章 113: Chapter 113: Prey, Part 15

Klempner

Stanton listens in while a uniform takes Michael's statement.

He looks ill, his face pale and shiny, pupils like pinpricks. "She pushed him. He was protecting her, trying to cover her and keep me off while she got away. You could see, he wasn't just some muscle doing his job. He felt something for her. And she simply pushed him. Tipped him over the edge."

Michael's voice wavers. His hands are trembling. "As he went over, he managed to catch at the edge. He was hanging on, screaming at me for help. I tried to pull him up, but I couldn't hold on. His hand slipped out of mine and he..." His voice catches... "Oh, God... He fell. He seemed to fall forever... When I turned, she'd gone."

*****

He's a good man is Michael; tough enough in the everyday way of things. But this kind of cold-blooded murder is alien to him.

And I've lost Baxter.

Again.

Who is she?

Stanton stands over me, his face thoughtful.