Chapter 11
Saturday, June 6, 1987-Evening
Pico padded through a drainage ditch at MacArthur Park as dusk settled across the city of Los Angeles. Sweat beaded on his brow. Coughing continually, he stopped and spat phlegm into the murky water beneath his feet.
A scrape came from the mouth of the tunnel. Pico turned and saw a dark-haired-man with a leather band enveloping his head following him. Suspended from the leather band was a black magnification device. From his studies of the alien technology at Science Frontiers, Pico recognized the contraption as a human tracking device used by Visitors.
Unlike a Visitor, no reverberation came from the stranger's voice as he warned, "Stop, or I'll kill you." He drew a small pistol, and aimed it at Pico.
Pico tried to run, but tripped over a stone, falling face first into the water. Pain ripped through his nose as it smacked against the pavement. The stranger jerked him up by the neck. Pico shivered, trying to break free from his grasp.
#
Almost an hour after Donovan dropped Maggie off at her place, he checked messages on his answering machine. Several messages from KDHB News Director, Mick Pierce, insisted Donovan call into the station A.S.A.P. Pierce wanted an interview, but Donovan wasn't in the mood. He trekked into his bedroom with leaden feet and pulled off his t-shirt. As soon as his head hit the pillow, the bedside phone rang.
News on Julie… He snatched up the receiver.
"Hello?"
"I've got Pico. I need you to pick me up." Ham was on the other end, demanding as usual.
"Where's your car?"
"Just shut up and come help me!"
"Where are you?"
"Near Seventh and Park View."
Only a few blocks from the hospital… The phone clicked in Donovan's ear. Ham had a way of ending discussions without rebuttal from the other party. With a grunt, Donovan thrust back the covers and scrambled out of bed.