Read Code to Zero for Free Online Page B

seemed to be good at it. He crawled to the front of the truck and scrambled to his feet. He looked around the nearside fender. Homburg was still hurrying away.
    Luke crossed the sidewalk and turned the corner. He stood in the doorway of an electrical store. Looking at a record player for eighty bucks, he opened the pack of cigarettes, took one out, and waited, keeping an eye on the street.
    Raincoat appeared.
    He was tall—about Luke’s height—and his build was athletic, but he was about ten years younger, and his face wore an anxious look. Luke’s instinct told him the man was not very experienced.
    He spotted Luke and gave a nervous start. Luke looked straight at him. The man looked away and continued walking, edging to the outside of the sidewalk to pass Luke, as anyone might to avoid contact with a bum.
    Luke stepped into his path. He put the cigarette into his mouth and said, “Got a light, buddy?”
    Raincoat did not know what to do. He hesitated, looking worried. For a moment, Luke thought he would walk by without speaking; but then he made a quick decision, and stopped. “Sure,” he said, trying to act casual. He reached into the pocket of his raincoat, took out a book of matches, and struck one.
    Luke took the cigarette out of his mouth and said, “You know who I am, don’t you?”
    The young man looked scared. His training course had not prepared him for a surveillance subject who started to question the shadow. He stared at Luke, dumbstruck, until the match burned down. Then he dropped it and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, pal.”
    “You’re following me,” Luke said. “You must know who I am.”
    Raincoat continued to act innocent. “Are you selling something?”
    “Am I dressed like a salesman? Come on, level with me.”
    “I’m not following anyone.”
    “You’ve been behind me for an hour, and I’m lost!”
    The man made a decision. “You’re out of your mind,” he said. He tried to walk past Luke.
    Luke moved sideways, blocking his path.
    “Excuse me, please,” Raincoat said.
    Luke was not willing to let the man go. He grabbed him by the lapels of the raincoat and slammed him against the shop window, rattling the glass. Frustration and rage boiled over. “Putain de merde!” he yelled.
    Raincoat was younger and fitter than Luke, but he offered noresistance. “Get your damn hands off me,” he said in a level voice. “I’m not following you.”
    “Who am I?” Luke screamed at him. “Tell me, who am I?”
    “How should I know?” He grasped Luke by the wrists, trying to shake his hold on the lapels of the raincoat.
    Luke shifted his grip and took the man by the throat. “I’m not taking your bullshit,” he rasped. “You’re going to tell me what’s going on.”
    Raincoat lost his cool, eyes widening in fear. He struggled to loosen Luke’s grip on his throat. When that failed, he began to punch Luke’s ribs. The first blow hurt, and Luke winced, but he retained his hold and moved in close, so that subsequent punches had little force. He pressed his thumbs into his opponent’s throat, choking him. Terror showed in the man’s eyes as his breath was cut off.
    Behind Luke, the frightened voice of a passer-by said, “Hey, what’s going on here?”
    Suddenly Luke was shocked at himself. He was killing the guy! He relaxed his grip. What was the matter with him? Was he a murderer?
    Raincoat broke Luke’s hold. Luke was dismayed by his own violence. He let his hands fall to his side.
    The guy backed away. “You crazy bastard,” he said. The fear had not left his eyes. “You tried to kill me!”
    “I just want the truth, and I know you can tell me it.”
    Raincoat rubbed his throat. “Asshole,” he said. “You’re out of your goddamn mind.”
    Luke’s anger rose again. “You’re lying!” he yelled. He reached out to grab the man again.
    Raincoat turned and ran away.
    Luke could have chased him, but he hesitated. What was the point? What would