Chapter 19
Roy Prentiss got off the bus and walked two blocks to Eve's apartment. Just as he approached the front door, a car pulled up on front of the building. Two women were in the front seat.
Quickly, he stepped back behind a thick tree. One of the women got out of the car. It was Eve. She bent down stiffly to say something to the driver, then the car pulled off. In the glow from the street lamp, Roy saw that there was a caduceus on the license tag.
He stepped soundlessly into the lobby after she had had a chance to start up the stairwell. She moved slowly, he saw. The stairs were dark. He waited until he heard her open a corridor door. She had only climbed one flight; she must live on the second floor.
He rushed up the stairs and opened the door. She was only about four feet from him; her apartment faced the door that led to the stairs. Her key was in the lock. It turned. The door opened, and she paused a moment as she reached around the jamb to switch on the foyer light.
He sprang forward, grabbing her from behind and forcing her through the door, kicking it shut with his foot. His hand covered her mouth as he fell on top of her.
He pulled her over on her back and straddled her, his hands on her throat. "All right, you little piece. I'm gonna get some of that cunt you've been shovin' in my face. You little bitch, I'm gonna fuck you, I'm gonna give you some, I'm gonna stick somethin; in you!"
He expected begging, pleading, terror-huge eyes. And struggle. He wanted her to struggle and kick, twist and squirm. That would make it better!
But instead her eyes were squeezed shut, and her mouth twisted in a grimace, so that she looked like someone who had had a stroke. It seemed to him that all of her features were on only one side of her face.