Wake the Devil Read Online Free PDF

into the kitchen to give them some space. Will assumed his presence was related to what they’d seen in the parking lot several weeks earlier. Periodically, the cop would get up and go through the house checking the doors and windows.
    Rachel took another drink.
    “Maybe you should go easy on that stuff,” Will said, putting an arm around her shoulders.
    Rachel looked at him through bloodshot eyes, then leaned back and put her head on his shoulder. More tears rolled down her face.
    “What am I gonna do?” she asked.
    The words were not directed to him, but up at the ceiling.
    Will held her tighter. Everything he could think of sounded like a Hallmark card. He finally just spoke from his heart.
    “Live, survive, heal. Go on. That’s what George would want. I’m here. We all are.”
    Rachel put her glass back down and turned her head, first one way and then the other. She felt like she was getting thinner, disappearing. Not in her wildest dreams did she think anything could hurt this badly.
    Rachel buried her face in Will’s shoulder.
    *
    Wesley Simms was surprised to see how much Atlanta had grown in the last six years. According to the electronic population sign across from Piedmont Hospital, the city was now well over two million people with another four million in the surrounding countries. The streets, however, weren’t teeming with pedestrians like New York or Chicago. In fact, only he and a few others were out that afternoon. The rain had passed, but it looked like more was on the way. People were probably at the malls, which seemed to stay perpetually busy from the time they opened to when security started throwing shoppers out late into the night. As a city, Atlanta was beautiful and clean, but definitely not a walking town. Twice, people had stopped to ask if he needed a ride. They appeared mildly surprised when he told them he was just getting some exercise.
    Wesley, a solid man of about five foot eleven, was in his late thirties and had taken care to dress casually in good quality clothes. Nothing fancy, just upper-class items designed to fit the neighborhood he was wandering through. His charcoal gray pants and plum V-neck sweater were understated. Beneath the sweater was a knit long-sleeve white shirt.
    Three days earlier, he had dropped by the ASPCA and adopted the dog who was now walking beside him. Nothing special about it. Just a small, reddish-brown mutt of indeterminate parentage. The ASPCA people had even given him a leash and box of dog biscuits. The dog seemed pleased to be outside. No one gave them a second glance, which was exactly what he wanted. Deep in conversation on his cellphone, Wesley turned onto the next street.
    Have you examined the house yet?
    I’m just about to.
    Keep your eyes alert for cops, son. They might have the place staked out already.
    I know that. I’ll be careful.
    Two minutes later, Wesley and his four-legged companion came abreast of a two-story brick home with a neatly maintained lawn. He was in no particular hurry and described it to his mentor in some detail down to the dormant Bermuda grass, trees, and foundation plantings.
    Is there anything you can use, boy-o?
    Yes, sir. The front has a large bay window. I can see two people inside sitting on a couch, and, uh oh—
    Uh oh, what?
    There’s a cop with them. He just came to the front door and lit a cigarette. You were right.
    Give him a friendly wave and continue walking. Not fast, not slow. Same steady pace.
    Not a problem.
    What about the surroundings? Any opportunities there?
    Across the street is a small buffer of trees. Beyond that is a church which should work just fine. It’s high enough so the trees won’t be a factor when I take the shots.
    Excellent, I’m proud of you, my boy.
    Wesley smiled, disconnected, and continued up the street. He turned at the next corner and headed for the church. His sniper rifle was in a case in the trunk of his car on the next block. He spared a quick glance at the cop