Page 159 of Random in Death

“Put your hand on my penis. Rub it. Rub it, whore.”

He shoved up her top, yanked at her bra so he could, at last, at last, feel the female breast.

“You like that, don’t you?”

“It hurts. You’re hurting me.”

“That’s what you want. Say it. Say, ‘Hurt me, Francis.’”

He didn’t see the tears leaking out of her eyes. “Hurt me, Francis.”

The screams began, and the crazed laughter, the groans and howls and moans.

Eve took one look at the Tunnel of Terror, and thought: Yes.

The dark, the size of the cars, the screams that echoed up.

She pushed her way to the attendant.

“This boy. Has he gotten on, with a girl?”

“Lady, I’m doing a job here.”

She shoved her badge in his face. “So am I. Look at him. Have you seen him, with a girl?”

“The doof in the trench with the iced little chick? All over her.” He shook his head. “Can’t see why she’s with a doof. They’re on now.”

“How long ago?”

“I dunno. Few minutes. A couple.”

“Hit the lights. Stop the ride.” While the attendant gaped, she tapped her earbud. “Tunnel of Terror. He’s on it. He’s got the girl. Move! I said hit the damn lights, now.”

“But—”

Before Roarke could speak, she grabbed the attendant by the shirt. “Lights, now, or I charge you with accessory to rape and attempted murder.”

“Holy shit, I’m just doing a job.”

He hit the lights and the brakes for the ride. Shouts of protest rose up.

Eve saw the steep, narrow platform beside the tracks, and started down.

“Cover the exits to this ride. Emergency exits. Call for MTs. He gave her something to get her on. Francis Bryce,” she shouted, and swatted at whatever dangled from the ceiling. “This is the police. You’re surrounded. Move away from the girl.”

If they were too late to stop the rape, please God, let her be alive.

“There’s a platform coming up on the left,” Roarke told her. “Behind the wall of doom. First emergency exit.”

He’d had to practically lift her out of the car, but excitement gave him strength. She didn’t struggle, but went limp. And there were tears in her voice.

“It’s dark. I can’t see.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

He took the penlight out of his pocket. It wouldn’t do to step wrong.

“Move your whore ass!”