The Chosen of Horu

The Chosen of Horu
Book Two of the In Other Worlds Series

Chapter 1

Seth slumped in the subway seat and shielded his face with a newspaper. Of all the luck. He was on his way to a meet with his handler and he didn’t want to be recognized. With care he moved the tabloid to study Tira. Panic showed in her expression. Perspiration dotted her forehead. Her tee shirt bore dirty smudges. She snatched a piece of paper from the seat beside her and seemed to study the words. As the car slid into the third stop she jumped to her feet and followed the crowd.

Another bit of bad luck. His stop, too. Just before the doors started to close he jumped out and headed up the stairs. When he reached the surface he searched and saw her running across the street. She entered the coffee shop. Strike three. That was the site of his meet.
Damn. Not a good idea to go inside. He would be late but late was better than made. Not that he didn’t trust Tira, but Ramos wanted her and the drug dealer had ways of making people talk. Tira’s sister had been a user and seller. Luci had angered Ramos by not paying what she owed and stealing drugs.

Seth slipped into a dark doorway and waited. Five minutes. Ten. At the fifteen minute mark Tira exited and stopped to use her phone.

Moments later she dropped something on the sidewalk and hurried away.

Seth dashed forward and picked up the paper and read.
Life got you down? Have unsolved problems?
Looking for an escape? The answer is in your stars.
A counselor is available night and day.
Dial 1- 800- 555- ASTR

He read the paragraph again. Truth or scam? Had this piece of paper lured Tira into danger? Should he follow her? He frowned and peered down the street. She had vanished. When he’d warned her not to go home, he’d done more than he should have. But he liked her and knew she’d done nothing wrong. Her sister’s murder had put Tira in danger. The cops would have questioned and released her. Then Ramos would have stepped in. Seth hoped she had a safe place to hide. Holding this thought close he tucked the flyer in his pocket and entered the coffee shop.

As he slipped into the rear booth his handler glared. “You’re late.”
“Better late than identified.”

Bob Tolena rubbed his hand over his receding hairline. “What?”

“The girl who just left the shop was Luci Gray’s sister.”

“And you let her get away?”

Seth shrugged. He grabbed the cup of coffee and drained the bitter brew hoping a caffeine jolt would unclog his head. If he didn’t get some rest soon he would make a fatal mistake.

The waitress arrived and refilled his cup. She slammed a plate with a burger and fries in front of Seth. He glanced at the older man.

“Yours?”

“No. Eat. You look like hell.”

As soon as the waitress left, Seth looked up. “That lead to Ramos is dead. What now?”

“If you see that young woman, have her picked up.”

“Why? She’s innocent.”

“Don’t you think someone official should make that call? No matter. We’ll keep an eye on her.” The older man slid a piece of paper across the table. “There’s some new info surfacing. You still have an in at that church-run community center?”

“Sure.” Seth picked up the burger and took a bite. How much longer could he continue undercover? For two years he had slunk through the alleys passing information to his handler. Three drug busts based on what he’d learned had gone down. But the bosses wanted more and more. Ramos would be the biggest.

Seth’s hands shook. Would he ever see the end? He felt older than his twenty-five years. “I want out.”

“Not yet. You’re young. Hang in there for another year or two. About the center, Ramos is sniffing around.”

The burger dropped to the plate. A year was too long. So was a month. He hadn’t gone to the academy or joined the force for this secretive life.

Bob clamped a hand on Seth’s wrist. “You’re good at this. Pete would be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Seth rose. He felt sick. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
By bus and on foot he made his way to one of his hidey holes. He stretched on the bed and slept.


The rising sun woke him. He pulled off the beard, showered and dressed. Tight jeans, muscle shirt, hair minus the gray streaks and tied at his nape completed his transformation from drunk to punk. He pulled on biker boots and checked the pocket for the slim stiletto. After surveying the street he sauntered to the subway.

Thoughts of the flyer he’d transferred from his other clothes arose. If only those words were true. He retrieved the paper and read the message again.

Why not? How well they fit his current mood. He entered the number in his phone. Not yet, he decided. If a need arose he would take a chance and speed dial.

