The Lazarus Trap Read Online Free

to remain in New York?”
    â€œI’m not sure. A few days.” Until he remembered where he lived. And what he would be going back to.
    â€œWhere are you staying? Or do you not remember that either?”
    When he did not reply, the suit rose from the desk. “I’m out of here.”
    The woman leaned forward and said, “Mr. Adams, a word to the wise. If you want company, have your concierge arrange it. The Barron’s neighborhood might like to claim it’s stylin’ these days. But the area between Morningside Heights and Harlem is still high risk.” She pointed at the two wads of cash. “We have a name for people who carry this much money and a Cartier tank watch into the Upper West Side at one in the morning. We call them dead.”
    â€œWould you tell me what drug they used—”
    â€œYou come back when you feel like providing information we can use to prosecute your attackers, Mr. Adams, and we’ll be happy to help.”
    â€œBut I’m telling—”
    â€œThe door’s behind you, Mr. Adams. Have a nice day.”

THEY REMAINED LOCKED INSIDE THE CHAIRMAN’S OFFICE. TERRANCE stationed himself on the suede sofa with the silver-plated arms, using the remote to switch back and forth among the wire channels’ televised broadcasts. He kept the sound turned down to a low murmur. There was no need for outsiders to know what occupied every shred of their concentration. Jack Budrow made no further objection to Terrance’s holding on to the control. The CEO slipped into a glowering silence so complete he did not seem to notice Terrance at all. Which was not altogether a bad thing. Don remained where he was, pretzeled into a visitor’s swivel chair.
    Waiting.
    The morning stretched out over several eons. None of them made any move to return to their offices. They had no interest in showing themselves and being drawn into the normal office routine. The chance of getting real work done was nil.
    Waiting.
    If Terrance had scripted the moment in advance, he would have seen himself pacing. All his computers would be busy with search missions. Don would have gone out for a ten-mile run. Jack would be wounding some hapless office prey with his acidic bluster. But none of that happened. They hunkered down. They did not speak. They scarcely acknowledged one another’s presence. The deal had already been talked to death. They were tied together now. The implications of what they had set in motion buffeted them every time the television showed another glimpse of the blackened bank.
    Waiting.
    They were lunching on salads and sandwiches when notice finally arrived.
    Terrance fumbled with the remote and scarcely managed to cut off the television before Consuela opened the door. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Budrow.” The secretary’s concrete facade was fully shattered now. “I know you said you weren’t to be disturbed again. But there is something, well . . .”
    â€œIt’s all right, Consuela. Come in.” Jack did his part well, Terrance had to hand it to the man. He showed the proper distracted concern watching the office’s stone lady come totally undone. “What on earth is the matter?”
    â€œI’m really not . . .” Consuela gave a frantic little hand-wave. The young woman behind Consuela took that as her cue. Terrance recognized the newcomer as Val Haines’s PA. She looked even more distraught than Consuela.
    â€œTell me what it is,” Jack ordered.
    â€œSir, there’s been an explosion,” the young woman said.
    Jack was instantly on his feet. As was Don. “In which factory?”
    â€œNo, sir. It’s not . . .” The woman began leaking tears.
    â€œMy dear young lady.” Jack moved around his desk, all fatherly concern now. “What on earth has happened? Is it your family?”
    â€œIt’s Val.”
    â€œWho?”
    Consuela took over. “Val Haines,