drummer twiddling drumsticks, then held it out to Julian, grip first.
    “Thank you, kind sir,” he drawled. Elliot couldn’t tell if he was making fun again, but the doorman smiled, not bothered.
    “Anything else I can do for you boys?” So helpful. Realizing he may never see the man again, ice crystalized in Elliot’s belly.
    “Yeah.” Julian perked up as Elliot awkwardly patted his shoulder. “If you need to, take your family and be safe. Don’t put the job above everything.” Julian stared at Elliot as though he were about to start singing… or collapse to the floor. Elliot hated that look. He jerked his hand back. “Just, you know. Don’t go down with a sinking ship.”
    Silence stretched between them as they approached the door to the parking garage. Julian broke it with a coldly professional nod, and Elliot cringed. So much for one of the few friends who’d never judged him.
    “You be careful, Mr. Davenport. Dark traffic lights make people drive recklessly.”
    Ash looped the bag of bottled water over his wrist and held out his hand, palm up. “I’m driving, and I’m always careful. Keys, please, Davenport.”
    Elliot reluctantly handed them over and led him to the garage.
    “Don’t do that anymore,” Ash grumbled.
    “Do what?”
    “Warn people.”
    Elliot