Description
The crystal skulls referred to herein are real and confirmed to be of unknown origin and unknown method of manufacture by top scientists at Hewlett-Packard.
The Home Depot, Forest Plaza Shopping Center, Annapolis, Maryland
“I don’t know why we don’t just pay someone to do this.”
Professor James Acton grinned at his wife, Professor Laura Palmer, as he pushed the large cart containing several boxes of floating flooring along with a few bags of supplies. “You know me, I love working with my hands. Besides, installing a floating floor in the basement is something I’ve been meaning to do for years.”
“You could hurt yourself!”
Acton laughed. “You do realize how many bullets, grenades, knives and vehicles have been aimed in my direction, don’t you? If a rubber mallet is what finally takes me out, then so be it.” He winked at her. “Just don’t have it written on my tombstone.”
“Here lies James Acton, beloved husband and son, finally bested by his basement.”
Acton laughed, reaching over and squeezing the back of Laura’s neck. He leaned in and gave her a quick peck, noticing several beads of sweat on her forehead. “You okay?”
She nodded, but suddenly appeared weak. “Just tired.” She placed a hand on the left side of her stomach where she had been shot in Paris. “It still acts up from time to time. It just drains me of energy.”
\Acton felt his chest tighten at his selfishness. It had been his idea to come here, and he had encouraged her to come along. Then he had travelled up and down almost every aisle of the massive store, wanting to get everything he would need in one stop. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice slightly subdued. “I should have come alone, this was too much walking.”
Laura reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m a big girl. I could have said no, or gone and waited in the car.” She took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I just need to get home and lie down, I’ll be fine.”
“Pain?”
She shook her head. “No, just weak.”
Acton looked down the long row of cars, their SUV near the end. “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get the car?”
Laura gave him half a smile. “It takes almost as much effort to stand as it does to walk.”
Acton nodded toward the cart. “Hop in, there’s room.”
Laura laughed, wrapping herself around one of his arms for support, resting her head on his shoulder. “Don’t tempt me.”
They continued down the row, Acton pulling out the fob and unlocking the doors. He positioned their cart behind the bumper then opened the passenger side door as tires squealed behind them. He glanced over his shoulder casually. “Asshole, he could kill someone driving like that in a parking lot.”
Laura didn’t look, instead gripping his arm tighter.
She’s definitely not well.
The van was a sleek affair, a Mercedes emblem on the front grill suggesting some coin had been spent to purchase it, yet it was being driven as if it had been stolen. As it raced up the lane toward them, Acton stepped around Laura, redirecting her toward her door and away from the van.