jd robb - Leverage in Death

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I cannot think of any need in childhood

as strong as the need for a fathers protection.

Sigmund Freud

Nothing is sacred to a gambler.

Jacques Saurin

Thou shalt not kill.

Paul Rogan didnt consider himself a religious man, but that commandment played over and over in his head as he stepped into the lobby. As his wing tips clicked on the polished marble floor, those four words beat inside him.

As hed done every weekday morning for eleven yearsminus holidays, sick days, and vacationshe swiped his company ID at check-in.

Stu, manning security, gave him a nod. Monday again, huh, Mr. Rogan.

Monday, Rogan muttered and turned, as he did every Monday morning, to the elevator banks.

Behind his back, Stu smirked a little. It looked like Mr. Rogan had himself a big-ass Monday morning hangover.

Rogan stepped into an elevator along with a handful of other execs, some admins, a couple of assistants. He wore a dark, pinstriped suit over an athletic frame, a crisp white shirt, and a blue-and-red chevron-pattern tie in a single Windsor knot.

Despite his cashmere topcoat, the cold seeped into his bones as he listened to the voice in his head.

Cecily. Melody.

The voice spoke the names, again and again even as four words pounded out a rhythm.

Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill.

And yet.

He stepped out on the thirty-second floorexecutive level, Quantum Air. The logo, the silver whoosh of it streaked over the wall behind the curve of the reception counter. Already the links and comps beeped and hummed. The waiting area, empty at this hour, sat quiet and plush. Another wall, all tinted glass, opened the room to New York, its sky and skyline.

Blue today that sky, so blue, he thought as he stared a moment. How could it be so blue, so clear?

He turned from it and, without his usual words for the trio at reception, walked to the double glass doors.

They opened, splitting the logos whoosh in two. He understood what it meant to be split in two.

Cecily. Melody.

Thou shalt not kill.

He passed assistants, admin stations, offices. Though it was still just shy of nine, men and women in sharp suits sat at desks, opened briefcases, sipped their fancy coffees while studying reports.

His own admin jumped up. So young, so bright, so earnest, Rogan thought. Hed been the same, just the same, once upon a time.

Good morning, Mr. Rogan. I updated your tablet for the nine oclock conference. Its on your desk. If youre ready to go over some of the updates

Not necessary. No calls, Rudy.

Rudy opened his mouth to speak, but Rogan closed the door to his office. Though he frowned when he heard the click of the lock, Rudy decided his boss just needed a few before the big meeting.

Inside his office, Rogan begged, bargained, pleaded. The voice inside his head never changed in tone. Utterly calm, utterly cold. When another voice came through, desperate and terrified, he wept.

He trembled as he removed his topcoat. Once again he stared through a glass wall at the blue sky, as he stood in an office hed worked diligently to earn.

It all ended today, as February dribbled into March 2061. Eleven years since hed come aboard Quantum as a junior exec.

The voice gave him only two choices, so he had no choice at all.

Surrendering, he followed the instructions inside his head and opened his briefcase.

* * *

At eight-fifty-six, he stepped out of his office. Rudy popped up again.

Mr. Rogan, I wanted to tell you I added a few more notes, some personal data on Ms. Karson. Just chat points.

All right, Rudy. He paused a moment, looking into that young, earnest face. You do good work. Youve been an asset to me, and to Quantum Air.

Thanks. Rudy brightened. Its a big day.

Yes, a big day.

Feeling the weight of it, Rogan walked to the conference room. Please stop, he murmured as his heart beat like a brutal fist inside his chest.

Inside the conference room, the blue sky, the sweep of downtown Manhattan, the glint of the river gleamed through the tinted glass. On the wall, the screen held steady and silent with the silver logo.

On the long, polished table, silver trays held glossy pastries, perfectly ripened fruit, pitchers of watersparkling or still. China cups waited for assistants to fill them with tea or coffee.

Reps from EconoLiftone male, one femalesat studying tablets with cups and glasses at their elbows. Two of Rogans associates did the same. Lawyers and accountants from each company filled more seats.

There needs to be another way.

At Rogans murmur, Sandy Planksenior VP, accountinggave him a quizzical glance.

But Rogan only heard the voice in his head.

At nine sharp, the doors opened again. Derrick Pearson, Quantums president and CEO, stood for a moment surveying the room. His black and silver mane flowing, he entered along with Willimina Karson.

In heeled boots, KarsonEconos presidentstood six foot one inch. They made an imposing pair, Pearson in his severe black suit and silver tie, Karson in her straight-line red dress and short jacket.

Everyone around the table stood.

Good morning, everyone, Pearson said in his lions roar of a voice. Lets bring in Chicago, New L.A., Atlanta, London, Rome.

As he rattled off cities, the screen flashed into sections, those sections flashed with other conference rooms or offices, more people in suits.

The voice in Rogans head spoke incessantly, sharper and sharper. Then added screams.

Rogan took two staggering steps forward, interrupting Derricks opening greeting.

Paul. More surprised than annoyed, Pearson touched a hand to Karsons arm. Willimina, youve met Paul. Paul Rogan, our VP of marketing.

Derrick... I dont have a choice. Im sorry.

Something in his voice, something in his eyes, had Karson stepping back even as Pearson stepped forward.

Are you all right, Paul? he asked, gripping Rogans arm.

Im sorry. Im so sorry.

Rudy, dashing toward the conference room with the tablet Rogan had left on his desk, got within three strides of the doors before they blew.

* * *

Lieutenant Eve Dallas stood amid the carnage. The air stank of blood, charred flesh, piss, and vomit. Water from the sprinkler system soaked into the carpet so it squished underfoot. With her boots and hands already sealed, she studied the room.

The blast had blown off the doors, shattered most of the mega screen, blown chunks off the table, sent chairs and people flyingand some burning.

The thick carpet now bore a wide, blackened hole, and the walls as well as the floor carried spatterblood, brains, other bodily fluids.

Lieutenant Lisbeth Salazar, heading up the Explosives and Bombs Unit, stood with her.

Eleven dead, nine injured. The dead include the bomber. Were picking up the pieces there...

Both women watched the sweepers in their protective white suits, the boomer hounds in their thick gray, comb the room.