The Animal Hour Read Free

seemed coiled, ready to spring over the desktop and into the lens. And his thin face, the blade-sharp features—they were burning like a laser with his craving and his glee. It was Governor Fernando, all right. And the sight of that photo as she went by actually made Nancy’s stomach boil with anxiety.
    With another sigh—almost a groan—she turned into her office. Her gunmetal desk, of course, was neat as a pin. Papers properly stacked in the corners. Computer keyboard lined with the desk’s edge. Even her monitor was tilted expectantly toward her chair.
    She tossed her purse down on the desk and headed straight for the window. She was beginning to feel muzzy again and wanted some more of that fresh air. She grabbed the bottom of the heavy wooden frame and sent it rattling upward. She stuck her head out into the smell of dying leaves and car exhaust.
    From twelve stories above, she could hear the cars honk softly down on Warren Street. She could even hear the sound of synchronized footsteps on the sidewalk, the Monday morning march to work. She glanced to her left. On the ledge just beside her, there was a gargoyle. He was a clownish gnome of white stone. He wore a peaked cap. His face jutted out over the street. He stared down at it. His features were frozen in unpleasant, wild-eyed laughter. She turned away from him, turned to the right. Craning her neck, she could just get a glimpse of Broadway. The clustered sycamores in the park. The Hall’s white dome. Justice holding her scales above the yellow leaves.
    She breathed in the air gratefully, her eyes wide. She glanced back in the other direction.
    The gargoyle had turned its head. It was grinning directly at her, its twisted face six inches from her own.
    â€œYikes!”
    She pulled inside double quick. She backed away from the window, her hand to her chest. She could feel her heart fluttering against her fingers. Then she stopped. Her mouth open, she shook her head. She laughed.
    â€œWhoa,” she said aloud.
    What a weird thing to see! God! She felt her forehead with the back of her hand. Maybe she had a fever or something.
    â€œJeepers,” she whispered.
    Well, then she went right back to that window. She stuck her head out again. For a second, she was half afraid the thing really would be staring at her.
    Or creeping toward her. Oooh , she thought.
    Luckily though, the creature was back in its proper place. Grinning down at the street below. Just as stationary as a piece of stone ought to be. She smiled at it.
    â€œExcuse me, may I help you!”
    The voice came suddenly from behind her and, bang, she started and cracked her head on the windowsill.
    â€œYowch. Darn it,” she said. She wheeled back into the office, rubbing her scalp hard. There was a woman there now. She was standing in the office doorway.
    She was a black woman. Slim and busty. Fashionable in a bright red dress made vivid by her dark skin and her red lipstick. The woman was holding a folder under one arm. She was regarding Nancy with an expectant smile.
    For a moment, though, Nancy could only continue to rub her head. “Hi,” she said through her teeth. “Boy, that really smarted.”
    The black woman just hung there, her smile just hung there. “Is there something I can help you with?” she said.
    â€œUh … no,” said Nancy, a little confused. “I don’t think so.” She dropped her hand to her side finally. “Why do you ask?”
    â€œWell, I … I mean, are you waiting for someone?” the black woman said.
    â€œUh … no. No. I’m supposed to be here. You must be new. This is my office.”
    The black woman gave a puzzled little laugh at that. “Well, no it’s not, actually,” she said. “I think you’ve made a mistake.”
    Nancy gazed at her blankly.
    When you walk down the avenue …
    She blinked. “Uh … Excuse me? I’m sorry. What do you