Hooker Avenue by Jodé Millman

Author:Jodé Millman [Jodé Millman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2022-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-One

The fading daylight streamed in through the nursery windows, setting the framed letters spelling LILY aglow against the bright pink, white, and lime green striped wall behind the crib. The surrounding pale pink walls muted the energy of the room, setting the tone for Lily’s bedtime.

Jessie cradled Lily in her arms, inhaling the sweetness of the freshly bathed babe, and looked out the window. Below, Hal swung his driver on the backyard lawn. He drew back the club in a slow, controlled motion, paused at the top of his swing, and throttled the imaginary ball in a perfect pendulum. After each swing, he repeated the exercise.

Feeling a heavy head pressing against her shoulder, Jessie tenderly transferred Lily into the crib and slipped out of the room.

“Getting ready for the Masters?” Jessie asked, joining Hal outside. One hand balanced a cup of tea and the other carried her cellphone open to the baby monitor app.

Spring’s evening chill filled the air, turning her skin to gooseflesh. It reminded her about the four women lost somewhere in the night. If alive, they were scared and alone. If dead, they were as cold as the frosty earth in which they were buried.

Now, more than ever, Jessie needed Hal’s advice about Jeremy. He’d know how to convince him to cooperate with the investigation. She was about to speak, but Hal struck his driving stance and addressed the blades of grass substituting for the golf ball.

“Do you know what I enjoy about golf? It’s you against the course. Sure, the play changes with the weather and they shuffle the tees and pins around, but you know what to expect. For Christ’s sake, they give you a map of the distances and the hazards.” Hal swung forcefully and shaded his eyes, pretending to search the twilight for his ball. He twirled the driver’s shaft in his fingers like a baton, and then he balanced its egg-shaped metal head in his palm. “And you know your equipment, the way it feels in your grip. You depend on that familiarity to conquer the course.” He flung the driver up into the air and caught it by the grip upon its return to earth. “Some days you’re good, and some days you suck. But one great shot and you feel like a million bucks.”

“You’re right, every game, every shot presents a new opportunity,” she agreed. Hal wasn’t discussing golf with her. It was more philosophical than that.

“How could I’ve missed it? Those women vanished under my watch. I was in charge of the Major Crimes Division. It’s my fault.” In one swift movement, he snapped the driver’s shaft in half over his knee and hurled the broken metal bits to the ground. “Fuck.”

“I know you’re under pressure, but talk to me. Please, Hal. Tell me what’s going on.”

Hal snatched the pieces from the grass and stalked past her into the kitchen. The slamming of the screen door made her flinch, and fear crawled along her flesh. She’d never seen Hal so enraged, so withdrawn.

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