Book Read Free

Virgin

Page 32

by F. Paul Wilson


  The storm, too, was gone. Magically, the encircling winds died, the fog melted away, the clouds dispersed. Midday sunlight burst free and flooded the sky, warming Dan’s face and spirit.

  He clung there a few moments longer, wiping his eyes, gathering his wits, girding himself to face a world without Carrie. Finally, when he turned away, he saw Senator Crenshaw leaning over the hospital bed, whispering to his unconscious son.

  “Did you hear that, Charlie? You’re going to be well again. All I’ve got to do is give away everything I own. But that’s no problem, Charlie. I’ll set up trusts for everything, even for Paraiso. That way all my assets will be out of my control, but we can still live here. And I’ll put my nomination bid on hold. I won’t do anything until you’re better, Charlie. After that, you’ll see the goddamndest campaign you ever saw in your life. You just wait and see, Charlie.”

  As Dan walked past he couldn’t resist saying, “You just don’t get it, do you.”

  “What?” Crenshaw said, straightening. “What do you mean?”

  “Weren’t you listening?”

  “Of course, I—”

  “Then think about what you heard, fool.”

  Dan could not spare any more time here. A new world waited outside. He could feel it.

  He hurried up the stairs and burst out into the new fresh air. He had no idea what he’d find when he got back to civilization, but he knew the events of the past few moments would change it forever.

  For better or for worse? And for how long? He would see.

  He dearly wished Carrie were here to explore it with him. And maybe she was. She’d touched his life so deeply, he knew he’d always carry a part of her with him.

  He thrust his hands into his pockets and realized that Carrie was still with him in a more tangible way. He pulled out her baggies of powder and clippings and stared at them. Whatever he found out there in the new world, he was sure now that the new age of miracles was not over yet.

  Perhaps it had just begun.

  Find Harmony, children

  And you will find Heaven

  ~~~

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  F. Paul Wilson (b. 1946) is an American author, primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. A part-time family physician, he wrote his first novel, Healer, in 1976. Among his best-known characters is Repairman Jack, an urban mercenary who first appeared in the 1984 New York Times bestseller, The Tomb.

  All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 1996 by F. Paul Wilson

  Cover design by Amanda Shaffer

  ISBN: 978-1-5040-5170-5

  This 2018 edition published by MysteriousPress.com/Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

  180 Maiden Lane

  New York, NY 10038

  www.mysteriouspress.com

  www.openroadmedia.com

  F. PAUL WILSON

  FROM MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM

  AND OPEN ROAD MEDIA

  Otto Penzler, owner of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan, founded the Mysterious Press in 1975. Penzler quickly became known for his outstanding selection of mystery, crime, and suspense books, both from his imprint and in his store. The imprint was devoted to printing the best books in these genres, using fine paper and top dust-jacket artists, as well as offering many limited, signed editions.

  Now the Mysterious Press has gone digital, publishing ebooks through MysteriousPress.com.

  MysteriousPress.com offers readers essential noir and suspense fiction, hard-boiled crime novels, and the latest thrillers from both debut authors and mystery masters. Discover classics and new voices, all from one legendary source.

  FIND OUT MORE AT

  WWW.MYSTERIOUSPRESS.COM

  FOLLOW US:

  @emysteries and Facebook.com/MysteriousPressCom

  MysteriousPress.com is one of a select group of

  publishing partners of Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

  The Mysterious Bookshop, founded in 1979, is located in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. It is the oldest and largest mystery-specialty bookstore in America.

  The shop stocks the finest selection of new mystery hardcovers, paperbacks, and periodicals. It also features a superb collection of signed modern first editions, rare and collectable works, and Sherlock Holmes titles. The bookshop issues a free monthly newsletter highlighting its book clubs, new releases, events, and recently acquired books.

  58 Warren Street

  info@mysteriousbookshop.com

  (212) 587-1011

  Monday through Saturday

  11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  FIND OUT MORE AT

  www.mysteriousbookshop.com

  FOLLOW US:

  @TheMysterious and Facebook.com/MysteriousBookshop

  SUBSCRIBE:

  The Mysterious Newsletter

  Find a full list of our authors and

  titles at www.openroadmedia.com

  FOLLOW US:

 

 

 


‹ Prev