C. J. Box by Three Weeks to Say Goodbye

Author:Three Weeks to Say Goodbye
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Denver (Colo.), Mystery & Detective, Adoptive Parents, General, Family & Relationships, Adoption, Birthparents, Crime, Suspense, Adopted Children, Fiction, Suspense Fiction
ISBN: 9780312571863
Publisher: AUDIOGO
Published: 2009-11-03T06:00:00+00:00

WHEN I LANDED AT DIA, I could barely wait for my luggage. On the other side of the frosted glass would be my wife and daughter and either Cody or Brian or both. The marble floors were gleaming and new. Despite the late hour, there was space, light, no cigarette smoke. So American. So not Berlin. My world.

Brian was with her, looking sharp. But the downcast of his eyes clued me in immediately that something was wrong. Melissa’s face was puffy and red, her mouth downturned. Angelina saw me from her stroller and started clapping, though, oblivious to what was affecting Brian and Melissa.

“Harry,” Melissa said, as I hugged her. She whispered in my ear. “Harry’s dead.”

The news made me go cold. “Harry?”

“Harry!” Angelina said, mimicking me and clapping her pudgy hands. “Harry dog!”

Brian tugged at my arm so we could distance ourselves from Melissa and Angelina in her stroller.

“The cops said someone threw raw hamburger into your backyard laced with rat poison and fishhooks,” Brian said. “We found Harry coughing up blood on the back deck, but by the time we got him to the vet it was too late. The vet said there were a dozen hooks imbedded in his throat.”

“When did this happen?” I asked, numb.

Brian looked at his wristwatch. “Five hours ago, I guess. We left the vet an hour ago to meet you, but it was over long before then. Melissa gave the okay to put him down because it was only a matter of time before he died.”

“So,” I said, “I was somewhere over Michigan when my dog died.”

“I guess so.”

Hot tears filled my eyes. I angrily wiped them away. I’m not a crier and was surprised by my reaction, but the news had hit me like a hammerblow.

“We know who did it,” Brian said. “Remember how Garrett reacted to your dog?”

“Harry never hurt anyone,” I said. “He wasn’t capable of hurting anyone.”

“Garrett got you back,” Brian said. “And I don’t think he’s done with you.”

“Jesus,” I said, “this is so… depraved.” I wiped at my face, not wanting Angelina to see me—or Melissa. I couldn’t believe I was crying, especially because I hadn’t cried after all of the things that had happened to us. But Harry? What had Harry done to anyone?

“I know how tough this is,” Brian said, putting his arm around my shoulder. “But when we get home, Cody is ready to drive to Montana. I know you’re tired, but are you up for that?”

“All of us?” I asked.

Brian said, “All but me. I can’t afford to risk being out of town if my source calls with the photos. He could call anytime,” he said, brandishing his cell phone. “Besides, Jeter Hoyt and I never really got along.”

He whispered when he said the name Jeter Hoyt.

I said, “Are you going to tell me what these photos are? I’d like to know.”

Brian shook his head. “I’m not positive myself—I’m leery of asking too many questions. My contact is jittery as it is.

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