Nightworld

MANHATTAN

Carol watched the light fade from the sky over the darkened city and thought of how lucky they were to have generators for the building. She thought of Bill. He'd been an integral part of each thought since he'd left yesterday morning, but especially now, with dark coming.

"Where is he?" she said to Glaeken.

He was passing behind her, carrying an empty tray from Magda's room. He paused beside her.

"Still in Rumania, I should think."

She glanced at her watch. Almost five here. That meant it was almost midnight over there. Almost Wednesday.

"But he should have been back by now."

"Could have been back, perhaps, but as for should…" He shook his head. "I don't think so." He reached out and laid a scarred hand gently on her shoulder. "Don't worry yet. Not until tomorrow. If he's not back by this time tomorrow, then worry. You'll have company then—I'll be worrying with you."

He left her and headed toward the kitchen.

Carol continued to stare at the darkening city, wondering about Hank now. The thought of him was a sharp blade sliding between her ribs. He'd deserted her. How could he do that? And yet, strangely, she felt no malice toward him. But where had he disappeared to?