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walking through a city I knew so well was that I didn t have to think about what I was doing. I
might have been better off going for a run, but it was close to dark and, with a splitting headache
and a stomach that had been knotting and unknotting for hours, the idea didn t appeal. Would I
feel better for a meal? I hadn t eaten for some time, and nothing more than a snack. I wasn t
hungry, but I wanted a beer or something stronger, and that wouldn t be wise on an empty
stomach. I was in enough trouble without being found drunk and incapable in the streets.
I d now reached the wealthier end of town, but I couldn t face walking into one of the
restaurants where I d have happily gone with Timo. I wanted something less formal, more
accepting, more anonymous. Like a bar.
I headed south again, remembering a place I d gone to a couple of times when I graduated,
just started my job in Kregan s department. I had no idea if it still operated, but I let my memory
guide my feet, and soon I found myself in front of the place. The bar looked much as I
remembered it the street dirtier than I recalled, the building a little shabbier with the paintwork
peeling and one of the advertising lights broken.
I belatedly realised that hanging around here after dark could be nearly as risky as walking
through one of the central city gardens, and was about to turn away, when the door opened and a
rush of heat, light and friendly sounds spilled out towards me. Suddenly it seemed precisely what
I needed, so I waited for the outgoing customers to pass, and went inside.
Music was playing, produced by real musicians, not a recording, and now I remembered it
had been that which had drawn me to the bar the first time. The unassuming frontage concealed a
large and crowded interior, the patrons, all concentrated at the back of the room near the
performers, clearly there for the music. A small area had been set off to one side for customers to
sit and eat a meal. I found a table easily the music of more interest to most than the food and
gave an order from the limited menu to the waitress who came up as soon as my backside hit the
chair. I sat back, letting the lively sounds, warm, beer-scented fug, and company of people to
whom I owed nothing, take my attention away from my woes.
The folksy familiar music did more to relax me than the beer or even the decent, filling meat
stew with the thick cut bread. By the time I d finished a mug of hot spiced beer, I felt a bit more
sanguine. If I lost this job, I had other options, even if I couldn t work for a government
department. I could teach, I could work in one of the hospitals, and if clinical practice didn t suit,
with my training I could apply to medical research labs operating all over the country. I could
even apply for work in Darsino, possibly Dindornes, but that would mean leaving Pindone,
probably for good. Leaving my family which would still hurt despite the current hostilities
and leaving friends.
Leaving Timo, which would be like losing an arm.
Marra s balls, I wished I could talk to him right now.
The waitress cleared my plates, and I asked for a second mug of beer. The dining area was
filling up, and I should have really moved, but I was comfortable, and I might want something
else to eat in a bit, so I stayed put. The beer arrived as the musicians started another set. I
wrapped my hands around the hot mug, and felt no inclination to leave.
 Hey d you mind me sharing your table or is the seat taken?
I looked up. A smiling dark-haired man, holding a mug of steaming beer, pointed at the chair
opposite me. I waved dismissively.  Go ahead.
 Thanks. He sat down and grinned.  Great set tonight, don t you think?
 They re good, but I ve never heard them before.
The waitress interrupted long enough for him to order food stew and bread, same as me
and then he answered,  They re the regulars. You re new here?
 Not really. I already regretted offering him the seat, and contemplated moving to the
standing area near the musicians, but then he smiled again, and I decided not to.  I came here a
long time ago. Remembered it as a good place to have a quiet drink. Probably too subtle for him,
but worth a try.
 Not very quiet tonight...or did you mean me? Sorry, I m chatty.
Another big grin he had lovely white teeth, and enormous, soppy eyes which didn t go with
his rather masculine features.
 I m Tek, he said.
 Jodi. He held out his hand and I shook it hmmm, the calloused hand of a workman, or a
labourer. Not an office worker he fitted in here better than I did in my tailored clothes and
expensive coat.  You come here a lot then?
 On and off. He sipped his beer and then looked me over rather thoughtfully.  You look a
bit pissed off at life.
 Just...some work hassles.
 Oh. What do you do? Public servant? Push paper around all day?
 I m a doctor, if you must know. You re being rather nosy.
 Yeah, I am. Can t help it. It s my worst habit, everyone tells me that. He grinned again,
completely unbothered by negative opinions. I couldn t help smiling back.  So, what happened?
You kill someone?
My smile disappeared.  Is that your idea of a joke?
 Um, yeah? Sorry 
 I didn t kill anyone. Enjoy your beer. Furious, and my skin prickling a little with cold fear,
I got up but found his hand clamped to my wrist. I jerked in panic, but I couldn t free myself.
 Let go or I ll call Security.
 No, don t do that. Sit down, Jodi. He was no longer smiling either.  Sit.
I obeyed, somewhat to my surprise, though my heart thudded in rising fright.
 Who the hell are you? I growled at him.  Are you following me? Are you Internal
Oversight? He still had his hand on my wrist.  Let go of me.
No one had noticed our struggle, but if he persisted, I d make sure they did.
He still wouldn t release me.  Jodi, you need to calm down and shut up.
Neither order had any effect on me.  Who the hell are you?
Why hadn t I called for help? He stared up at me, willing me to shut up and it worked.
Why did it work?
As I tried and failed to make sense of this sudden, alarming turn of events, the waitress
arrived. My unwanted companion set my wrist free but for some reason, it didn t occur to me to
get up and walk away while she distracted him. What the hell was going on? Who was he?
She left us alone again, and he fixed me with his dark eyes.  I m a friend. I mean you no
harm. How s your headache?
Confusion warred with fear as I gaped at him.  My...how did you know? My head still
throbbed, though it had eased a little after I d eaten.
 I just do. Fuck it, I m gonna....
He seemed to be talking to himself, and I realised he was more than a little nuts, though
perhaps not as threatening as I d thought before. Still, I d had enough. I made to get up but he
held up a hand and I froze, quite against my will. The fear which had abated, roared back and all I
wanted was to escape, to flee what this man could do to me.
 No. Jodi, wait.
I had to get away from this lunatic now, but invisible bonds held me tight. Realising the trap,
I panicked, my heart thumping as I struggled desperately but fruitlessly, trying to make my legs
move
Suddenly the table erupted into flames, covering our plates, rising up and licking the ceiling.
The bonds on me loosened immediately, but I couldn t move, horrified by what emerged coming
from my hands, a dangerous, uncontrollable blaze streaming from my fingers. I was on fire, yet
there was no pain. What the hell was happening?
Tek jumped back, falling off his chair to the floor as people started to scream. I flapped my
hands, flicking them away from my body, trying to extinguish the damning flames, trying to get
them away from me before anyone else could see them.
 Stop it. Make it stop. Help me! Tek frantically shook his head, as appalled as I was.  No!
It s not me! I yelled as people ran from the sight of the incriminating fire. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]