Free Demon's Door by Graham Masterton

baseballs? Or was it that high-wire walker at Century City who got struck by lightning and fell on your car?’
    â€˜That was true, Lieutenant, the high-wire walker,’ Detective Wong protested. ‘It was all over the TV news.’
    One of the paramedics came over, snapping off her blue latex gloves. ‘OK,’ she said, ‘Maria has suffered considerable blood loss but we have her on a drip and she’s stabilized now. We’re taking her directly to the ER.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ said Jim. He felt a sudden surge of helplessness. This was Maria’s first day in Special Class Two, and he could hardly be expected to have discovered much about her. But he had seen from her bruises that she had some kind of a problem and even though he hadn’t had the chance to find out what it was, he still felt responsible for her.
    The ambulance sped off with its siren scribbling. Jim said, ‘You don’t need me here any longer, do you, Lieutenant? I need to go to the hospital and talk to Maria’s mom.’
    â€˜Jim,’ said Dr Ehrlichman, firmly, lifting his hand. ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’
    â€˜Excuse me?’
    â€˜There are legal implications here, Jim. It’s quite possible that the college could be held liable for what happened here today.’
    â€˜We don’t know what happened here today! Maria left the classroom looking a little logie, then she came back all bloody. I sure as hell didn’t have anything to do with it.’
    â€˜All the same, Jim. One expression of sympathy – that’s all it takes.’
    â€˜What do you mean, “one expression of sympathy”? Maria was almost killed, and I’m not allowed to be sympathetic?’
    â€˜Jim, if you say “sorry” to Maria’s mother, it might sound comforting and heartfelt in the emergency room, but think what it’s going to sound like in the Los Angeles Superior Court, seven months from now? I’ve been there, Jim. I’ve done it myself, and it cost the college a whole bundle of money in damages. No matter how badly you feel, and I know you feel badly, it’s better to keep it to yourself, OK?’
    Jim knew that Dr Ehrlichman was right. But he had a feeling that something was seriously out of whack. It was like an electric storm approaching. The air seemed to be congealing, and the trees sounded restless. However Maria had been injured, he was sure that she wasn’t going to be the last of his students to get hurt. He didn’t exactly know why, but he was highly sensitive to supernatural disturbances, and he could feel his hands tingling and a crawling sensation down his back. This morning’s resurrection of Tibbles hadn’t exactly put his mind at ease, either.
    Lieutenant Harris and his two detectives went over to talk to the uniformed officers. Jim guessed that he might as well go home. He could call Cedars-Sinai later this evening to find out how Maria was getting on.
    He was approaching the steps to the main entrance when Kim came across to him.
    â€˜Mr Rook?’
    â€˜Yes, Kim, what is it?’
    â€˜You should not worry about Maria, Mr Rook. She survive this time.’
    Jim stopped. ‘What do you mean by “this time”, Kim?’
    â€˜I mean she survive for now.’
    â€˜When I saw you two earlier, under the tree, what were you talking about? It seemed to me that Maria was upset.’
    â€˜Maria have trouble at home, Mr Rook. She beg me not to tell anybody.’
    â€˜What kind of trouble?’
    â€˜I cannot say. She make me promise.’
    â€˜Kim, you saw the state of her. She was chopped up like a hamburger. If you know anything at all that can help us to protect her, then you need to tell me what it is.’
    â€˜She survive this time, Mr Rook.’
    â€˜So you think it might happen again?’
    Kim said nothing, but stared at Jim unblinking, as if he hadn’t heard him.
    â€˜Kim