Invaders from the Outer Rim Read Free Page A

queerest of all,” Valdez said.
    Together they walked a dozen yards to a metal shed. Olsen heard a soft buzzing as they came to the door.
    “What’s in here?” Olsen said.
    “Murder, plain and simple,” Brown said. Then he opened the door.
    At first Olsen couldn’t comprehend what he saw. A huge pile of flesh, like something from a slaughterhouse. Flies swarmed in the half-light. A strange smell of citrus and burning plastic emanated from the mound of flesh. Olsen almost gagged.
    “What on earth is that?”
    “It’s what’s left of Cookie, one of my best milking cows,” Brown said.
    “Was she butchered?”
    “No,” said Valdez. “I am quite expert in bovine anatomy. What you see is impossible. This is a cow, but turned inside out. Like if you took a coat, turned it inside out, and put the lining on the outside. This is a cow inside out.”
    “My God, why would anybody do that?” Olsen sputtered.
    “I have a theory,” Valdez said, rubbing his chin. “I think somebody wanted to look inside the cow and see how it worked.”
    “But why?” Olsen said.
    “Perhaps to understand the sexual anatomy,” Dr. Valdez said, scratching his head.

4

    Jennifer Waters was in her late thirties but moved with the weariness of a much older woman. She sighed heavily as her baby, Ava, started crying again. Jennifer lifted her only child and carried the girl to the diaper-changing table in the bedroom. Ever since she could remember, Jennifer had dreamed of having children. The day she discovered she was pregnant was the happiest of Jennifer’s life. Then her husband abandoned Jennifer for a student at the junior college where he taught. The little witch that stole him away was nineteen and crushingly, a tight-bodied former gymnast.  
    Jennifer’s life had been a struggle ever since. Nobody warned her single motherhood was endless work. She really needed the break on the day the babysitter came and Jennifer could attend the Big Beautiful Book Club, a rare personal indulgence. Normally, she’d have to wait another month until she had another real adult conversation with her book club friends. But this week, Erin Tanaka’s wedding was on Saturday. If only Jennifer could find a date. But who’d want to go with her?  
    Changing Ava’s diapers, Jennifer wiped a tear from her eye. After a husband exits, being a solo parent is terribly lonely. She started humming “Amazing Grace” to Ava, struggling to lift the sad mood.  
    A man standing behind her joined in, singing softly. Jennifer whirled in surprise, though the singer’s voice was tantalizingly familiar.  
    He was shorter than Jennifer, but radiated an amazing presence, with flowing golden blond hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. She couldn’t help but stare into them longingly. It literally looked like the ocean when you dove into sparkling depths. And his facial hair was scruffy and grungy-looking but sensuously appealing. So cute!  
    “Need a hand with that?” the man said. He walked closer and skillfully helped Jennifer put a fresh diaper on Ava. While he did, she studied his dishwater-blond hair and his flannel shirt, jeans, and Converse sneakers. Her heart raced when she dared to say his name. “Kurt Cobain?”
    “That’s correct.”
    “Are you a ghost?”
    “I’m what you want,” Kurt said.  
    “Oh my God, you look exactly like Kurt.”
    “So touch me.”
    Jennifer reached out and touched his arm.  
    He grinned. “I’m real, baby.”
    “I can’t believe this. Your music got me through my horrible teenage years. You spoke to me.”
    “I’m singing to you now. Feel my skin.” Kurt unbuttoned his shirt.
    She put a hand on his bare chest and felt the heat and sweat and hints of salty unwashed dirtiness. At the same moment, she also felt a wetness starting between her legs, signaling a long-dormant sexual excitement that was the answer to her prayers.
    Kurt took her hand. “Come with me.”
    “But I can’t leave Ava.”
    “She’ll be