Peter Decker 3-Book Thriller Collection: False Prophet, Grievous Sin, Sanctuary

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Faye Kellerman

Год написания книги

2019

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“Do you want help or do you want to piss me off?”

Jan said, “Cindy assured me that she had arranged to stay with you this summer so Alan and I could take our dream vacation to Europe.”

“Cindy never arranged a damn thing with me, Jan. But it’s no problem. I can take her for the summer. I can take her anytime you want. God knows, you’ve done more than your fair share with her.”

Nobody spoke for a moment.

“That was nice, Pete.”

“Yeah, I throw you a bone every once in a while.”

“She didn’t clear it with you?”

“No, Jan, she didn’t. But I can take her.”

“We’re planning on being away the entire summer—”

“It’s no problem.”

Decker thought: A two-month European vacation with no children. And here he was with a pregnant wife. By the time he and Rina reached the stage where Jan and Alan were, he’d be sixty-one …

“Have a good time,” he said.

“I can’t believe Cindy didn’t tell you,” Jan said. “I offered to call, but she insisted she’d handle it.”

Decker said, “Has she sounded upset to you lately?”

“Not any more than usual.”

“Well, she’s been really upset with me. That’s probably the reason. What did she think? I’d say no?”

“I don’t know … but maybe Cindy feels you don’t need her anymore now that your wife is expecting—”

“That is so stupid, Jan! Totally ridiculous!”

“Fine, Pete, I’m stupid and ridiculous! Can we bring over her car or not?”

“Cindy is my daughter, for chrissakes! Nothing will ever change that! What are you suggesting? Sibling rivalry between an eighteen-year-old and an infant?”

“The car, Pete?” Jan sounded weary. “Around eight?”

“Yeah, bring the car over around eight.”

“I’m hanging up now, Pete.”

Decker heard the line go dead. He sat, hands on the wheel, listening to the sound of vehicles speeding past him. It was hot and smoggy and he was worn out. But he had a job to do. A burden being responsible. He adjusted his butt in the seat, buckled his shoulder harness, and started the engine. He was proud that he remembered to unclench his teeth before he put the car in gear.

17

There it was—the knock.

Mike Ness rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. “It’s open, Kell.”

He heard the door shut and a chair pull up next to the bed. “What is it this time?”

“The lady detective’s back, Mike.”

“I know, Kell. I just talked to her.”

“You did? When?”

“A few minutes ago.” Ness turned onto his side. “You need me to cover for you or something?”

“Stop playing games with me, Michael!” Kelley shouted. “You know how important this job is to me. Swear to me you had nothing to do—”

“Goddamn it, just knock it off!” Ness leaped up and pounded his wall. “I’m getting sick of your whining, you know that?”

The room was silent. Ness turned around and groaned. Little Kell just sitting there, eyes filled with tears, lips in that little pout. Just like old times. It was the pout that always got to him. So helpless …

He walked over and kissed her forehead, letting his lips rest on her cool skin. He’d always been envious of her complexion, not a single pimple or blackhead even during her teenage years. He felt Kelley stroke his cheek tenderly.

“You need a shave,” she said.

“Davida likes me like this.” He pulled away and began to massage her shoulders. “She thinks I look sinister. You’re tight, sis.”

“I’m nervous.”

“Relax.”

“Feels good,” Kelley purred.

“Big brother knows what’s best, right?”

She didn’t answer. God, she was just impossible. Ness said, “What’s the problem, Kell?”

“What did the lady detective want?”

“She wants a couple strands of my hair!” Ness shook his head, laughed, then flopped down on the bed and faced her. “Get this: They want to tissue-type it against the semen sample found on Lilah’s bedsheets. Can you believe it?”

Kelley bit her thumbnail. “What are you going to do?”

“What do you think? I’m gonna give her a sample!”

Kelley was quiet.

“Stop biting your nails.” Ness took her hand and patted it. “Everything’s gonna be ducky, I promise.”

Kelley drew him into an embrace. He didn’t react, then felt his hands snake around his sister’s small waist.