Husk Read Free

into view. Their suspect sprung from an open doorway to the right of the landing, brandishing an automatic weapon that exploded to life in a blaze of fire and noise.
    “ Look out!” Frank cried, but it was already too late.
    The first barrage of gunfire hit DeAngelo’s shield center-mass then trailed up the stairs toward the other officers behind them. Bullets cut a dusty trail of destruction along the walls and risers as stray shots whined off the house’s cave-like foundation.
    Hot lead cut the sleeve of Frank’s uniform. More screamed past his helmet.
    DeAngelo fired two rounds from his sidearm. It was all he had time for. Following the second shot, sparks leapt from the stone on his left and a ricochet tore ear-to-ear through his head. Blood and brains sprayed Frank in the face.
    He fired a burst from the MP-5, but the shots went wild as DeAngelo’s body collapsed backward against him.
    The other officers higher up the steps erupted into a fury of shouts and hollers, everyone struggling to flee the cramped stairwell and retreat toward safety. Return fire sputtered overhead, amplifying the chaos and adding to the cries of several men shrieking in pain.
    Half-blinded by the rain of debris coming off the walls, Frank shoved DeAngelo’s corpse toward Kane with all of his might, slamming the killer back into the room he’d emerged from.
    The gunfire ceased.
    Frank charged after Kane before he could regain the advantage. He rounded the corner in time to see the madman slap a fresh clip into his weapon.
    Frank rammed him in the chest, tackling him to the ground.
    Kane’s weapon roared, spitting fire inches from Frank’s face.
    The two struck the floor and rolled apart, each coming up into a half-crouch with only a few feet between them.
    Both snapped up their weapons. Their gazes locked over the gun sights.
    “ Drop it,” Frank shouted.
    The killer’s eyes reflected the ugly orange light of the basement like twin flames set in the sockets of a half-rotten skull. They flashed with undeniable glee as he retracted his upper lip in genuine smile of delight.
    “ Fraaaaaaank!”
    Frank shuddered at the sound of his name. It gusted from the killer’s mouth in an elongated breath of mixed wonder and jubilation.
    “ I said drop it!”
    Kane’s smile only broadened. “You’re early, Detective Atkins. Not that it will do you any good. I’m finished.”
    Frank’s heart thundered in his chest. Sweat slipped from under his Kevlar helmet and cut trails down his cheeks. Behind him, the stairwell rumbled and creaked as the SWAT team reassembled.
    “ Don’t come any closer!” Kane shouted to the officers without taking his eyes from Frank. “I’ve got your man Atkins. I’ll blow his head off!”
    Frank’s grip tightened on his weapon. “How do you know my name?”
    Kane’s laugher sounded like snakes slithering through dry grass. “I’ve been told all about you. Who you are. Where you live. I’ve stood over you while you’ve slept. You didn’t know that, did you? The veins in your neck have beat against my blade more than once, but each time I let you live. Do you know why? Because you pose no threat to me, Detective. No more than those dead men on the stairs.”
    “ There are fifty officers surrounding this place,” Frank growled. “You’ve got nowhere to go. Now drop the fucking weapon!”
    Kane laughed again. “I’m counting on those fifty officers, Detective. Don’t you get it? You’re here because I want you here. This is where it starts!”
    Frank’s trigger finger tensed when amber light suddenly flared to life on the other side of the room. For a split second his mind screamed
BOMB!
He flinched hard, but then recovered. Kane’s silhouette stood amid the blaze in stark relief. He could’ve cut Frank in half.
    “ You see?” Kane said within the light. “It’s begun.”
    Frank squinted, trying to keep Kane in his sights.
    Over the madman’s shoulder the blinding amber light seeped through the