Free The Wind After Time: Book One of the Shadow Warrior Trilogy by Chris Bunch Page B

credits to Maria.
    “Thanks,” he said, slipping the blaster into his pocket, and started away.
    Maria stared after him, completely bewildered. “Hey! I thought you was — ”
    But Wolfe was around the corner and gone with what he’d gone into the port district for.
    • • •
    The message light on his com was blinking when he got back to the hotel.
    “Mister Wolfe?” It was Penruddock’s voice. “I’ve been considering what you said earlier. Perhaps it would be convenient for you to come back out here, and we can continue our discussion. We’ll be in all evening.”
    Joshua carefully checked the gun he’d acquired before returning the call.
    • • •
    “This’ll be fine,” he told the lifter driver, and gave him credits. He got out and started for the eight-sided, five-story blue monstrosity the band’s efforts blared from.
    The lifter took off, and Joshua turned in his tracks and went down three streets and over two until he was on the street where the Penruddocks lived.
    He buzzed the gate panel and was admitted.
    Panels sensed his approach and lit, and the driveway was a long, cobbled finger of soft light through the night.
    The Penruddocks met him at the door. Malcolm wore a soft red dressing gown over black dress pants and an open-necked shirt. Ariadne Penruddock wore a green silk robe that would have been modest except for the long slit that ran up the left side to her hip. She caught Wolfe’s glance and moved her leg slightly, and Joshua saw tanned smoothness ending in close-cropped darkness. Both Wolfe and Penruddock pretended not to notice what she’d done.
    “I’m glad we’re going to have a chance — ” Penruddock broke off at the scream of the engines.
    Two gravlighters came in above the tree line. Wolfe saw the gunmen on the open deck and dove into Penruddock.
    Ariadne’s mouth gaped with surprise. Wolfe kicked the door closed, grabbed her leg, and pulled her down as the guns opened up.
    They were solid projectile weapons, and rounds smashed through the walls, glass and masonry shattering, bullets whining up from the stonework.
    Wolfe lay flat, trying to hold Ariadne. “The lights,” he shouted. “Where’s the cutoff switch for the lights?”
    Ariadne didn’t answer, struggling in blind panic, kicking, clawing, trying to get away. She kneed him, he gasped in pain, and she scrambled up, trying to run anywhere, nowhere.
    The guns crashed once more. There were three fist-sized holes in Ariadne Penruddock’s back, green turning black as the woman skidded to her knees, then collapsed facedown. Joshua was reflexively half-up; the gunmen sent more rounds chattering through the house, and he went down again.
    Joshua rolled on his back, pulling the now-futile blaster as the lifters made two more passes, bullets tearing the night apart.
    The door above him tore away, and there was a glow from the still-burning path lights.
    Now it’s over, he thought. Now they come in with grenades and finish it.
    But the lighters put on full power and were gone. Joshua barely heard the sound of their receding engines through the ringing in his ears.
    He got shakily to his feet.
    Dust hazed the foyer, and he had the iron taste of blood in his mouth. He saw movement, and belatedly, his gun was in his hand. Judge Penruddock staggered toward him. His hand was clasped over one arm, trying to stop the pulsing blood. His lips moved soundlessly.
    Joshua heard a cracking, and Penruddock’s trophy, legs splintered from the bullets, crashed down onto the judge. Joshua dove away, rolling, down the hall, as the beast smashed into pieces.
    Then there was silence.
    He went back to the foyer.
    Malcolm Penruddock’s body was crushed under the shattered monster, except for one hand and forearm. It twitched and was still.
    Wolfe went to Ariadne Penruddock’s body. He didn’t turn it over. He didn’t want to see her face.
    He reached down, touched her hand, then went quickly out of the house and around the side, away