Hunted

Chapter 12: Home

Haley watched the small craft gently lift from the ground, and gave the pilot, Marcia Freeberg, one final appreciative wave. As the tiny charter ship darted up and faded to a point of light indistinguishable from the stars in the sky, Haley again withdrew to his own world and his own problems.

Luck was with him. They had arrived at night, and Freeburg had agreed to set down in a park less than two blocks from his apartment. A warm spring breeze swirled some debris near him, but otherwise all was quiet. All he had to do was get home unnoticed.

Haley mentally ran through his course one last time, then set out, wishing he had a light jacket and a hat to better conceal his identity. From the edge of the park he could cross Manchester Boulevard, then up a half block to an alley that led to a second alley that would allow him to reach a fire escape and climb to his third floor dwelling. The path was short, but here, close to home, he was the most susceptible to being recognized, as neighbors would have watched the news with great interest, and would be on the lookout for him.

He ran, chancing drawing attention in return for speed, until he reached the alley. Vehicles zipped by on the road and overhead, but none seemed to slow as if someone inside had recognized the man dashing past them.

Once in the first alley he stopped running, but he continued ahead swiftly. Like a cat, he stalked quietly, slipping in and out of the shadows. Somewhere to his right a dog barked ferociously, startling a feline that jetted across his path. The fright it gave him made him stumble into a trash tube, the contact making a gentle thudding sound. Out of the corner of his eye he saw someone stir inside an apartment, a silhouette shrinking as it drew near a curtained window. He dashed off before they had a chance to get a good look at him.

Nearer his apartment, he figured there would be police waiting, but he didn't know if they'd have the alley staked out. Maybe they would just be in the lobby, maybe just outside his apartment, maybe all three. Or maybe they weren't around at all, he thought hopefully, seeing no sign of anyone between him and the fire ladder. He sprinted over and leapt on it, halfway expecting a shout of recognition. It didn't come.

Once on his own balcony, he slipped to the window and peered inside. From where he was he could see the living room, the door to the kitchen, and the hallway that led to the rest of the space-efficient, tidy apartment. He could see neither Janet nor Sarah, but the lights were on, so they were almost certainly home. Chancing that the police weren't inside, he prepared to rap on the glass of the door.

Before his knuckles made contact, he noticed the sliding door wasn't locked. It gave him entrance, but brought no pleasant thoughts or feelings-Sarah was usually very careful, and although their's was not a notoriously dangerous neighborhood, it wasn't one in which doors should be left unlocked at night, particularly when they were accessible from a dark alley.

For just a moment after he had entered the apartment Haley felt content. It was almost as if he had simply come home early from work. The house was warm and cozy, and a tangy aroma drifted by, the scent of Sarah's spaghetti sauce. Maybe they could have a nice meal before he called the police, he thought. He frowned at the reminder of his imminent surrender, and forced his fear of the police and the press-and most of all the assassins-back into the shadowy regions of his mind.

He heard stirring in the kitchen and, for the first time, hesitated. If they were to catch him here with Sarah, she might be implicated, might be dragged into the harsh light of public scrutiny. Reminding himself that she already had been, he slowly moved forward, coming to a halt once he filled the kitchen doorway.

Sarah had her back to him. She went about her work mechanically, limply, as if the life had been drained from her and she continued on in the futile task of making a meal only because it was part of a mindless daily routine. Even without seeing her face, Haley's heart sank. The wounds inflicted on her were deep and would take a long time to heal.