Last Hope, Book One: Onslaught Read Free

“Gimme two minutes.”
     
    The New Millennium Hotel, as far as the rich and famous were concerned, was just about the snazziest, swankiest place to be seen in London. And pretty much anywhere else in Europe, too.
    So, on my crappy wage, I had ’bout as much chance of staying there as I did of running for President. Of England.
    All things considered, I was more than happy to give Deacon a helping hand.
    Just outta the kindness of my heart…
     
     
5
    “If it isn’t too much trouble, Mister Ashby, please could you focus on the road? You’re making me nervous.”
    “Oh, come on,” Budd said with one eyebrow raised in mock amazement, “I can land a plane in total darkness, so I’m sure I can drive a car and read a pamphlet at the same time.”
    Deacon nodded meekly and Budd went back to reading his brochure, which was unfolded across the steering wheel of the large BMW. He looked up from the printed words every few seconds to check his position through the windshield. They were descending a long ramp into a well-lit basement car park. “It says here that the New Millennium Hotel is the tallest building in Britain, with eighty-five above-ground stories. Did you know that?”
    “I don’t believe that I did.”
    “Work cost more than four-million pounds every day of its construction. Hell, I thought the jerks who built my porch were expensive.”
    “Mister Ashby,” Deacon said, “that man is trying to flag you down.”
    Budd dropped the pamphlet onto his lap and looked up. The man who’d indicated for them to stop was wearing white gloves and a mauve suit, which was complete with gold braiding and two rows of impossibly shiny brass buttons down its front. On his head he wore a mauve flat cap that had a circular gold badge stamped with the image of the New Millennium Hotel above the black visor. The car park attendant walked to the driver’s-side door and bent forward to look into the vehicle.
    Budd pressed the button to lower the glass.
    “Sir, I’ll take your car from here. This is your ticket, when you want to retrieve your vehicle simply present it to the security office. Welcome to the New Millennium Hotel. Please let me wish you a memorable and enjoyable stay.”
     
    Memorable? Oh yeah. Enjoyable? Not so much…
     
    Budd climbed out of the BMW and handed the keys to the attendant. He then grabbed his rucksack from the back seat and tucked the ticket into one of its zipper side-pockets. Finally, he pulled on his Stetson.
    Deacon, with no possessions besides the clothes he was wearing, simply got out of the passenger-side door and straightened his suit jacket.
    “Thanks a lot, stud-muffin,” Budd said as he looked the attendant’s mauve, double-breasted, mid-length coat up and down. A grin formed on his face. “I bet you’re a hit with the ladies in that get-up. Do they let you take it home?”
    The attendant forced a smile but said nothing in response; he merely climbed into the BMW and pulled the door shut. Budd and Deacon watched him drive away and then walked to the elevator and pressed the call button. They heard the whine of the motor start above them.
    “There was no need to tease him, Mister Ashby.”
    “I’ve had plenty of crummy jobs and crummy uniforms, and it never stopped people teasing me.”
    A bell chimed and the elevator doors opened. Another smiling, mauve-suited employee greeted them. “Good evening, sirs, I hope that your journey to reach us has been pleasant. I will take you as high as the Reception Floor.”
    “Sounds good to me, champ.”
    The elevator attendant stepped aside to let them enter. With a white-glove encased hand he pressed the higher of two round buttons. The bell chimed again and then the doors slid closed.
    As the elevator began its upward climb, Budd examined the plush interior, enjoying the sight of the gleaming, gold-plated handrails and the red and blue striped wallpaper.
    Smoothly, the elevator came to a halt, the bell chimed and the door opened.