Death Dream Read Free Page A

here."
    Kyle Muncrief was the founder, president, and chief executive officer of ParaReality, Inc. He had personally flown to Ohio and offered Damon Santorini three times the salary that the government was paying him to lure him away from the laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and come to work for ParaReality in the Orlando region of central Florida.
    Dan popped out of the kitchen doorway like a buck private summoned by his general. "I couldn't get the car started and I don't know any gas stations to call for a jump—"
    Muncrief laughed and waved Dan to silence. "I figured you'd have your hands full this morning."
    "I'm sorry I'll be late."
    "Not to worry. Looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy right here."
    "I hate being late."
    "It's not a problem," Muncrief said easily. "Why don't you just stay home this morning and get yourself organized a bit. Drop in at the office after lunch, okay? My personnel chief'll want to run you through the orientation routine, that's all. I'll tell her you'll be coming in this afternoon."
    "And Angela's got to get to school as soon as you get the car started," said Susan.
    Muncrief's eyes shifted to the twelve-year-old. She was almost as tall as her mother. "Hello, Angela. Remember me? I came to visit you back in Dayton, remember?"
    Angela shied away and stood close to her mother, lips clamped tight.
    "You don't have to hide from me," Muncrief said. "I'll drive you to school, if you'll let me."
    "Would you?" Susan beamed at him.
    "Sure. No problem."
    "That would be a big help."
    "It's right on the way to the office. Lord, I've been there as often as I've been at my own desk. ParaReality's put more money into that school than the county has, with all the VR teaching systems I've given them."
    "I certainly appreciate your help, Mr. Muncrief," said Dan.
    "Kyle," he repeated. "No need to be so formal. Just call me Kyle." Pointing his finger like a pistol at Angela he said, "Come on, Angie. I'll drive you to school. You ever been in a convertible? I've got the top down."
    "It's all right, honey," Susan told her daughter. "Go wash your face and Mr. Muncrief—Kyle—will drive you to school."
    "All the other kids will wonder who your boyfriend is," Muncrief joked.
    Angela headed reluctantly toward the bathroom.
    "Nice kid," said Muncrief.
    Dan was biting his lip again. "I've got to find a gas station."
    "I've got jumper cables in the trunk," Muncrief said. "I can get you started. Come on. If you need to, you rent a car for a day or two. The company'll cover it."
    Uncertainly, Dan said, "Well, if the damned battery will hold a charge long enough I can drive Angie and get to the office."
    Muncrief waved a hand at him. "Don't worry about it. You stay home this morning and help get things sorted out here. It's okay."
    Susan wanted to tell Dan to go on to the office and get out of her way. She knew her husband would be much happier going to his new job than helping to straighten out the mess of their new home. But she didn't think it could be right to spurn Mr. Muncrief's offer.
    Dan muttered, "Okay . . . thanks."
    "Come on, let's get your car started."
    The two men went outside.
    Angela came back, actually smiling despite her braces. "It's a brand-new car, Mommy! I saw it through the bathroom window. It's all shiny and its top is down."
    Susan realized that there were no curtains on either of the bathroom windows yet. She shook her head and took a deep breath. So much to do.
    Fifteen minutes later, Dan's old Honda was growling and rattling on the driveway as Muncrief and Angela waved from his Jaguar XJS convertible. It was forest green, Susan saw from the living room window. Dan came back inside.
    "Kyle's a thoroughly nice man," Susan said.
    "Yeah. Looks that way."
    "I've got to feed the baby. You want to start unpacking the stuff in here? Most of it goes in the bedrooms."
    "Okay," he said absently.
    "You look worried."
    Dan's dark brows knit together. "Well, Jace is expecting me this