KOP Killer (37 page)

Authors: Warren Hammond

I stopped at the last bed, his mouth replaced with mandibles that opened and closed. I recognized this one. Took me a second to remember where. The other YOP cop, the one who had confronted me with Panama on the dock, the one I’d brained with a bag of coins.

One of his bug legs reached for me, scraped along my arm. I stood over him, looked into desperate eyes.

“Your nurse will be here soon.”

The leg batted my arm.

I knew what he wanted, his eyes speaking words he couldn’t say. I pulled a curtain to separate him from the others, then took the pillow from under his head, held it up for him to see. His eyes lit, a tear dripping free, legs clicking excitedly.

I pressed the pillow down. Held it in place until the legs went still.

* * *

Hour after hour, I piloted the rented boat downriver. I paid no attention to where I was going, just kept with the flow, knowing all the tributaries eventually led home.

I couldn’t think. Didn’t want to. I felt numb. So much death. So much suffering. So many enemies with black hearts.

I’d cry if I only knew how. I’d let out giant wails. I’d stomp my feet and throw a fit. I’d pound my chest and scream at the heavens.

If I only knew how.

I looked to the east, where the sky was skirted with the blue and pink of approaching dawn. The Big Sleep was almost over, my world soon to emerge from night and once again know the sun.

I turned off the motor, let the river guide me. I stared at the sky and waited.

Waited for the darkness to lift.

B
OOKS BY
W
ARREN
H
AMMOND

KOP

Ex-KOP

KOP Killer

Available from Tor Books

about the author

W
ARREN
H
AMMOND
works as an instructor in the computer industry where, over the past eighteen years, he has taught thousands of information-technology professionals. An avid traveler, he and his wife have traveled widely on several continents.
KOP Killer
is his third novel, following
KOP
and
Ex-KOP
. He lives in Denver with his wife and two cats. He is working on a new mystery novel.

Find out more at
www.warrenhammond.net
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

KOP KILLER

Edited by James Frenkel

A Tor Book

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

175 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10010

www.tor-forge.com

Tor
®
is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Hammond, Warren.

KOP killer / Warren Hammond.—1st ed.

p. cm.