He had a video monitor trained on his daughter’s room, along with the best motion detectors available. If so much as a carpet beetle were to amble across her threshold, alarms would sound in the basement. But Dark also had another monitor displaying real-time murder stats. A system powered by experimental software and links provided by Graysmith. It was a command center that would be the envy of any law enforcement agency in the world, and it was right here. In Dark’s basement.
Turned out that it was possible to be a good father and a good manhunter. It wasn’t easy, of course. But nothing worthwhile ever was.
Over the past few days, a disturbing pattern in Eastern Europe had presented itself. A sadist who seemed to be able to walk through walls and who collected obscure trophies from his twitching, dying victims.
A few minutes later, the cell phone on top of the morgue table vibrated. Dark hit the green button, pressed it to his ear.
“I’m watching it now,” Dark said. “He’s going to make a mistake soon.”
Graysmith said, “How soon can you be ready?”
“I’ll call the sitter,” he said.
acknowledgments
Anthony E. Zuiker would like to thank: First and foremost my wife, Jennifer. Thanks for cheering me on to direct. To the cast and crew of Dark Prophecy, thanks for continuing to make the Level 26 cyberbridges the best they can be. To Matthew Weinberg, Orlin Dobreff, Jennifer Cooper, William Eubank, David Boorstein, and Joshua Caldwell, you guys rocked this shoot. Not to mention the pig. Oink! Oink! A very special thanks to Duane Swiercyznski. Our second book together. We rock! And last, but not least, Team Zuiker: Margaret Riley, Kevin Yorn, Dan Strone, Alex Kohner, Nick Gladden, and Sheri Smiley.
Duane Swierczynski would like to thank: My wife, Meredith; my son, Parker; and my daughter, Sarah. Huge thanks to Anthony Zuiker for bringing me back into the Darkness, and all of Team Zuiker (especially Matt, Orlin, David, and Josh), who helped me find my way. Dr. Boxer watched my back. And last but not least, Team DHS: David Hale Smith and Shauyi Tai, my longtime partners in crime.
dark prophecy
Starring
Daniel Buran as Steve Dark
Justine Bateman as Hilda
Michael Ironside as Tom Riggins
Tauvia Dawn as Sibby Dark
Aaron Refvem as Henry
about the authors
ANTHONY E. ZUIKER is the creator and executive producer of the most-watched television show in the world, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and a visionary business leader who speaks regularly about the future of entertainment. Zuiker currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI is the author of several thrillers, including Expiration Date, and writes for Marvel Comics. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
also by anthony e. zuiker
LEVEL 26: Dark Origins
Dark Prophecy Page 27
