Book of Dreams Read Free Page B

both of which fitted his muscular physique rather well in her opinion.
    Kyle discarded the overalls into the large rickety bin and motioned Zoe after him as he headed out into the corridor that led to the elevators.
    More worried than curious, Zoe pursued him.
     
     
    Never one to forego an opportunity, Matt saw his predicament as the perfect chance to do a bit of spying. He felt around underneath the underside of the bar top and found a switch. I sure hope this is the bar light and not the alarm. Matt closed his eyes in silent prayer as he flicked the switch on. When no loud siren was forthcoming, Matt ventured to open his eyes. A thin band of ultraviolet light trimmed the bar top, and although its glow was rather intense it gave off only a minimal amount of light. Still, it was enough to see by. Matt switched his camera’s audio function to record and backed its in-built mike up against the wall.
    ‘I don’t care what happened.’ Nivok sounded very annoyed. ‘Burke could really make things difficult for us. Which is why I wanted him in our custody! In jail, he may as well be under police protection. Or worse, if the police bother to go back over their case files, they’ll discover that he was wanted for questioning in regard to several incidents. If he talks to anyone, or gets anywhere near my niece, I’ll have a real situation on my hands. I don’t need that history disturbed right now.’
    ‘What do you want me to do?’
    Ear pressed hard to the wall, Matt was speculating as to who Nivok had in the office with him, when he noticed a miniature bottle of bourbon sitting on the shelf before him. Don’t mind if I do. He cracked the cap as silently as possible and gulped down the contents in a couple of swigs.
    ‘Find out if the policeman Burke hit is pressing charges,’ Nivok instructed, with a good serve of uneasiness in his voice. ‘And if so, when they plan to release him. After twenty years be damned if —’
    The fire alarm startled Matt and the empty bottle fell out of his hand and smashed all over the bar top. Matt bit his lip, sure that he’d be busted.
    ‘Oh, for Christ’s sake! What is going on here tonight?’ Matt heard someone picking up the phone and dialling. ‘Where’s security, goddamn it? Come on.’
    As Matt heard the office door slam closed, he breathed a sigh of relief and gave a thumbs up. ‘Kyle, you total legend!’ He took the remote in hand and pressed the red button. The bar swung around and Matt escaped into the office. He pressed the button, returning the bar to where it sat flush with the wall, and placed the remote back on the coffee table where they’d found it. He strode from the office with his camera, closing the door behind him.
     
     
    ‘I can’t believe you did that.’ Zoe dragged hard on the cigarette Kyle had supplied her with in the wake of their little stunt.
    ‘Settle, petal.’ Kyle puffed away on a cigarette of his own. ‘There’s no harm done.’ His focus shifted to the foyer as Matt emerged from the elevator and came dashing out the front doors and down the stairs to join them.
    ‘I can’t believe you did that!’ Matt gave Kyle a high five. ‘Legendary, man … thanks.’
    Zoe, thinking their behaviour childish, decided to put things in perspective. ‘I fail to see what you’re thanking him for, considering he’s the one who got us into trouble in the first place.’
    Matt, realising how much strife they had caused Zoe, moved to apologise, but Kyle butted in first.
    ‘Oh, come on! You’re not going to tell me you actually believed we had to clean your uncle’s office?’ Kyle argued. ‘Admit it, you were bored and we seemed like mild entertainment value for a while. Your uncle isn’t going to punish you for tonight’s little episode. You don’t even know the meaning of the word punishment.’
    ‘All right,’ Matt pulled Kyle back, ‘that’s enough soul searching for one evening. Why don’t you go get the car?’ He handed Kyle the