those television programs and motion pictures which revel in blasphemy and salacious behavior. If this is not done, a second explosion will take place tomorrow at noon at another location, and further explosions will take place at noon every day until the television and movie industries have been cleansed of the moral corruption that has already taken this planet to the very brink of damnation.
‘In particular, we are proud to have punished the creators of a television show that made an open mockery of all moral and religious values. And let us say this: there are those who may think that they have escaped what destiny has in store for them, but anybody who has accused God of being cruel will be hunted down like the vermin they are, and made to pay for their slanders with their lives.’
Frank listened, frowning, and then sat up. ‘Astrid, did you hear that?’
‘Hear what?’ said Astrid. She was lying with her back to him, naked, and she was almost asleep.
‘Dar Tariki Tariqat made a statement about the bombing. They said that anybody who escaped is going to be hunted down and killed.’
‘So?’
‘Anybody who escaped? Think about it! That means
Astrid blinked at him, trying to focus. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Who else escaped from that explosion apart from me?’
‘Well, nobody.’
Frank was excited now. ‘There was something else. They said that anybody who accused God of being cruel is going to be hunted down like vermin.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Who did I accuse of being cruel? Not God, maybe, but somebody who behaves like he’s God. And who said almost those exact words: “If you repeat this slander, I’m going to have you hunted down like the vermin you are, and exterminated?”’
‘You’re not serious. You mean Charles Lasser?’
‘Exactly.’
‘I don’t get it. What does Charles Lasser have to do with any of this?’
‘You tell me. Who could organize a terrorist campaign better than him? He has money, he has influence. He has international contacts.’
‘But why would he want to damage the entertainment industry? He’s
‘No, when you think about it, he’s not. He’s always been an outsider. I don’t know
‘But he’s offering ten million dollars, isn’t he, for anybody who can catch these bombers? Why would he do that, if all the time it’s been
‘Maybe it’s a blind. Maybe he’s trying to look like the knight in shining armor, when all the time he’s wrecking the competition,’ Frank said, picking up his pants from the floor.
Astrid said, ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I’m going to call the cops, what else?’
‘But you don’t know for sure that it’s Charles Lasser, do you?’
‘No, I don’t. But it’s still worth them looking into it. Think about it, Astrid, if it
Frank could see himself reflected in the window, like a ghost. The ghost picked up the phone from the coffee table and waited while its call was connected.
‘Lieutenant Chessman? It’s Frank Bell, remember me? Listen, I’ve just heard the latest statement from Dar Tariki Tariqat. I may be wrong, but I think it contains a kind of a clue.’
‘Oh, yes?’ Lieutenant Chessman had his mouth full. ‘What kind of a clue?’
‘Well, first of all I think it’s a warning, personally directed at me. They said they were proud of killing the people who wrote
‘I see. I haven’t heard that statement yet.’
‘I also think they might have given away the identity of the person who’s behind all of these bombings.’
‘They did
‘It’s not easy to explain, but I think it could be Charles Lasser.’
There was a very long pause. ‘I hope and pray that I didn’t hear you say what I thought I heard you say.’
‘If I can meet you, Lieutenant, I can explain.’
‘Listen, don’t say anything more over the phone. Where are you at?’
‘Sunset Marquis.’
‘OK . . . give me twenty minutes and I’ll call around and see you.’
When he came back into the bedroom, he found that Astrid was tugging on her black leather pants.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked her. ‘You’re not going? It’s almost midnight.’
‘I know. But if the police are coming around, I think it’s better if you see them on your own.’
‘I
She brushed out her hair, and pouted at herself in the mirror. ‘No, I’ll see you tomorrow night, maybe. I’ll call for a taxi, if that’s OK.’
‘Astrid, you really don’t have to go. I can see the police downstairs in the lobby.’
Astrid stood on tiptoe and kissed him. ‘You know what they say. If you find yourself on a runaway train, you should jump off while you still have the chance.’
‘Astrid, two of my very best friends were murdered today. My son’s dead. If Charles Lasser had anything to do with it, I want to see him arrested, and tried, and executed.’
‘Of course you do. But what’s your evidence? Something you heard on the television news?’
‘Charles Lasser used the word “vermin.” They said “vermin” too.’
‘You can’t really be sure that they were referring to you.’
‘They bombed my fucking office! They killed my friends! They murdered Danny and he was only eight years old!’
Astrid buttoned up her jerkin. ‘Even if you’re right, and it
Frank frowned at her. ‘Is that a question, or is that something you know for a fact?’
‘It’s common sense. Charles Lasser has twenty-six lawyers.’
‘Oh, you know that, do you? That exact number? Listen, I really think you owe me some kind of explanation about this. What is it between you and Charles Lasser? He says he doesn’t know you, which I don’t believe for one moment, and as for you – well, you won’t say anything.’
Astrid reached out and touched his cheek. He took hold of her hand, tightly, and held it, so that she couldn’t get free.
‘I
‘Can’t, or won’t?’
‘I don’t love you, Frank, you realize that, don’t you?’
‘Who said anything about love?’
‘You did.’
He released her hand. She collected her purse, then went through to the living area and picked up the phone. ‘I need a taxi. Sunset Marquis, room 217. That’s right. As soon as you can.’
Frank stayed in the bedroom. The television was showing pictures of his shattered office. Among the litter of scorched paper lay a broken statuette of three dancing pigs: one with its arms broken off, one without a head, and one without any legs. Embrace no more, think no more, dance no more.
Twenty-Three
