The gate, as it turned out, was already bent into pieces of twisted metal when we arrived.

The earthquake had really done a number on the CAPRA's HQ.

Most of the pavement out front had been split into shards, and the roof of the compound

seemed to have caved in all inside, making the building look like a large creature trying

to loop its way out of the lake.

Still, there were lights on in the windows.

Someone had apparently thought ahead and built a backup generator.

Look, the inspector said, pointing to my windshield, a narrow structure stood on the roof's

highest point, so it was like a tiny radio tower.

A single red beam issued from the tip and ran all the way up to the rip above.

They picked up the walk-in radio Marconi's cruiser.

You see this?

I think we found our die, she crackled back.

We parked our cars under the cover of the trees and approached the entrance, weapons drawn.

The forest was dark, but the purple glow of the rift revealed the outline of two armed

men standing by the mangled remains of the gate.

Marconi signaled to me and we circled around them, keeping our pistols raised.

They hadn't seen us yet, but once in my god damn life, the only surprise was on our side.

Hey, one of them shouted, and both lifted their assault rifles.

The inspector appeared on the road in front of them.

His eyes were burning like dots of cold fire, and his coat whipped behind him in a sudden

gust of wind.

...