Free Anatomy of Evil by Brian Pinkerton Page A

said Rodney. “Because I could.”
    Suddenly a woman nearby let out a shriek, followed by an angry shout. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
    On the other side of the baggage carousel, an attractive middle-aged woman in a blue business suit and black stockings faced Gary, staring him down. Emma came hurrying over, limping and dragging a heavy suitcase.
    â€œI did not,” said Gary clearly.
    â€œYou did too,” said the woman. “You grabbed my ass. You keep your hands to yourself or I’m calling security.”
    â€œGary!” said Emma, reaching him, dumbstruck. “What are you doing? Why did you walk away? What the hell is going on?”
    â€œNothing,” said Gary. “Just some crazy bitch making up shit.”
    The business woman opened her mouth, shocked, and simply let out a disgusted gasp. She stormed off, dragging her suitcase, wheels squeaking loudly across the floor.
    Elsewhere in the crowded baggage claim area, Sam walked purposefully through the crowd, cutting a deliberate path to a destination, eyes steady and focused forward.
    He walked up to a gray-haired clergyman, dressed in black shirt and pants with a white collar. The priest was engaged in a deep conversation with two young people. Sam interrupted him, standing inches away, staring directly into his face. He uttered a firm declaration.
    â€œThere is no God.”

Part Three
    The Bleeding

Chapter Eleven
    â€œGood morning, sunshine.”
    Carol’s eyes opened, thin slits overpowered by the light. Jake stood over her at the side of the bed. She stared at him, stretching under the sheets.
    â€œYou okay?” he asked.
    She nodded and slowly sat up, rubbing her face.
    â€œIt’s going to take a few days to get used to the time change,” he said. He kissed her on the cheek and left the room.
    She rejoined him in the kitchen, where the boys were digging into heaping bowls of cereal.
    â€œI decided to make us omelets,” said Jake, standing over the stove.
    â€œThanks,” mumbled Carol.
    â€œI think what we needed was a good night’s sleep in our own bed,” said Jake, pouring eggs into a skillet. “It’ll be good getting back into our routine.” He chuckled. “You were pretty cranky yesterday.”
    â€œSorry,” she mumbled.
    Michael, one of the teenage boys, chortled. “No way. I’ve never seen Mom cranky.”
    â€œShe swore,” said Jake.
    â€œDad, you lie,” said Michael’s younger brother, Todd.
    The boys finished their cereal, placed the bowls in the sink and headed upstairs in loud, thudding footsteps to prepare for school.
    Carol remained quiet.
    Jake walked over and spoke in a low voice, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you. It was just a different side of you. But I understand. I’m guessing… You’re having your period, right?”
    An hour and a half later, Carol sat in her car in the parking lot of InvestOne. She had been listening to her Empowerment for Good motivational CD during the commute, but as she approached the office building, the disc started to skip. Now it was stuck in a mad shuffle, a sound collage of syllables producing gibberish.
    The noise transfixed her, a steady rhythm of “crshm…crshm…crshm…”
    Then she heard: “Crush them… Crush them… Crush them… Crush them.”
    Carol left her car. She advanced inside the building, receiving a cheery greeting from Syd, the guard at the front lobby.
    â€œWelcome back, Ms. Henning,” he said.
    She stared at him for a moment, swimming for a response until the old, familiar automatic pilot kicked in.
    â€œThank you. How are the Cubs doing?”
    Syd chuckled. “Not so good. But it’s early in the season. Plenty of time to get it together and make a run for first place. It’s a weak division this year.”
    She stepped into an open elevator, where she exchanged