Toys

My oversensitive hearing caught a pop off in the distance-a small, sharp explosion. Weird; it sounded like an old-fashioned gunshot to me.

I calculated the shot to be 1.83 miles away-and the location clicked in my memory.

It was the warehouse where the girl Shanna lived with her ragged tribe-and where I’d helped deliver her baby, her very adorable baby, who I had promised to visit again.

Well, here I was.

I broke into a full-out sprint, racing through the crowds of startled slum dwellers, who cursed me instinctively but also shoved one another to get out of my way. They had to, since I was running at forty-plus miles an hour.

The narrow, murky alley that led to the warehouse was silent and seemed deserted at first look. There was no hint of where the gunshot might have come from.

But something was lying on the broken pavement near the warehouse entrance, approximately fifty yards ahead. Most of the body was hidden by a building’s corner-all I could see were the feet and toes, pointing up, still moving, quivering.

I dropped to a tight combat crouch and edged forward through the shadows-tensed for any noise or movement, but especially a sudden attack.

With every step I took, a little more of the suspicious body came into view-legs, waist, a face.

Face? I haven’t even gotten to the shoulders yet!

Face?

How is that-

Finally, I stared in shock at what I saw. The body’s head, torn from its neck, was actually sitting on top of the blood-soaked torso.

It held a most peculiar expression, like it was still trying to figure out what had gone so terribly wrong. But the real stunner came when I recognized who the big head belonged to.

Owen McGill.

Chapter 94

I took off again, running at half speed now, looking for anybody who might have witnessed the killing of my former partner, my former friend. The murder of an Elite agent was a serious, almost unprecedented crime punishable by slow death.

When I rounded the corner of the alley onto the next street, I spotted two women. They were a few blocks ahead, trying to hurry away. But they were slow, very slow. One was old-and the other was carrying a wee baby. I knew them.

“Shanna, Corliss,” I called as I raced toward them. “I need to talk to you. It’s Hays Baker. Remember me?”

I thought they’d welcome me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Shanna turned with a glare full of fear and fury. “I thought you were a friend!” she screamed. “You brought the cops.”

I was stunned. Hadn’t I helped deliver her child? “What are you talking about? That’s crazy. Why would you say such a thing?”

“That agent was looking for you,” Corliss said-calmer, but nearly as hostile. “He was going to kill us all. And there’ll be more of them here now!” The two of them turned and hurried into nearby buildings.

“Leave us alone!” Corliss called back. “You’re nothing but trouble. You’ll get us killed.”

I let them go, but pieces started clicking together in my mind. Not many people could have taken McGill down like that-only a few top Elite agents. But it was unthinkable that they’d ever turn on him. Most of them liked the cocky lout-just as I once had.

So what enemy did he have who hated him that much? And who had the courage to fight him, the skill to beat him, the strength to rip him apart?

The question burned in my mind, but no answer came. I knew that even I couldn’t have brought down McGill by myself.

Suddenly, I heard the low growl of a motorbike. It was coming in my direction, coming fast. I swung around to face whoever was roaring up behind me. This couldn’t be good, had to be bad.

As the cycle streaked into sight, the rider hit the brakes and leaned into a long, controlled skid straight at me.

“Jesus, Lucy!”

She brought the bike to a sharp, precise stop, the front wheel nearly touching my boots. Her eyes were shining, her hands were stained with what I assumed was Owen McGill’s blood.

“Hays, you shouldn’t be here” was her greeting.

Just this once, I shut her up. I kissed Lucy until she finally kissed me back.

Chapter 95

“So,” I said as we finally parted lips. “You’re a lover, not a fighter. And you sure have some explaining to do.”

“One of two possibilities, Hays-you decide. Either a clone blew up at the Agency, or I’m a clone. Which is it? Quickly now.”

I had to smile. “I just kissed the real Lucy. I’m sure of it.”

“Good guess, but I’m a fighter, Hays. And you shouldn’t be here in the slums. Not unless you want to die for the cause. Which is what I plan to do. For real this time.”

“Maybe I do,” I told her. “What’s going on with the resistance? What have you found out about 7–4?”

“You’re the one married to Dr. Mengele,” Lucy snapped. “What did you find out?”

My ears perked up. The distant scream of police cars was stirring the night air, and reality came flooding back for both of us. The clock was on for the destruction of humankind, and we still didn’t know what the Elites had planned. Neither of us did.

“I didn’t find out anything useful, and I don’t see how I can now-I’m on the run myself,” I said. “Let’s say- Lizbeth and I are separated. For good.”

Lucy’s eyes went soft, then suddenly fierce. “We have a last chance. Here’s what we need you to do. Please, Hays. Don’t fight me on this. You won’t like it one bit.”

In a few taut phrases, Lucy told me her plan. Her gaze never wavered. Neither did mine-although I was chilled to the core by what she was asking me to do.

“Ruthless, remember?” she said. “This is life or death-for an entire civilization.”

“I know that. It’s also betrayal-of the worst kind I could imagine,” I said, and nodded grimly. “I’ll do what you ask though.”

“Good-bye, Hays,” Lucy said. “I’m sorry I didn’t meet you sooner.” Then she kissed me again-not a clone kiss this time either. Finally, she jumped on her bike and sped away.

Chapter 96

I watched until Lucy disappeared, then I sprinted in the opposite direction, hopefully to stall the oncoming