Pipe Dreams Read Free

something I can help you with?” Under the desk, Vanessa’s thighs shook.
    “Vanessa, I did not see you at prayer on Sunday.”
    “Oh, but Sir, I was there. I sat next to Floyd in Appropriations. It was a fine prayer wasn’t it?  I’ve been meditating on it all week.”
    “Are these the morning reports?” he asked, pointing to a neat stack of colored folders. She nodded and handed him the files. He glanced through them casually.
    “Vanessa, someone saw you consorting with one of the Fallen. That is a serious violation of the mandates.”
    “Sir? They were mistaken, Sir.”
    “No, Vanessa. They have you on camera.”
    “Camera? No. Please. It wasn ’t like that. There was an injured girl under a bench in the park on my way to work this morning. She cried out when I sat to remove a stone from my shoe. I only looked at her. I promise.”
    “Vanessa, don ’t lie to me. How dare you question the watchers! Or question me!”  She shook her head rapidly.
    “I ’m not lying. I swear.”
    “You know there are consequences, even for uppity ex-assistants like you. You keep pulling shit like this, you ’re going to end up like them. How would that be, Vanessa? Starving, cold, wandering the streets day and night? I don’t even want to guess what the callers would do to you. And I hear there are cannibals. You’ve got more meat on your bones than anyone on the streets. What do you think? Is that where you want to be? Out there with the Fallen?” the driver sneered.
    “No! I ’m sorry. It was a mistake. Please, I won’t do it again.” He stepped closer, his voice slick as he reached down to caress the line of her jaw. She recoiled, but he just smiled. They had been here so many times he did not bother to prolong the dance. Power was still the real currency and workers had none.
    “Vanessa, are you ready to trade?” Underneath heavy eyebrows, his dark eyes glimmered. A small noise escaped her, but he wanted more. Licking his lips, he thrilled to her terror. Remembering the girl beneath the bench, Vanessa went cold.
    “No, Sir. I can’t. Not today.”  She stood. The driver slapped her face and she fell back into her chair. He leaned over, cupped her chin with his hairy paw, and grinned.
    “Vanessa,” he said. “Don ’t be stupid. Get up and lock the door.”
     

 
    CHAPTER 4
     
     
    In an abandoned storefront across from the bus stop, Jeremy waited. The setting sun gave the dirty, gray concrete and weathered brick a golden hue. His favorite time of day, twilight promised respite. He shifted his weight and scratched a bug bite on his elbow. Vanessa Kovalic hadn’t taken the bait this morning, but that didn’t mean the trap had failed. If she returned to the bench this evening, he could approach her, but she had to come voluntarily, or not at all.
    The bright, yellow school bus pulled to a stop near his shadowy alcove. Descending the stairs, the workers all looked the same. Women and girls wore their hair in neat buns. Men and boys had buzz cuts. Everyone dressed in identical, navy jumpsuits. Grateful for his own garb, Jeremy stuck his hands in his pockets. Though worn, the soft jeans, cotton tee shirt, and sturdy jacket suited him.
    Eventually he spotted Vanessa in the crowd. She merged with two others into a small cluster. Together, they walked toward the park. Jeremy followed, sticking close to the buildings. Under the graceful arch, the small silhouettes paused in deepening shadows. He inched closer. Two of them took a left, leaving Vanessa behind, and his heartbeat accelerated. She hesitated, unmoving. When she turned and walked stiffly after the others, he swore.
    Stepping off the curb, Jeremy crossed the street and hurried toward the bushes that edged the park ’s wrought iron fence. Dry leaves crackled under his feet when he picked up the pace. As he arrived at the park’s west entrance, Vanessa climbed the steps to an old, two-story Brownstone. She glanced behind her and then disappeared into