He swung off the car, drew a deep breath and slid into the right persona. After coffee and a doughnut at a bodega he entered the center. A martial arts session filled the gym with shouts and thuds.
“Will you spar with me?”

Seth turned and grinned at the teenage girl. Her dark hair and eyes plus her olive complexion showed her Middle Eastern heritage. “Maybe later, Amara. Any idea where Father Joe might be?”

She shrugged. “Didn’t see him this morning.” Her eyes held a glint of wariness.

Seth sat on a bench and pulled off his boots. “Then we’ll spar.”

After a short session when he showed her how to kick and flip using the wall to propel himself behind her, he patted her shoulder. “You’re coming along. Let’s find the kitchen for some juice.”
They walked down the hall pass the offices. Voices sounded behind them. His skin prickled warning him of danger. He pulled Amara into a side corridor.

Moments later he knew he’d been right to hide. One of Ramos’ boys followed the priest into his office.

Amara clutched Seth’s arm. “Don’t like him. Don’t let him see me.”
“Makes two of us. Just be careful.” Seth slipped into the hall. How could he learn what was going on?

For a week plus two days Seth became a regular at the center. As well as martial arts he shot hoops with the younger boys and did his share of kitchen duty. He listened and watched. He found a spot in the alley that allowed him to look and listen to Father Joe’s meetings. Slowly he put the facts together. A few more days and he’d call his handler.

As he crouched at his listening post, Amara waved frantically. He went to her and saw the fear in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Ramos is here.”

“You sure?”

She nodded. “Saw him and the man who wants me. There’re with Father Joe. I ran.”

Seth pulled her close. “Avoid the center.”

“What will I do?”

He fingered the flyer he’d carried for weeks. Maybe Tira had escaped by calling the number. There’d been no sign of her and no reports of her body being found. If Ramos had her killed, the body would have been displayed as a warning. He removed the paper. “Don’t know if this means much but a friend dropped it. She was in danger and has disappeared. If things get too hot call the number.”

“Be careful.” She darted away.

Seth returned to his listening post. He peered through a small spot in the grime-coated window. A man slouched in a chair across from the priest’s desk.

“Way I see it, quid pro quo,” the priest said. “I give you the hotshot undercover cop and you keep away from the center. You and your men.”

“How do you know he’s the one?”

The priest laughed. “Bob Tolena gave me the name.”

Seth stiffened. Betrayed not once but twice.

Ramos chuckled. “Why the offer?”

“Better to sacrifice one for the many.”

Seth’s nails bit into his palms. So he was to be the sacrificial lamb. No way. He wondered how the priest could believe this would keep the center safe. If Ramos wanted in, he would find a way.
“His name?”

“Seth. Not sure that’s his real name but he’s here every morning at the martial arts sessions. He helps with the boys and in the kitchen. Send a man by in the morning and I’ll identify him.”

“What if he doesn’t show?”

“Then I’ll learn where he’ll be. Bob will tell me. Says the kid is becoming a liability.”

Seth’s gut tightened. His hands clenched. Damn, trouble had found him. He straightened and sped down the alley away from the center. He needed a safe place. He ducked into a doorway and hit a programmed number.

“How can I help you?” a woman asked.

“Read your message. I need a way out.”

She gave him an address. “When you reach the door, knock once, wait and knock twice. We’ll be waiting.”

Seth pocketed the phone. He crept from the alley and caught the first bus to arrive. Several changes later he reached his destination. As he mounted the steps of the brownstone his cell vibrated. He checked the number. No way would he answer. Let Bob Tolena and the priest wonder and worry. He dropped the phone and crushed it with his heel.
Then he knocked in the sequence he’d been given.

The door opened to reveal an elderly woman with dark eyes and steel-gray hair. “How can I help you?”

Though Seth felt foolish he recalled the words he’d read on the flyer. “Need an escape. The answer is in my stars.”

She moved aside far enough for him to enter and led him down a hall where bright photographs caught his attention. He paused before one showing a hawk soaring over golden sand. He touched the bird with a finger.

“So that’s the one to interest you. Why?”

“The hawk is free.”

“And you?”

“Trapped and betrayed. I must escape.” Or at least hide here until I can come up with a plan.