As the clock completed its circuit and turned the light from green to red, he fell slowly forward into the darkness.
Seconds later his body crashed through the glass roof, then carried on through the atrium of the department store before landing with a thud on the marble floor some fifty metres below her.
35
Just one more thing …
Rebecca slowly holstered her pistol, then picked up the flask and mugs before heading off down the spiral staircase.
When she reached the roof at the foot of the mast she took out her phone. A shiny, silvery thing with a glass touch screen.
He answered on the first ring.
Is it over?
Yes …
And?
Much as we thought.
Are you okay, Becca? I mean, considering … ?
Im okay, Manga. Surprisingly okay, actually … Better than I have been for ages.
Good to hear it.
How is he?
Mad as hell, and badly bruised across the chest, but hell survive. People like HP always survive. Hes with Nora. I still dont understand how you dared to shoot. I mean, the buckle and the Kevlar casing were no bigger than the palm of your hand …
A short distance away she could hear voices, radios crackling, keys jangling. She jumped nimbly onto the next roof, opened a small door and disappeared into a dark stairwell.
So what do we do now?
You can do what you like, Becca. Go back to your old life, meet someone new, have kids, and live to be a hundred …
A moment later he added:
Unless youd rather do something else entirely … Something that would really make a difference. You decide … Red or black?
Nothings ever going to be the same, is it? she said.
Is that really so wrong, Becca?
Maybe not …
She took a deep breath.
Look, Manga … I should probably call you Farook … What is your name these days?
She could hear him laughing, far away.
What do you think of … Game Master?