"Lawrence Watt - Evans - The Nightmare People" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

He froze, with his hand on the doorknob.

He could not think of anything he had done, anything he was involved with, anything anyone he knew
might have done, that could logically account for the presence of a cop with a drawn gun outside his
door.

HeтАЩd heard stories about drug sales in the area, but nothing like that had happened here on the fourth
floor of C Building in the Bedford Mills Apartments, and he certainly hadnтАЩt been involved in any illegal
transactions, here or anywhere else in Diamond Park. Even back in college heтАЩd never done anything
stronger than pot, and he hadnтАЩt even done that in several years.

тАЬLet me see your badges!тАЭ he called through the closed door.

The two cops glanced at each other; then each, in turn, showed his badge to the lens.

He had no idea what to look for in determining whether the badges were authentic. They certainly looked
real, as far as he could see in the distorted view through the peephole.

The door was equipped with a cheap little chain-lock. He knew that it wouldnтАЩt stop a serious intruder
for more than a few seconds, but he put it on anyway, and with a tightening in his stomach, he opened the
door a crack.

One policeman, the larger one, was standing at the door. The other, the one with his gun drawn, had
stepped back well out of reach, and had the gun raised тАФ not pointed anywhere in particular, but up and
ready, a black silhouette against the drab gray of the concrete block wall.

The big cop said, тАЬSorry to bother you, sir, but could we have a few minutes of your time? WeтАЩd like to
ask you a few questions.тАЭ

The copтАЩs voice was calm, polite, unhurried тАФ but beads of sweat gleamed on his forehead, and his
partner was still there with the gun.

He was not stupid or ignorant; he had read of тАЬgood cop/bad copтАЭ scenarios. This, however, was
carrying the idea to a bizarre extreme.

тАЬWhat about?тАЭ he asked, trying to sound normal.

He failed; his voice was still clogged with sleep, and the question came out as a hoarse whisper.

тАЬWell, sir, thatтАЩs hard to explain. If you could come downstairs and talk to the lieutenant...тАЭ

тАЬIтАЩm not dressed,тАЭ he pointed out. His voice was better this time.

тАЬThereтАЩs no hurry,тАЭ the cop said diffidently. тАЬYou can get dressed.тАЭ

He was becoming annoyed, despite the presence of the gun in the background.

тАЬWhatтАЩs this about, officer?тАЭ he demanded.