Страница 44 из 56
He hoped the people wouldn't notice he didn't belong and force him back uptown before he saw Mr. Fly
As he walked south of Central Park, he found there were no corpses and no rats. Either people were healthier midtown or the body collecting was more efficient. Either way, it showed that there was more than one New York, and this was the one that counted.
He fingered Mr. Fly
But there was no one left Alex could turn to who might possibly help. Bri's and Julie's lives depended on it. He paused for a moment outside the office building, prayed to Christ for strength and mercy, then straightened his tie and walked in.
There was a sole security guard in the otherwise empty lobby. "Yeah?" he said.
"I'm here to see Robert Fly
"He expecting you?" the guard asked, his hand starting for the gun in his holster.
"He knows who I am," Alex said. "I'm a friend of his son's. I have his business card."
"Well, that means a lot," the guard said. "Let me frisk you."
Alex walked over and stood absolutely still as the guard ran his hands over him. At least he wasn't armed with a can of pineapple.
"Okay, I guess you won't kill him," the guard said. "Let me check. Yeah, Fly
"Are the elevators ru
"Don't matter," the guard said. "Elevators are only for executives. You take the stairs."
"All right," Alex said. He walked over to where the guard had pointed and began the climb. So far so good.
He opened the fire door to the sixth floor, then checked all the doors until he found one with a handwritten sign saying, dgi, Robert fly
"Come in."
Alex opened the door. He didn't know what to expect, but he'd thought there'd be some people, maybe a receptionist, waiting behind the door. Instead there was that same look of desertion he'd become accustomed to: no people, but boxes filled with papers covering the furniture and the floor. But the room was warm, maybe as warm as sixty-five. One office door was open and Alex walked over to it.
"Mr. Fly
"Yes?"
"My name is Alex Morales. I don't know if you remember, but I was in school with Chris. St. Vincent de Paul Academy?"
Mr. Fly
"How is Chris?" Alex asked. "Does he like South Carolina?"
"Does anyone like anything these days?" Mr. Fly
"Yes sir," Alex said. "There aren't a lot of teachers left, but we're still learning."
"Good, good," Mr. Fly
"Please do," Alex said. "I apologize for bothering you, sir, but Chris told me if I ever had a problem, a really big one, I could turn to you for help. That was right before he left."
"I hope it's a problem I can solve," Mr. Fly
"It's my sisters," Alex said. "Briana and Julie. Bri's fifteen and she has asthma. It began this summer and it's left her very weak. Julie's thirteen and she's tough, but she's a girl, it you know what I mean, sir."
"Where are your parents?" Mr. Fly
"They're gone," Alex said, surprised at how much it still hurt to say it. "They've been gone since the begi
"You're just a kid yourself," Mr. Fly
"Next month," Alex replied. "We've been managing all right, up until now. Do you remember Chris's friend Kevin Daley? He's been a big help."
"The weaselly one?" Mr. Fly
"The church, too," Alex said. "But it's done all it can for us. I know there are evacuation centers, but Bri wouldn't survive in one, and Julie has to be protected. That's why I've come to you. I don't know where else to turn."
Mr. Fly
"I can stay on," Alex said. "I can manage on my own, especially if I know Bri and Julie are safe."
"You might be all right now, but not for much longer," Mr. Fly
"Thank you," Alex said. "If you can get Bri and Julie to a safe place, I'll leave New York. I can manage in an evac center, until I can figure out a way of getting us all back together."
"That won't be necessary," Mr. Fly
Just like in the movies, Alex thought. A perfect place for a wi
"Here are three passes," Mr. Fly
Alex stared at the three cards that would carry his sisters and himself to a place of safety.
Mr. Fly