"The Coptic Secret" - читать интересную книгу автора (Loomis Gregg)

III.

Park Place

2660 Peachtree Road

Atlanta, Georgia

That Evening

His single suitcase at his feet, Lang was fumbling in his pocket for the key to his condominium. Once inside, he'd take a shower and head for the kennel where Grumps, arguably the world's ugliest dog, would be impatiently waiting.

Why the mutt was so eager to leave what appeared to be, by canine standards, luxurious digs, Lang never knew. Plus the fact the dog always put on a pound or two. Lang's hand closed around his key ring. He slipped the brass key into the lock, turned and eased the door open.

Simultaneously, he smelled the strong odor of gas and there was an audible click, a sound like someone snapping a cigarette lighter.

He may have imagined seeing a spark but there was one, visible or not.

Instinctively, he lunged backward, pulling the door shut but not soon enough.

An explosion was accompanied by heat, a burning, searing monster that tried to devour him as it flung him across the hall and against the far wall as easily as a child might toss away a rag doll.

He never heard the snap of bones the impact caused.