Hayes wasn’t standing behind the door when Copeland came after him. He knew the late Bates’ second best hitter would expect him to be there. Hayes never did what was expected. He stood just past the expected place, a part of the wall, a part of the dark, the disk with the needle between his fingers. He was wearing night goggles so he could see the door slide open. He usually hunted by scent. The smell of fear and blood helped him home in on his prey better than a smart bomb, but tonight he would take no chances. Copeland was good. Not as good as him, but good enough to treat cautiously.
Hayes wanted to take him alive.
He needed him alive. This was not the time and place to kill him. This time and place didn’t fit the pattern. This time and place wouldn’t relieve his pain.
He needed reli
