Dean Koontzneeds no introduction, but his newest novel does at least, a small one.
The aisles between the cliffs of books are deserted.
Darkness enfolds the great room and all its alcoves.
The staff is home sleeping, and the custodian finished his daily chores an hour earlier.
The air smells of pine-scented cleanser and wood polish and aging paper.
Although no watchman patrols this maze of valuable knowledge, the patron does not feel safe.
He has seen numerous gruesome horrors and has much experience of terror.
He no longer trusts any place to be an absolute refuge from danger.
On arrival, fresh from another library, he switches on a flashlight.
Soon hes on the internet, then to Facebook, where he finds the page he wants.
This prospect excites the patron.
He doesnt find it.
He is not the kind of man who can stop hoping.
His statement to the court is eloquent, profoundly sad, yet threaded through with a wistful optimism.
Jeffreys hope is surely naive.
The patron has much knowledge of murder and has often been present at scenes of savage slaughter.
In this case, Michelle is no doubt dead.
Her death is both a tragedy and a cause for celebration.
The patron switches off the computer.
This is the eleventh day of April.
Excerpted fromElsewhere, by Dean Koontz, with permission from the publisher, Thomas & Mercer.
Copyright 2020 by The Koontz Living Trust.
