Part 46 (2/2)
Red's words intertwined with Ryan's, heightening my feeling of dread. New relations.h.i.+ps. In transition. Unaffiliated. Vulnerable.
For the rest of the day I skittered from task to task, my concentration destroyed by worry and indecision. Then, as shadows lengthened across my patio, I took a call that jarred me into more organized thinking. I listened in shock as the story unfolded, then I made a decision.
I dialed my department head to tell him that I would be leaving earlier than planned. Since I'd scheduled an absence for the physical anthropology conference my students would miss only one additional cla.s.s period. I was sorry, but I had to go.
When we disconnected I went upstairs to pack. Not for Oakland, but for Montreal.
I had to find my sister.
I had to stop the madness that was rolling in like Piedmont thunder.
29.
AS THE PLANE TOOK OFF I I CLOSED MY EYES AND LEANED INTO THE CLOSED MY EYES AND LEANED INTO THE seat, too exhausted from another restless night to notice my surroundings. Normally I enjoy feeling the acceleration as I rise and watch the world grow small, but not at that moment. The words of a frightened old man rebounded through my brain. seat, too exhausted from another restless night to notice my surroundings. Normally I enjoy feeling the acceleration as I rise and watch the world grow small, but not at that moment. The words of a frightened old man rebounded through my brain.
I stretched, and my foot tapped the package I'd placed beneath the seat. Hand-carried. Always in view. Chain of custody could be important.
Beside me, Ryan flipped through the USAirways magazine. Unable to get a flight from Savannah, he'd driven to Charlotte for the six thirty-five. At the airport he'd elaborated on the statement taken in Texas.
The old man had fled to protect his dog.
Like Kathryn, I thought, afraid for her baby.
”Did he say exactly what they intend to do?” I asked Ryan in a low whisper. The attendant demonstrated seat belts and oxygen.
Ryan shook his head. ”The guy's a zomboid. He was at the ranch because they gave him a place to stay and let him keep his dog. He wasn't really tuned in to the credo, but he picked up enough.” The magazine dropped to his lap.
”He's rambling on about cosmic energy and guardian angels and fiery inhalation.”
”Annihilation?”
Ryan shrugged. ”He says the people he lives with don't belong to this world. Seems they've been battling the forces of evil and now it's time to go. Only he couldn't bring Fido.”
”So he hid under the porch.”
Ryan nodded.
”Who are these forces of evil?”
”He's not sure.”
”And he can't say where the righteous are going?”
”North. Remember, Gramps is not at the top of the bell curve.”
”He's never heard of Dom Owens?”
”No. His troop leader was someone named Toby.”
”No last name.”
”Last names are of this world. But that's not who frightens him. Apparently Toby and the c.o.c.ker got along. It's some woman that scares the s.h.i.+t out of him.”
What had Kathryn said? ”It's not Dom. It's her.” A face flashed in front of me.
”Who is she?”
”He doesn't have a name, but he says this chick told Toby that the Antichrist had been destroyed and doomsday was at hand. That's when the wagon train rolled.”
”And?” I felt numb.
”The dog wasn't invited.”
”Nothing else?”
”He says the lady is definitely mother superior.”
”Kathryn also spoke of a woman.”
”Name?”
”I didn't ask. It just didn't sink in at the time.”
”What else did she say?”
I repeated what I could remember.
Ryan placed a hand on mine.
”Tempe, we really don't know anything about this Kathryn except that she's spent her life with the encounter culture. She shows up at your place claiming she found you through the university. You say your address isn't listed. That same day forty-three of her closest friends take a hike in two states and the lady does her own vanis.h.i.+ng act.”
True. Ryan had voiced misgivings about Kathryn earlier.
”You never found out who pulled the cat trick?”
”No.” I withdrew my hand and went to work on the thumbnail.
For a while neither of us spoke. Then I remembered something else.
”Kathryn also made reference to an Antichrist.”
”How?”
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