Page 114 of Hard Rain

“So’s the shampoo.”

Axel took another bite.

“This tastes better.”

Whip made a face that suggested he wasn’t convinced either one was fit for human consumption.

The coffee maker gave one last sputter before falling silent.

Whip poured himself a cup, sniffed it suspiciously, then looked out the window.

Rain pounded against the glass.

“You think Seattle knows it’s allowed to stop?”

Axel joined him.

“Looks expensive.”

“What?”

“All that rain.”

Whip blinked.

“You think rain costs money?”

“Has to come from somewhere.”

Whip laughed into his coffee.

“Well, there goes my plan to see the Space Needle.”

Axel looked through the gray curtain outside.

“Still there.”

“You can’t even see it.”

“Doesn’t mean it left.”

Whip snorted.

“What about Pike Place?”

“In this?” Axel shook his head. “Fish are probably throwing people.”

Whip smiled over the rim of his mug.

“The underground tour?”

“Underground sounds dry.”

“With our luck it’d flood.”

“Good point.”

Axel reached for another pastry.