Мгла
The Spell of Mrs. Carmody. The Second Night in the Market. The Final Confrontation.
Heturnedthecorneroftheaisle,skiddedonacan,felldown,scrambledupagain,andwasgone.
Olliestoodintheclassictargetshooter’sposition,Amanda’sgunclaspedinbothhands.Mrs.Carmodystillstoodattheheadofthecheckoutlane.Bothofherliver-spottedhandswereclaspedoverherstomach.Bloodpouredoutbetweenherfingersandsplashedheryellowslacks.
Hermouthopenedandclosed.Once.Twice.Shewastryingtotalk.Atlastshemadeit.
"Youwillalldieoutthere,"shesaid,andthenshepitchedslowlyforward.Herpurseslitheredoffherarm,struckthefloor,andspilleditscontents.Apaper-wrappedtuberolledacrossthedistancebetweenusandstruckoneofmyshoes.Withoutthinking,Ibentoverandpickeditup.Itwasahalf-usedpackageofRolaids.Ithrewitdownagain.Ididn’twanttotouchanythingthatbelongedtoher.
The"congregation"wasbackingaway,spreadingout,theirfocusbroken.Noneofthemtooktheireyesfromthefallenfigureandthedarkbloodspreadingoutfrombeneathherbody."Youmurderedher!"someonecriedoutinfearandanger.Butnoonepointedoutthatshehadbeenplanningsomethingsimilarformyson.
Olliewasstillfrozeninhisshooter’sposition,butnowhismouthwastrembling.Itouchedhimgently."Ollie,let’sgo.Andthankyou."
"Ikilledher,"hesaidhoarsely."DamnifIdidn’tkillher."
"Yes,"Isaid."That’swhyIthankedyou.Nowlet’sgo."
Webegantomoveagain.
Withnogrocerybagstocarry-thankstoMrs.Carmody-IwasabletotakeBilly
