It Could Happen Again (Zulu Spectre) Read Online Free Page A

the toaster oven.”
    He grabbed a plate and filled it, his stomach making even more noise in anticipation. “So, what are you doing awake?” he asked, sucking some of the sauce coating the lamb from his finger.
    “I’m not tired.”
    “I see. Not even a little bit?” He slid the plate in the microwave and set the time.
    “No. I’m thirsty, though.”
    “Okay, water, it is.”
    “Sometimes, I like milk.”
    Dale had a feeling he was being played. He found the cupboard that held glasses and withdrew one. “That a fact?” A solemn nod was the answer. He sighed and dug into the fridge for some milk. Pouring Tyler half a glass, he placed it in front of him. “There you are. Milk.”
    He had his ankles hooked and was swinging his too short legs. “Cookies go good with milk.”
    Dale placed his hands on the table and stared down at Tyler. “I thought you were supposed to be sleeping.”
    “I’m keeping you company. Not fair for you to eat and not me.” Guileless brown eyes watched him.
    “Somehow, I don’t think your aunt wants you up keeping me company.”
    “I’m nice like that.”
    The microwave beeped, and he gave a short burst of laughter. “Lucky me. Okay, you can have two”—he whipped back to look at Tyler—“are you allergic?”
    “No, sir.”
    “Okay, then you can have two cookies.”
    Yep, definitely played. Tyler scampered over to the small panty and pulled out a box of cookies and took two, which he set on a paper towel by his milk.
    Dale took out the warm plate; the aromatic scent wafting to his nose was divine. Oh, I’m looking forward to this.
    He sat opposite Tyler and watched him unscrew the chocolate sandwich cookie and dunk it into his milk. Hefting the fork, Dale put the first bite in his mouth. Flavors erupted as the lamb fell apart upon his tongue.
    Sweet heaven, that’s what this is.
    αβ
    “Thanks for the ride, Vic,” Allie said to the tanned man driving the SUV. She struggled not to yawn, again.
    “I wasn’t making you walk home or take the bus after that.”
    She’d been picked up outside her place and driven to the scene of the accident. Accident, hell, more like a something out of a post-apocalyptic movie. That had her wondering if that’s what it was like during war in a frontline M.A.S.H. unit.
    Thick fog had rolled in swiftly and brought with it death and destruction. Amputations, fires, explosions, and more from the pile up of more than one hundred vehicles.
    “It was a nightmare of triage. I can’t even begin to image how things were in the actual hospitals. Or on the roads trying to transport these people.” She’d stayed at the accident, moving from one mangled mode of transportation to the next, helping, bandaging, and assessing damages.
    Vic parked in front of her apartment building and cracked his neck before looking over at her. “Get some rest.”
    “I hope so, all depends on the little man.”
    “How much longer do you have him?”
    She grasped one shoulder strap of her bag. “One more week.” Opening the door, she swung her feet to the ground. “Thanks again.”
    “Dinner soon?”
    “Sure thing.” She closed the door and trudged to the building, weariness owning every inch of her body. Allie rubbed tired eyes and beelined for the elevator. The wall became her support as the doors slid silently closed.
    It took her a moment before she opened her eyes, heaving an exasperated sigh. “This would work so much better if I actually pushed a button.” Lifting a leaden arm, she selected her floor and yawned.
    Key in the lock of her door, she took a deep breath and hoped Tyler would let her get some sleep. She entered and stopped at the smell of pancakes in the air.
    “I’m back,” she called out.
    “Hi, Auntie!” Tyler popped his head out of the kitchen briefly. “We’re about to have breakfast.”
    Crap, he sounded full of energy. “Lovely.”
    She stepped into the kitchen and found Dale standing over her stove, watching the flapjacks on