Pike finished eating, drank more water, then stripped out of his remaining clothes. He spread a foam mat on the living room floor and proceeded through a series of yoga asanas. After a lifetime of strength training and martial arts, he could lay his chest on his thighs and face on his knees; he could spread his legs one hundred eighty degrees and become one with the floor.

Pike worked slowly, allowing his body to melt into the postures. The only sounds in his life were the gurgling water, his heart, and the brush of his skin on the towel. After a while he assumed the position of resolve, and meditated. His body calmed, his breathing slowed, and all he knew was the singular sound of his heart. Forty-two slow-motion beats per minute, like thunder alive in his chest.

Pike meditated for exactly fifteen minutes. He did not check his watch, but he had been meditating for most of his life. When fifteen minutes had passed, his consciousness floated to the surface, and Joe Pike was back.

Inhale. Exhale.

At eleven-fifteen that night, Pike brought his things up to his bedroom. His house was orderly and neat. His equipment was clean and squared away. He showered, dried himself, then pulled on a pair of white briefs. He went downstairs for another bottle of water, and noticed his cell phone on the kitchen counter. The screen showed a missed call. He studied the number until he realized it was Dru. She phoned while he was in the shower, but had not left a message.

Pike called her and got her voice mail.

“Hi, this is Dru. You know what to do, so do it.”

Her message line beeped.

“It’s Joe.”

He was still thinking what else to say when the phone cut him off. He called back, and this time finished his message.

“Call whenever. Doesn’t matter how late.”

He brought the phone upstairs, turned off the lights, and climbed into bed. His mattress was hard. The sheets were crisp and tight as the skin of a drum. He listened to the water, softly bubbling downstairs in his empty home. He wondered what it would be like to have another person’s sounds in his house.

Pike waited for her to return his call, but the phone remained silent.

Par Two - PRINCESS OF THE ANGELS

Par Two

PRINCESS OF THE ANGELS

Chapter 10

10

Hydeck called at 10:08 the next morning, identifying herself as if they had never met.

“This is Officer Hydeck with the Los Angeles Police Department. Sorry to bother you, but do you know how to reach Ms. Rayne?”

The professional lack of expression in her voice told Pike something was wrong.

“Why?”

Hydeck hesitated long enough for Pike to hear radio calls in the background.

“Someone trashed their place again. I have a number for Smith, but he isn’t answering. I thought you might have a number for his niece.”